Sirtuins as modulators of infection outcomes in the battle of host-pathogen dynamics

Abstract

Sirtuins's central role in governing metabolic processes has been known for decades. However, over the past two decades, sirtuin functions have been linked to immune regulation and immunity. Sirtuins are NAD+ dependent protein deacylases involved in the regulation of several important biological processes ranging from energy homeostasis, metabolism, aging, apoptosis, autophagy, immunity, adipocyte, and muscle differentiation. Here, in this review, we discuss the role of sirtuins in several infectious diseases including viral, bacterial, and protozoan infections with detailed emphasis on bacterial-host interactions. We have aimed to explore both host and bacterial sirtuin functions contributing to the infection progression, host responses and their influence on the everlasting host-pathogen tug-of-war. In order to manipulate host pathways, pathogens such as intracellular bacteria have evolved parallelly and harbor bacterial sirtuins. The recent discoveries of bacterial sirtuins influencing the host-pathogen interaction outcomes pave the way for the discovery of potential therapeutic targets.