Article
Microbiology
Stephan Brouwer, Magnus G. Jespersen, Cheryl-Lynn Y. Ong, David M. P. De Oliveira, Bernhard Keller, Amanda J. Cork, Karrera Y. Djoko, Mark R. Davies, Mark J. Walker
Summary: In this study, the researchers found that the ABC transporter substrate binding protein GshT is a crucial component of the glutathione salvage pathway in glutathione-auxotrophic GAS. Host-acquired glutathione is essential for the GAS antioxidant defense system, enabling it to evade the host innate immune response. This study provides mechanistic insights into how extracellular bacterial pathogens like GAS exploit host glutathione for their own benefit.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xiangying Xiong, Ruifang Chen, Junxiang Lai
Summary: In this study, the differences between two genotypes of Streptococcus iniae, BH15-2 and BH16-24, were compared. The results showed that BH16-24 exhibited faster growth, greater drug resistance, and enhanced virulence compared to BH15-2. Comparative genome analysis revealed a large-scale genomic inversion fragment in BH16-24, which resulted in differential expression of drug resistance and virulence genes.
Article
Immunology
Haniyeh Aghababa, Yi Tian Ting, Devaki Pilapitiya, Jacelyn M. S. Loh, Paul G. Young, Thomas Proft
Summary: This study identified a novel immune evasion factor in Streptococcus pyogenes that interferes with complement function by binding to several complement proteins. This is the first example of a S. pyogenes virulence factor binding to several different target proteins via glycan-dependent interactions.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Lu Lu, Shaotong Dai, Lulu Liu, Jiaxi Liu, Xin Zhang, Xiaoli Huang, Ping Ouyang, Yi Geng, Zhiqiong Li, Defang Chen
Summary: The study identified HMGB1 and HMGB2 in Acipenser baerii and found that these proteins play important roles in DNA damage repair, immune response, and inflammation. The expression of these proteins was detected in multiple tissues and was significantly induced after infection and PAMPs treatment, suggesting their involvement in the pathogenic infection process. This provides a basis for further understanding the mechanism of enteritis induced by Streptococcus iniae in Acipenser baerii.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Xiaoman Wu, Fan Xiong, Hong Fang, Jie Zhang, Mingxian Chang
Summary: In this study, the functional correlation between NOD1 and histone H2A variant in response to Streptococcus agalactiae infection was reported. The deficiency of NOD1 promoted S. agalactiae proliferation and decreased larval survival in zebrafish. The results highlight the importance of NOD1 deficiency in immune-related and metabolic pathways regulation, and the correlation between zebrafish NOD1 and histone H2A variant in defense against S. agalactiae infection.
Article
Fisheries
Jun Wang, Erlong Wang, Tao Liu, Yang He, Kaiyu Wang
Summary: This study identified the serotype of S.iniae DGX07 and found that alpha-enolase has the potential to provide cross-protective immunity against different serotypes of S.iniae infection. It was also discovered that AVG, as an oil adjuvant, can enhance the immune response in channel catfish.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaolan Zhang, Yue Wang, Hui Zhu, Zhaohua Zhong
Summary: This study focuses on the role of an esterase (Sse) secreted by Streptococcus pyogenes in pathogenesis. By generating a gene knockout strain and conducting transcriptome analysis, the study reveals that Sse plays a crucial role in GAS virulence and metabolic pathways.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Qishuo Wang, Chao Zhang, La Xu, Jiakang Chen, Xuepeng Wang
Summary: The study successfully generated a S. iniae ghost (SIG) vaccine and found that immunization with SIG induced higher levels of IgM, phagocytic activity, AKP activity, lysozyme activity, IL-1 beta, IFN-gamma and HSP70 in fish compared to formalin-inactivated S. iniae (FSI) immunization and the control group. Furthermore, fish immunized with SIG showed higher survival rates and protection against a virulent S. iniae challenge when compared to the FSI-immunized fish and PBS-treated group.
