缺氧组织,病原体 z-bo 2020-10-07 396

　　The oxygen content of the infected tissue is low. The body's standard immune system, which depends on oxygen, can only play a limited role. But in this case, how does the immune system control the bacteria? A working group led by Dr. Anja Luhrmann and Professor Jonathan Jantsch worked with other groups from Erlangen, Regensburg and Jena to study this issue.

　　Researchers found that under hypoxic conditions, the citrate cycle produces fewer metabolites and reduces the growth rate of bacteria in macrophages. Macrophages are a type of phagocytic cells that belong to the natural immune system and play an important role in resisting infections by intracellular pathogens (such as those that cause tuberculosis). The researchers found that the changes in macrophage mitochondrial metabolism are caused by signaling pathways caused by hypoxia. This leads to a reduction in various metabolites in the citric acid cycle, especially in citric acid. Since citric acid is an essential growth factor for certain bacteria, it can prevent the growth of bacteria.

　　Professor Jantch explained: "Our findings explain how to control pathogens that do not rely on oxygen, but we have never noticed before.

　　Dr. Lührmann added: "The pharmacological effects of these signaling pathways provide new opportunities to fight infection."