Utilization of Host Polyamines in Alternatively Activated Macrophages Promotes Chronic Infection by Brucella abortus.

ABSTRACT: Treatment of intracellular bacterial pathogens with antibiotic therapy often requires a long course of multiple drugs. A barrier to developing strategies that enhance antibiotic efficacy against these pathogens is our poor understanding of the intracellular nutritional environment that maintains bacterial persistence. The intracellular pathogen Brucella abortus survives and replicates preferentially in alternatively activated macrophages (AAMs); however, knowledge of the metabolic adaptations promoting exploitation of this niche is limited. Here we show that one mechanism promoting enhanced survival in AAMs is a shift in macrophage arginine utilization from production of nitric oxide (NO) to biosynthesis of polyamines, induced by interleukin 4 (IL-4)/IL-13 treatment. Production of p

SUBMITTER: Kerrinnes T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5820950 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature