Efferocytosis is an Innate Antibacterial Mechanism of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Control

One third of the world's population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, causing two million deaths annually. The bacteria avoid immune clearance by persisting within macrophages by subverting normal phagosome maturation and acidification. In order to spread, the bacteria induce necrotic death of its host macrophage, broadcasting the infection into neighboring cells. However, it has long been appreciated that the apoptotic, rather than necrotic death of an infected macrophage results in bacterial growth suppression, improved adaptive immune response and survival. The mechanism for apoptosis-mediated bacterial suppression has hitherto remained unknown.