Serotonin and melatonin, neurohormones for homeostasis, as novel inhibitors of infections by the intracellular parasite chlamydia

Authors: Rahman, Mohd. Akhlakur¹; Azuma, Yoshinao¹; Fukunaga, Hajime²; Murakami, Tomoyuki²; Sugi, Kazurou²; Fukushi, Hideto³; Miura, Koshiro¹; Suzuki, Harumi¹; Shirai, Mutsunori¹

Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Volume 56, Number 5, November 2005 , pp. 861-868(8)

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $42.29 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

Objectives: Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacteria, causing a variety of diseases, i.e. pneumonia, sexually transmitted disease, conjunctivitis and zoonosis. Tryptophan depletion by interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is the most important host defence system against chlamydial infection. Thus chlamydial tryptophan metabolism is thought to play key roles for IFN-γ resistance, persistent infection and host/tissue tropisms. We tested tryptophan derivatives for activity against chlamydia-infected cells.

Methods: Rates of chlamydial infection and sizes of the inclusions were evaluated by in vitro infection using three Chlamydiaceae species, Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Chlamydophila felis, which show significant divergence of tryptophan synthesis genes and different susceptibilities to IFN-γ.

Results: Melatonin and serotonin, which are recognized as neural hormones for maintenance of organism homeostasis, reduced chlamydial infection but not other bacterial growth tested here. Unlike IFN-γ, melatonin limited infection of all three chlamydiae and the effects were not recovered by tryptophan supplementation. Melatonin treatment only of host cells could diminish infection and the infection reduction was neutralized by a pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of G proteins. Ligands of melatonin and serotonin receptors also hampered infection.

Conclusions: Inhibition mechanisms of chlamydial infection by melatonin and serotonin appear to be different from those of IFN-γ and involve specific G-protein-coupled receptors. Melatonin is deemed to inhibit early progression of the chlamydial development cycle, such as establishment of intracellular infection and/or conversion from elementary body to reticulate body. Utilization of melatonin, serotonin or their derivatives may be advantageous for harmless prevention of chlamydial infection.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jac/dki331

Affiliations: 1: Department of Microbiology, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, 1-1-1, Minamikogushi, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan; 2: Department of Clinical Research, National Sanyou Hospital, Yamaguchi 755-0241, Japan; 3: Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifushi, Gifu 501-1193, Japan

Publication date: 2005-11-01

More about this publication?

The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy is among the foremost international journals in antimicrobial research. Our readership includes representatives of academia, industry and health services, and includes those who are influential in formulary decisions.

Serotonin and melatonin, neurohormones for homeostasis, as novel inhibitors of infections by the intracellular parasite chlamydia

Buy & download fulltext article:

Tools

Key

Text size:

Useful pages