Intestinal Autophagy Defends Against Salmonella Infection

Abstract Since the 1980’s accumulating evidence has shown that autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved lysosomal degradation pathway, is an essential component in both innate and adaptive immunity. Moreover a complex interplay exists between autophagy-mediated resistance and pathogen virulence factors that attempt to subvert autophagic machinery. Investigations into Salmonella infection have revealed that autophagy in host intestinal epithelial cells is crucial to the restriction of intracellular bacterial survival and replication. This review gives a brief summary of the mechanisms of autophagy and Salmonella invasion with an emphasis on the role of intestinal autophagy in defending against Salmonella infection.