innate immunity
Bacterial InfectionsInhibition of the Classical Pathway of Complement Activation Impairs Bacterial Clearance during Enterococcus faecalis InfectionEnterococcus faecalis infections are considered a major public health concern worldwide. The complement system has a crucial role in the protection against different microbial pathogens, including E. faecalis.
MinireviewMitochondria: Powering the Innate Immune Response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis InfectionWithin the last decade, we have learned that damaged mitochondria activate many of the same innate immune pathways that evolved to sense and respond to intracellular pathogens. These shared responses include cytosolic nucleic acid-sensing and type I interferon (IFN) expression, inflammasome activation that leads to pyroptosis, and selective autophagy (called mitophagy when mitochondria are the cargo).
Host Response and InflammationRegulation of the Nfkbiz Gene and Its Protein Product IkBζ in Animal Models of Sepsis and Endotoxic ShockSepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises from a poorly regulated inflammatory response to pathogenic organisms. Current treatments are limited to antibiotics, fluid resuscitation, and other supportive therapies.
Cellular Microbiology: Pathogen-Host Cell Molecular Interactions(p)ppGpp-Dependent Regulation of the Nucleotide Hydrolase PpnN Confers Complement Resistance in Salmonella enterica Serovar TyphimuriumThe stringent response is an essential mechanism of metabolic reprogramming during environmental stress that is mediated by the nucleotide alarmones guanosine tetraphosphate and pentaphosphate [(p)ppGpp]. In addition to physiological adaptations, (p)ppGpp also regulates virulence programs in pathogenic bacteria, including Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. S...
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 InfectionMucosa-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...
Host Response and InflammationProgressive Control of Streptococcus agalactiae-Induced Innate Inflammatory Response Is Associated with Time Course Expression of MicroRNA-223 by NeutrophilsGroup 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...
Cellular Microbiology: Pathogen-Host Cell Molecular InteractionsIdentification of Autophagy-Inhibiting Factors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by High-Throughput Loss-of-Function ScreeningThe 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 EnterocolitisStimulator 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 InflammationThe Ubiquitin-Modifying Enzyme A20 Terminates C-Type Lectin Receptor Signals and Is a Suppressor of Host Defense against Systemic Fungal InfectionC-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 AntibioticsInfections 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...