Hamna Shahnawaz

Abstract Bacterial flagella drive motility and play crucial roles in host–pathogen interactions, as flagellin is recognized by the mammalian immune system and flagellotropic bacteriophages. We recently discovered a family of phage-encoded, RNA-guided transcription factors called TldR that regulate flagellin expression, but the importance of this regulation to host fitness was unclear.

Keywords lysosome mitochondrion interferon innate immunity viruses intracellular bacteria damage DNA Introduction Lysosomes are vulnerable to damage by the material they transport. As the endpoint of endocytosis, phagocytosis, and autophagy, these organelles are continually threatened with a barrage of infectious (bacteria, viruses) and non-infectious (particulates, crystals, toxins) insults.

Abstract Lysosomal damage is an endogenous danger signal to the cell, but its significance for innate immunity and how specific signaling pathways are engaged by this stressor remain unclear. Here, we uncover an immune-inducible pathway that connects lysosomal damage to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) efflux and type I IFN production.