LSD1 drives intestinal epithelial maturation and controls small intestinal immune cell composition independent of microbiota in a murine model.

Postnatal development of the gastrointestinal tract involves the establishment of the commensal microbiota, the acquisition of immune tolerance via a balanced immune cell composition, and maturation of the intestinal epithelium. While studies have uncovered an interplay between the first two, less is known about the role of the maturing epithelium. Here we show that intestinal-epithelial intrinsic expression of lysine-specific demethylase 1A (LSD1) is necessary for the postnatal maturation of intestinal epithelium and maintenance of this developed state during adulthood.

Frontline Science: Antibiotic treatment routes Mycobacterium avium to phagolysosomes without triggering proinflammatory cytokine production in human Mϕs.

Mycobacterium avium (Mav) causes chronic infections in immunocompromised patients that require long-term antibiotic treatment. We have previously shown that Mav takes residence in host Mϕs and establishes a compartment (MavC) in which it is hidden from host defenses. Failure to establish the MavC traps Mav in Lamp1 phagolysosomes where growth is prevented, and inflammatory signaling activated through TLRs 7/8.

Plasma membrane damage causes NLRP3 activation and pyroptosis during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a global health problem in part as a result of extensive cytotoxicity caused by the infection. Here, we show how M. tuberculosis causes caspase-1/NLRP3/gasdermin D-mediated pyroptosis of human monocytes and macrophages.

Global Assessment of Mycobacterium avium subsp. Genetic Requirement for Growth and Virulence.

Nontuberculous mycobacterial infections caused by the opportunistic pathogen subsp. (MAH) are currently receiving renewed attention due to increased incidence combined with difficult treatment. Insights into the disease-causing mechanisms of this species have been hampered by difficulties in genetic manipulation of the bacteria.

Genetic Variation/Evolution and Differential Host Responses Resulting from In-Patient Adaptation of .

Members of the complex (MAC) are characterized as nontuberculosis mycobacteria and are pathogenic mainly in immunocompromised individuals. MAC strains show a wide genetic variability, and there is growing evidence suggesting that genetic differences may contribute to a varied immune response that may impact the infection outcome. The current study aimed to characterize the genomic changes within isolates collected from single patients over time and test the host immune responses to these clinical isolates.