Year: 2004
Type: article
Abstract: Granulomas are organized host immune structures composed of tightly interposed macrophages and other cells that form in response to a variety of persistent stimuli, both infectious and noninfectious. The tuberculous granuloma is essential for host containment of mycobacterial infection, although it does not always eradicate it. Therefore, it is considered a host-beneficial, if incompletely efficacious, immune response. The Mycobacterium RD1 locus encodes a specialized secretion system that promotes mycobacterial virulence by an unknown mechanism. Using transparent zebrafish embryos to monitor the infection process in real time, we found that RD1-deficient bacteria fail to elicit efficient granuloma formation despite their ability to grow inside of infected macrophages. We showed that macrophages infected with virulent mycobacteria produce an RD1-dependent signal that directs macrophages to aggregate into granulomas. This Mycobacterium-induced macrophage aggregation in turn is tightly linked to intercellular bacterial dissemination and increased bacterial numbers. Thus, mycobacteria co-opt host granulomas for their virulence.
Source: PLoS Biology
Institution: University of Washington
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $5,500
Awards: GENETIC DISSECTION OF MYCOBACTERIAL INFECTION, G4753194685, EARLY PULMONARY HOST DEFENSE IN M. TUBERCULOSIS INFECTIO, Training in Cellular and Molecular Biology, G6417214715, Genetic Basis of Mycobacterial Invasion, Host responses to Mycobacterium infection in Zebrafish., Host responses to Mycobacterium infection in Zebrafish
OpenAlex ID: W2086227247