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Published on: April 26, 2019
The function of sphingomyelinases in mycobacterial infections
Yuqing Wu1, Erich Gulbins1,2, Heike Grassmé1
1Department of Molecular Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, D-45122 Essen, Germany.
Abstract:
Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is one of the deadliest and most important infectious diseases worldwide. The sphingomyelinase/ceramide system, which has been shown several times to be a crucial factor in the internalization, processing and killing of diverse pathogens, also modulates the pro-inflammatory response and the state of mycobacteria in macrophages. Both acid and neutral sphingomyelinases are important in this activity. However, studies of the role of sphingomyelinases in TB are still at an early stage.
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