Host-Microbe Biology
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyBrachypodium Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase (PAL) Promotes Antiviral Defenses against Panicum mosaic virus and Its SatellitesAlthough the role of plant defense mechanisms against viruses are relatively well studied in dicots and in incompatible plant-microbe interactions, studies of their roles in compatible interactions and in grasses are lagging behind. In this study, we leveraged the emerging grass model Brachypodium and genetic resources to dissect Panicum mosaic virus (PMV)- and its satellite virus (SPMV)-compatible grass-virus...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyA Heterogeneously Expressed Gene Family Modulates the Biofilm Architecture and Hypoxic Growth of Aspergillus fumigatusThe manipulation of microbial biofilms in industrial and clinical applications remains a difficult task. The problem is particularly acute with regard to filamentous fungal biofilms for which molecular mechanisms of biofilm formation, maintenance, and function are only just being elucidated.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyHuman Herpesvirus 6B U26 Inhibits the Activation of the RLR/MAVS Signaling PathwayHHV-6B (human herpesvirus 6B) is well known to evade host antiviral responses and establish a lifelong latent infection. How HHV-6B evades RNA recognition is still poorly understood. Our results indicate that HHV-6 U26 plays a vital role in RLR/MAVS signaling pathway activity. Knockout of endogenous MAVS could facilitate HHV-6B replication. The findings in this study could provide new insights into host-virus interactions and help...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyIL-27 Negatively Regulates Tip-DC Development during InfectionTNF/iNOS-producing dendritic cells (Tip-DCs) are at the front line as immune effector cells to fight off a broad range of invading microbes. Excessive development of Tip-DCs contributes to tissue destruction.
Editor's Pick Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyHow Phagocytic Cells Kill Different Bacteria: a Quantitative Analysis Using Dictyostelium discoideumPhagocytic cells ingest and kill bacteria, a process essential for the defense of the human body against infections. Many potential killing mechanisms have been identified in phagocytic cells, including free radicals, toxic ions, enzymes, and permeabilizing peptides.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyQuantifying Absolute Neutralization Titers against SARS-CoV-2 by a Standardized Virus Neutralization Assay Allows for Cross-Cohort Comparisons of COVID-19 SeraVaccines and antibody-based therapeutics like convalescent-phase plasma therapy are premised upon inducing or transferring neutralizing antibodies that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells. Virus neutralization assays (VNAs) for measuring neutralizing antibody titers (NATs) are an essential part of determining vaccine or therapeutic efficacy.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyWolbachia and Virus Alter the Host Transcriptome at the Interface of Nucleotide Metabolism PathwaysRecently developed arbovirus control strategies leverage the symbiotic bacterium Wolbachia, which spreads in insect populations and blocks viruses from replicating. While this strategy has been successful, details of how this “pathogen blocking” works are limited. Here, we use a combination of virus infections, fly genetics, and transcriptomics to show that Wolbachia and virus interact at host nucleotide metabolism...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyPhytotoxic Tryptoquialanines Produced In Vivo by Penicillium digitatum Are Exported in Extracellular VesiclesDuring the postharvest period, citrus fruits can be affected by phytopathogens such as Penicillium digitatum, which causes green mold disease and is responsible for up to 90% of total citrus losses. Chemical fungicides are widely used to prevent green mold disease, leading to concerns about environmental and health risks.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyIntracellular Group A Streptococcus Induces Golgi Fragmentation To Impair Host Defenses through Streptolysin O and NAD-GlycohydrolaseTwo prominent virulence factors of group A Streptococcus (GAS), streptolysin O (SLO) and NAD-glycohydrolase (Nga), are linked to enhanced pathogenicity of the prevalent GAS strains. Recent advances show that SLO and Nga are important for intracellular survival of GAS in epithelial cells and macrophages.
Opinion/Hypothesis | Host-Microbe BiologyIs It Time To Kill the Survival Curve? A Case for Disease Progression Factors in Microbial Pathogenesis and Host Defense ResearchThe molecular mechanisms of microbial virulence and host defense are most often studied using animal models and Koch’s molecular postulates. A common rationale for these types of experiments is to identify therapeutic targets based on the assumption that microbial or host factors that confer extreme animal model survival phenotypes represent critical virulence and host defense factors.