Description:
<jats:p>Chlamydial infection causes a number of clinically relevant diseases and induces significant morbidity in humans. Immune and inflammatory responses contribute to both the clearance of<jats:italic>Chlamydia</jats:italic>infection and pathology in host tissues.<jats:italic>Chlamydia</jats:italic>infection stimulates host cells to produce a large number of cytokines that trigger and regulate host immune responses against<jats:italic>Chlamydia</jats:italic>. However, inappropriate responses can occur with excessive production of cytokines, resulting in overreactive inflammatory responses and alterations in host or<jats:italic>Chlamydia</jats:italic>metabolism. As a result,<jats:italic>Chlamydia</jats:italic>persists and causes wound healing delays, leading to more severe tissue damage and triggering long-lasting fibrotic sequelae. Here, we summarize the roles of cytokines in<jats:italic>Chlamydia</jats:italic>infection and pathogenesis, thus advancing our understanding chlamydial infection biology and the pathogenic mechanisms involved.</jats:p>