Manipulation of epithelial cell death pathways by Shigella.

Shigella, a major cause of bacterial dysentery, knows when it is not wanted. To generate and maintain its niche within host cells, this unwelcome guest injects several dozen virulence factors via a type 3 secretion system (T3SS). In this issue, Ashidaet al(2020) have elucidated the role of two such factors fromShigella flexneri-OspC1 and OspD3-that together counteract apoptotic and necroptotic death pathways in colonised epithelial cells. As a result,Shigellacan replicate to high levels within the colonic epithelium, leading to the substantial epithelial damage in shigellosis and efficient bacterial release for faecal transmission.