Mycobacteria, metals, and the macrophage

摘要: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a facultative intracellular pathogen that thrives inside host macrophages. A key trait of M. to exploit and manipulate metal cation trafficking infected macrophages ensure survival replication the phagosome. Here, we describe recent fascinating discoveries mammalian immune system responds infections with by overloading phagosome copper zinc, two metals which are essential nutrients in small quantities but toxic excess. has developed multi-faceted resistance mechanisms protect itself from toxicity including control uptake, sequestration cell, oxidation, efflux. The response combines this poisoning strategy nutritional immunity deprive such as iron manganese prevent bacterial replication. Both rely on translocation transporter proteins phagosomal membrane during maturation process This review summarizes these findings discusses how metal-targeted approaches might complement existing TB chemotherapeutic regimens novel anti-infective therapies.