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Following Cell-fate in E. coli After Infection by Phage Lambda
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A Mammalian Cell's Guide on How to Process a Bacteriophage

Leo Kan1, Jeremy J Barr1

  • 1School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia;

Annual Review of Virology
|September 29, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Bacteriophages (phages) interact with mammalian cells despite not infecting them. This review details phage-mammalian cell surface interactions, internalization, and intracellular fate, impacting health and disease.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect bacteria.
  • Their ubiquity in the human body and interactions with mammalian cells are increasingly recognized.
  • The human virome and clinical applications of phages highlight the importance of phage-mammalian interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a mechanistic overview of phage-mammalian cell interactions.
  • To detail phage internalization processes and intracellular fate.
  • To summarize the current understanding of phage-mammalian interactions in health and disease.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of phage-mammalian interactions.
  • Mechanistic analysis of cell surface binding and internalization.
  • Summary of current research on health and disease associations.

Main Results:

  • Phages interact with mammalian cell surfaces.
  • Phages can be internalized by mammalian cells through various processes.
  • The intracellular fate and biological consequences of these interactions are under investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Phage-mammalian interactions are complex and multifaceted.
  • Understanding these interactions is crucial given the growing use of phages in clinical settings.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the full impact of phages on mammalian health and disease.
Keywords:
endocytosisimmunityinflammationintracellulartraffickingvirome

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