Protein-protein interactions of HPV-Chlamydia trachomatis-human and their potential in cervical cancer.

Aim: HPV is an important cause of cervical cancer, but Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is suspiciously involved in this disease ranging from direct to its involvement as a cofactor with HPV. We performed this study to understand the interaction of HPV and C. trachomatis with humans and its contribution to cervical cancer. Materials & methods: Host-pathogen and pathogen-pathogen protein-protein interaction maps of HPV/CT/human were prepared and compared to analyze interactions during single/coinfection of C. trachomatis and HPV. The interacting human proteins were detected by their involvement in cervical cancer.

Results

C. trachomatis may interact with several cancer associated proteins while HPV and C. trachomatis largely interact with different human proteins, suggesting different pathogenesis.

Conclusion

C. trachomatis coinfection with HPV may modulate cervical cancer development.