Review
Immunology
Pamella Constantino-Teles, Albane Jouault, Lhousseine Touqui, Alessandra Mattos Saliba
Summary: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic pathogen, causes respiratory infections by utilizing various virulence factors, such as bacterial lipids and enzymes, and by interacting with host lipids. These mechanisms play important roles in the establishment and persistence of P. aeruginosa in the lungs, as well as in modulating host immune responses.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Morgan A. Alford, Beverlie Baquir, Andy An, Ka-Yee G. Choi, Robert E. W. Hancock
Summary: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a versatile pathogen infecting various parts of the human body, and eradication of its infections is becoming more difficult due to resistance mechanisms. Adaptive resistance, linked to lifestyles such as swarming motility and biofilm formation, plays a role in antibiotic susceptibility. NtrBC emerges as a potential target for combating stubborn infections through its influence on nitrogen metabolism and virulence.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Shuaiqi Guo, Hossein Zahiri, Corey Stevens, Daniel C. Spaanderman, Lech-Gustav Milroy, Christian Ottmann, Luc Brunsveld, Ilja K. Voets, Peter L. Davies
Summary: Researchers have identified a 20-kDa peptide-binding domain (PBD) which can inhibit interactions between bacteria and host cells, offering potential for anti-infectious applications.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Sophie G. Carter, Danny J. Eckert
Summary: Impaired upper airway anatomy is the main cause of obstructive sleep apnea, but there are also other significant contributors including ventilatory control instability and low arousal threshold. Recent studies have focused on targeting specific OSA causes with novel treatments to reduce severity and improve efficacy of existing therapies.
SLEEP MEDICINE REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Min Beom Kim, Soonho Hwangbo, Sungho Jang, Yun Kee Jo
Summary: The recent increase in complex physiological host-microbe interactions has led to a demand for in vitro models that replicate the microbial microenvironment in the human body. Organoids, an in vitro culture system that closely mimics the structure, function, and genetic features of human organs, are emerging as a promising tool for studying host-microbe interactions. Co-cultures of organoids with microbes show great potential in simulating complex host-microbe interactions and advancing related fields. This review provides an overview of bioengineering approaches for microbe-co-cultured organoids and highlights the latest developments in their applications for studying human physiology and pathophysiology.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Sajal Deea Shukla, Tibor Valyi-Nagy
Summary: HSV-1 is a human virus that causes lifelong infections and can lead to various diseases, including blindness and central nervous system diseases. Host molecules play important roles in the infection process, including immune response, autophagy, and inflammation. Understanding the interaction between the virus and host molecules is essential for developing effective treatments.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Respiratory System
Aditi S. Shah, Alyson W. Wong, Cameron J. Hague, Darra T. Murphy, James C. Johnston, Christopher J. Ryerson, Christopher Carlsten
Summary: The long-term respiratory morbidity of COVID-19 remains unclear. A study found that a significant percentage of previously hospitalized patients had persisting abnormalities in clinical, radiological, and pulmonary function, highlighting the importance of developing treatment strategies and long-term respiratory follow-up.
Article
Microbiology
Victoria Palma, Maria Soledad Gutierrez, Orlando Vargas, Raghuveer Parthasarathy, Paola Navarrete
Summary: Bacterial motility is a common characteristic that can be studied through various methods, with three-dimensional imaging being advantageous in microscopic approaches. Understanding bacterial motility is also important for studying bacterial-host interactions.
Review
Immunology
Anna Krutyholowa, Karolina Strzelec, Agata Dziedzic, Grzegorz P. P. Bereta, Katarzyna Lazarz-Bartyzel, Jan Potempa, Katarzyna Gawron
Summary: The study explores the relationship between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis, highlighting the genetic and environmental risk factors underlying the development of both diseases, with a special focus on bacteria implicated in the pathogenicity of periodontitis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Zhihui Lyu, Cierra Wilson, Jiqiang Ling
Summary: Translational fidelity, the accuracy of protein synthesis, is crucial in all three domains of life. This article reviews how translational fidelity is affected by environmental stresses encountered by bacterial pathogens during host interactions, including oxidative stress, metabolic stresses, and antibiotics. The review discusses the types of translational errors and their impact on stress adaptation and fitness, as well as the roles of translational fidelity and underlying mechanisms in pathogen-host interactions. The studies covered in this review primarily focus on Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli, but other bacterial pathogens are also discussed.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Salim Halabi, Shachaf Shiber, Meital Paz, Tanya M. Gottlieb, Eran Barash, Roy Navon, Tahel Ilan-Ber, Liran Shani, Neta Petersiel, Mordechai Grupper, Einav Simon, Daniel Kirshner, Daniel Haber, Michal Stein, Yasmin Maor, Claire Guetta, Ynon Lishtzinsky, Shirly Yanai, Michael J. Drescher, Kfir Oved, Eran Eden, Ami Neuberger, Mical Paul
Summary: This study assessed the performance of a test called BV in differentiating bacterial from viral infection among adults with suspected lower respiratory tract infection. The test integrated the blood levels of three immune proteins into a score. The results showed that BV had high diagnostic accuracy in febrile adults with suspected LRTI.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Mette Kolpen, Kasper Norskov Kragh, Juan Barraza Enciso, Daniel Faurholt-Jepsen, Birgitte Lindegaard, Gertrud Baunbaek Egelund, Andreas Vestergaard Jensen, Pernille Ravn, Inger Hee Mabuza Mathiesen, Alexandra Gabriella Gheorge, Frederik Boetius Hertz, Tavs Qvist, Marvin Whiteley, Peter Ostrup Jensen, Thomas Bjarnsholt
Summary: This study found that both acute and chronic lung infections are dominated by biofilms, and bacteria grew faster in sputum from acute infections, but these fast-growing bacteria were also enriched in biofilms similar to chronic infections. Cellular inflammation in the lungs was similar across patient groups, but systemic inflammatory markers were only elevated in acute infections.
