Review
Immunology
Reto Guler, Mumin Ozturk, Solima Sabeel, Bongani Motaung, Suraj P. Parihar, Friedrich Thienemann, Frank Brombacher
Summary: Tuberculosis remains a serious global health challenge, with the study of host immune responses crucial for finding new treatment methods. Granulomas, a pathological feature of tuberculosis, have a complex host response that can be modulated by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, promoting its survival within the host. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for the development of therapeutic interventions.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Toshihiko Taya, Fumiya Teruyama, Satoshi Gojo
Summary: Bacterial infections continue to be a burden on humanity, and antimicrobial resistance poses a growing threat. Unlike cancer treatment, which has shifted focus to include host immunity, therapies that strengthen the immune system in infectious diseases are still in the early stages. This article reviews the host defense mechanisms and bacterial evasion mechanisms, and discusses the potential of host-directed therapy by intervening in the phagolysosome pathway for bacterial infection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Meltem Kilercik, Yasemin Ucal, Muhittin Serdar, Mustafa Serteser, Aysel Ozpinar, Florian J. Schweigert
Summary: ZnPP may be an important indicator of anemia in COVID-19 patients, and the ZnPP/L ratio may serve as a valid prognostic marker for the severity of the disease.
Review
Immunology
Jae-Min Yuk, Eun-Jin Park, In Soo Kim, Eun-Kyeong Jo
Summary: Itaconate is an important immunometabolite with anti-infective and anti-inflammatory properties. Its derivatives and isomers have potential as drugs for inflammation and infection. However, the exact mechanisms of action and the therapeutic potential of Itaconate are not fully understood due to contradictory results and a lack of clinical data. Further research is needed to understand how itaconate exerts its effects and to explore its therapeutic applications.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Wenjing Xiang, Nanyan Yu, Aihua Lei, Xiaofang Li, Shui Tan, Lijun Huang, Zhou Zhou
Summary: Chlamydial infection causes clinically relevant diseases and significant morbidity in humans. Immune and inflammatory responses play crucial roles in both clearing the infection and causing pathology in host tissues. Cytokines produced in response to Chlamydia infection can regulate immune responses, but excessive production can lead to overreactive inflammation, affecting host and Chlamydia metabolism.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Eui-Kwon Jeong, Hyo-Ji Lee, Yu-Jin Jung
Summary: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major cause of death globally and poses a continuous threat to public health. Conventional TB treatment is associated with long-term treatment regimens and side effects. With the emergence of drug-resistant TB, there is an urgent need for the development of new treatment strategies. This article introduces host-directed therapy (HDT) as an alternative approach that modulates host immune responses to effectively treat TB.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Michael Burnet, Daniel G. Metcalf, Scarlet Milo, Clemens Gamerith, Andrea Heinzle, Eva Sigl, Kornelia Eitel, Marieke Haalboom, Philip G. Bowler
Summary: Traditionally, wound infection is defined by clinical signs and microbiological analysis. However, these approaches have limitations, especially in early or complex wounds. Patient-derived biomarkers of immune activation may indicate wound infection earlier and more reliably. Detection of innate immune cell enzymes offers a new, simple, and effective approach to determine wound infection status, enhancing infection resolution and wound healing.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Qing Hao Miow, Andres F. Vallejo, Yu Wang, Jia Mei Hong, Chen Bai, Felicia S. W. Teo, Alvin D. Y. Wang, Hong Rong Loh, Tuan Zea Tan, Ying Ding, Hoi Wah She, Suay Hong Gan, Nicholas Paton, Josephine Lum, Alicia Tay, Cynthia B. E. Chee, Paul A. Tambyah, Marta E. Polak, Yee Tang Wang, Amit Singhal, Paul T. Elkington, Jon S. Friedland, Catherine W. M. Ong
Summary: The study demonstrated the pathological inhibition effect of doxycycline on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, and it could accelerate the restoration of gene expression. Doxycycline not only reduced the levels of MMPs in sputum of tuberculosis patients, but also inhibited the destruction of collagen and elastin, showing significant differences compared to placebo.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Immunology
