AUTHOR=Li Nana , Yang Huiying , Zhang Shan , Jiang Yufei , Lin Yinhui , Chen Xiaoxiao , Zhang Yuchen , Yu Yonghui , Ouyang Xuan , Cui Yujun , Song Yajun , Jiao Jun 

TITLE=COPB1-knockdown induced type I interferon signaling activation inhibits Chlamydia psittaci intracellular proliferation

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=Volume 16 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1566239

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2025.1566239

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=ObjectiveChlamydia psittaci is a zoonotic pathogen that causes an acute disease known as psittacosis. To establish infection in host cells, Chlamydia manipulates the host cell’s membrane trafficking pathways.MethodsIn this study, using fluorescently labeled C. psittaci and screening a human membrane trafficking small interfering RNA (siRNA) library, we identified 34 host proteins that influenced C. psittaci infection in HeLa cells.ResultsAmong these, knockdown (KD) of two genes encoding subunits of the coatomer complex I (COPI) inhibited the pathogen’s intracellular survival. Specifically, the knockdown of COPB1, a COPI subunit, significantly reduced the intracellular proliferation of C. psittaci. Mechanistically, we found that type I interferon negatively affected C. psittaci infection. Moreover, COPB1 KD disrupted the homeostasis of STING, preventing its retrieval from the Golgi back to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which in turn activated type I interferon signaling.ConclusionTogether, our findings advance the understanding of the mechanisms underlying Chlamydia infection and offer potential avenues for the development of new anti-C. psittaci strategies.