Infection of neutrophil granulocytes with Leishmania major activates ERK 1/2 and modulates multiple apoptotic pathways to inhibit apoptosis

Arup Sarkar, Eresso Aga, Uta Bussmeyer, Asima Bhattacharyya, Sonja Möller, Lars Hellberg, Martina Behnen, Werner Solbach, Tamás Laskay

    Abstract

    Neutrophil granulocytes provide the first line of defense against bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections. They phagocytose and kill many invading pathogens. Certain pathogenic microorganisms such as the intracellular protozoan parasite Leishmania major (L. major) can survive inside neutrophils. Mature neutrophils have a very short life span due to spontaneous apoptosis. Previously, we have reported that infections with L. major are able to delay spontaneous apoptosis. In the present study, we addressed the underlying mechanisms of regulation of both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis. We show that interaction with L. major transiently activates ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Pharmacological inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation reversed the apoptosis delay. Moreover, infection leads to the enhanced and sustainable expression of the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bfl-1, respectively. As downstream events, the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria and processing of caspase-6 were inhibited. We also confirm that infection with L. major results in reduced FAS expression on the surface of neutrophils. The presented data indicate that infection with L. major affects both intrinsic as well as extrinsic pathways of neutrophil apoptosis. Enhanced life span of host neutrophils enables the parasite to survive within neutrophils.

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalMedical Microbiology and Immunology
    Volume202
    Issue number1
    Pages (from-to)25-35
    Number of pages11
    ISSN0300-8584
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 02.2013

    Research Areas and Centers

    • Academic Focus: Center for Infection and Inflammation Research (ZIEL)

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