Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species as major effectors of antimicrobial immunity
Elena Shekhova
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are key weapons against pathogenic bacteria and fungi in the antimicrobial defense arsenal of host immunity. Innate immune cells, namely macrophages and neutrophils, release ROS as cytotoxic effectors that can irreversibly oxidize and thus damage cellular structures of the intruding pathogens. At the same time, ROS are important intracellular mediators that drive the appropriate antimicrobial responses and tune the inflammatory response. The best-recognized source of ROS in phagocytic cells is the NADPH oxidase (NOX) complex However, mitochondria also contribute to the enhanced ROS generation in these cells. This review focuses on the underappreciated but important roles of mitochondrial ROS (mitoROS) in antimicrobial immune defenses.