Axonal transport of Listeria monocytogenes and nerve-cell-induced bacterial killing.
Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) can cause fatal brainstem encephalitis in both sheep and humans. Here we review evidence that the bacteria can be incorporated into axons following a primary cycle of replication in macrophages/dendritic cells after subcutaneous injection in projection areas of peripheral neurons. The molecular mechanisms for the rocketing of L. monocytogenes in the cytosol by asymmetric cometic tails and the utility of this phenomenon for bacterial migration intraaxonally both in retro- and in anterograde directions to reach the central nervous system are described. The role of the immune response in the control of L. monocytogenes spread through peripheral neurons is highlighted, and a mechanism by which bacteria may be killed inside infected neurons through a nitric oxide-dependent pathway is pointed out.
Dons
Lone
L
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Jin
Yuxuan
Y
Kristensson
Krister
K
Rottenberg
Martin E
ME
D000818:Animals; D001370:Axonal Transport / Q000502:physiology*; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000502:physiology; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology; D009474:Neurons / Q000382:microbiology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology
D009569:Nitric Oxide