Mycobacterial phenolic glycolipid inhibits phagosome maturation and subverts the pro-inflammatory cytokine response.

Inhibition of phagosome maturation is an important hallmark of mycobacterial pathogenesis. A variety of genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic approaches have been used to pin down the molecule responsible for this pathogenic principle. We in this study characterize a glycolipid of Mycobacterium marinum identified through a screen of mutants disabled in inhibiting phagosome maturation to be phenolphthiocerol diester (phenolic glycolipid, PGL). This molecule is sufficient to impart its ability to inhibit phagosome maturation onto other microbial cells and even inert beads that are used as model pathogens. In addition, it abrogates pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion induced by strong inducers such as heat-killed Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guérin. This strong dual agonistic effect of PGL overrides pro-inflammatory and pro-lysosomal delivery impulses set not only by mycobacteria but also by other pathogens and thus provides convincing evidence that this molecule is a vital mycobacterial virulence factor.