The Chlamydia trachomatis Inclusion Membrane Protein CpoS Counteracts STING-Mediated Cellular Surveillance and Suicide Programs

Evading cell death is critical for Chlamydia to maintain a replicative niche, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. We screened a library of Chlamydia mutants for modulators of cell death. Inactivation of the inclusion membrane protein CpoS (Chlamydia promoter of survival) induced rapid apoptotic and necrotic death in infected cells. The protection afforded by CpoS is limited to the inclusion in which it resides, indicating that it counteracts a spatially restricted pro-death signal. CpoS-deficient Chlamydia induced an exacerbated type I interferon response that required the host cGAS/STING/TBK1/IRF3 signaling pathway. Disruption of STING, but not cGAS or IRF3, attenuated cell death, suggesting that STING mediates Chlamydia-induced cell death independent of its role in regulating interferon responses. CpoS-deficient strains are attenuated in their ability to propagate in cell culture and are cleared faster from the murine genital tract, highlighting the importance of CpoS for Chlamydia pathogenesis.