https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Index ${session.getAttribute("locale")} 5 https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:38603 Chlamydia trachomatis infection is a primary cause of reproductive tract diseases including infertility. Previous studies showed that this infection alters physiological activities in mouse oviducts. Whether this occurs in the uterus and cervix has never been investigated. This study characterized the physiological activities of the uterine horn and the cervix in a Chlamydia muridarum (Cmu)-infected mouse model at three infection time points of 7, 14, and 21 days postinfection (dpi). Cmu infection significantly decreased contractile force of spontaneous contraction in the cervix (7 and 14 dpi; P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively), but this effect was not observed in the uterine horn. The responses of the uterine horn and cervix to oxytocin were significantly altered by Cmu infection at 7 dpi (P < 0.0001), but such responses were attenuated at 14 and 21 dpi. Cmu infection increased contractile force to prostaglandin (PGF2_α) by 53–83% in the uterine horn. This corresponded with the increased messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of Ptgfr that encodes for its receptor. However, Cmu infection did not affect contractions of the uterine horn and cervix to PGE₂ and histamine. The mRNA expression of Otr and Ptger4 was inversely correlated with the mRNA expression of ll1b, ll6 in the uterine horn of Cmu-inoculated mice (P < 0.01 to P < 0.001), suggesting that the changes in the Otr and Ptger4mRNA expression might be linked to the changes in inflammatory cytokines. Lastly, this study also showed a novel physiological finding of the differential response to PGE₂ in mouse uterine horn and cervix.]]> Wed 17 Nov 2021 15:27:35 AEDT ]]> https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:41157 Wed 15 Feb 2023 10:57:18 AEDT ]]> https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:47060 Wed 13 Mar 2024 08:04:20 AEDT ]]> https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:48779 Wed 05 Apr 2023 14:30:29 AEST ]]> https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:31006 Wed 02 Mar 2022 14:28:48 AEDT ]]> https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:47013 Tue 13 Dec 2022 11:48:24 AEDT ]]> https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:41158 Thu 28 Jul 2022 09:27:19 AEST ]]> https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:15996 Thu 18 Feb 2021 11:21:19 AEDT ]]> https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:33083 Thu 03 Feb 2022 12:19:51 AEDT ]]> https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:22009 Chlamydia and Haemophilus lung infection-induced SSIAAD. We used these models to investigate the effects of clarithromycin and amoxicillin treatment on immune responses and airways hyper-responsiveness (AHR) in Ova-induced, T helper lymphocyte (Th) 2 -associated steroid-sensitive AAD and infection-induced Th1/Th17-associated SSIAAD compared with dexamethasone treatment. Results: Clarithromycin and amoxicillin had similar antimicrobial effects on infection. Amoxicillin did attenuate some features, but did not broadly suppress either form of AAD. It did restore steroid sensitivity in SSIAAD by reducing infection. In contrast, clarithromycin alone widely suppressed inflammation and AHR in both steroid-sensitive AAD and SSIAAD. This occurred through reductions in Th2 responses that drive steroid-sensitive eosinophilic AAD and tumour necrosis factor a and interleukin 17 responses that induce SSIAAD. Conclusions: Macrolides have broad anti-inflammatory effects in AAD that are likely independent of their antimicrobial effects. The specific responses that are suppressed are dependent upon the responses that dominate during AAD.]]> Sat 24 Mar 2018 07:15:55 AEDT ]]> https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:22111 Ifn-ε–deficient mice had increased susceptibility to infection of the FRT by the common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) herpes simplex virus 2 and Chlamydia muridarum. Thus, IFN-ε is a potent antipathogen and immunoregulatory cytokine that may be important in combating STIs that represent a major global health and socioeconomic burden.]]> Sat 24 Mar 2018 07:13:18 AEDT ]]> https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:33077 Chlamydia, Haemophilus influenzae, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus respiratory tract infections and ovalbumin-induced, severe, steroid-insensitive allergic airway disease (SSIAAD) in BALB/c mice were developed and interrogated. Results: Infection induced increases in the levels of microRNA (miRNA)-21 (miR-21) expression in the lung during SSIAAD, whereas expression of the miR-21 target phosphatase and tensin homolog was reduced. This was associated with an increase in levels of phosphorylated Akt, an indicator of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activity, and decreased nuclear histone deacetylase (HDAC)2 levels. Treatment with an miR-21-specific antagomir (Ant-21) increased phosphatase and tensin homolog levels. Treatment with Ant-21, or the pan-PI3K inhibitor LY294002, reduced PI3K activity and restored HDAC2 levels. This led to suppression of airway hyperresponsiveness and restored steroid sensitivity to allergic airway disease. These observations were replicated with SSIAAD associated with 4 different pathogens. Conclusion: We identify a previously unrecognized role for an miR-21/PI3K/HDAC2 axis in SSIAAD. Our data highlight miR-21 as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of this form of asthma.]]> Fri 24 Aug 2018 14:41:05 AEST ]]> https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:33076 Chlamydia and Haemophilus respiratory infection-mediated, ovalbumin-induced severe, steroid-resistant allergic airway disease. These models share the hallmark features of human disease, including elevated airway neutrophils, and NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1ß responses. The roles and potential for targeting of NLRP3 inflammasome, caspase-1, and IL-1ß responses in experimental severe, steroid-resistant asthma were examined using a highly selective NLRP3 inhibitor, MCC950; the specific caspase-1 inhibitor Ac-YVAD-cho; and neutralizing anti-IL-1ß antibody. Roles for IL-1ß-induced neutrophilic inflammation were examined using IL-1ß and anti-Ly6G. Measurements and Main Results: Chlamydia and Haemophilus infections increase NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1ß responses that drive steroid-resistant neutrophilic inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. Neutrophilic airway inflammation, disease severity, and steroid resistance in human asthma correlate with NLRP3 and IL-1ß expression. Treatment with anti-IL-1ß, Ac- YVAD-cho, and MCC950 suppressed IL-1ß responses and the important steroid-resistant features of disease in mice, whereas IL-1ß administration recapitulated these features. Neutrophil depletion suppressed IL-1ß-induced steroid-resistant airway hyperresponsiveness. Conclusions: NLRP3 inflammasome responses drive experimental severe, steroid-resistant asthma and are potential therapeutic targets in this disease.]]> Fri 24 Aug 2018 14:40:56 AEST ]]> https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:55056 Fri 05 Apr 2024 14:28:53 AEDT ]]>