Characterization ofChlamydia pneumoniaePersistence in HEp-2 Cells Treated with Gamma Interferon

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Abstract
Infection withChlamydia pneumoniaehas been implicated as a potential risk factor for atherosclerosis. This study demonstrated the effects of gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-mediated indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity onC. pneumoniaepersistence in HEp-2 cells, inclusion morphology, and ultrastructure.C. pneumoniaereplication showed a dose-dependent decrease when treated with increasing concentrations of IFN-γ and a phenotypic switch resulting in a decrease in typical inclusions with an increase in smaller, less-dense atypical inclusions. Ultrastructural analysis of IFN-γ-treatedC. pneumoniaerevealed atypical inclusions containing large reticulatate-like aberrant bodies with no evidence of redifferentiation into elementary bodies.