Uncovering the components of the Francisella tularensis virulence stealth strategy

Bradley D Jones; Matthew Faron; Jed A Rasmussen; Joshua R Fletcher

doi:10.3389/fcimb.2014.00032

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Uncovering the components of the Francisella tularensis virulence stealth strategy

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Uncovering the components of the Francisella tularensis virulence stealth strategy

Bradley D Jones, Matthew Faron, Jed A Rasmussen and Joshua R Fletcher

Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology, Vol.4, pp.32-32

2014

DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2014.00032

PMCID: PMC3945745

PMID: 24639953

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Abstract

Over the last decade, studies on the virulence of the highly pathogenic intracellular bacterial pathogen Francisella tularensis have increased dramatically. The organism produces an inert LPS, a capsule, escapes the phagosome to grow in the cytosol (FPI genes mediate phagosomal escape) of a variety of host cell types that include epithelial, endothelial, dendritic, macrophage, and neutrophil. This review focuses on the work that has identified and characterized individual virulence factors of this organism and we hope to highlight how these factors collectively function to produce the pathogenic strategy of this pathogen. In addition, several recent studies have been published characterizing F. tularensis mutants that induce host immune responses not observed in wild type F. tularensis strains that can induce protection against challenge with virulent F. tularensis. As more detailed studies with attenuated strains are performed, it will be possible to see how host models develop acquired immunity to Francisella. Collectively, detailed insights into the mechanisms of virulence of this pathogen are emerging that will allow the design of anti-infective strategies.

Host-Pathogen Interactions

Francisella tularensis - immunology

Animals

Immune Evasion

Tularemia - pathology

Humans

Virulence

Tularemia - immunology

Virulence Factors - metabolism

Francisella tularensis - pathogenicity

Mutation

Details

Title: Subtitle: Uncovering the components of the Francisella tularensis virulence stealth strategy
Creators: Bradley D Jones - Department of Microbiology, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Iowa City, IA, USA ; The Genetics Program, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Iowa City, IA, USA ; The Midwest Regional Center for Excellence in Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Disease Research, Washington University St. Louis, MO, USA
Matthew Faron - The Genetics Program, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Iowa City, IA, USA
Jed A Rasmussen - Department of Microbiology, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Iowa City, IA, USA
Joshua R Fletcher - The Genetics Program, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Iowa City, IA, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology, Vol.4, pp.32-32
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2014.00032
PMID: 24639953
PMCID: PMC3945745
NLM abbreviation: Front Cell Infect Microbiol
ISSN: 2235-2988
eISSN: 2235-2988
Grant note: T32 GM008629 / NIGMS NIH HHS I01 BX000513 / BLRD VA P01 AI044642 / NIAID NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 2014
Academic Unit: Microbiology and Immunology
Record Identifier: 9984083871002771

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