Lipid accumulation in tuberculosis granulomas inhibits macrophage-CD4+ T cell interactions and infection control - PubMed
19 hours ago
- #immune response
- #tuberculosis
- #cholesterol
- Lipid accumulation, specifically cholesterol, in tuberculosis granulomas impairs macrophage-CD4+ T cell interactions and infection control.
- Infection or exposure to mycolic acids disrupts cholesterol trafficking in macrophages, leading to cholesterol build-up and sequestration of MHC class II in lysosomes.
- This cholesterol overload reduces antigen presentation and weakens anti-Mtb CD4+ T cell responses, particularly in necrotic granulomas.
- Restoring cholesterol homeostasis pharmacologically during late-stage infection improves Mtb control in mice, suggesting a therapeutic target.