A phagocyte dilemma.

Abstract

The NADPH oxidase of professional phagocytes has an important role in host defense against certain microbes, including tuberculous mycobacteria. The identification of patients with rare inherited hypomorphic mutations in genes encoding components of this enzyme complex could produce new mechanistic insights.

Figure 1

Professional phagocytic cells, including macrophages and dendritic cells, depend on a functional NADPH oxidase for normal clearance of microbes. Deficiency in NOX2 leads to dysregulation of the ionic content of the phagocytic or autophagocytic vacuole and abnormal proteolysis, with possible downstream consequences for antigen presentation and production of inflammatory mediators important for elimination of intracellular organisms such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB bacteria). MHCII, major histocompatibility complex class II.