A novel reproductive tract factor that protects against chlamydia

衣原体是性传播疾病的常见原因，导致盆腔炎、不孕症和宫外孕。没有预防感染或疾病的疫苗。我们发现了一种免疫系统中的新因子（干扰素），它只发生在生殖道中。如果没有这个因素，那么衣原体感染更严重。我们将研究这种因子如何保护免受感染，以及我们是否可以将其用作对抗衣原体性传播疾病的新药物。

Chlamydia is a common cause of sexually transmitted diseases resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancy. There are no vaccines that prevent infection or disease. We have discovered a new factor in the immune system (interferon-epsilon) that only occurs in the reproductive tract. If this factor is absent then Chlamydia infections are more severe. We will investigate how this factor protects against infection and if we can use it as a new agent against Chlamydia STDs.