AUTHOR=Qian Jianing , Chen Run , Wang Honghai , Zhang Xuelian 

TITLE=Role of the PE/PPE Family in Host–Pathogen Interactions and Prospects for Anti-Tuberculosis Vaccine and Diagnostic Tool Design

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2020.594288

DOI=10.3389/fcimb.2020.594288

ISSN=2235-2988

ABSTRACT=<p>The <italic>pe/ppe</italic> genes are found in pathogenic, slow-growing <italic>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</italic> and other <italic>M. tuberculosis</italic> complex (MTBC) species. These genes are considered key factors in host-pathogen interactions. Although the function of most PE/PPE family proteins remains unclear, accumulating evidence suggests that this family is involved in <italic>M. tuberculosis</italic> infection. Here, we review the role of PE/PPE proteins, which are believed to be linked to the ESX system function. Further, we highlight the reported functions of PE/PPE proteins, including their roles in host cell interaction, immune response regulation, and cell fate determination during complex host-pathogen processes. Finally, we propose future directions for PE/PPE protein research and consider how the current knowledge might be applied to design more specific diagnostics and effective vaccines for global tuberculosis control.</p>