Published in:
Open Access 01-07-2010
Immunology Taught by Bacteria
Published in: Journal of Clinical Immunology | Issue 4/2010
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Introduction
It has been proposed that the innate immune system might discriminate living and virulent pathogens from dead or harmless microbes, but the molecular mechanisms by which this discrimination could occur remain unclear. Although studies of model antigens and adjuvants have illuminated important principles underlying immune responses, the specific immune responses made to living, virulent pathogens can only be discovered by studies of the living, virulent pathogens themselves.
Methods and Findings
Here, I review what one particular bacterium, Legionella pneumophila, has taught us about the innate immune response. Pathogens differ greatly in the mechanisms they use to invade, replicate within, and transmit among their hosts. However, a theme that emerges is that the pathogenic activities sensed by host cells are conserved among multiple pathogenic bacteria.
Conclusion
Thus, immunology taught by L. pneumophila may lead to a more general understanding of the host response to infection.