Host-Microbe Biology
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyFunctional Characterization of Secreted Aspartyl Proteases in Candida parapsilosisAspartyl proteases are present in various organisms and, among virulent species, are considered major virulence factors. Host tissue and cell damage, hijacking of immune responses, and hiding from innate immune cells are the most common behaviors of fungal secreted proteases enabling pathogen survival and invasion. C. parapsilosis, an opportunistic human-pathogenic...
Commentary | Host-Microbe BiologymSphere of Influence: the Importance of Metabolism for Pathogen Adaptation to Host-Imposed StressesJorge Amich studies several aspects of sulfur and nitrogen metabolism in Aspergillus fumigatus, with the ultimate aim of identifying targets for the development of novel antifungals. In this mSphere of Influence article, he reflects on how “Sub-Telomere Directed Gene Expression during Initiation of Invasive Aspergillosis” (A. McDonagh, N. D. Fedorova, J. Crabtree, Y....
Commentary | Host-Microbe BiologymSphere of Influence: Considering Complex Mutational Processes That Shape Microbial VirulenceMatt Anderson works in the field of genetics and infectious disease, with a focus on the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. In this mSphere of Influence article, he reflects on how two papers, “Gene Flow Contributes to Diversification of the Major Fungal Pathogen Candida albicans” (J. Ropars, C...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyEnvironmental Persistence of Influenza Viruses Is Dependent upon Virus Type and Host OriginThe rapid spread of influenza viruses (IV) from person to person during seasonal epidemics causes acute respiratory infections that can lead to hospitalizations and life-threatening illness. Atmospheric conditions such as relative humidity (RH) can impact the viability of IV released into the air. To understand how different IV are affected by their environment, we compared the levels of stability of human-pathogenic seasonal and avian...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyQuorum Sensing, Virulence, and Antibiotic Resistance of USA100 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus IsolatesUSA100 health care-associated MRSA isolates are highly antibiotic resistant and can cause invasive disease across all patient populations. Even though USA100 strains are some of the most frequently identified causes of infections, little is known about virulence regulation in these isolates. Our study demonstrates that the USA100 agr quorum-sensing system is important for the control of toxin and exoenzyme production and that...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyIntranasal Inoculation of Cryptococcus neoformans in Mice Produces Nasal Infection with Rapid Brain DisseminationCryptococcus neoformans causes an estimated 181, 000 deaths each year, mostly associated with untreated HIV/AIDS. C. neoformans has a ubiquitous worldwide distribution. Humans become infected from exposure to environmental sources, after which the fungus lays dormant within the human body. Upon AIDS...
Commentary | Host-Microbe BiologyNeighbors Working Together: a Toxoplasma Rhoptry Protein That Facilitates Dense Granule Protein Translocation into the Host CellThe opportunistic pathogen Toxoplasma gondii is highly adept at manipulating host cell functions. While inside a host cell, Toxoplasma divides within a parasitophorous vacuole from which it secretes numerous effector proteins from its dense granules. Many of these so-called GRA proteins are translocated from the parsitophorous vacuole into the host cell where...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyIn Silico Modeling of Biofilm Formation by Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae In VivoMultiple respiratory illnesses are associated with formation of biofilms within the human airway by NTHI. However, a substantial amount of our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie NTHI biofilm formation is obtained from in vitro studies. Our in silico model that describes biofilm formation by NTHI within the middle ears of Chinchilla lanigera...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyTranslocation of Dense Granule Effectors across the Parasitophorous Vacuole Membrane in Toxoplasma-Infected Cells Requires the Activity of ROP17, a Rhoptry Protein KinaseWhen Toxoplasma infects a cell, it establishes a protective parasitophorous vacuole surrounding it. While this vacuole provides protection, it also serves as a barrier to the export of parasite effector proteins that impact and take control of the host cell. Our discovery here that the parasite rhoptry protein ROP17 is necessary for export of these effector proteins provides a distinct, novel function for ROP17 apart from its...
Letter to the Editor | Host-Microbe BiologyDifferent Biological Activities of Specific Interferon Alpha Subtypes