Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Response to Stress from Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species

Gyanu Lamichhane

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2011.00176

Abstract

GENERAL COMMENTARY article Front. Microbiol., 27 August 2011Sec. Cellular and Infection Microbiology - closed section https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2011.00176

Highlights

The host mounts a complex response to kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) or limit its proliferation
Expression of nitric oxide synthase and markers associated with nitric oxide were observed to be expressed at elevated levels in the tuberculous lesion of lungs obtained from TB patients (Choi et al, 2002)
Activated macrophages that express nitric oxide synthase kill Mtb but this activity is lost in the presence of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors (Chan et al, 1992)

Summary

Introduction

The host mounts a complex response to kill Mtb or limit its proliferation. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates have been widely reported and demonstrated as major antimicrobial molecules produced by the host (Nathan and Ehrt, 2004). Reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates have been widely reported and demonstrated as major antimicrobial molecules produced by the host (Nathan and Ehrt, 2004). Macrophages constitute a major host defense against Mtb infection; activated macrophages use nitric oxide against Mtb to kill or suppress its multiplication (Ehrt et al, 2001; Nathan and Ehrt, 2004).

Results

Conclusion