Insights into the roles of macrophages in Klebsiella pneumoniae infections: a comprehensive review

Abstract Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) infections represent a significant global health challenge, characterized by severe inflammatory sequelae and escalating antimicrobial resistance. This comprehensive review elucidates the complex interplay between macrophages and KP, encompassing pathogen recognit...

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Main Authors: Yangguang Li, Xuanheng Li, Wenqi Wu, Peizhao Liu, Juanhan Liu, Haiyang Jiang, Liting Deng, Chujun Ni, Xiuwen Wu, Yun Zhao, Jianan Ren
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s11658-025-00717-7
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author Yangguang Li
Xuanheng Li
Wenqi Wu
Peizhao Liu
Juanhan Liu
Haiyang Jiang
Liting Deng
Chujun Ni
Xiuwen Wu
Yun Zhao
Jianan Ren
author_facet Yangguang Li
Xuanheng Li
Wenqi Wu
Peizhao Liu
Juanhan Liu
Haiyang Jiang
Liting Deng
Chujun Ni
Xiuwen Wu
Yun Zhao
Jianan Ren
author_sort Yangguang Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) infections represent a significant global health challenge, characterized by severe inflammatory sequelae and escalating antimicrobial resistance. This comprehensive review elucidates the complex interplay between macrophages and KP, encompassing pathogen recognition mechanisms, macrophage activation states, cellular death pathways, and emerging immunotherapeutic strategies. We critically analyze current literature on macrophage pattern recognition receptor engagement with KP-associated molecular patterns. The review examines the spectrum of macrophage responses to KP infection, including classical M1 polarization and the newly described M(Kp) phenotype, alongside metabolic reprogramming events such as glycolytic enhancement and immune responsive gene 1 (IRG1)–itaconate upregulation. We systematically evaluate macrophage fate decisions in response to KP, including autophagy, apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis. Furthermore, we provide a critical assessment of potential future therapeutic modalities. Given the limitations of current treatment paradigms, elucidating macrophage–KP interactions is imperative. Insights gained from this analysis may inform the development of novel immunomodulatory approaches to augment conventional antimicrobial therapies, potentially transforming the clinical management of KP infections. Graphical Abstract
format Article
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issn 1689-1392
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters
spelling doaj-art-a678eedd4c754d329abf4086e82d37ec2025-08-20T02:10:17ZengBMCCellular & Molecular Biology Letters1689-13922025-03-0130112610.1186/s11658-025-00717-7Insights into the roles of macrophages in Klebsiella pneumoniae infections: a comprehensive reviewYangguang Li0Xuanheng Li1Wenqi Wu2Peizhao Liu3Juanhan Liu4Haiyang Jiang5Liting Deng6Chujun Ni7Xiuwen Wu8Yun Zhao9Jianan Ren10Research Institute of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing UniversityResearch Institute of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing UniversityResearch Institute of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing UniversityResearch Institute of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing UniversityResearch Institute of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing UniversityDepartment of General Surgery, BenQ Medical Center, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversitySchool of Medicine, Southeast UniversityDepartment of General Surgery, BenQ Medical Center, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityResearch Institute of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing UniversityDepartment of General Surgery, BenQ Medical Center, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityResearch Institute of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing UniversityAbstract Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) infections represent a significant global health challenge, characterized by severe inflammatory sequelae and escalating antimicrobial resistance. This comprehensive review elucidates the complex interplay between macrophages and KP, encompassing pathogen recognition mechanisms, macrophage activation states, cellular death pathways, and emerging immunotherapeutic strategies. We critically analyze current literature on macrophage pattern recognition receptor engagement with KP-associated molecular patterns. The review examines the spectrum of macrophage responses to KP infection, including classical M1 polarization and the newly described M(Kp) phenotype, alongside metabolic reprogramming events such as glycolytic enhancement and immune responsive gene 1 (IRG1)–itaconate upregulation. We systematically evaluate macrophage fate decisions in response to KP, including autophagy, apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis. Furthermore, we provide a critical assessment of potential future therapeutic modalities. Given the limitations of current treatment paradigms, elucidating macrophage–KP interactions is imperative. Insights gained from this analysis may inform the development of novel immunomodulatory approaches to augment conventional antimicrobial therapies, potentially transforming the clinical management of KP infections. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s11658-025-00717-7MacrophageKlebsiella pneumoniaePAMPsPRRsCell deathImmunotherapy
spellingShingle Yangguang Li
Xuanheng Li
Wenqi Wu
Peizhao Liu
Juanhan Liu
Haiyang Jiang
Liting Deng
Chujun Ni
Xiuwen Wu
Yun Zhao
Jianan Ren
Insights into the roles of macrophages in Klebsiella pneumoniae infections: a comprehensive review
Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters
Macrophage
Klebsiella pneumoniae
PAMPs
PRRs
Cell death
Immunotherapy
title Insights into the roles of macrophages in Klebsiella pneumoniae infections: a comprehensive review
title_full Insights into the roles of macrophages in Klebsiella pneumoniae infections: a comprehensive review
title_fullStr Insights into the roles of macrophages in Klebsiella pneumoniae infections: a comprehensive review
title_full_unstemmed Insights into the roles of macrophages in Klebsiella pneumoniae infections: a comprehensive review
title_short Insights into the roles of macrophages in Klebsiella pneumoniae infections: a comprehensive review
title_sort insights into the roles of macrophages in klebsiella pneumoniae infections a comprehensive review
topic Macrophage
Klebsiella pneumoniae
PAMPs
PRRs
Cell death
Immunotherapy
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s11658-025-00717-7
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