Mycobacterial cord factor reprograms the macrophage response to IFN-gamma towards enhanced inflammation yet impaired antigen presentation and expression of Gbp1

Mycobacteria can survive and persist in macrophages despite triggering multiple pattern recognition receptors and strong T cell-derived IFN-gamma production. The mycobacterial cord factor trehalose-6,6-dimycolate binds the C-type lectin receptor Mincle and induces inflammatory gene expression through the Syk-Card9 pathway. It is well established that TDM and IFN-gamma synergize to induce expression of iNOS. However, the cord factor may also act to down-regulate IFN-gamma-induced responses and contribute to mycobacterial immune evasion.

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