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Natural killer T (NKT) cells influence diverse immune responses, combining features of both the innate and adaptive immune systems. This Review examines the unique role of invariant NKT cells (which have an invariant T-cell-receptor α-chain) in the response to various microbial pathogens.
As improvements continue to be made in medical care, so the number of immunocompromised patients increases, and invasive fungal infections caused byCryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatusare a particular problem for this group of patients. Here, the prospects for harnessing the fungal calcineurin pathway in the development of novel antifungals to tackle invasive fungal infections are discussed.
Mechanosensitive channels have a major role in maintaining the homeostasis of bacterial cells. These channels also ensure the physical integrity of bacterial cells by sensing physical perturbations of the membrane and gating in response to this signal. This Review looks at the latest data on these fascinating membrane proteins.
Helicobacter pyloriis a hugely successful pathogen that exhibits extraordinary genetic heterogeneity. Here, Sebastian Suerbaum and Christine Josenhans review the genetic diversity ofH. pyloriand the mechanisms that mediate its diversification within the human host.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) afflicts more than 170 million people worldwide causing chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The recent development of complete cell-culture systems for HCV has accelerated the pace of hepatitis research. Specifically, these techniques have provided new insights into the virus lifecycle that are reviewed here. This should pave the way for developing bespoke and effective antiviral therapies and vaccines.
The use of pathogen profiles in the management of disease could integrate typing and epidemiological data to enable the early detection of hospital infections and real-time global epidemiological surveillance of pathogens. This article outlines approaches to the translation of pathogen genotyping and microbial genomics into formats that are suitable for communicable disease management, surveillance and control.
