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Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
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Pathogen-induced apoptosis of macrophages: a common end for different pathogenic strategies

W W Navarre1, A Zychlinsky

  • 1Skirball Institute for Biomolecular Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Kaplan Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, NY 10028, USA.

Cellular Microbiology
|February 24, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Bacterial pathogens induce macrophage apoptosis through diverse mechanisms, influencing infection outcomes. Understanding these microbe-macrophage interactions is key to controlling infectious diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Microbe-macrophage interactions are critical in infectious disease pathogenesis.
  • Bacterial pathogens can induce macrophage apoptosis via distinct mechanisms, affecting disease progression.
  • Macrophage apoptosis can lead to differential inflammatory responses, impacting infection control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the varied mechanisms by which bacterial pathogens induce macrophage apoptosis.
  • To discuss the role of surface receptors in activating pro-apoptotic pathways.
  • To examine the implications of macrophage apoptosis in different disease contexts.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on microbe-macrophage interactions and apoptosis.
  • Analysis of specific bacterial species (Shigella, Salmonella, Yersinia) and their apoptotic pathways.
  • Discussion of the role of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) like lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoproteins (BLPs).

Main Results:

  • Shigella and Salmonella induce apoptosis leading to pro-inflammatory cytokine release.
  • Yersinia induces apoptosis by suppressing tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha signaling.
  • Bacterial components recognized by surface receptors can activate pro-apoptotic signaling.

Conclusions:

  • Macrophage apoptosis is a multifaceted process exploited by various pathogens.
  • The differential outcomes of macrophage apoptosis highlight the complexity of host-pathogen interactions.
  • Further research into these pathways may reveal novel therapeutic targets for infectious diseases.

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