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A Novel Feeder-free System for Mass Production of Murine Natural Killer Cells In Vitro
Published on: January 9, 2018
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Mitochondria and pathogen immunity: from killer to firestarter.
Joel S Riley1,2, Stephen Wg Tait1,2
1Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK.
The EMBO Journal
|May 19, 2019
Summary
Pathogens trigger cell defense by activating BAX/BAK, which damages mitochondria. This damage signals STING, leading to inflammatory cytokine release and boosting immune defense.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Mitochondrial Research
Background:
- Pathogens trigger innate immune responses, including inflammation.
- Mitochondria play a role in cellular defense mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of mitochondrial apoptotic machinery in immune defense against pathogens.
- To understand the signaling pathways linking mitochondrial damage to inflammatory responses.
Main Methods:
- The study by Brokatzky et al. (2019) examined the effects of pathogen invasion on cellular components.
- Analysis of BAX/BAK activation and mitochondrial permeabilization was performed.
- STING-dependent signaling pathways were investigated in response to mitochondrial damage.
Main Results:
- Pathogens activate BAX/BAK, leading to limited mitochondrial permeabilization.
- Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) release or DNA damage triggers STING-dependent pathways.
- This process results in the expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Conclusions:
- The mitochondrial apoptotic machinery plays an unexpected role in innate immune defense.
- Mitochondrial damage serves as a signal for initiating inflammatory responses.
- This finding reveals a novel link between apoptosis and immunity.
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