Authors: Hridayesh Prakash, Anja Lüth, Natalia Grinkina, Daniela Holzer, Raj Wadgaonkar, Alexis Perez Gonzalez, Elsa Anes, Burkhard Kleuser
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010657
Abstract Summary
Sphingosine kinase-1 (SphK-1) plays a crucial antimycobacterial role in macrophages fighting Mycobacterium smegmatis infection. Inhibiting SphK-1 increases susceptibility to infection by reducing nitric oxide production and key inflammatory markers, while overexpressing it enhances resistance through increased NO generation and M-1 macrophage activation—revealing a novel therapeutic target.
Why Brain? 🧠
Sphingosine kinase-1 enzyme helps macrophages fight mycobacterial infection by boosting nitric oxide production and inflammatory responses, revealing a new antimicrobial defense mechanism.
The image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes only. Courtesy of Midjourney.
