Research progress in virulence factors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
10.3760/cma.j.cn112309-20240711-00256
- VernacularTitle:结核分枝杆菌毒力因子的研究进展
- Author:
Mingrui SUN
1
;
Jiayin XING
1
;
Xiaotian LI
1
;
Ren FANG
1
;
Yang ZHANG
1
;
Ningning SONG
1
Author Information
1. 山东第二医科大学生命科学与技术学院，潍坊市呼吸道病原菌及药物治疗重点实验室，潍坊 261053
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Mycobacterium tuberculosis;
Virulence factors;
Drug targets;
Tuberculosis treatment
- From:
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology
2025;45(8):693-700
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Mycobacterium tuberculosis ( Mtb) is the causative agent of tuberculosis in humans and animals. Mtb invades the host′s lungs via airborne transmission, infects macrophages and causes tuberculosis. In some cases, the infection can spread to other tissues and organs. Despite the availability of several drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis, the emergence of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis has led to high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Therefore, there is an urgent need for researchers to develop new anti-tuberculosis drugs that can treat tuberculosis more efficiently. Recent studies have shown that the virulence factors of Mtb play a crucial role in its pathogenicity. These factors primarily include secreted proteins, transcription factors, proteases, stress response proteins, metabolism-associated proteins, and cell-surface components. By evading the host′s immune surveillance through mechanisms such as anti-oxidative stress, regulating nutrient synthesis and metabolism, and modulating host cells apoptosis, Mtb is able to achieve long-term survival and spread with in the host. Understanding the mechanisms of Mtb virulence factors can provide new directions for targeted tuberculosis therapy. Therefore, knowledge of these virulence factors is essential for the development of new vaccines and anti-tuberculosis drugs. In this review, we summarize the latest research progress in the virulence factors of Mtb to provide a reference for targeted treatment of tuberculosis.
