The mce4D Gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Enhances Bacterial Invasion and Suppresses Host Cell Apoptosis to Promote Immune Evasion

This study discovered a BCG mutant strain B1147 with low invasion ability, and identified its mutated gene as MCE4D gene. This gene has the ability to enhance the adaptability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to granulomatous environment and membrane pressure, and can inhibit the production of inflammatory factors by inhibiting the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK. It can also inhibit apoptosis of A549 cells by inhibiting the expression of Caspase1 and Caspase3, thereby improving the sustained infection and pathogenicity of Mycobacterium bovis to the body.