Figure 4

Ultrastructure of C. pneumoniae infected HAEC. Cells were either infected with 10 IFU/cell (A, B) or 32 IFU/cell and treated with chloramphenicol (C) and analyzed 24 hpi (B, C) or 48 hpi (A). Control cells were treated with staurosporin (D), Na-acid (E) or were left untreated (F). A: Infected HAEC with an inclusion (asterisk) containing numerous reticulate bodies show normal nuclear-, intact organelle and cell membrane morphology. B: Infected HAEC undergoing cell death show condensed chromatin and dilated organelles (arrow heads) associated with strong membrane damage. These cells display apoptotic as well as necrotic features. C: Chloramphenicol treated HAEC with two elementary bodies (arrows) localized in a cell with intact organelles, membrane and nucleus. D: Staurosporin treated HAEC showing middle to late stage of apoptosis with a fragmented nucleus containing condensed heterochromatin. E: The organelles and the cell membrane of Na-acid treated cells are completely disrupted. F: The nuclei of untreated intact HAEC contain finely dispersed euchromatin. Scale bar; 2 μm; C, F; 0,5 μm.