FIG. 6.

Ezrin-dependent C. trachomatis infection. (A) LLC-PK1 cells stably expressing the DN ezrin (DN, white bars) or control vector (Control, black bars) were infected with C. trachomatis (D or L2) or GPIC (MOI of ∼0.1). At 24 h p.i., the cells were fixed and stained with the anti-LPS Ab. Inclusions were quantified and normalized to infected control cells. In all experiments, control cells contained between approximately 200 to 300 inclusions across individual wells. Error bars indicate standard deviation. *, P < 0.005. (B) HeLa cells were transfected with ezrin-specific or scrambled ezrin siRNA. Ezrin protein levels were examined by Western blotting at 48 h posttransfection, the time of chlamydial infection. There was an ∼40% reduction in ezrin protein levels. (C and D) HeLa cells transfected with ezrin-specific (C) or scrambled (D) siRNA were infected 48 h posttransfection with C. trachomatis (D or L2) or GPIC (MOI of ∼0.01). Cells were fixed and stained 24 h p.i. as described above, and the inclusions were quantified. The values shown represent inclusion-forming units (IFUs) as a percentage of mock-transfected cells. *, P < 0.001.