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Applying an Inducible Expression System to Study Interference of Bacterial Virulence Factors with Intracellular Signaling
Published on: June 25, 2015
Staying alive: bacterial inhibition of apoptosis during infection
Christina S Faherty1, Anthony T Maurelli
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799, USA.
Abstract:
The ability of bacterial pathogens to inhibit apoptosis in eukaryotic cells during infection is an emerging theme in the study of bacterial pathogenesis. Prevention of apoptosis provides a survival advantage because it enables the bacteria to replicate inside host cells. Bacterial pathogens have evolved several ways to prevent apoptosis by protecting the mitochondria and preventing cytochrome c release, by activating cell survival pathways, or by preventing caspase activation. This review summarizes the most recent work on bacterial anti-apoptotic strategies and suggests new research that is necessary to advance the field.
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