Articles tagged with Host Cells
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have identified an enzyme that disrupts vital cell processes in intestinal worms, potentially leading to new vaccine or drug development. The discovery could also help combat emerging drug-resistant worm infections.
A high-manganese diet makes mice susceptible to staph heart infection, inactivating their innate immune system's reactive oxygen burst. This discovery adds to evidence that diet influences infection risk and suggests people with excess tissue manganese may be at higher risk for staph infection of the heart.
Researchers used twin study to investigate role of genes and oral microbiome in cavity formation, finding that dietary and hygiene habits play a significant role. The study also revealed a link between specific bacteria and sugar consumption, with certain species associated with more cavities.
Researchers discovered that Legionella pneumophila targets mitochondria to alter cellular metabolism, favouring bacterial replication. This strategy is crucial for the bacterium's survival and causes disease.
Researchers from the University of Basel have identified messenger substances that trigger excessive inflammatory responses in infected mice, leading to circulatory failure. Blocking these substances with existing medications may help prevent fatal outcomes in viral hemorrhagic fevers.
Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University identified a protein called MELK essential for correct HIV-1 coat removal. Depleting MELK reduced virus infectivity, while restoring it restored normal infection processes.
Researchers at Tulane University have identified a possible explanation for the rapid spread of the Ebola virus, pinpointing a small protein as the culprit. The delta peptide, produced in large amounts during infection, damages host cells and may contribute to severe gastrointestinal symptoms, leading to high mortality rates.
Scientists identified two human antibodies that neutralize multiple ebolavirus species, offering potential treatments for people infected with Ebola virus or related viruses. These broadly protective antibodies could provide a basis for therapeutic pan-ebolavirus antibody treatments and vaccines.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed biomimetic bone tissues that provide a safe space for donor cells to grow without competition from host cells. This breakthrough technology has shown promising results in mice, with donor cells surviving for up to six months and supplying new blood cells.
An international study has identified a new therapeutic target for Hepatitis C Virus by hijacking host cell communication systems. The approach may have broader application to other infectious diseases.
Research found that defective HIV proviruses can produce viral proteins, reducing the effective immune response and interfering with HIV cure. This discovery highlights a previously unknown obstacle in HIV treatment and may lead to new courses of therapy.
A mouse study reveals that gut microbes play a crucial role in age-associated inflammation and premature death. Imbalances in the gut microbiome lead to leaky intestines and trigger inflammation. Researchers hope to develop drugs or probiotics to restore gut barrier function and reduce age-related inflammation.
Legionella bacteria uses RavZ to disrupt autophagy machinery, evading host cells. Researchers developed semisynthetic LC3 proteins to study interaction with RavZ, identifying key binding site and mechanism of action.
Researchers found Zika virus alters host cell cytoskeletal architecture to build replication factories, potentially targeting with existing chemotherapy drugs. This study suggests a new approach to treating Zika-related disorders like microcephaly and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers have discovered that genetic changes in African Salmonella strains allow them to hijack immune cells and spread throughout the body. This enables the bacteria to cause systemic diseases like bloodstream infections and meningitis, which are often fatal.
Researchers have discovered that plant-derived products, such as proanthocyanidin (PAC), can inhibit hepatitis B virus (HBV) entry into host cells and potentially treat treatment-resistant strains. PAC also enhances the effectiveness of antiviral drugs like tenofovir, offering a promising new approach to combatting HBV.
Researchers at Princeton University have identified a potential treatment target for the hepatitis E virus by exploiting its ability to use proteins to escape host cells. The study found that curtailing viroporin production could prevent viral particles from spreading, providing a new avenue for antiviral drugs.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered that CD8+ T cells, a subset of killer T cells, control Zika infection and limit disease severity. The study provides a new tool to track Zika-specific T cells, which can help understand the virus's transmission and neurological complications.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health discovered that Streptococcus pneumoniae secretes pneumolysin toxin to exploit host immune defenses. This helps the bacteria survive on human airways and exit the body, ultimately spreading to a new host.
A team of scientists has identified a mechanism to counteract Ebola's ability to spread, revealing that host cells sequester viral proteins away from the plasma membrane. This discovery could lead to a novel antiviral strategy against Ebola.
