Granulysin: killer lymphocyte safeguard against microbes

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Primary T cell immunodeficiency and HIV infection increase susceptibility to non-viral infections.
• T lymphocytes play a crucial, yet underappreciated, role in controlling microbial infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent findings on the antimicrobial mechanisms employed by killer lymphocytes.
• To highlight the role of granulysin and granzymes in combating microbial pathogens.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent studies on lymphocyte-mediated antimicrobial activity.
• Analysis of the molecular mechanisms of granulysin and granzyme action.

Main Results:

• Killer lymphocytes utilize granulysin, a pore-forming peptide, to target microbial membranes.
• Granulysin facilitates the entry of granzymes into pathogens, inducing microptosis (programmed microbial cell death).
• This process involves disruption of microbial antioxidant defenses and essential metabolic pathways.

Conclusions:

• Granulysin and granzymes are key effectors in T cell-mediated immunity against bacteria, fungi, and parasites.
• Understanding these mechanisms offers potential therapeutic targets for managing non-viral infections in immunocompromised individuals.