Foamy Macrophages in Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Pathogenesis

Tuberculosis is becoming an emergency in modern era with its effective sustainability in human host. Pathogenicity of its causing factor Mycobacterium tuberculosis is very effective and variable. Alveolar macrophages which provide innate immunity to host, are the target cells of bacilli. As TB infection is categorised in two phases: early and latent phase, granuloma is the major characteristic feature of latent phase and maintenance of latency is dependent on foamy macrophages (FMs). Foamy macrophages are providing the environment which is essential for bacilli to survive and escape from host immune system for longer time. FMs are the source of fatty acids in the form of triacylglycerol (TAG) as bacilli enzyme tgs1 is used in converting host fatty acids into TAG. FMs require more attention to gain knowledge regarding of Mtb and survivality.

Author(s): Laxman S Meena and Somya Sharma

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