The N-terminal domain of Chlamydia psittaci Pmp19G modulates macrophage autophagy by targeting the NOD1 receptor and the ATG16L1–RAB7 signaling pathway

Our findings indicate that Pmp19G regulates macrophage autophagy through distinct mechanisms in early and late phases: activation of the NOD1-ATG16L1 signaling pathway initiates early autophagy, while enhanced RAB7 recruitment inhibits autophagosome-lysosome fusion during late autophagy. Collectively, Pmp19G-involved manipulation of the autophagic process represents a critical strategy employed by <i>C. psittaci</i> to evade host immune defenses, leading bacterial survival and spread.