Exploring the function of exosomes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis host-pathogen interaction, and their effect on infection outcome

In summary, we aim to dissect the role that exosomes released by Mtb-infected cells have in contributing to the aberrant immune response seen in granuloma formation and the dissemination of tuberculosis as a disease. We further want to characterise the effect of these exosomes on infection outcome, by highlighting cargo molecules, such as proteins and miRNAs, that may be key to the expansive inflammation seen in tuberculosis despite few infected cells being present. We believe these exosomes, released by infected cells, are eliciting a phenotypic switch in bystander cells similar to that of direct Mtb interaction, encouraging dysregulation of inflammation.