Review
Microbiology
Vera Vozandychova, Pavla Stojkova, Kamil Hercik, Pavel Rehulka, Jiri Stulik
Summary: Ubiquitination, similar to phosphorylation and acetylation, plays a crucial role in regulating various cell processes. Understanding how pathogens manipulate host ubiquitination processes is important for vaccine development and disease treatment. Pathogenic bacteria encode effector proteins targeting the host ubiquitin machinery to disrupt host defense processes.
Review
Immunology
Luanne Hall-Stoodley, Karen S. McCoy
Summary: This review discusses the formation of biofilms in the airway, their role in defending against infection, and the pathophysiology and dysfunctional mechanisms associated with biofilm infections. It also briefly discusses evaluating and treating airway-associated biofilm infections.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Asma Hussain Alkatheri, Polly Soo-Xi Yap, Aisha Abushelaibi, Kok-Song Lai, Wan-Hee Cheng, Swee-Hua Erin Lim
Summary: The bacterial membrane is crucial for protein secretion, quorum sensing, and host-bacterial interactions, and has important implications for the treatment of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
Article
Immunology
Goutham Vansarla, Anders P. Hakansson, Caroline Bergenfelz
Summary: HAMLET is a protein-lipid complex with specific antibacterial and antitumor activity, lacking cytotoxicity against healthy cells, while stimulating immune cells in humans and mice, inducing a pro-inflammatory response and enhancing the clearance of bacteria by activated immune cells.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Basma H. Joma, Nalat Siwapornchai, Vijay K. Vanguri, Anishma Shrestha, Sara E. Roggensack, Bruce A. Davidson, Albert K. Tai, Anders P. Hakansson, Simin N. Meydani, John M. Leong, Elsa N. Bou Ghanem
Summary: In a mouse model, coinfection with influenza virus and aging can lead to severe Streptococcus pneumoniae infections, which cause bacterial spread from the nasopharynx to the lungs, pulmonary inflammation, and mortality. Aging does not increase bacterial burdens, but accelerates pulmonary inflammation and damage, while also impacting neutrophil function and interferon production.
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Veronique Demers-Mathieu, Anders P. Hakansson, Stephanie Hall, Sirima Lavangnananda, Shawn Fels, Elena Medo
Summary: This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 vaccine and infection on human milk antibody titers and activity. Results showed higher titers of human milk IgG against N501Y in the COVID-19 vaccine group, and higher SIgA/IgA titers across all three groups. Overall, COVID-19 vaccination and exposure to SARS-CoV-2 may influence the antibodies in breast milk against variants of concern.
