SLAM is a microbial sensor that regulates bacterial phagosome functions in macrophages.
AuthorsBerger SB, Romero X, Ma C, Wang G, Faubion WA, Liao G, Compeer E, Keszei M, Rameh L, Wang N, Boes M, Regueiro JR, Reinecker HC, Terhorst C,
JournalNat Immunol
PubMed ID20818396
'Phagocytosis is a pivotal process by which macrophages eliminate microorganisms after recognition by pathogen sensors. Here we unexpectedly found that the self ligand and cell surface receptor SLAM functioned not only as a costimulatory molecule but also as a microbial sensor that controlled the killing of gram-negative bacteria by macrophages. ... More
Ehrlichia chaffeensis infections in Drosophila melanogaster.
AuthorsLuce-Fedrow A, Von Ohlen T, Chapes SK,
JournalInfect Immun
PubMed ID19687202
Ehrlichia chaffeensis is an obligate, intracellular bacterium, transmitted by the tick Amblyomma americanum, and is the causative agent of human monocytic ehrlichiosis infections. We previously demonstrated that E. chaffeensis is capable of growing in Drosophila S2 cells. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that E. chaffeensis can infect adult Drosophila melanogaster. ... More
Chemotactic network responses to live bacteria show independence of phagocytosis from chemoreceptor sensing.
AuthorsMeena NP, Kimmel AR
JournalElife
PubMed ID28541182
Aspects of innate immunity derive from characteristics inherent to phagocytes, including chemotaxis toward and engulfment of unicellular organisms or cell debris. Ligand chemotaxis has been biochemically investigated using mammalian and model systems, but precision of chemotaxis towards ligands being actively secreted by live bacteria is not well studied, nor has ... More