Aberrant gene expression of superoxide dismutases in Chlamydia trachomatis-infected recurrent spontaneous aborters

Study aimed to characterize the expression of antioxidant genes SOD1 and SOD2 in Chlamydia trachomatis-induced recurrent spontaneous aborters and further determine their role by in silico analysis. First void urine was collected from 130 non-pregnant women with history of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) (Group I) and 130 non-pregnant women (Group II; control) attending Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, SJH, New Delhi, India. C. trachomatis detection was performed by conventional PCR in urine. Gene expression of SOD1 and SOD2 was performed by quantitative real-time PCR. Further, its interacting partners were studied by in silico analysis. 22 patients were positive for C. trachomatis in Group I. Significant upregulation was observed for SOD2 gene in C. trachomatis-infected RSA patients while SOD1 was found to be downregulated. Increased concentration of oxidative stress biomarkers 8-hydroxyguanosine and 8-isoprostane was found in C. trachomatis-infected RSA patients. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) of SOD proteins and its interacting partners viz.; CCS, GPX1, GPX2, GPX3, GPX4, GPX5, GPX7, GPX8, CAT, PRDX1, TXN, SIRT3, FOXO3, and AKT1 were found to be involved in MAPK, p53 and foxo signaling pathways. Molecular pathways involved in association with SODs indicate reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification, apoptotic pathways and cell cycle regulation. Overall data revealed alleviated levels of SOD2 gene and decreased expression of SOD1 gene in response to C. trachomatis-infection leading to production of oxidative stress and RSA.