Fluorescent Mycobacterium tuberculosis reporters: illuminating host–pathogen interactions. Issue 3 (4th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: MacGilvary, Nathan J; Tan, Shumin
• Is Part Of: Pathogens and disease. Volume 76:Issue 3(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-03-04
• Subjects: Mycobacterium tuberculosis -- fluorescent reporters -- heterogeneity -- environmental cues -- host–pathogen interactions; Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Pathogenic microorganisms -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Pathogenesis -- Periodicals; Host-parasite relationships -- Periodicals; Systems biology -- Periodicals; 616.904105
• DOI: 10.1093/femspd/fty017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2049-632X

Abstract

Abstract: The pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is intrinsically linked to its intimate and enduring interaction with its host, and understanding Mtb–host interactions at a molecular level is critical to attempts to decrease the significant burden of tuberculosis disease. The marked heterogeneity that exists in lesion progression and outcome during Mtb infection necessitates the development of methods that enable in situ analyses of Mtb biology and host response within the spatial context of tissue structure. Fluorescent reporter Mtb strains have thus come to the forefront as an approach with broad utility for the study of the Mtb–host interface, enabling visualization of the bacteria during infection, and contributing to the discovery of several facets such as non-uniformity in microenvironments and Mtb physiology in vivo, and their relation to the host immune response or therapeutic intervention. We review here the different types of fluorescent reporters and ways in which they have been utilized in Mtb studies, and expand on how they may further be exploited in combination with novel imaging and other methodologies to illuminate key aspects of Mtb–host interactions. Abstract : The authors review the utility of fluorescent reporter Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains for providing unique insight into multiple aspects of bacterial–host interactions, with single bacterium resolution.