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An Automated Culture System for Use in Preclinical Testing of Host-Directed Therapies for Tuberculosis
Published on: August 16, 2021
Autophagy and the immune response to TB
J Harris1, J C Hope, E C Lavelle
1Adjuvant Research Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland. jaharris@tcd.ie
Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
|April 25, 2009
Summary
Autophagy, a cellular recycling process, is crucial for immune cells responding to mycobacteria. It influences how these cells present antigens and interact with pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Autophagy is a fundamental cellular process for degrading damaged components and maintaining homeostasis.
- Autophagy plays a significant role in both innate and adaptive immunity against various pathogens.
- Mycobacteria are intracellular pathogens that interact with host immune cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of autophagy in antigen-presenting cells (APCs) during mycobacterial infections.
- To examine the connections between autophagy, phagosome maturation, inflammasome activation, and antigen presentation in APCs.
- To discuss how cytokines and mycobacterial components modulate autophagy in APCs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on autophagy and mycobacterial interactions in APCs.
- Analysis of studies linking autophagy to phagosome-lysosome fusion and pathogen clearance.
- Examination of research on inflammasome activation and antigen processing in the context of autophagy.
- Review of studies investigating cytokine and pathogen-derived molecule effects on autophagy.
Main Results:
- Autophagy is integral to APC responses against mycobacteria, affecting phagosome maturation and antigen processing.
- Autophagy modulates inflammasome activation, influencing the immune response to mycobacterial infection.
- Cytokines and mycobacterial stimuli can significantly alter autophagy pathways in APCs, impacting host defense.
- Autophagy influences the presentation of mycobacterial antigens by APCs to other immune cells.
Conclusions:
- Autophagy is a key regulator of APC function in the context of mycobacterial infections.
- Targeting autophagy may offer therapeutic strategies for managing mycobacterial diseases.
- Understanding autophagy modulation by pathogens and host factors is critical for immune response.
Related Concept Videos
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Endocytosis
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01:40Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Overview
01:22Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy
Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...