title: [Molecular and cellular biology of mycobacteria].
abstract: The cell wall of mycobacteria contains mycobacteria-specific long-chain fatty acids, called mycolic acids, and mycolic acid-containing glycolipids. This highly hydrophobic structure of the cell wall of mycobacteria is critical not only for their acid-fast properties but also for their resistance to a variety of chemical attacks from the host cells, supporting their ability to survive for years within the host. On the other hand, the host T cells are capable of recognizing these critical lipid components of the cell wall of mycobacteria, such as glucose monomycolates, that are captured by group 1 CD1 molecules. These T cells are able to eliminate mycobacteria-infected cells. This opens the possibility for a new type of lipid-based vaccines against tuberculosis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cell Regulation, Institute for Virus Research, Kyoto University.
authors.forename: Yuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hattori
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sugita
mesh_terms: D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology