Host-Microbe Biology
Editor's Pick Observation | Host-Microbe BiologyFilamentation Is Associated with Reduced Pathogenicity of Multiple Non-albicans Candida SpeciesMany immunocompromised individuals, including HIV/AIDS and cancer patients, are susceptible to candidiasis. About half of all cases are caused by the major fungal pathogen Candida albicans, whereas the remainder are due to less pathogenic non-albicans Candida species (NACS). Generation of filamentous cells represents a major virulence property of...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyFunctional Characterization of Entamoeba histolytica Argonaute Proteins Reveals a Repetitive DR-Rich Motif Region That Controls Nuclear LocalizationThe protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica, which causes amebiasis and affects over 50 million people worldwide, contains an important RNAi pathway for gene silencing. Gene silencing via the RNAi pathway is mediated by the Argonaute (Ago) proteins. However, we lack knowledge on Ago function(s) in this nonmodel system. In this paper, we discovered that three...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyToxoplasma gondii Intravacuolar-Network-Associated Dense Granule Proteins Regulate Maturation of the Cyst Matrix and Cyst WallToxoplasma gondii establishes chronic infection in humans by forming thick-walled cysts that persist in the brain. If host immunity wanes, cysts reactivate to cause severe, and often lethal, toxoplasmic encephalitis. There is no available therapy to eliminate cysts or to prevent their reactivation. Moreover, how the vital and characteristic cyst matrix and cyst wall...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyToxic Shock Syndrome Toxin 1 Evaluation and Antibiotic Impact in a Transgenic Model of Staphylococcal Soft Tissue InfectionStaphylococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a life-threatening illness causing fever, rash, and shock, attributed to toxins produced by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, mainly toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1). TSS was in the past commonly linked with menstruation and high-absorbency tampons; now, TSS is more frequently triggered by other staphylococcal...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyA Common Live-Attenuated Avian Herpesvirus Vaccine Expresses a Very Potent OncogeneMarek’s disease virus (MDV) is one of several oncogenic herpesviruses and causes fatal lymphomas in chickens. The current “gold standard” vaccine is the live-attenuated MDV strain CVI988/Rispens (CVI), which is widely used and efficiently prevents tumor formation. Intriguingly, CVI expresses two predominant isoforms of the major MDV oncogene meq: one variant with a regular size of meq (Smeq) and one long...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyChitosan Biosynthesis and Virulence in the Human Fungal Pathogen Cryptococcus gattiiThe fungal cell wall is an essential organelle whose components provide the first line of defense against host-induced antifungal activity. Chitosan is one of the carbohydrate polymers in the cell wall that significantly affects the outcome of host-pathogen interaction. Chitosan-deficient strains are avirulent, implicating chitosan as a critical virulence factor. C. gattii...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyIdentification and Classification of Hubs in microRNA Target Gene Networks in Human Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells following Japanese Encephalitis Virus InfectionJEV damages the neural stem/progenitor cell population of the mammalian brain. However, JEV-induced alteration in the miRNA expression pattern of the cell population remains an open question, hence warranting our present study. In this study, we specifically address the downregulation of four miRNAs, and we prepared a protein-protein interaction network of miRNA target genes. We identified two types of hub genes in the PPI network,...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyThe Polyamine Spermidine Modulates the Production of the Bacterial Genotoxin ColibactinColibactin-producing Escherichia coli strains are associated with cancerous and precancerous colorectal tissues and are suspected of promoting colorectal carcinogenesis. In this study, we describe a new interplay between the synthesis of the genotoxin colibactin and the polyamine spermidine. Polyamines are highly abundant in cancer tissue and are associated with cell...
Observation | Host-Microbe BiologyLethal Infection of Lassa Virus Isolated from a Human Clinical Sample in Outbred Guinea Pigs without AdaptationLassa virus, the causative agent of Lassa fever, is a zoonotic pathogen causing annual outbreaks in West African countries. Human patients can develop lethal hemorrhagic fever in severe cases. Although Lassa virus is one of the most alarming pathogens from a public health perspective, there are few available countermeasures, such as antiviral drugs or vaccines. Moreover, the fact that animal models are not readily accessible and the...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyAntibody-Dependent Dengue Virus Entry Modulates Cell Intrinsic Responses for Enhanced InfectionDengue virus is the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral infection globally, resulting in variable manifestations ranging from asymptomatic viremia to life-threatening shock and multiorgan failure. Previous studies have indicated that the risk of severe dengue in humans can be increased by a specific range of preexisting anti-dengue virus antibody titers, a phenomenon termed antibody-dependent enhancement. There is hence a need to...