Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell wall released fragments by the action of the human lung mucosa modulate macrophages to control infection in an IL-10-dependent manner.

ABSTRACT: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb), the causative agent of tuberculosis, is a major public health challenge facing the world. During infection, M.tb is deposited in the lung alveolar space where it comes in contact with the lung mucosa, known as alveolar lining fluid (ALF), an environment that M.tb encounters at different stages of the infection and disease. ALF is abundant in homeostatic and antimicrobial hydrolytic enzymes, also known as hydrolases. Here we demonstrate that ALF hydrolases, at their physiological concentrations and upon contact with M.tb, release M.tb cell envelope fragments into the milieu. These released fragments are bioactive, but non-cytotoxic, regulate the function of macrophages, and thus are capable of modulating the immune response contributing to the control of M

SUBMITTER: Arcos J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5479761 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature