parasites
- Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyIL-27 Negatively Regulates Tip-DC Development during Infection
TNF/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.
- Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyTgIF2K-B Is an eIF2α Kinase in Toxoplasma gondii That Responds to Oxidative Stress and Optimizes Pathogenicity
Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled parasite that infects nucleated cells of warm-blooded vertebrates, including one-third of the human population. The parasites are not cleared by the immune response and persist in the host by converting into a latent tissue cyst form.
- Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyToxoplasma gondii Co-opts the Unfolded Protein Response To Enhance Migration and Dissemination of Infected Host Cells
Cells that are infected with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii exhibit heightened migratory activity, which facilitates dissemination of the infection throughout the body. In this report, we identify a new mechanism used by Toxoplasma to hijack its host cell and increase its mobility. We further show that the ability of Toxoplasma to increase host cell...
- Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyGuanabenz Reverses a Key Behavioral Change Caused by Latent Toxoplasmosis in Mice by Reducing Neuroinflammation
Toxoplasma gondii is a common parasite of animals, including up to one-third of humans. The single-celled parasite persists within hosts for the duration of their life as tissue cysts, giving rise to chronic infection. Latent toxoplasmosis is correlated with neurological dysfunction in humans and results in dramatic behavioral changes in rodents. When infected, mice...