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Listeria monocytogenes: cell biology of invasion and intracellular growth

Javier Pizarro-Cerdá1,2,3, Pascale Cossart1,2,3

  • 1Unité Interactions Bactéries-Cellules, Institut Pasteur, Paris F-75015, FRANCE.

Microbiology Spectrum
|December 8, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Listeria monocytogenes invades host cells by remodeling membranes and spreads through actin-based motility. This pathogen manipulates host cell functions, including immune responses and gene expression, for replication and dissemination.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive pathogen that infects mammalian cells.
  • Bacterial entry involves host plasma membrane remodeling and engulfment.
  • Intracellular survival and spread rely on disrupting host cell machinery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which Listeria monocytogenes invades and disseminates within host cells.
  • To identify the host cell components and functions subverted by L. monocytogenes during infection.

Main Methods:

  • Observational studies of host-pathogen interactions.
  • Analysis of bacterial invasion and intracellular trafficking.
  • Investigation of actin-based motility and cell-to-cell spread.

Main Results:

  • L. monocytogenes triggers plasma membrane remodeling for host cell entry.
  • The pathogen disrupts the internalization vacuole and replicates in the cytoplasm.
  • An actin-based motility system facilitates bacterial movement and cell-to-cell spread.

Conclusions:

  • L. monocytogenes effectively subverts host cell receptors, organelles, and cytoskeleton.
  • Diverse cellular functions, including membrane trafficking and immune responses, are manipulated.
  • Successful infection relies on extensive hijacking of host cell processes for survival and dissemination.

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