Host immunity and cellular responses to bacterial outer membrane vesicles

All Gram-negative bacteria produce outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) which are minute spherical structures emanating from the bacterial outer membrane. OMVs are primarily enriched in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and phospholipids, as well as outer membrane and periplasmic proteins. Recent research has provided convincing evidence for their role in multiple aspects of bacterial physiology and their interaction with vertebrate host cells. OMVs play vital roles in bacterial colonization, delivery of virulence factors, and disease pathogenesis. Here, we discuss the interactions of OMVs with mammalian host cells with a focus on how bacteria use OMVs to modulate host immune responses that eventually enable bacteria to evade host immunity.

Automated summary

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) produced by Gram-negative bacteria play crucial roles in various aspects of bacterial physiology and their interaction with vertebrate host cells. They are important for bacterial colonization, delivery of virulence factors, and disease pathogenesis. OMVs also help bacteria modulate host immune responses, aiding in their evasion of host immunity.