Gamaleya Research Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Moscow, Russia
Review on the influence of pathogenic bacteria on the apoptosis program of host cells. Many pathogenic bacteria posess mechanisms to control cell death, which makes it possible to maintain the optimum conditions for the development of infection. The mechanisms of the induction and suppression of apoptosis, worked out by bacteria, are very variable and realized as the result of complex interaction of biologically active bacterial molecules with concrete targets of signal paths leading to apoptosis. In case of intracellular parasitism the antiapoptosis activity of bacteria may be regarded as one of the mechanisms of the persistence of infective agents, ensuring the development of chronic infections.
Zh. Mikrobiol. (Moscow), 2004, No. 6, P. 106—113