Phagocytosis of <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>: A Narrative of the Uptaking and Survival

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causal agent of human tuberculosis. The initial events of the establishment of the infection include the phagocytosis by several innate immune response cells. This chapter will discuss the immune cells involved, the phagocytic pattern recognition receptors (PPRs) that recognize and mediate bacteria phagocytosis (such as C-type lectin receptors, Toll-like receptors, complement receptors, and scavenger receptors), and the outcome of this initial interaction. Additionally, the bacterial strategies to evade the immune response—which includes the inhibition of the phagosome maturation and arresting of phagosome acidification, the mechanisms to survive to the reactive nitrogen species and reactive oxygen species, and finally, the resistance to the apoptosis and autophagy—will be reviewed. Finally, the host-pathogen interaction of M. tuberculosis with the phagocytic human cells during the primary events of the tuberculosis infection will also be reviewed.