Bacterial immune evasion

Pseudomonas aeruginosa secretes the toxin ExoT, which is important for pathogenesis. Here, the authors show that ExoT inhibits NLRC4-dependent inflammatory responses during wound infection.

The pathogen Mycobacterium abscessus can switch from a smooth colony form (S) into a highly inflammatory, rough colony form (R) during infection. Here, Kam et al. use an adult zebrafish model of M. abscessus chronic infection to illustrate differences in the immunopathogenesis induced by R and S variants.

Osteomyelitis is an infection of bone that arises when a pathogen colonizes bone tissue owing to injury or surgery. In this Review, Masters and colleagues explore the microbial pathogenesis, immunity and clinical management of bone infections.

Legionella pneumophila expresses a range of bacterial determinants that mimic eukaryotic functions. Here the authors show small RNAs of L.pneumophila mimic eukaryotic microRNA and modulate the host response to infection.

Altered gut microbiome and exacerbation of symptoms at times of psychological stress are feature characteristics of Crohn’s disease. Here authors show in a mouse model that psychological stress impairs IL-22-dependent protective immunity of the ileal mucosa, which allows invasive bacteria to colonise the gut.