Latest Articles
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyStreptococcus gordonii Type I Lipoteichoic Acid Contributes to Surface Protein BiogenesisDiscovered over a half-century ago, lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is an abundant polymer found on the surface of Gram-positive bacteria. Although LTA is essential for the survival of many Gram-positive species, knowledge of how LTA contributes to bacterial physiology has remained elusive. Recently, LTA-deficient strains have been generated in some Gram-positive species, including the human oral commensal...
Commentary | Host-Microbe BiologyMucus Is a Key Factor in Neisseria meningitidis CommensalismThe work presented by Audry et al. (M. Audry, C. Robbe-Masselot, J.-P. Barnier, B. Gachet, et al., mSphere 4:e00494-19, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1128/mSphere.00494-19) gives new insight into the interactions of Neisseria meningitidis and the human nasopharynx.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyRousette Bat Dendritic Cells Overcome Marburg Virus-Mediated Antiviral Responses by Upregulation of Interferon-Related Genes While Downregulating Proinflammatory Disease MediatorsMarburg viruses (MARVs) cause severe human disease resulting from aberrant immune responses. Dendritic cells (DCs) are primary targets of infection and are dysregulated by MARV. Dysregulation of DCs facilitates MARV replication and virus dissemination and influences downstream immune responses that result in immunopathology. Egyptian rousette bats (ERBs) are natural reservoirs of MARV, and infection results in virus replication and...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyAirway Mucus Restricts Neisseria meningitidis Away from Nasopharyngeal Epithelial Cells and Protects the Mucosa from InflammationN. meningitidis is transmitted from person to person by aerosol droplets produced by breathing, talking, or coughing or by direct contact with a contaminated fluid. The natural reservoir of N. meningitidis is the human nasopharynx mucosa, located at the back of the nose and above the oropharynx. The...
Letter to the Editor | Therapeutics and PreventionAlcohol-Based Handrubs and Influenza A
Author Reply | Applied and Environmental ScienceReply to Peters and Pittet, “Influenza and Alcohol-Based Handrub: the Danger of Ignoring Clinical Relevance,” and Boyce, “Alcohol-Based Handrubs and Influenza A”
Letter to the Editor | Applied and Environmental ScienceInfluenza and Alcohol-Based Handrub: the Danger of Ignoring Clinical Relevance
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologySiz2 Prevents Ribosomal DNA Recombination by Modulating Levels of Tof2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiaeThe genes that encode rRNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are organized as multiple repeats. The repetitive nature and heavy transcription of this region make it prone to DNA breaks. DNA breaks could lead to recombination, which could result in either loss or gain of repeats with detrimental consequences to the cell. Multiple mechanisms operate to maintain the stability...
Minireview | Host-Microbe BiologyVibrio cholerae at the Intersection of Immunity and the MicrobiomeVibrio cholerae is a noninvasive pathogen that colonizes the small intestine and produces cholera toxin, causing severe secretory diarrhea. Cholera results in long lasting immunity, and recent studies have improved our understanding of the antigenic repertoire of V. cholerae. Interactions between...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyRapid Bladder Interleukin-10 Synthesis in Response to Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Is Part of a Defense Strategy Triggered by the Major Bacterial Flagellar Filament FliC and Contingent on TLR5Interleukin-10 is part of the immune response to urinary tract infection (UTI) due to E. coli, and it is important in the early control of infection in the bladder. Defining the mechanism of engagement of the immune system by the bacteria that enables the protective IL-10 response is critical to exploring how we might exploit this mechanism for new infection control...