innate immunity
- Microbial Immunity and Vaccines | SpotlightEfficient 5-OP-RU-Induced Enrichment of Mucosa-Associated Invariant T Cells in the Murine Lung Does Not Enhance Control of Aerosol Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection
Mucosa-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are an innate-like T cell subset in mammals that recognize microbial vitamin B metabolites presented by the evolutionarily conserved major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I)-related molecule, MR1. Emerging data suggest that MAIT cells may be an attractive target for vaccine-induced protection against bacterial infections because of their rapid cytotoxic responses at mucosal services to...
- Cellular Microbiology: Pathogen-Host Cell Molecular InteractionsIdentification of Autophagy-Inhibiting Factors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by High-Throughput Loss-of-Function Screening
The interaction of host cells with mycobacteria is complex and can lead to multiple outcomes ranging from bacterial clearance to progressive or latent infection. Autophagy is recognized as one component of host cell responses that has an essential role in innate and adaptive immunity to intracellular bacteria. Many microbes, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, have...
- Host Response and Inflammation | SpotlightSecretion of c-di-AMP by Listeria monocytogenes Leads to a STING-Dependent Antibacterial Response during Enterocolitis
Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) acts as a cytoplasmic signaling hub of innate immunity that is activated by host-derived or bacterially derived cyclic dinucleotides. Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne, facultative intracellular pathogen that secretes c-di-AMP and activates STING, yet the in vivo role of the STING pathway during bacterial...
- Host Response and InflammationProgressive Control of Streptococcus agalactiae-Induced Innate Inflammatory Response Is Associated with Time Course Expression of MicroRNA-223 by Neutrophils
Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a human-pathogenic bacterium inducing a strong inflammatory response that may be detrimental for host tissues if not finely regulated. The inflammatory response can be modulated by different molecular mechanisms, among which growing evidence points toward the crucial role of microRNAs (miRNAs). Regarding innate inflammatory response, studies have reported that miR-223 is essential for the control of...
- Host Response and InflammationThe Ubiquitin-Modifying Enzyme A20 Terminates C-Type Lectin Receptor Signals and Is a Suppressor of Host Defense against Systemic Fungal Infection
C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) play key roles in antifungal defense. CLR-induced NF-κB is central to CLR functions in immunity, and thus, molecules that control the amplitude of CLR-induced NF-κB could profoundly influence host defense against fungal pathogens. However, little is known about the mechanisms that negatively regulate CLR-induced NF-κB, and molecules which act on the CLR family broadly and which directly regulate acute CLR-...
- Cellular Microbiology: Pathogen-Host Cell Molecular InteractionsInnate Effector Systems in Primary Human Macrophages Sensitize Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae to Antibiotics
Infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae are difficult to treat with conventional antibiotics. Thus, alternative strategies to control the growth of MDR Klebsiella are warranted. We hypothesized that activation of innate effector systems could sensitize MDR K. pneumoniae to conventional antibiotics. Thus, human primary...
- Host Response and InflammationMycobacterium abscessus Clearance by Neutrophils Is Independent of Autophagy
Mycobacterium abscessus, a rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacterium, is increasingly prevalent in chronic lung disease, including cystic fibrosis, and infections are characterized by neutrophil-dominated environments. However, mechanisms of immune control are poorly understood. Azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic with immunomodulatory effects, is used to treat...
- Host Response and InflammationInnate Lymphoid Cells Are Required for Endometrial Resistance to Chlamydia trachomatis Infection
In some women, sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis may ascend to infect the endometrium, leading to pelvic inflammatory disease. To identify endometrial innate immune components that interact with Chlamydia, we introduced C. trachomatis into mouse endometrium via transcervical...
- Host Response and Inflammation | SpotlightAging Dampens the Intestinal Innate Immune Response during Severe Clostridioides difficile Infection and Is Associated with Altered Cytokine Levels and Granulocyte Mobilization
Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile is the most common cause of hospital-acquired infection, and advanced age is a risk factor for C. difficile infection. Disruption of the intestinal microbiota and immune responses contribute to host susceptibility and severity of C...
- Molecular PathogenesisImmediate Interferon Gamma Induction Determines Murine Host Compatibility Differences between Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum
Rodents are critical for the transmission of Toxoplasma gondii to the definitive feline host via predation, and this relationship has been extensively studied as a model for immune responses to parasites. Neospora caninum is a closely related coccidian parasite of ruminants and canines but is not...