Tissue tropism

Tissue Tropism

Diagram of the HIV life cycle, illustrating its tissue tropism.

Tissue tropism refers to the cells and tissues of a host that support the growth of a particular virus or bacterium. This concept is crucial in understanding the pathogenesis of infectious diseases, as it determines the sites of infection and the clinical manifestations of the disease.

Mechanisms of Tissue Tropism

Tissue tropism is determined by several factors, including:

Receptor Availability

Viruses and bacteria often require specific receptors on the surface of host cells to attach and gain entry. The presence or absence of these receptors in different tissues determines the tropism of the pathogen. For example, HIV targets CD4 receptors found on T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells.

Cellular Environment

The intracellular environment of the host cell can influence the ability of a pathogen to replicate. Factors such as pH, temperature, and the presence of specific enzymes can affect tissue tropism.

Immune Evasion

Some pathogens have evolved mechanisms to evade the host's immune system, allowing them to persist in certain tissues. This can include the ability to inhibit antigen presentation or resist phagocytosis.

Examples of Tissue Tropism

Viral Tropism

Viruses exhibit a wide range of tissue tropisms. For instance, influenza virus primarily infects the respiratory tract, while hepatitis viruses target the liver.

Bacterial Tropism

Bacteria also show tissue specificity. For example, Helicobacter pylori colonizes the stomach lining, leading to gastritis and peptic ulcers.

Clinical Implications

Understanding tissue tropism is essential for developing targeted therapies and vaccines. It also aids in predicting the course of an infection and potential complications. For instance, the tissue tropism of HIV to immune cells leads to immunodeficiency, which is the hallmark of AIDS.

Related Pages

• Pathogenesis
• Host-pathogen interaction
• Viral replication
• Immune system