Anaphylatoxin signaling activates macrophages to control intracellular Rickettsia proliferation.

Mustapha Dahmani, Jinyi C Zhu, Jack H Cook, Sean P Riley

Microbiology spectrum 2023 Dec 12

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Pathogenic Rickettsia species are extremely dangerous bacteria that grow within the cytoplasm of host mammalian cells. In most cases, these bacteria are able to overpower the host cell and grow within the protected environment of the cytoplasm. However, a dramatic conflict occurs when Rickettsia encounter innate immune cells; the bacteria can "win" by taking over the host, or the bacteria can "lose" if the host cell efficiently fights the infection. This manuscript examines how the immune complement system is able to detect the presence of Rickettsia and alert nearby cells. Byproducts of complement activation called anaphylatoxins are signals that "activate" innate immune cells to mount an aggressive defensive strategy. This study enhances our collective understanding of the innate immune reaction to intracellular bacteria and will contribute to future efforts at controlling these dangerous infections.

Citation

Mustapha Dahmani, Jinyi C Zhu, Jack H Cook, Sean P Riley. Anaphylatoxin signaling activates macrophages to control intracellular Rickettsia proliferation. Microbiology spectrum. 2023 Dec 12;11(6):e0253823