Bacterial Outer Membrane Vesicles and Immune Modulation of the Host

This article reviews the role of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) in mediating the interaction between Gram-negative bacteria and their human hosts. OMVs are produced by a diverse range of Gram-negative bacteria during infection and play a critical role in facilitating host-pathogen interactions without requiring direct cell-to-cell contact. This article describes the mechanisms by which OMVs are formed and subsequently interact with host cells, leading to the transport of microbial protein virulence factors and short interfering RNAs (sRNA) to their host targets, exerting their immunomodulatory effects by targeting specific host signaling pathways. Specifically, this review highlights mechanisms by which OMVs facilitate chronic infection through epigenetic modification of the host immune response. Finally, this review identifies critical knowledge gaps in the field and offers potential avenues for future OMV research, specifically regarding rigor and reproducibility in OMV isolation and characterization methods.

Automated summary

This article reviews the role of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) in mediating the interaction between Gram-negative bacteria and their human hosts. OMVs play a critical role in facilitating host-pathogen interactions without direct cell-to-cell contact. The article describes the mechanisms of OMV formation and their interaction with host cells, including the transport of microbial protein virulence factors and sRNAs, affecting host signaling pathways. Specifically, the review highlights how OMVs can promote chronic infection through epigenetic modifications of the host immune response. The article also identifies gaps in knowledge and suggests future research directions in OMV isolation and characterization methods.