How Bacterial Movement Helps Them Avoid Immune Cells
Author Information
Author(s): Lovewell Rustin R., Collins Ryan M., Acker Julie L., O'Toole George A., Wargo Matthew J., Berwin Brent
Primary Institution: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dartmouth Medical School
Hypothesis
Do bacteria use their flagellar motility to evade phagocytosis by immune cells?
Conclusion
Bacterial flagellar rotation is recognized by immune cells as a signal to initiate phagocytosis, and loss of this motility allows bacteria to evade immune detection.
Supporting Evidence
- Phagocytic cells respond to bacterial swimming as a recognition signal.
- Loss of flagellar motility leads to increased resistance to phagocytosis.
- Similar mechanisms of phagocytic evasion were observed in multiple bacterial species.
Takeaway
Bacteria that can swim are better at getting eaten by immune cells than those that can't. When they stop swimming, they can hide better from the immune system.
Methodology
The study used genetic mutants of bacteria to assess the relationship between flagellar motility and phagocytic recognition by immune cells.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on specific bacterial species and may not generalize to all pathogens.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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