Phagosome-lysosome Fusion Hijack - An Art of Intracellular Pathogens

Phagosome-lysosome fusion is an important innate-effector immune response of host macrophages. After entering the macrophages through phagocytosis, intracellular bacteria and parasites reside inside the phagosomes. In many cases, these pathogens prevent maturation of phagosomes and its fusion with lysosomes. Several signaling cascades are shown to be associated with blocking of phagosome maturation process. Understanding the mechanism of phagosome-lysosome fusion and factors regulating this process, as well as the strategies adopted by the intracellular pathogens to prevent phagosomelysosome fusion might provide insights for the development of new drugs and more effective treatment options to combat infectious diseases.