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Published on: March 17, 2013
Pasteurella multocida and immune cells
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. kubatzky@uni-heidelberg.de
Abstract:
Pasteurella multocida was first discovered by Perroncito in 1878 and named after Louis Pasteur who first isolated and described this Gram-negative bacterium as the cause of fowl disease in 1880. Subsequently, P. multocida was also found to cause atrophic rhinitis in pigs, haemorrhagic septicaemia in cattle and respiratory diseases in many other animals. Among other factors such as lipopolysaccharide, outer membrane proteins and its capsule, the protein toxin (PMT) of P. multocida is an important virulence factor that determines the immunological response of the host's immune system. However, the exact molecular mechanisms taking place in cells of the innate and adaptive immune system are largely unknown for any of these virulence factors. Due to the obvious function of PMT on cells of the porcine skeletal system where it causes bone destruction, PMT was regarded as an osteolytic protein toxin. However, it remained unclear what the actual benefit for the bacteria would be. Recently, more attention was drawn to the osteoimmunological effects of PMT and the interplay between bone and immune cells. This review summarises the knowledge of effects of P. multocida virulence factors on the host's immune system.
Insights
Pasteurella multocida virulence factors, including the protein toxin (PMT), impact host immunity. This review details their effects on innate and adaptive immune cells, particularly osteoimmunology.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Immunology
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
Background:
- Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) is a Gram-negative bacterium causing various animal diseases.
- Key virulence factors include lipopolysaccharide, outer membrane proteins, capsule, and the protein toxin (PMT).
- The PMT's role in bone destruction (osteolytic) and its benefit to bacteria remain under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the effects of P. multocida virulence factors on the host immune system.
- To explore the molecular mechanisms of virulence factors in innate and adaptive immunity.
- To highlight recent findings on PMT's osteoimmunological effects.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on P. multocida virulence factors.
- Analysis of research on host immune responses to P. multocida.
- Focus on the interplay between bone and immune cells influenced by PMT.
Main Results:
- P. multocida virulence factors significantly influence host immunological responses.
- The protein toxin (PMT) plays a crucial role, impacting skeletal systems and immune cells.
- Understanding PMT's osteoimmunological effects is a recent focus.
Conclusions:
- P. multocida virulence factors are critical determinants of disease pathogenesis.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise molecular mechanisms of these factors on immune cells.
- The interplay between bone and immune cells, mediated by PMT, is a key area for future investigation.
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