The NOD2 receptor modulates cytokine response but does not alter the clinical outcome of Group B Streptococcus-infected mice

Abstract

The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2) is an intracellular receptor capable of sensing bacteria-derived muramyl dipeptide. We investigated the role of NOD2 in the pathogenesis of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) capsular type III, a crucial agent of life-threatening invasive infections, by using an adult NOD2-/- mouse model of infection. We demonstrated that NOD2 is not a key receptor to fight GBS infection and only partially contributes to the inflammatory response. This Research Highlight discusses the findings of this recent study and the investigators’ active research on the involvement of receptors in the interaction between encapsulated bacteria and dendritic cells.