David Pires, Sofia Valente, Marta Calado, Manoj Mandal, Jose Miguel Azevedo-Pereira, Elsa Anes
Summary: Despite the availability of antibiotics, tuberculosis has become a global threat due to co-infection with HIV, drug-resistant strains, and the lack of an effective vaccine. Host-directed strategies could improve treatment efficacy, contain drug-resistant strains, improve immune responses, and reduce disease severity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Juan M. M. Cubillos-Angulo, Betania M. F. Nogueira, Maria B. Arriaga, Beatriz Barreto-Duarte, Mariana Araujo-Pereira, Catarina D. D. Fernandes, Caian L. L. Vinhaes, Klauss Villalva-Serra, Vanessa M. M. Nunes, Joao P. Miguez-Pinto, Eduardo P. P. Amaral, Bruno B. B. Andrade
Summary: Tuberculosis is a deadly disease and one of the top ten causes of mortality worldwide. Current treatment methods have limitations and low success rates. Host-directed therapy, which targets the host immune response, could potentially improve treatment outcomes.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Sebastian Schloer, Jonas Goretzko, Ursula Rescher
Summary: Emerging viruses pose a major threat to global healthcare systems. Vaccination alone is not enough to control viral infections due to the potential for escape mutants. Host-directed therapies, which target host factors, offer an alternative approach to circumvent resistance and control viral replication. Repurposing drugs, such as antifungals, for this purpose is a promising strategy.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yvonne Chibanda, Matthew Brookes, David Churchill, Hafid Al-Hassi
Summary: Iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy is a common problem in the UK and globally. The current diagnosis and treatment methods need improvement, and there are still many questions regarding the mechanisms of iron metabolism and the significance of inflammatory markers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Gul Kilinc, Anno Saris, Tom H. M. Ottenhoff, Marielle C. Haks
Summary: This article discusses the host responses to mycobacterial infection and the mechanisms that affect bacterial killing, introducing the advantages of host-directed therapy (HDT). It focuses on the potential applications of HDT for both tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacteria, as well as future research directions.
IMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Zhuqing Jin, En Zheng, Candice Sareli, Pappachan E. Kolattukudy, Jianli Niu
Summary: Inflammatory response is a protective mechanism of the host, but can also lead to immunopathology and tissue damage. Recent studies on the MCPIP family of chemical molecules, particularly the role of MCPIP-1 in the NF kappa B signaling pathway, have revealed important biological functions in resolving inflammation. Understanding the roles of the MCPIP family members can provide new insights into the treatment of infections and other inflammatory diseases.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Kriti Negi, Ashima Bhaskar, Ved Prakash Dwivedi
Summary: This article discusses the importance of improving TB control programs and the progress and strategies in research towards this goal. Despite existing treatments and preventive vaccines, TB remains a global health issue. The emergence of drug-resistant strains and increasing incidents of co-infections in immune-compromised individuals have rendered current treatments ineffective in controlling TB, making the search for an effective TB immunization strategy crucial.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Ana Cordeiro Gomes, Margarida Saraiva, Maria Salome Gomes
Summary: Hematopoiesis is a regulated process that relies on maintaining specific microenvironmental conditions within the bone marrow to support the formation of blood cells. Infections present a challenge to the hematopoietic niche, and the mechanisms by which they impact the bone marrow hematopoietic niche(s) are not fully understood.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Nicole Pedro, Claudio N. Silva, Ana C. Magalhaes, Bruno Cavadas, Ana M. Rocha, Ana C. Moreira, Maria Salome Gomes, Diogo Silva, Joana Sobrinho-Simoes, Angelica Ramos, Maria J. Cardoso, Rita Filipe, Pedro Palma, Filipa Ceia, Susana Silva, Joao T. Guimaraes, Antonio Sarmento, Veronica Fernandes, Luisa Pereira, Margarida Tavares
Summary: This study reports a case of reinfection of SARS-CoV-2 in a 17-year-old Portuguese female, showing co-infection by two different lineages of the virus, which may have contributed to the severity of the disease and prolonged shedding of the virus.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Gabriel S. Oliveira, Raquel P. Costa, Paula Gomes, Maria Salome Gomes, Tania Silva, Catia Teixeira
