Divergent host-pathogen interactions in neurolisteriosis: cytosolic replication vs. phagosomal dormancy of Listeria monocytogenes in CNS macrophages.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial infections of the central nervous system (CNS) pose a significant threat to public health, especially with the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance. Among these, Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) stands out as a key pathogen, responsible for often fatal neurolisteriosis in humans and cattle. Emerging evidence highlights the distinct roles played by microglia, the resident macrophages of the CNS, and infiltrating monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) during neuroinflammation. Using bovine models, we investigated the interactions between these two macrophage populations and Lm during infection. Our results show that Lm thrives in the cytosol of microglia, driving productive infection and facilitating bacterial spread. In contrast, MDM effectively sequesters Lm within the phagolysos

SUBMITTER: Tavares-Gomes L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12170700 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature