Host-Microbe Biology
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyThe Human Sodium Iodide Symporter as a Reporter Gene for Studying Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus PathogenesisAdvanced medical imaging such as single photon emission computed tomography with computed tomography (SPECT/CT) enhances fields such as oncology and cardiology. Application of SPECT/CT, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography to infectious disease may enhance pathogenesis studies and provide alternate biomarkers of disease progression. The experiments described in this article focus on insertion of a SPECT/CT-...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyMarginal Zinc Deficiency and Environmentally Relevant Concentrations of Arsenic Elicit Combined Effects on the Gut MicrobiomeXenobiotic compounds, such as arsenic, have the potential to alter the composition and functioning of the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome may also interact with these compounds to mediate their impact on the host. However, little is known about how dietary variation may reshape how the microbiome responds to xenobiotic exposures or how these modified responses may in turn impact host physiology. Here, we investigated the...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyRegulation of Epstein-Barr Virus Life Cycle and Cell Proliferation by Histone H3K27 Methyltransferase EZH2 in Akata CellsThe life cycle of EBV is regulated by epigenetic modifications, such as CpG methylation and histone modifications. Here, we found that the expression of EZH2, which encodes a histone H3K27 methyltransferase, was induced by EBV infection; therefore, we generated EZH2-KO cells to investigate the role of EZH2 in EBV-infected Akata B cells. Disruption of EZH2 resulted in increased expression of EBV genes during the lytic phase and,...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyLabel-Free Digital Holo-tomographic Microscopy Reveals Virus-Induced Cytopathic Effects in Live CellsThis study introduces label-free digital holo-tomographic microscopy (DHTM) and refractive index gradient (RIG) measurements of live, virus-infected cells. We use DHTM to describe virus type-specific cytopathic effects, including cyclic volume changes of vaccinia virus infections, and cytoplasmic condensations in herpesvirus and rhinovirus infections, distinct from apoptotic cells. This work shows for the first time that DHTM is...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyImpact of Amoxicillin-Clavulanate followed by Autologous Fecal Microbiota Transplantation on Fecal Microbiome Structure and Metabolic PotentialThe spread of multidrug resistance among pathogenic organisms threatens the efficacy of antimicrobial treatment options. The human gut serves as a reservoir for many drug-resistant organisms and their resistance genes, and perturbation of the gut microbiome by antimicrobial exposure can open metabolic niches to resistant pathogens. Once established in the gut, antimicrobial-resistant bacteria can persist even after antimicrobial...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyNucleolar Relocalization of RBM14 by Influenza A Virus NS1 ProteinInfluenza A virus (IAV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) present major global disease burdens. There are high economic costs associated with morbidity as well as significant mortality rates, especially in developing countries, in children, and in the elderly. There are currently limited therapeutic options for these viruses, which underscores the need for novel research into virus biology that may lead to the discovery of new...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyEchinocandin-Induced Microevolution of Candida parapsilosis Influences Virulence and Abiotic Stress ToleranceCandida parapsilosis is an opportunistic fungal pathogen with the ability to cause infections in immunocompromised patients. Echinocandins are the currently recommended first line of treatment for all Candida species. Resistance of Candida albicans to this drug type is well characterized....
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyThe Protective Role of Bacteroides fragilis in a Murine Model of Colitis-Associated Colorectal CancerThe incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is rapidly growing worldwide, and there is therefore a greater emphasis on studies of the treatment or prevention of CRC pathogenesis. Recent studies suggested that consideration of the microbiota is unavoidable to understand inflammation and tumorigenesis in the gastrointestinal tract. We demonstrate, using a mouse model of colitis-associated CRC, that human commensal...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyThe Buoyancy of Cryptococcus neoformans Is Affected by Capsule SizeThe buoyancy of a microbial cell is an important physical characteristic that may affect its transportability in fluids and interactions with tissues during infection. The polysaccharide capsule surrounding C. neoformans is required for infection and dissemination in the host. Our results indicate that the capsule has a significant effect on reducing cryptococcal cell...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyTemporal Variability of Escherichia coli Diversity in the Gastrointestinal Tracts of Tanzanian Children with and without Exposure to AntibioticsThis study increases the number of resident Escherichia coli genome sequences, and explores E. coli diversity through longitudinal sampling. We investigate the genomes of E. coli isolated from human gastrointestinal tracts as part...