Microbial modulation of host immunity with the small molecule phosphorylcholine

SE Clark, JN Weiser - Infection and immunity, 2013 - Am Soc Microbiol
SE Clark, JN Weiser
Infection and immunity, 2013Am Soc Microbiol
All microorganisms dependent on persistence in a host for survival rely on either hiding from
or modulating host responses to infection. The small molecule phosphorylcholine, or choline
phosphate (ChoP), is used for both of these purposes by a wide array of bacterial and
parasitic microbes. While the mechanisms underlying ChoP acquisition and expression are
diverse, a unifying theme is the use of ChoP to reduce the immune response to infection,
creating an advantage for ChoP-expressing microorganisms. In this minireview, we discuss …
Abstract
All microorganisms dependent on persistence in a host for survival rely on either hiding from or modulating host responses to infection. The small molecule phosphorylcholine, or choline phosphate (ChoP), is used for both of these purposes by a wide array of bacterial and parasitic microbes. While the mechanisms underlying ChoP acquisition and expression are diverse, a unifying theme is the use of ChoP to reduce the immune response to infection, creating an advantage for ChoP-expressing microorganisms. In this minireview, we discuss several benefits of ChoP expression during infection as well as how the immune system fights back against ChoP-expressing pathogens.
American Society for Microbiology