Host-Microbe Biology
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyRelative Contributions of Extracellular and Internalized Bacteria to Early Macrophage Proinflammatory Responses to Streptococcus pneumoniaeMultiple extra- and intracellular innate immune receptors have been identified that recognize Streptococcus pneumoniae, but the relative contributions of intra- versus extracellular bacteria to the inflammatory response were unknown. We have shown that intracellular S. pneumoniae contributes...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyThe Long Noncoding RNA HEAL Regulates HIV-1 Replication through Epigenetic Regulation of the HIV-1 PromoterDespite our increased understanding of the functions of lncRNAs, their potential to develop HIV/AIDS cure strategies remains unexplored. A genome-wide analysis of lncRNAs in HIV-1-infected primary monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) was performed, and 1,145 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified. An lncRNA named HIV-1-enhanced...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyThe Parauncinula polyspora Draft Genome Provides Insights into Patterns of Gene Erosion and Genome Expansion in Powdery Mildew FungiPowdery mildew fungi are widespread and agronomically relevant phytopathogens causing major yield losses. Their genomes have disproportionately large numbers of mobile genetic elements, and they have experienced a significant loss of highly conserved fungal genes. In order to learn more about the evolutionary history of this fungal group, we explored the genome of an Asian oak tree pathogen, Parauncinula polyspora, a species...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyFirst Days in the Life of Naive Human B Lymphocytes Infected with Epstein-Barr VirusThe preferred target of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is human resting B lymphocytes. We found that their infection induces a well-coordinated, time-driven program that starts with a substantial increase in cell volume, followed by cellular DNA synthesis after 3 days and subsequent rapid rounds of cell divisions on the next day accompanied by some DNA replication stress (DRS). Two to 3 days later, the cells decelerate and turn into stably...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyControl of Type III Secretion System Effector/Chaperone Ratio Fosters Pathogen Adaptation to Host-Adherent LifestyleHost colonization by extracellular pathogens often entails the transition from a planktonic lifestyle to a host-attached state. Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), a Gram-negative pathogen, attaches to the intestinal epithelium of the host and employs a type III secretion system (T3SS) to inject effector proteins into the cytoplasm of infected cells. The most abundant...
Observation | Host-Microbe BiologyRole of Zika Virus Envelope Protein Domain III as a Target of Human Neutralizing AntibodiesZika virus is a flavivirus that was recently introduced to Latin America, where it caused a massive epidemic. Individuals infected with ZIKV generate an immune response composed of antibodies which bind to the envelope (E) protein. These anti-E antibodies are critical in protecting individuals from subsequent infection. Multiple groups have found that many ZIKV antibodies bind to domain III of E (EDIII), suggesting that this region is...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyA Novel Tool for the Generation of Conditional Knockouts To Study Gene Function across the Plasmodium falciparum Life CycleOne of the major limitations in studying P. falciparum is that so far only asexual stages are amenable to rapid conditional genetic modification. The most promising drug targets and vaccine candidates, however, have been refractory to genetic modification because they are essential during the blood stage or for transmission in the mosquito vector. This leaves a major...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyDynamic Emergence of Mismatch Repair Deficiency Facilitates Rapid Evolution of Ceftazidime-Avibactam Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Acute InfectionAntimicrobial resistance in bacteria represents one of the most consequential problems in modern medicine, and its emergence and spread threaten to compromise central advances in the treatment of infectious diseases. Ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA) belongs to a new class of broad-spectrum beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations designed to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. Understanding the emergence of...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyLrg1 Regulates β (1,3)-Glucan Masking in Candida albicans through the Cek1 MAP Kinase PathwayCandida albicans is an important source of systemic infections in humans. The ability to mask the immunogenic cell wall polymer β (1,3)-glucan from host immune surveillance contributes to fungal virulence. We previously reported that the hyperactivation of the Cek1 MAP kinase cascade promotes cell wall unmasking, thus increasing strain immunogenicity. In this study,...
Perspective | Host-Microbe BiologyDiscovery of the Lyme Disease AgentA detailed first-hand account of the events leading up to the discovery of the Lyme disease agent has been lacking. Nearly 40 years have elapsed since the discovery of the organism that was named Borrelia burgdorferi. There are thousands of articles in the scientific and medical literature on this organism and the disease that it causes. In the interval since the...