Lipid accumulation in Leishmania infected macrophages

What is it about?

The ability of Leishmania infantum infection to induce lipid bodies in macrophages is dependent on the host genetic background.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Lipid bodies modulate the production of inflammatory mediators. Various pathogens, including Leishmania spp., induce lipid body in infected cells. Previously, no lipid body formation had been documented in L. infantum infected BALB/c macrophages. Herein, we show that L. infantum induced lipid body formation in C57BL/6 macrophages. Thus, our work suggest that the genetic background of the host is a determinant in the ability of pathogens to induce lipid bodies.