Background: Machine learning (ML) is a valuable tool with the potential to aid clinical decision making. Adoption of ML to this end requires data that reliably correlates with the clinical outcome of interest; the advantage of ML is that it can model these correlations from complex multiparameter data sets that can be difficult to interpret conventionally. While currently available clinical data can be used in ML for this purpose, there exists the potential to discover new "biomarkers" that will enhance the effectiveness of ML in clinical decision making.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInflammasome signaling is a central pillar of innate immunity triggering inflammation and cell death in response to microbes and danger signals. Here, we show that two virulence factors from the human bacterial pathogen Clostridium perfringens are nonredundant activators of the NLRP3 inflammasome in mice and humans. C.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe immune system can influence cancer development by both impeding and/or facilitating tumour growth and spread. A better understanding of this complex relationship is fundamental to optimise current and future cancer therapeutic strategies. Although typically regarded as a localised and immunosuppressive anti-cancer treatment modality, radiation therapy has been associated with generating profound systemic effects beyond the intended target volume.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClinical adoption of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer management has highlighted the interconnection between carcinogenesis and the immune system. Immune cells are integral to the tumour microenvironment and can influence the outcome of therapies. Better understanding of an individual's immune landscape may play an important role in treatment personalisation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMerozoite surface protein 2 (MSP2) is a highly abundant, GPI-anchored surface antigen on merozoites of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. It consists of highly conserved N- and C-terminal domains, and a central polymorphic region that allows all MSP2 alleles to be categorized into the 3D7 or FC27 family. Previously it has been shown that epitope accessibility differs between lipid-bound and lipid-free MSP2, suggesting that lipid interactions modulate the conformation and antigenicity in a way that may better mimic native MSP2 on the merozoite surface.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInflammasomes are important for host defence against pathogens and homeostasis with commensal microbes. Here, we show non-haemolytic enterotoxin (NHE) from the neglected human foodborne pathogen Bacillus cereus is an activator of the NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis. NHE is a non-redundant toxin to haemolysin BL (HBL) despite having a similar mechanism of action.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHost recognition of microbial components is essential in mediating an effective immune response. Cytosolic bacteria must secure entry into the host cytoplasm to facilitate replication and, in doing so, liberate microbial ligands that activate cytosolic innate immune sensors and the inflammasome. Here, we identified a multicomponent enterotoxin, haemolysin BL (HBL), that engages activation of the inflammasome.
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