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LC3-associated phagocytosis: host defense and microbial response
Sandeep Upadhyay1, Jennifer A Philips1
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Current Opinion in Immunology
|June 28, 2019
Summary
LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP) is an innate immune pathway that targets microbes. While often effective, some pathogens evade LAP, highlighting the complex interplay between host defense and microbial evasion strategies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Microbiology
Background:
- The innate immune system combats diverse microbes, but pathogens can evade these defenses.
- LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP) is a key antimicrobial pathway merging autophagy and phagocytosis.
- Understanding LAP is crucial for deciphering host-pathogen interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP).
- To elucidate how LAP targets microbial pathogens.
- To explore pathogen strategies for circumventing LAP.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP).
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying LAP.
- Examination of host-pathogen interactions within LAP compartments.
Main Results:
- LAP sequesters microbes in LC3-positive compartments, dependent on NADPH oxidase.
- LAP typically leads to microbial degradation via lysosomal trafficking.
- Certain pathogens have evolved mechanisms to evade or exploit LAP.
Conclusions:
- LAP represents a critical host defense mechanism against a wide range of pathogens.
- Pathogen evasion of LAP underscores the dynamic nature of host-pathogen co-evolution.
- Further research into LAP can reveal new therapeutic targets for infectious diseases.
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