Chlamydia species cause reduced oxygen transport across the cell wall, increased angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), loss of apoptosis (normal cell death), significant inflammation, and reduced immune function. Chlamydia causes an increase in C-reactive protein; TNF-alpha; and IL 1, 6, 7, and 10 (interleukins). Angiogenesis is a passive response to bring more oxygen to cells deprived of oxygen, due to reduced oxygen transport across the cell wall. Loss of apoptosis causes replication by division, of weaker and weaker replicas of infected cells. Chlamydia infects white blood cells, which reduces immune function. Inflammatory markers are a response of the white blood cells, to fight infection. The immune system does not attack healthy tissue—it reacts to chemical signals and molecular mimicry, which create abnormal biochemical signals.