Mycobacterium tuberculosis-driven targeted recalibration of macrophage lipid homeostasis promotes the foamy phenotype

Varshneya Singh, Shilpa Jamwal, Ritu Jain, Priyanka Verma, Rajesh Gokhale, Kanury V.S. Rao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

221 Scopus citations

Abstract

Upon infection, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) metabolically alters the macrophage to create a niche that is ideally suited to its persistent lifestyle. Infected macrophages acquire a "foamy" phenotype characterized by the accumulation of lipid bodies (LBs), which serve as both a source of nutrients and a secure niche for the bacterium. While the functional significance of the foamy phenotype is appreciated, the biochemical pathways mediating this process are understudied. We found that Mtb induces the foamy phenotype via targeted manipulation of host cellular metabolism to divert the glycolytic pathway toward ketone body synthesis. This dysregulation enabled feedback activation of the anti-lipolytic G protein-coupled receptor GPR109A, leading to perturbations in lipid homeostasis and consequent accumulation of LBs in the macrophage. ESAT-6, a secreted Mtb virulence factor, mediates the enforcement of this feedback loop. Finally, we demonstrate that pharmacological targeting of pathways mediating this host-pathogen metabolic crosstalk provides a potential strategy for developing tuberculosis chemotherapy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)669-681
Number of pages13
JournalCell Host and Microbe
Volume12
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 15 2012

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