Review
Cell Biology
Johannes Westman, Sergio Grinstein
Summary: The ability of phagosomes to halt microbial growth is closely linked to their ability to acidify their luminal pH, but certain pathogens can survive and replicate inside phagosomes by targeting the pH-regulatory machinery of host cells to survive or escape.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Heloise Rytter, Anne Jamet, Jason Ziveri, Elodie Ramond, Mathieu Coureuil, Pauline Lagouge-Roussey, Daniel Euphrasie, Fabiola Tros, Nicolas Goudin, Cerina Chhuon, Ivan Nemazanyy, Fabricio Edgar de Moraes, Carlos Labate, Ida Chiara Guerrera, Alain Charbit
Summary: Metabolic pathways are crucial to the virulence of pathogenic bacteria and potential targets for antibacterial interventions. The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) plays a key role in the intracellular survival of Francisella novicida, connecting with multiple other metabolic networks. Proteomics and metabolomics analyses show that PPP is a major hub linking glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, fatty acid degradation, and sulfur metabolism, highlighting its importance in Francisella's pathogenesis and growth.
Article
Immunology
Rachel L. Markley, Katherine H. Restori, Bhuvana Katkere, Sarah E. Sumner, McKayla J. Nicol, Anastasia Tyryshkina, Shaneice K. Nettleford, David R. Williamson, David E. Place, Kalyan K. Dewan, Ashley E. Shay, Bradley A. Carlson, Santhosh Girirajan, K. Sandeep Prabhu, Girish S. Kirimanjeswara
Summary: This study showed that F. tularensis lacks the ability to utilize selenium effectively, while mice deficient in selenium are more susceptible to bacterial infections and have shorter survival times. Host selenoproteins found in macrophages were able to restrict bacterial replication, indicating a potential key role in combating bacterial infections.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Olivier Bahuaud, Cecile Le Brun, Adrien Lemaignen
Summary: Tularemia, caused by Francisella tularensis, presents differently in immunocompromised patients compared to immunocompetent ones, leading to delays in diagnosis. Consideration of tularemia and use of molecular techniques can improve diagnostic accuracy and speed in immunocompromised patients with pulmonary symptoms or unexplained fever.
Article
Microbiology
P. Todd Benziger, Erik J. Kopping, Patrick A. McLaughlin, David G. Thanassi
Summary: This study investigates the host apoptotic responses to F. tularensis and identifies the signaling pathways that are modulated by the bacteria to delay apoptosis and promote virulence. The findings reveal the mechanisms by which intracellular pathogens subvert host responses and enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of tularemia.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lara R. Mittereder, Jonathan Swoboda, Roberto De Pascalis, Karen L. Elkins
Summary: IL-12p40 is important for the clearance of F. tularensis Live Vaccine Strain (LVS) and its role is independent of its functions as a part of the heterodimeric cytokines IL-12p70 or IL-23. The absence of IL-12p40 in infected mice leads to the development of a chronic and unresolved infection. The study also investigates potential mechanisms for IL-12p40 in F. tularensis clearance.
Article
Microbiology
Brandi E. Hobbs, Courtney A. Matson, Vasileios Theofilou, Tonya J. Webb, Rania H. Younis, Eileen M. Barry
Summary: The FptA and FptF proteins of Ft are crucial for pathogenesis and modulation of host immune response, and LVS Delta fptA and LVS Delta fptF vaccine strains are highly attenuated and provide effective protection against lethal challenge.
Article
Immunology
Sedelia R. Dominguez, Shannon Whiles, Kelly N. Deobald, Thomas Kawula
Summary: F. tularensis exploits AMPK activation to access stored nutrients in lipid droplets, such as glycerol and fatty acids, for efficient bacterial replication and successful infection.
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
David B. Straus, Destiny Pryor, Tamara T. Haque, Sydney A. Kee, Jordan M. Dailey, Kaitlyn G. Jackson, Brian O. Barnstein, John J. Ryan
Summary: Inflammatory responses are necessary for blocking pathogen infection but can also lead to hypersensitivity and chronic inflammation. This study found that IL-33 enhances the ATP-induced cytokine production in mast cells, potentially through the P2X7 receptor and calcineurin/NFAT pathway. Furthermore, IL-33 + ATP co-stimulation enhances the recruitment of eosinophils and macrophages.
CELLULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Briana Zellner, Dominique Mengin-Lecreulx, Brenden Tully, William T. Gunning, Robert Booth, Jason F. Huntley
Summary: Francisella tularensis is an intracellular Gram-negative bacterium that causes tularemia, a zoonotic disease. These intracellular pathogens have developed mechanisms to survive in macrophages and neutrophils, including the recycling and repair of the bacterial cell wall, primarily composed of peptidoglycan. The enzyme responsible for converting peptidoglycan tetrapeptide stems to tripeptide stems in F. tularensis, L,D-carboxypeptidase A (LdcA), plays a crucial role in cell morphology, membrane integrity, and virulence.
MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Patrik D'haeseleer, Nicole M. Collette, Victoria Lao, Brent W. Segelke, Steven S. Branda, Magdalena Franco
Summary: Peptide-based subunit vaccines offer safety and cost-effective production, with linear epitopes having advantages of simple structure, ease of synthesis, and immune response stimulation, but lower accuracy in prediction, necessitating experimental verification.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Paul M. Jordan, Nico Andreas, Marco Groth, Philine Wegner, Franziska Weber, Ute Jaeger, Claudia Kuechler, Oliver Werz, Edgar Serfling, Thomas Kamradt, Anne Dudeck, Sebastian Drube
Summary: IL-33 and ATP serve as alarmins released upon damage to cellular barriers, with mast cells being the first responders due to their high-density expression of the receptors. Co-sensing IL-33 and ATP leads to hyperactivation of mast cells, resulting in the production of high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and lipid mediators. Targeting the IL-33/IL-33R and/or the ATP/P2X7 signaling axis may offer therapeutic interventions for diseases associated with compromised cellular barriers.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kazuki Nagata, Chiharu Nishiyama
Summary: Mast cells play critical roles in immune responses as initiators and suppressors, with IL-10 serving as a key anti-inflammatory cytokine in regulating their functions. IL-10 exerts diverse effects on mast cells in vivo and in vitro, influencing tissue homeostasis and immune-related diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ethan Strattan, Gerhard Carl Hildebrandt
Summary: HSCT is commonly used for inborn defects or acute leukemias, but is hindered by GVHD. Acute GVHD pathology is understood, but cellular drivers are unclear. Mast cells play a role in immune response and wound healing, possibly contributing to fibrosis in chronic GVHD.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Matheus B. Carneiro, Nathan C. Peters
Summary: This review focuses on the interaction between Leishmania amazonensis infection and host innate immune response, particularly addressing the impact of adaptive immunity on phagocytic host cell recruitment and activation. Experimental observations indicate that most mouse strains are susceptible to L. amazonensis infection, unlike other Leishmania species. The CD4(+) T helper (Th)1/Th2 paradigm does not fully explain the chronic disease established by L. amazonensis, with recent findings complicating the understanding of the Th1/Th2 paradigm.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)