Advances in the pathogenic, genetic and immunological studies of leprosy

• DOI: 10.1016/j.hlife.2023.10.003
• Publication Date: 2023-10-13T16:44:28Z
• Authors: Zihao Mi; Hong Liu; Furen Zhang
• Keywords: Mycobacterium leprae; Pathogenesis

Leprosy is an infectious granulomatous disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) that affects the skin and can lead to deformity damaging peripheral nerves. Although leprosy no longer incurable disease, its epidemic has not been well controlled because of unclear routes transmission lack effective vaccine. Moreover, long ideal model for study genetics immunology diseases due strong genetic predisposition immune-dependent spectrum clinical manifestations. Here, we review latest important findings pathogenesis leprosy. Recent studies have shown highly conserved M. zoonotic, which further complicates ambiguous leprae. Genetically, genome-wide association reported dozens susceptibility genes, most are immune-related, thus systematically elucidate immunogenetic basis disease. Immunologically, plenty novel mechanisms host defense against intracellular bacterial infection modulation immunity depicted. Despite these great achievements, there still gaps between pathogenic biology, genetics, leprosy, limiting our in-depth understanding pathogenesis. Further efforts, such as multi-omics data integration development viable animal models urgently needed accelerate advances in precise prevention treatment