Impact of surface receptors TLR2, CR3, and FcγRIII on phagocytosis and intracellular survival in macrophages.

The virulence-associated protein A (VapA) produced by virulent allows it to replicate in macrophages and cause pneumonia in foals. It is unknown how VapA interacts with mammalian cell receptors, but intracellular replication of avirulent lacking can be restored by supplementation with recombinant VapA (rVapA). Our objectives were to determine whether the absence of the surface receptors Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), complement receptor 3 (CR3), or Fc gamma receptor III (FcγRIII) impacts phagocytosis and intracellular replication in macrophages, and whether rVapA restoration of virulence in is dependent upon these receptors.

Hierarchical Self-Assembly and Conformation of Tb Double-Decker Molecular Magnets: Experiment and Molecular Dynamics.

Nanostructures, fabricated by locating molecular building blocks in well-defined positions, for example, on a lattice, are ideal platforms for studying atomic-scale quantum effects. In this context, STM data obtained from self-assembled Bis(phthalocyaninato) Terbium (III) (TbPc) single-molecule magnets on various substrates have raised questions about the conformation of the TbPc molecules within the lattice. In order to address this issue, molecular dynamics simulations were carried out on a 2D assembly of TbPc molecules.

Uptake and replication in Acanthamoeba castellanii of a virulent (pVAPA-positive) strain of Rhodococcus equi and its isogenic, plasmid-cured strain.

Rhodococcus equi is a soil saprophytic bacterium and intracellular pathogen that causes pneumonia in foals. Strains of R. equi that are virulent in foals contain a plasmid that encodes a virulence-associated protein A (VapA) necessary for replication in macrophages.

Interactions between fungal hyaluronic acid and host CD44 promote internalization by recruiting host autophagy proteins to forming phagosomes.

Phagocytosis and autophagy play critical roles in immune defense. The human fungal pathogen (Cn) subverts host autophagy-initiation complex (AIC)-related proteins, to promote its phagocytosis and intracellular parasitism of host cells. The mechanisms by which the pathogen engages host AIC-related proteins remain obscure.

Safe and effective aerosolization of in vitro transcribed mRNA to the respiratory tract epithelium of horses without a transfection agent.

Vaccines and therapeutics using in vitro transcribed mRNA hold enormous potential for human and veterinary medicine. Transfection agents are widely considered to be necessary to protect mRNA and enhance transfection, but they add expense and raise concerns regarding quality control and safety. We found that such complex mRNA delivery systems can be avoided when transfecting epithelial cells by aerosolizing the mRNA into micron-sized droplets.