Mechanism of Host Cell Death in Response to Bacterial Infections

Abstract

Viral and microbial infections often elicit programmed cell death as part of the host defense system or as a component of the survival strategy of the pathogen. Pathogens have evolved an array of toxins and virulence factors to modulate host cell death pathways. By inducing host cell death, bacteria and viruses eliminate key immune cells and evade host defenses that can compromise their viability. Apoptosis, necrosis, and pyroptosis represent the three major programmed cell death modes during infection, and the choice of death mode depends on a variety of factors, including the nature of the pathogen, pathogen load, and the site of infection. Further insight into the complex relationship between hosts and pathogens will be gained by further elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying necrosis and pyroptosis, as well as by characterizing new mechanisms by which microbes induce and evade apoptotic, necrotic, and pyroptotic cell death in their hosts.