When Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection occurs by airborne transmission, bacilli are deposited in the alveolar spaces of the lungs. Within the alveolar space and proximal to it exist a number of innate immune mechanisms that are critical in maintaining pulmonary homeostasis. M.tb, a highly host-adapted intracellular pathogen of macrophages, may use these mechanisms to its advantage during infection. Dr. Torrelles' current research in Dr. Schlesinger's laboratory is focused on understanding how M.tb uses its mannosylated surface in host recognition and adaptation. He is studying the role of surface mannosylated lipoglycans in recognition by C-type lectins on human macrophages and the metabolism of M.tb mannose-capped lipoarabinomannan within these cells. Little is known about how M.tb is affected by the immune pressure that it encounters in the alveolar microenvironment outside of the macrophage. In addition to alveolar macrophages, major constituents of lung defense in the alveolar space are type I and II epithelial cells, monocytes, and neutrophils, and their secreted products to the alveolar lumen (i.e., surfactant). Each of these alveolar compartment cells contains its own unique array of hydrolases that are released to the alveolar environment and sequestered in surfactant. When M.tb is initially deposited in the terminal bronchioles and alveoli, as well as following release from lysed macrophages, the bacilli are in close contact with these hydrolases. During the K99/R00 NIH Pathway to Independence Award, Dr. Torrelles will examine the effects of the human alveolar environment on the cell envelope of M.tb and how these effects dictate the fate of M.tb within the host. Using radiolabeled virulent M.tb H37Rv, and biochemical, molecular and cell biology approaches, we propose: 1) To characterize specific hydrolases derived from alveolar compartment cells and pulmonary surfactant that affect the cell envelope of M.tb H37Rv. To ensure that the studies remain focused, we will prioritize candidate hydrolases and restrict our experiments to the study of the 3-5 hydrolases in total; 2) To characterize the effects of our selected human lung hydrolases on the integrity of the virulent M.tb H37Rv cell envelope; and 3) To determine how hydrolase-derived modifications on the cell envelope of M.tb H37Rv affect the bacillus survival within alveolar compartment cells. The identification of alveolar hydrolases that affect M.tb fate within the host will enable more predictive in vitro models to be developed and novel drug targets to be identified. ? ? ?
