Innate Immune Sensing of Chlamydia

Erica Sennott

Upon initial infection, C. trachomatis is recognized by the innate immune system, which induces a Type I IFN response and contributes to pathology in certain mouse models. How these early aspects of pathogen recognition affect the development of an adaptive immune response is not well understood. Using both in vitro and in vivo models, I am interested in understanding how the host recognizes intracellular C. trachomatis and what effects the innate signaling pathways have on the development of a C. trachomatis-specific T-cell response.