Mycobacteria develop biofilms on airway epithelial cells and promote mucosal barrier disruption.

Tuberculosis displays several features commonly linked to biofilm-associated infections, including recurrence of infection and resistance to antibiotic treatment. The respiratory epithelium represents the first line of defense against pathogens such as (Mtb). Here, we use an air-liquid interface model of human primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBEC) to explore the capability of four species of mycobacteria (Mtb, (BCG), and ) to form biofilms on airway epithelial cells.

Evaluation of PLGA, lipid-PLGA hybrid nanoparticles, and cationic pH-sensitive liposomes as tuberculosis vaccine delivery systems in a Mycobacterium tuberculosis challenge mouse model - A comparison.

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to pose a global threat for millennia, currently affecting over 2 billion people and causing 10.6 million new cases and 1.3 million deaths annually.

Organoid-based expansion of patient-derived primary alveolar type 2 cells for establishment of alveolus epithelial Lung-Chip cultures.

Development of effective treatment strategies for lung tissue destruction as seen in emphysema would greatly benefit from representative human in vitro models of the alveolar compartment. Studying how cellular cross talk and/or (altered) biomechanical cues affect alveolar epithelial function could provide new insight for tissue repair strategies. Preclinical models of the alveolus ideally combine human primary patient-derived lung cells with advanced cell culture applications such as breathing-related stretch, to reliably represent the alveolar microenvironment.

Estradiol-driven metabolism in transwomen associates with reduced circulating extracellular vesicle microRNA-224/452.

Objective: Sex steroid hormones like estrogens have a key role in the regulation of energy homeostasis and metabolism. In transwomen, gender-affirming hormone therapy like estradiol (in combination with antiandrogenic compounds) could affect metabolism as well. Given that the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully understood, this study assessed circulating estradiol-driven microRNAs (miRs) in transwomen and their regulation of genes involved in metabolism in mice.

A Bacterially-Expressed Recombinant Envelope Protein from Usutu Virus Induces Neutralizing Antibodies in Rabbits.

Background: Recently, an emerging flavivirus, Usutu virus (USUV), has caused an epidemic among birds in Europe, resulting in a massive die-off in Eurasian blackbirds. Currently found only in Europe and Africa, it can be envisioned that Usutu virus will follow the path of other flaviviruses, like West Nile virus and Zika virus, and will spread via its mosquito vectors and bird hosts to other parts of the world. Several cases of human infections by Usutu virus have already been published.