Escaping the Phagocytic Oxidative Burst: The Role of SODB in the Survival of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Within Macrophages
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are small oxygen-derived molecules that are used to control infections by phagocytic cells. In macrophages, the oxidative burst produced by the NOX2 NADPH-oxidase is essential to eradicate engulfed pathogens by both oxidative and non-oxidative killing. Indeed, while the superoxide anion (O2-) produced by NOX2, and the other ROS derived from its transformation, can directly target pathogens, ROS also contribute to activation of non-oxidative microbicidal effectors.