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Axonal transport of Listeria monocytogenes and nerve‐cell‐induced bacterial killing
Author(s) -
Dons Lone,
Jin Yuxuan,
Kristensson Krister,
Rottenberg Martin E.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.21256
Subject(s) - listeria monocytogenes , biology , axoplasmic transport , immune system , bacteria , neuroscience , nitric oxide , brainstem , microbiology and biotechnology , central nervous system , immunology , genetics , endocrinology
Listeria monocytogenes ( L. monocytogenes ) can cause fatal brainstem encephalitis in both sheep and humans. Here we review evidence that the bacteria can be incorporated into axons following a primary cycle of replication in macrophages/dendritic cells after subcutaneous injection in projection areas of peripheral neurons. The molecular mechanisms for the rocketing of L. monocytogenes in the cytosol by asymmetric cometic tails and the utility of this phenomenon for bacterial migration intraaxonally both in retro‐ and in anterograde directions to reach the central nervous system are described. The role of the immune response in the control of L. monocytogenes spread through peripheral neurons is highlighted, and a mechanism by which bacteria may be killed inside infected neurons through a nitric oxide‐dependent pathway is pointed out. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.