Table 1 Mycoplasma species with reported roles in apoptosis modulation.

M. hyorhinis

swine

Polyserositis, otitis media, arthritis, pneumonia

Induces apoptosis in human carcinoma cell line AZ-521 by activation of NOS2 and caspase 3.

[9]

M. bovis

cattle

Chronic unresponsive pneumonia, systemic infection, mastitis, arthritis

Inhibits proliferation without apoptosis or effect on function of lymphocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Induces apoptosis of bovine lymphocytes.

[10, 11]

M. fermentans

humans, mice

Possible role in arthritis (found in patients)

Reduces TNF-induced apoptosis upstream of caspase 8 in a myelomonocitic cell line. Prevents apoptosis of 32D cells by inducing NFκB gene upregulation. Promotes immortalization of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in culture. Promotes proliferation of synovial fibroblasts.

[12–15]

M. alligatoris

alligators

Acute lethal cardiopulmonary disease

Promotes CD95 expression and apoptosis of primary cardiac fibroblasts through modulation of CD44 receptor.

[16]

M. hominis

humans

Possible role in arthritis (found in patients)

Induces cell death in HeLa cells (through ATP release) and in 32D cells.

[14, 17]

M. penetrans

humans

Possible role in arthritis (found in patients)

Mediates NFκB activation in mouse macrophages and induces apoptosis.

Prevents apoptosis of 32D cells by inducing NFκB.

[14, 18]

M. arginini

humans, rodents, camels, sheep, pigs

Pneumonia, chronic respiratory disease, otitis

Inhibits apoptosis of cells expressing toll-like receptors 2/6 by inducing constitutive NFkB activation and p53 suppression.

Suppression of tp53 gene induces carcinogenic and mutagenic effects on rodent fibroblasts.

[19, 20]

M. genitalium

humans

Urethritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, pneumonia, arthritis

Does not affect 32D cells. Induces apoptosis in human monocytes THP-1 by activating NFκB.

[14, 21]

M. pneumoniae

humans

Atypical pneumonia, possible role in arthritis

Supports continous growth of 32D cells.

[22]