Autophagy Enhances Bacterial Clearance during P. aeruginosa Lung Infection

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072263
• Publication Date: 2013-08-28T21:21:30Z
• Authors: Robert D. Junkins; Ann Shen; Kirill Rosen; Craig McCormick; Tong-Jun Lin
• Keywords: Intracellular parasite

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen which the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among cystic fibrosis patients. Although P. primarily considered extacellular pathogen, recent reports have demonstrated that throughout course infection bacterium acquires ability to enter reside within host cells. Normally intracellular pathogens are cleared through a process called autophagy sequesters degrades portions cytosol, including invading bacteria. However role in defense against vivo remains unknown. Understanding during particular importance as mutations recently been shown blockade pathway, could increase susceptibility infection. Here we demonstrate induces mast cells, recognized sentinels We further inhibition pharmacological means or protein knockdown inhibits clearance vitro, while pharmacologic induction significantly increased clearance. Finally find manipulation effectively regulates from lung. Together our results required for effective immune response vivo, suggest interventions targeting pathway considerable therapeutic potential treatment lung