When macrophages are deprived of oxygen

Infected tissue has a low concentration of oxygen. The body’s standard immune mechanisms, which rely on oxygen, can then only function to a limited extent. How does the immune system nevertheless manage to control bacteria under such conditions? The working groups led by PD Dr. Anja Lührmann at the Institute of Microbiology – Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene (Director: Prof. Dr. Christian Bogdan) at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Prof. Dr. Jonathan Jantsch at the Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene (Director: Prof. Dr. Dr. André Gessner) at University Hospital Regensburg have investigated this question in collaboration with other groups from Erlangen, Regensburg and Jena. The researchers discovered that fewer metabolites are produced in the citric acid cycle under hypoxic conditions, leading to a reduced rate of reproduction among bacteria in macrophages.

Macrophages are a type of phagocyte and belong to the congenital immune system, where they have a key role to play in defending against infection by intracellular pathogens such as those which cause tuberculosis, Legionnaires’ disease or Q fever. The team of researchers observed changes in the mitochondrial metabolism of the macrophages caused by signalling pathways initiated by the lack of oxygen (hypoxia). This leads to a reduction in various metabolites in the citric acid cycle, especially citrate. This in turn prevents bacteria reproduction, as citrate is an essential growth factor for certain bacteria. ‘Our results describe a method of pathogen control which does not depend on oxygen and which we were not aware of until now,’ explains Prof. Jantsch from Universität Regensburg. FAU scientist PD Dr. Lührmann adds: ‘The pharmacological influence of these signalling pathways opens up new opportunities for fighting infectious diseases.’

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