Molecular Mechanisms of Chlamydial Immunopathology

Rebeccah Lijek

Untreated human infection with Chlamydia trachomatis induces long-lasting immunopathology at the mucosal site of infection, such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility in the case of female genital tract infection. However, it is unclear what cellular and molecular mechanisms drive this immunopathologic response to infection. To address this question, my research uses mouse models of C. trachomatis genital tract infection to investigate the host and bacterial factors that are required for immunopathology.