Macrophage heterogeneity in tuberculosis
Mycobacterium tuberculosis infects the macrophages of the host cells first and macrophages are the first responders of the innate immune system to control bacterial growth.
Two distinct macrophage lineages in the lung, comprising embryonically derived, tissue-resident alveolar macrophages and recruited, blood monocyte-derived interstitial macrophages exist but macrophage phenotypes required for optimal immune control of M. tuberculosis infection in vivo remain poorly defined.
The researchers discuss in this Review how the differing responses of macrophage lineages might affect the control or progression of tuberculosis disease.
The authors suggest immunological or chemotherapeutic reprogramming of macrophage responses to optimize vaccines and drug regimens for tuberculosis.
