Synergy between individual TNF-dependent functions determines granuloma performance for controlling Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

ABSTRACT: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is one of the world's most deadly human pathogens; an integrated understanding of how it successfully survives in its host is crucial to developing new treatment strategies. One notable characteristic of infection with M. tuberculosis is the formation of granulomas, aggregates of immune cells whose structure and function may reflect success or failure of the host to contain infection. One central regulator of host responses to infection, including granuloma formation, is the pleiotropic cytokine TNF-alpha. Experimental work has characterized roles for TNF in macrophage activation; regulation of apoptosis; chemokine and cytokine production; and regulation of cellular recruitment via transendothelial migration. Separating the effects of these functions is presently

SUBMITTER: Ray JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3182770 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature