Chlamydia pneumoniae Infection of Endothelial Cells Induces Transcriptional Activation of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-B: A Potential Link to Intimal Thickening in a Rabbit Model of Atherosclerosis

Smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and intimal thickening are hallmark features of atherosclerotic disease, and Chlamydia pneumoniae may contribute to atherogenesis by imparting biological effects on SMCs. An in vitro endothelial cell model and a normocholesterolemic rabbit model were used to test the hypothesis that infection with C. pneumoniae induces SMC growth factor production, SMC proliferation, and aortic intimal thickening. Using …