Hooper, Lora V.2023-01-022023-01-022020-122020-12-01December 2https://hdl.handle.net/2152.5/10012Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) can enter the body through multiple routes, including via specialized transcytotic cells called microfold cells (M cell). However, the mechanistic basis for M cell entry remains undefined. Here, I show that M cell transcytosis depdends on the Mtb Type VII secretion machine and its major virulence factor EsxA. I identify scavenger receptor B1 (SR-B1) as an EsxA receptor on airway M cells. SR-B1 is required for Mtb binding to and translocation across M cells in mouse and human tissue. Together, my data demonstrate a previously undescribed role for Mtb EsxA in mucosal invasion and identify SR-B1 as the airway M cell receptor for Mtb.application/pdfenMycobacterium tuberculosisScavenger Receptors, Class BThesis2023-01-021356910605