AQUACULTURE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Ya-li Yang, Yi-bin Fan, Lei Gao, Chao Zhang, Ju-lin Gu, Wei-hua Pan, Wei Fang
Summary: This study elucidates the role of Csn1201 protein in cryptococcal fitness and host immunity. Deletion of Csn1201 blocks the pulmonary infection and extrapulmonary dissemination of Cryptococcus neoformans, while enhancing the host immune response.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Gordon Y. C. Cheung, Justin S. Bae, Michael Otto
Summary: Staphylococcus aureus is a common pathogen causing a range of diseases, with treatment complicated by antibiotic resistance and lack of an effective vaccine. Understanding the role of S. aureus virulence factors can help in developing anti-virulence strategies to combat the challenges posed by this pathogen.
Review
Immunology
Susithra Priyadarshni Mugunthan, Ganapathy Kannan, Harish Mani Chandra, Biswaranjan Paital
Summary: Avian mycoplasmosis, caused primarily by Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae, affects the respiratory, reproductive, and musculoskeletal systems of chickens. Mycoplasma gallisepticum is the most common pathogenic avian mycoplasma, with a wide range of host susceptibility and virulence. Prevention relies on biosecurity measures, management strategies, early diagnosis, antimicrobial use, and vaccination.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hannes Eichner, Jens Karlsson, Edmund Loh
Summary: Pathogenic bacteria have evolved to regulate gene expression through RNA, and understanding the function of regulatory RNAs in disease could provide valuable insights into their pathogenicity.
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Lu Lu, Shaotong Dai, Hao Zhu, Xin Zhang, Zhiqiong Li, Xiaoli Huang, Ping Ouyang, Yi Geng, Defang Chen
Summary: Receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 2 (RIPK2) plays an important role in regulating inflammatory response and resisting pathogenic microbial infection. The study identified AbRIPK2 in Acipenser baerii and found that it is highly expressed in the gill and immune tissues. AbRIPK2 was significantly upregulated after infection and cellular stimulation, indicating its potential mechanism in resisting pathogenic infection in Siberian sturgeon.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tarina Sharma, Anwar Alam, Aquib Ehtram, Anshu Rani, Sonam Grover, Nasreen Z. Ehtesham, Seyed E. Hasnain
Summary: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a successful pathogen that can survive within host alveolar macrophages and resist immune responses. The PE/PPE/PE_PGRS proteins encoded by the pathogen's genome play multiple roles in enhancing its virulence and modulating immune responses.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Miray Etyemez Buyukdeveci, Ibrahim Cengizler, Jose L. Balcazar, Ibrahim Demirkale
Summary: Feeding two strains of Bacillus bacteria has positive effects on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, immunity, and disease resistance in Nile tilapia.
DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Risa Takahashi, Fiona J. Radcliff, Thomas Proft, Catherine J-Y Tsai
Summary: The group A Streptococcus pilus plays a critical role in infection and is a promising target for vaccine development. Research has shown that both assembled pili and individual pilus proteins can induce the release of proinflammatory cytokines and activate Toll-like receptor 2 signaling pathway.