Summary: Despite being recognized as a public health emergency for the past 25 years, tuberculosis remains a major cause of mortality worldwide. The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains and challenges with existing treatments have prompted the search for alternative approaches, such as antimicrobial peptides, to combat the disease. Research into antimicrobial peptides as potential anti-tubercular agents has been driven by the increasing threat posed by resistant strains, the innate resistance of mycobacteria, and patient non-compliance with toxic treatments.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana C. Moreira, Tania Silva, Goncalo Mesquita, Ana Cordeiro Gomes, Clara M. Bento, Joao V. Neves, Daniela F. Rodrigues, Pedro N. Rodrigues, Agostinho A. Almeida, Paolo Santambrogio, Maria Salome Gomes
Summary: In Mycobacterium avium infection, macrophage FTH1 plays a key role in iron redistribution by regulating the level of available iron in tissues, thereby influencing resistance to infection and inflammation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Virology
Ana C. Moreira, Maria Jose Teles, Tania Silva, Clara M. Bento, Ines Simoes Alves, Luisa Pereira, Joao Tiago Guimaraes, Graca Porto, Pedro Oliveira, Maria Salome Gomes
Summary: In a study involving 303 patients admitted to a hospital in northern Portugal, lower serum iron levels were observed in COVID-19-positive patients compared to COVID-19-negative patients. Higher levels of IL-6 and MCP-1 were associated with COVID-19-positive patients. The study suggests that serum iron levels could be a simple predictor of disease progression in COVID-19-positive patients.
Article
Microbiology
Clara M. Bento, Maria Salome Gomes, Tania Silva
Summary: As infectious agents become more resistant to available drugs, the need for new and efficient treatment options grows. Conventional drug susceptibility testing methods, while reliable, require manual work and time, limiting their applicability to routine laboratory work. In vitro infection models have evolved to mimic the host environment, providing a more accurate prediction of clinical efficacy for new drugs.
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Maria Salome Gomes, Luisa Pereira
Article
Microbiology
Ana C. Magalhaes, Sara Ricardo, Ana C. Moreira, Mariana Nunes, Margarida Tavares, Ricardo J. Pinto, Maria Salome Gomes, Luisa Pereira
Summary: The study proposes a histology-based method for evaluating infection kinetics and demonstrates the advantages of InfectionCMA, which allows for side-by-side comparisons and evaluation of diverse cell lines, infection time points, and biomarker expression.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Clara M. Bento, Ana Teresa Silva, Bruno Mansano, Luisa Aguiar, Catia Teixeira, Maria Salome Gomes, Paula Gomes, Tania Silva, Ricardo Ferraz
Summary: This work presents the synthesis, analysis, and evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of two new organic salts derived from clofazimine and fluoroquinolones. These organic salts have potential as cost-effective formulations with improved features, such as enhanced solubility and stability, compared to their parent drugs. For example, the clofazimine-derived organic salts exhibit improved solubility and thermostability without compromising the drug's bioactivity profile.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Andreia Costa, Sofia Lamas, Maria Rui Correia, Maria S. Gomes, Manuel J. Costa, I. Anna S. Olsson
Summary: The evaluation of personnel competence in working with laboratory animals is challenging, with a lack of research and assessment strategies. This study examined the implementation of the OSLASE assessment strategy and found positive impacts on trainees' engagement and clarification of performance standards.
LABORATORY ANIMALS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Oscar Fonseca, Maria Salome Gomes, Maria Adelina Amorim, Ana Cordeiro Gomes
Summary: Cystic fibrosis, a monogenic disease, has a diverse clinical presentation involving chronic lung infection, inflammation, and reduced bone mass. The underlying mechanisms of reduced bone mass in cystic fibrosis patients are still unclear. This review explores the relationship between CFTR dysfunction and intrinsic bone defects, as well as the impact of the proinflammatory environment and chronic infection on bone mass maintenance in CF patients.
