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Why is it important?
this study provides the first evidence that GBS induces Mφ apoptosis through an extracellular Ca2+ influx and the activation of calpains, particularly m-calpain, which then trigger a caspase-independent mitochondrial pathway. This apoptotic pathway used by GBS seems unusual for the mechanisms of bacterial-induced apoptosis where, with only few exceptions, caspase activation is essential.
Perspectives
The ability of GBS to induce apoptosis in Mφ, essential APC and effector cells of immune responses, by this calpain-dependent and caspase-independent mechanism could be an important pathogenic mechanism by which GBS evade host immune responses and cause disease.
Dr Katia Fettucciari
University of Perugia
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Group B Streptococcus Induces Macrophage Apoptosis by Calpain Activation, The Journal of Immunology, June 2006, The American Association of Immunologists,
DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.176.12.7542.
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