Host-Microbe Biology
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyConformational Occlusion of Blockade Antibody Epitopes, a Novel Mechanism of GII.4 Human Norovirus Immune EvasionIn this study, we use norovirus virus-like particles to identify key residues of a conserved GII.4 blockade antibody epitope. Further, we identify an additional GII.4 blockade antibody epitope to be occluded, with antibody access governed by temperature and particle dynamics. These findings provide additional support for particle conformation-based presentation of binding residues mediated by a particle “breathing core.” Together, these...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyAnaplerotic Role of Glucose in the Oxidation of Endogenous Fatty Acids during Dengue Virus InfectionDengue virus infection is a major cause of human arbovirosis, for which clinical and experimental evidence supports the idea that liver dysfunction and lipid metabolism disorders are characteristics of severe disease. Analyzing mitochondrial bioenergetics, here we show that infection of hepatic cells with dengue virus favors the cellular capacity of metabolizing glucose, impairing the normal metabolic flexibility that allows the...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyBioID Reveals Novel Proteins of the Plasmodium Parasitophorous Vacuole MembraneIntracellular pathogens are often surrounded by a host-cell derived membrane. This membrane is modified by the pathogens to their own needs and is crucial for their intracellular lifestyle. In Plasmodium parasites, this membrane is referred to as the PVM and only a limited number of its proteins are known so far. Here, we applied in rodent P. berghei...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyIn Situ Analyses Directly in Diarrheal Stool Reveal Large Variations in Bacterial Load and Active Toxin Expression of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Vibrio choleraeThe cause of diarrheal disease is usually determined by screening for several microorganisms by various methods, and sole detection is used to assign the agent as the cause of disease. However, it has become increasingly clear that many infections are caused by coinfections with several pathogens and that the dose of the infecting pathogen is important. We quantified the absolute numbers of enterotoxigenic...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyIdentification of Head and Neck Cancer Subtypes Based on Human Papillomavirus Presence and E2F-Regulated Gene ExpressionCancer is a complex disease that can be caused by a multitude of factors. HNSCC is complicated because some of these cancers are clearly associated with HPV, while others have no viral involvement. Determining the pathways that are commonly altered in both types of HNSCC, as well as those that are unique to viral and nonviral tumors, is important for a basic understanding of how these cancers arise and progress and critical to the...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyAntibiotic Treatments for Clostridium difficile Infection Are Associated with Distinct Bacterial and Fungal Community StructuresUsing human fecal samples and including sequencing for both bacterial and fungal taxa, this study compared the conventional antibiotics used to treat C. difficile infection (CDI) from the perspective of the microbiome, which is particularly relevant, given the relationship between dysbiotic states and the development of CDI. Sequencing and imputed functional analyses...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyMicrobiota Reconstitution Does Not Cause Bone Loss in Germ-Free MiceThe microbiota has been shown to be an important regulator of health and development. With regard to its effect on bone health, a previous study has suggested that gut microbes negatively impact bone density. However, we show here that this is not generalizable to all microbial communities and mouse strain backgrounds. Our results demonstrate that colonization of mice, both outbred and inbred strains, did not have a major impact on bone...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyStudying the Symbiotic Bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophila in Individual, Living Steinernema carpocapsae Nematodes Using Microfluidic SystemsThis paper describes an experimental system for directly investigating population dynamics of a symbiotic bacterium, Xenorhabdus nematophila, in its host—the infective stage of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae. Tracking individual and groups of bacteria in individual host nematodes over days and weeks yielded insight into dynamic growth...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyDifferential Ability of Pandemic and Seasonal H1N1 Influenza A Viruses To Alter the Function of Human NeutrophilsA long-standing notion is that IAV inhibits normal neutrophil function and thereby predisposes individuals to secondary bacterial infections. Here we report that seasonal H1N1 IAV primes human neutrophils for enhanced killing of Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, we provide a comprehensive view of the changes in neutrophil gene expression during interaction with...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyHuman Clade 2.3.4.4 A/H5N6 Influenza Virus Lacks Mammalian Adaptation Markers and Does Not Transmit via the Airborne Route between FerretsAvian influenza A viruses are a threat to human health, as they cross the species barrier and infect humans occasionally, often with severe outcome. The antigenic and genetic diversity of A/H5 viruses from the A/goose/Guangdong/1/96 lineage is increasing, due to continued circulation and reassortment in poultry, posing a constant risk for public health and requiring regular risk assessments. Here we performed an in-depth...