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Updated: Apr 17, 2026
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Polarization of M1 and M2 Human Monocyte-Derived Cells and Analysis with Flow Cytometry upon Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection
Published on: September 18, 2020
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Mycobacteria, metals, and the macrophage
Olivier Neyrolles1, Frank Wolschendorf, Avishek Mitra
1Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Toulouse, France; Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Univer-sité Paul Sabatier, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.
Immunological Reviews
|February 24, 2015
Summary
Tuberculosis bacteria manipulate metal ions within macrophages. The immune system counters by increasing toxic copper and zinc levels, while limiting essential iron and manganese, to control bacterial growth.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) is an intracellular pathogen residing within host macrophages.
- M. tuberculosis manipulates host metal cation trafficking for survival and replication within the phagosome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent discoveries on host immune responses involving metal ion manipulation during M. tuberculosis infection.
- To discuss the potential of metal-targeted therapies against tuberculosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on host-pathogen interactions and metal ion homeostasis.
- Analysis of M. tuberculosis resistance mechanisms and host immune strategies.
- Examination of metal transporter protein roles in phagosome maturation.
Main Results:
- The mammalian immune system employs a strategy of overloading the phagosome with toxic levels of copper and zinc.
- M. tuberculosis exhibits multifaceted resistance mechanisms against metal toxicity, including uptake control, sequestration, oxidation, and efflux.
- Host nutritional immunity restricts essential metals like iron and manganese to inhibit bacterial replication.
Conclusions:
- Host immune responses involve both metal poisoning (copper, zinc) and nutritional immunity (iron, manganese deprivation).
- Metal transporter proteins are crucial, translocating to the phagosomal membrane during maturation.
- Targeting metal ion pathways presents a promising avenue for novel anti-tuberculosis therapies.
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