IMMUNOLOGY AND CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Alana L. Whitcombe, Franklin Han, Sonia M. McAlister, Lea-Ann S. Kirkham, Paul G. Young, Stephen R. Ritchie, Polly Atatoa Carr, Thomas Proft, Nicole J. Moreland
Summary: A multiplex bead-based immunoassay has been developed in this study to detect and quantify antibody responses to multiple GAS antigen targets. This assay has been shown to be robust, reproducible, and capable of accurately quantifying antibody titres. It has also been validated using clinical samples, demonstrating its utility for vaccine research and diagnostics.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGICAL METHODS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Haniyeh Aghababa, Yi Tian Ting, Devaki Pilapitiya, Jacelyn M. S. Loh, Paul G. Young, Thomas Proft
Summary: This study identified a novel immune evasion factor in Streptococcus pyogenes that interferes with complement function by binding to several complement proteins. This is the first example of a S. pyogenes virulence factor binding to several different target proteins via glycan-dependent interactions.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mengyang Liu, Darren Svirskis, Thomas Proft, Jacelyn Loh, Shuo Chen, Dali Kang, Jingyuan Wen
Summary: Oral delivery of medicines is preferred by patients, but thymopentin (TP5) is currently only available for parenteral administration. This study aims to understand the extent of TP5 peptideolysis and find effective inhibitors and suitable lipid-based nanocarriers to aid in the development of an effective oral formulation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Farina Nor Hashimi, Julie Bennett, Michael G. Baker, Nicole J. Moreland, Troy L. Merry, Jacelyn M. S. Loh
Summary: The number of sugar-sweetened beverages consumed per day has been linked to an increased risk of acute rheumatic fever. Using a mouse model and dietary intervention, researchers found that high sucrose intake may promote the growth and survival of Streptococcus pyogenes, providing new insights into the potential biological basis for this association in humans.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sanjukta Duarah, Manisha Sharma, Shuo Chen, Thomas K. Proft, Jacelyn Loh, Jingyuan Wen
Summary: A biodegradable microneedle-based transdermal delivery system was developed for sustained and effective delivery of dexamethasone. The microneedle arrays enhanced the permeation of dexamethasone and showed comparable anti-inflammatory efficacy to intravenous injection. This study suggests that microneedle arrays could be a safe, easy, effective and minimally invasive alternative to current delivery methods for dexamethasone.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Tiger Aspell, Adrina Hema J. Khemlani, Catherine Jia-Yun Tsai, Jacelyn Mei San Loh, Thomas Proft
Summary: Streptococcus pyogenes, a strictly human pathogen, causes various diseases including skin infections, toxic shock syndrome, and acute rheumatic fever. Two genes, Spy1094 and Spy1370, have been found to confer lysozyme resistance and play a role in S. pyogenes virulence. In addition, these genes also enhance biofilm formation and affect resistance to antimicrobial peptides. These findings suggest that Spy1094 and Spy1370 could be potential targets for the development of antibacterial agents.
Article
Cell Biology
Adrina Hema J-Khemlani, Devaki Pilapitiya, Catherine Jia-Yun Tsai, Thomas Proft, Jacelyn Mei San Loh
Summary: Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a human pathogenic bacterium associated with a range of diseases. An effective vaccine has not been developed yet. Researchers have developed a mucosal vaccine expressing GAS pilus on a nonpathogenic bacterium. Mice immunized with this vaccine showed specific immune responses and cross-reactivity, as well as protection against GAS colonization.
IMMUNOLOGY AND CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Risa Takahashi, Adrina Hema J-Khemlani, Jacelyn Mei San Loh, Fiona Jane Radcliff, Thomas Proft, Catherine Jia-Yun Tsai
Summary: This study found that the inflammatory response caused by Streptococcus pyogenes pili promotes bacterial clearance rather than intensifying pathogenesis. The findings suggest that pili may not be the main contributor to the inflammatory symptoms seen in GAS diseases, and the immune-potentiating properties of pili components could potentially be used as a vaccine adjuvant.
IMMUNOLOGY AND CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Jacelyn M. S. Loh, Haniyeh Aghababa, Thomas Proft
Summary: The human complement system is an important defense mechanism against invasive bacteria. Some bacteria have developed complement evasion strategies to increase their virulence. Complement evasion factors may have potential applications in vaccine and therapeutic development.
MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Tiger Aspell, Adrina Hema Jethanand Khemlani, Jacelyn Mei San Loh, Catherine Jia-Yun Tsai, Thomas Proft
Summary: Streptococcus pyogenes is a human pathogen that causes various diseases. Two novel proteins, Spy1094 and Spy1370, were found to be important virulence factors. These proteins showed activity at a wide pH range and were dependent on specific metal ions, but peptidoglycan may not be their preferred target for deacetylation.
MICROBIOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)