Differential Effects of Gamma Interferon on Chlamydia trachomatis Growth in Polarized and Nonpolarized Human Epithelial Cells in Culture

The effects of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) on Chlamydia trachomatis growth in polarized epithelial cells were examined. The range of IFN-γ concentrations causing aberrant chlamydial growth was wider in polarized than in nonpolarized cultures. Results indicate that chlamydial growth modulation in polarized cells readily leads to persistence and better reflects in vivo conditions.