Researchers develop a Retro94-based compound that effectively stops CMV from making copies of itself, providing a potential effective and safe therapy against human CMV. The treatment could protect immunocompromised patients with active CMV infection or prevent reactivation in the body.
The study reveals differences in protein arrangement between immature Zika and other flaviviruses, shedding light on the virus's role in infection and disease. Understanding the structure of the immature form could help develop effective antiviral treatments and vaccines for diseases like microcephaly.
Researchers found that certain human gut bacteria must be lost for a diet to be successful. A new approach identifies the organisms that help promote beneficial effects of a particular diet in humans.
A study has identified the gut microbiome's role in regulating host gene expression through the epigenome. A plant-based diet favors a healthier microbiome and promotes interplay between microbes and host cells. This research suggests that a Western diet may disrupt this communication, leading to potential health issues.
Scientists at Griffith University identified a unique sensory structure in bacteria that binds host-specific sugar and is present on virulent strains of Campylobacter jejuni. Disabling this sensor reduces the ability of campylobacteria to colonize chickens, offering a potential target for antimicrobial drugs.
New research from Duke University found that RNA viruses like hepatitis, Zika, and dengue are littered with N6-methyladenosine tags which slow down their ability to infect cells. The study suggests that these chemical tags might regulate the life cycle of these viruses and provide new targets for antiviral drug development.
Scientists have developed a two-pronged antibody that can counteract the unique immune-evasion mechanism of filoviruses like Ebola. The antibody, called a 'Trojan horse' antibody, targets the glycoprotein on the outside of the virus and prevents it from associating with a specific host-cell receptor in the endosome.
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet discovered that pneumococcal bacteria use a human-specific sugar molecule to enhance growth and resistance. This finding sheds light on why pneumococci cause more severe infections in humans than other animals, and could lead to the development of more effective vaccines.
A new multicomponent virus, Guaico Culex, has been found to infect animals, a finding that challenges existing assumptions about viral transmission. The virus was isolated from mosquitoes and belongs to the Jingmenvirus group, which was previously thought to infect only plants and fungi.
Scientists have identified a new multicomponent virus called Guaico Culex virus (GCXV) that can infect animals but not mammals. The discovery highlights the diversity of host ranges among viruses and underscores the need for continued research to better prepare for emerging diseases.
Scientists have discovered a new class of small molecule compounds that can block the Ebola virus's ability to break out of cells and infect new ones. The compounds target an interaction between the virus and host cells, inhibiting viral egress without being toxic to human cells.
Researchers observed microsporidia fuse animal cells together to multiply and spread within hosts' uninfected cells. The process allows for rapid replication and invasion of the entire intestinal organ.
Gasotransmitters, such as hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, play a crucial role in regulating human behavior, neurophysiological processes, and mental disorders. These gaseous substances are produced by both the host cells and gut microorganisms, influencing energy metabolism, immune function, and cognitive activities.
Researchers develop Poisson filter, a single-gene noise filter that can cancel out molecular environment effects, enabling context-independent behavior in biological circuits. The filter has potential to improve specificity and efficacy of synthetic biology applications such as new therapeutics or biosensing.
Researchers developed stealth nanocapsules that cure more than half of infected mice with Chagas disease, outperforming conventional nanocapsules. The new delivery system is simple to produce and can be taken orally, making it a practical solution for treating the disease in less developed countries.
Scientists at the University of Utah found that delaying the budding of new HIV particles triggers protease to destroy the virus, rendering it non-infectious. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new AIDS treatments with fewer side effects in about a decade.
Researchers found that herpes virus infects neurons in colon wall, killing them and preventing food movement, leading to enlarged colon. The study provides a surprising cause for unexplained chronic constipation in some patients.
A new study examines the role of diet in promoting cooperation or conflict between gut microbes and human cells. The research proposes a framework for understanding the subtle interplay of diet and health, with potential implications for the management of inflammatory and metabolic disease.
Researchers found that Zika virus can infect human placental macrophages, known as Hofbauer cells, which have direct access to fetal blood vessels. This infection may allow the virus to cross the placental barrier and enter the fetal circulation, posing a risk to fetal development.
A new approach predicts the antigenic evolution of circulating influenza viruses, enabling a closer match for vaccine viruses and potentially improving vaccine effectiveness. The method identifies clusters of viruses featuring novel mutations, which can predict the molecular characteristics of next seasonal influenza virus.
