Beta Interferon Is Produced by Chlamydia trachomatis-Infected Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes and Inhibits Gamma Interferon-Induced HLA-DR Expression

Infection of fibroblast-like synovial cells with Chlamydia trachomatis (serotype D strain IC Cal 8) in culture induced the secretion of beta interferon (IFN-β). Chlamydial infection inhibited IFN-γ-induced expression of HLA-DR antigen in the cells. Addition of IFN-β antibody directly to infected cultures mitigated HLA-DR inhibition, suggesting involvement of produced IFN-β.