Salmonella-Driven Polarization of Granuloma Macrophages Antagonizes TNF-Mediated Pathogen Restriction during Persistent Infection

Many intracellular bacteria can establish chronic infection and persist in tissues within granulomas composed of macrophages. Granuloma macrophages exhibit heterogeneous polarization states, or phenotypes, that may be functionally distinct. Here, we elucidate a host-pathogen interaction that controls granuloma macrophage polarization and long-term pathogen persistence during Salmonella Typhimurium (STm) infection. We show that STm persists within splenic granulomas that are densely populated by CD11b+CD11c+Ly6C+ macrophages. STm preferentially persists in granuloma macrophages reprogrammed to an M2 state, in part through the activity of the effector SteE, which contributes to the establishment of persistent infection. We demonstrate that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling limits M2 granuloma macrophage polarization, thereby restricting STm persistence. TNF neutralization shifts granuloma macrophages toward an M2 state and increases bacterial persistence, and these effects are partially dependent on SteE activity. Thus, manipulating granuloma macrophage polarization represents a strategy for intracellular bacteria to overcome host restriction during persistent infection. [Display omitted] •M2-like granuloma macrophages are more permissive for Salmonella persistence•TNF signaling limits M2-like granuloma macrophages, thereby restricting Salmonella•Salmonella effector SteE promotes an M2 phenotype to overcome TNF-mediated restriction Pham et al. show that granulomas in Salmonella-infected tissues are composed of macrophages that exhibit heterogenous polarization states, or phenotypes, and are functionally distinct. They elucidate a pathogen-driven virulence mechanism that controls granuloma macrophage polarization and long-term pathogen persistence during Salmonella infection.