Researchers developed a new approach to map HIV's interactome, revealing the complex interactions between viral proteins and host cell machinery. The study provides insights into how viruses like HIV infect and replicate in host cells, shedding light on potential anti-HIV therapies.
Researchers have identified a key protein in Zika virus that blocks the action of interferons in human cells, making humans more susceptible to infection. This discovery could lead to new therapeutic approaches and vaccine development by blocking the activity of this protein.
Researchers identified Zika virus protein NS5 as a promising target for vaccines, inhibiting human interferon responses by blocking STAT2 protein. The study found altered or removed NS5 could trigger the human immune system to attack the virus, making it a potential vaccine candidate.
Researchers identified two existing compounds effective against the Chikungunya virus in an animal model, bringing a potential treatment within reach. The findings also suggest that these compounds may be useful for broadly acting antivirals against emerging viruses.
Researchers found that Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes are less able to transmit Zika virus, with fewer viral particles in their bodies and saliva. The approach is a sustainable control agent, piloted to combat Dengue virus transmission and potentially helping tackle the Zika epidemic.
Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have solved the structure of a common virus's biological machinery, revealing important traits in Lassa virus. The research provides valuable insights into how to defend against its deadly cousin, Lassa fever, and may lead to the development of new treatments.
A recent study analyzing 40 Zika virus strains identifies significant changes in amino acid and nucleotide sequences, diverging between Asian and African lineages. The data suggests the strains evolved from a common ancestor, with human isolates more closely related to the French Polynesia/2013 strain.
Human placental trophoblasts resistant to Zika virus proliferation and release an antiviral molecule called type III interferon to stop viral replication. Mouse models show high virus levels in brain, spinal cord, and testes after inoculation through skin.
A new study reveals that different mosquito species can affect the evolution of viruses like West Nile. The southern house mosquito appears to be a key driver of West Nile divergence and is more likely to transmit virus variants with greater fitness in avian hosts.
Researchers propose using 'sticky molecules' like IgA to target good bacteria in the gut, preventing pathogenic species from taking hold. This approach has the potential to reduce inflammation and prevent diseases such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.
A study by Pavel Kovarik and his team at the University of Vienna reveals that type I interferons play a crucial role in regulating IL-1β levels, preventing excessive inflammation and balance in the immune system.
The Massachusetts General Hospital research team discovered a crucial interaction between intermediate filaments and the Shigella injection protein IpaC, required for efficient delivery of effector proteins into host cells. This finding suggests that similar mechanisms may apply to other pathogens using type 3 secretion systems.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have found a way to potentially track and stop viral outbreaks, including Hepatitis C in humans and plant viruses. By understanding how viruses replicate, they can develop new ways to control infection without causing host toxicity.
Researchers found that chronic alcohol consumption impairs the body's ability to keep microbes in check, leading to bacterial migration and increased risk of liver disease. Restoring natural gut antibiotics may help treat the disease.
Research reveals that chronic drinking also promotes the growth of gut bacteria that can travel to the liver and exacerbate liver disease. The study found that boosting intestinal defense against certain bacteria may help patients with alcoholic liver disease.
Researchers at the Centre for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona, Spain, have shed new light on the evolution of eukaryotic cells by studying mitochondrial acquisition. The study found that acquiring mitochondria occurred late in cell evolution, suggesting a crucial milestone in life's complexity.
Researchers at Duke University have discovered a way to freeze cancer-causing Epstein-Barr virus in its tracks. By triggering senescence, a suspended state of the cell, the virus's advance can be halted, providing new hope for controlling the disease.
Researchers found that mice and humans produce microRNAs to control bacterial gene activity and shape the gut microbiome. These microRNAs can protect against intestinal diseases by regulating the composition of gut microbes.
Researchers discovered how Qβ bacteriophage uses its host cell's proteins to replicate its genetic material, highlighting the importance of selectively replicating one's own genome. The study's findings may pave the way for novel treatments targeting viruses that struggle to distinguish between their own and host genetic material.
Researchers discovered how a common parasite, Toxoplasma, hijacks host cells to store food for decades, altering host behavior. The findings could lead to vaccines and drugs to protect against the parasite's serious risks, including miscarriage and birth defects.