Chlamydia trachomatis infection upregulates MicroRNA21 to deplete tumor suppressor PTEN

Abstract

Infection with obligate intracellular Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) has been associated with cervical and ovarian carcinoma in humans. The possible cause of the tumor-promoting effect of the infection is thought to be a manipulation of host signaling pathways, which are essential for the growth of the bacteria, and which at the same time can support tumor growth. The PI3K and MAPK signaling cascades are outstanding candidates for this concept, as they are persistently activated during infection and required for the growth of Chlamydia and many tumors. The mechanism by which Chlamydia activates these pre-transforming survival signals in the cells is not well understood. Here we show that Ct infection up-regulates the oncomiR, miR21 by activating the host transcription factor AP-1. This depletes the target gene of miR-21, the tumor suppressor PTEN that ensures the persistent activation of the PI3K pathway. Blocking miR21 adversely affects the growth and development of the pathogen. We show here that miR21 KO mice are less susceptible to infection with Ct compared to control mice. Our data thus provides direct in vivo evidence of the induction and dependency of this obligate human pathogen on tumor-promoting miR-21-induced signaling. ImportanceChlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular pathogen that relies on host metabolism for survival, yet the mechanisms by which it sustains nutrient access remain incompletely understood. Here, we identify a conserved host regulatory axis in which infection induces miR-21 to deplete the tumor suppressor PTEN, thereby enabling persistent activation of PI3K signaling. This pathway promotes a tumor-like metabolic state that supports bacterial growth while protecting infected cells from apoptosis. We further demonstrate that the AP-1-miR-21-PTEN circuit is required for efficient chlamydial replication in vitro and in vivo, and that disruption of miR-21 significantly impairs bacterial propagation in epithelial tissues. These findings reveal how C. trachomatis hijacks a central oncogenic signaling network to remodel host cell physiology and highlight a mechanistic link between infection and cancer-associated pathways. Targeting this host-driven signaling axis may provide new strategies for controlling infection independent of traditional antibiotics.