The Rough Morphotype of Mycobacterium abscessus Enhances Its Virulence Through ROS/p65/NLRP3/GSDMD-Mediated Macrophage Pyroptosis

Abstract

The rough morphotype of Mycobacterium abscessus exhibits significantly higher virulence compared to the smooth morphotype, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Pyroptosis in macrophages plays a pivotal role in lung tissue damage; however, its specific involvement in Mycobacterium abscessus infection remains to be fully clarified. In this study, we identified that the rough morphotype of Mycobacterium abscessus upregulates the ROS/p65/NLRP3/GSDMD signalling pathway, thereby mediating pyroptosis in THP-1-derived macrophages. This heightened ability to induce macrophage pyroptosis is attributed to the bacterium's capacity to sustain intracellular viability and proliferation. These findings offer valuable insights into the virulence mechanisms of Mycobacterium abscessus and provide a foundation for future therapeutic interventions.