Mycoplasma penetrans Is Capable of Activating Vγ9/Vδ2 T Cells While Other Human Pathogenic Mycoplasmas Fail To Do So

While most mycoplasma species appear to have evolutionarily lost the ability to synthesize isoprenoid precursors, Mycoplasma penetrans has retained the nonmevalonate pathway that proceeds via the immunogenic intermediate ( E )-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl pyrophosphate (HMB-PP). Consequently, this pathogen is capable of stimulating human Vγ9/Vδ2 T cells.