Mitochondrial DNA and the Immuno-inflammatory Response: New Frontiers to Control Specific Microbial Diseases

Mitochondria are multifunctional organelles that actively participatein the immune-inflammatory response in various pathologies. This volume updates readers onknowledge about mitochondria function. The editors have compiled six chaptersabout inflammation in its broadest sense, with contributions from active groupsof cell biologists, infectologists and pathologists. The chapters in this volume focus on research related to five notablediseases:(1) two diseases (one bacterial and one viral) in which theexacerbation of the inflammatory response can lead to neuropathies: leprosy(one of the oldest diseases in the world) and Zika fever (a disease relativelynew in Brazil) (2) three diseases (two bacterial and one viral) in which theexacerbation of the inflammatory response can lead to irreversible lung damagethat can cause rapid death: tuberculosis, pneumonia and the most recent globaldisease, COVID- 19. New information about mitochondrial biology is presented, such as theeffect of aerobic physical exercise as a stimulator for mitochondriamultiplication, and the role of mitochondrial damage in inducing immune-inflammatoryresponses to pathogens. The contents shed light on mitochondrial biochemicalpathways that could serve as potential therapeutic targets. This is an important reference for scholars (cell biologists,microbiologists) in universities, hospitals and scientific research centersworking on biological and biomedical problems, and for health professionalsinvolved in infection control.