BREASTFEEDING MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Wouter A. A. de Steenhuijsen Piters, Rebecca L. Watson, Emma M. de Koff, Raiza Hasrat, Kayleigh Arp, Mei Ling J. N. Chu, Pieter C. M. de Groot, Marlies A. van Houten, Elisabeth A. M. Sanders, Debby Bogaert
Summary: The development of the respiratory microbial community in early life is important for susceptibility to respiratory tract infections. This study found that early-life viral encounters can impact subsequent host-microbe cross-talk, leading to changes in respiratory microbiota and increased susceptibility to clinical respiratory tract infections.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Marta Reyman, Melanie Clerc, Marlies A. van Houten, Kayleigh Arp, Mei Ling J. N. Chu, Raiza Hasrat, Elisabeth A. M. Sanders, Debby Bogaert
Summary: By analyzing the 16S rRNA sequencing data from 112 healthy infants, Reyman and team discovered a strong association between microbial network structure and susceptibility to respiratory tract infections, emphasizing the importance of cross-niche microbial connections in respiratory health. This finding suggests that microbial communities from multiple body sites play a crucial role in disease susceptibility, particularly in young children.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Lili Yu, Gang Zhao, Lijuan Wang, Xuan Zhou, Jing Sun, Xinxuan Li, Yingshuang Zhu, Yazhou He, Kleovoulos Kofonikolas, Debby Bogaert, Malcolm Dunlop, Yimin Zhu, Evropi Theodoratou, Xue Li
Summary: This review examined the association between microbial markers and colorectal neoplasia, and evaluated the predictive performance of prediction models. The findings revealed that several microbial species were consistently associated with colorectal neoplasia, and the prediction models showed promising discrimination. However, most studies had limitations in sample size and lack of independent external validation.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Maria Eduarda Souza Guerra, Giulia Destro, Brenda Vieira, Alice S. Lima, Lucio Fabio Caldas Ferraz, Anders P. Hakansson, Michelle Darrieux, Thiago Rojas Converso
Summary: The ability to form biofilms is crucial for the virulence of Klebsiella pneumoniae, and biofilms play a significant role in bacterial infections. This review discusses the characteristics of K. pneumoniae biofilms, factors influencing their development, and their contribution to infections. It also explores different model systems used to study biofilm formation in this species. The establishment and maintenance of biofilms in K. pneumoniae are influenced by numerous factors, highlighting the importance of this mechanism for bacterial fitness. Some of these factors could be utilized in future vaccines. However, more in vivo models are needed to evaluate the impact of biofilm development on disease pathogenesis.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Natalha T. Waz, Sheila Oliveira, Raquel Girardello, Nilton Lincopan, Giovana Barazzone, Thais Parisotto, Anders P. Hakansson, Thiago Rojas Converso, Michelle Darrieux
Summary: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a globally prevalent pathogen with a highly immunogenic polysaccharide capsule. Indolicidin, an antimicrobial peptide, has bactericidal effects against this pathogen, but the capsule variability may influence its susceptibility.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Anders P. Hakansson
Editorial Material
Immunology
Jean-Paul Motta, Anders P. Hakansson, Samuel A. Lee
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexsandra Lenhard, Basma H. Joma, Nalat Siwapornchai, Anders P. Hakansson, John M. Leong, Elsa N. Bou Ghanem
Summary: This study describes a novel mouse model that reproduces the transition of Streptococcus pneumoniae from asymptomatic colonization to disease. The model replicates the susceptibility of aging and provides an opportunity to analyze the interactions between the pathogen and host at different phases of disease progression.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Emma M. de Koff, Debbie van Baarle, Marlies A. van Houten, Marta Reyman, Guy A. M. Berbers, Femke van den Ham, Mei Ling J. N. Chu, Elisabeth A. M. Sanders, Debby Bogaert, Susana Fuentes
Summary: The mode of delivery affects the composition of the gut microbiota and the immune response to childhood vaccines. Infants born through vaginal delivery have stronger antibody responses to vaccines. The early-life gut microbiota composition is associated with the vaccine response.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Feiruz Alamiri, Oscar Andre, Supradipta De, Pontus Nordenfelt, Anders P. Hakansson
Summary: Streptococcus pyogenes is a common pathogen causing various infections, with pharyngitis being the most common in children. The re-emergence of intracellular GAS after antibiotic treatment is believed to contribute to recurrent pharyngeal infections. The role of colonizing biofilm bacteria in this process is still not fully understood.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sudhanshu Shekhar, Navdeep Kaur Brar, Anders P. Hakansson, Fernanda Cristina Petersen
Summary: This study investigated the impact of amoxicillin and HAMLET (human alpha-lactalbumin made lethal to tumor cells) treatment on T cell responses to Streptococcus pneumoniae in infant mice. Lung cells and splenocytes were isolated from mice treated with amoxicillin, HAMLET, or a combination of both, and cultured with S. pneumoniae to measure T cell responses. Results showed that amoxicillin treatment resulted in lower levels of Th17 (IL-17A), but not Th1 (IFN-gamma), cytokine production in lung cells compared to HAMLET or control treatment. However, there were no significant differences in cytokine levels among treatment groups in splenocytes. Flow cytometry analysis revealed decreased levels of IL-17A in lung CD4+, but not CD8+, T cells from amoxicillin- or HAMLET plus amoxicillin-treated mice compared to HAMLET-exposed or control mice. Overall, these findings suggest that amoxicillin exposure may suppress lung Th17 responses to S. pneumoniae in infant mice.
Article
Immunology
Roy P. Zuurbier, Debby Bogaert, Wouter A. A. de Steenhuijsen Piters, Kayleigh Arp, Mei Ling J. N. Chu, Elisabeth A. M. Sanders, Marlies A. van Houten
Summary: Respiratory tract infections in infants are often caused by viruses. A study found that while the presence of rhinovirus in early life is negatively associated with acute respiratory tract infections, it is associated with increased susceptibility to and recurrence of respiratory tract infections later in life.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2023)