Heterogeneity among Homologs of Cutinase-Like Protein Cut5 in Mycobacteria.

The study of genomic variability within various pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains of mycobacteria provides insight into their evolution and pathogenesis. The mycobacterial genome encodes seven cutinase-like proteins and each one of these exhibit distinct characteristics. We describe the presence of Cut5, a member of the cutinase family, in mycobacteria and the existence of a unique genomic arrangement in the cut5 gene of M.

The TLR2 agonists lipoteichoic acid and Pam3CSK4 induce greater pro-inflammatory responses than inactivated Mycobacterium butyricum.

The innate immune system can recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP) through toll-like receptors (TLRs). TLR stimulation by TLR-ligands (TLR-L) induces several genes that can regulate the immune response. In this study, we compared the ability of diverse TLR2-L to activate professional antigen presenting cells (pAPCs).

Influence of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 on TLR4-induced activation of antigen presenting cells is dependent on the order of receptor engagement.

The vitamin D metabolite, 1,25-(OH)₂D₃, binds the vitamin D receptor (VDR) to exert its regulatory effects at the transcription level. VDR is expressed in professional antigen-presenting cells (pAPCs), such as macrophages (Mø) and dendritic cells (DCs). We show for the first time that the 24-hydroxylase enzyme is activated in bone marrow-derived dendritic cell (BMDC), due to 1,25(OH)₂D₃ stimulation which resulted in the induction of its gene, CYP24A1.

Delivery of Exogenous Antigens to Induce Cytotoxic CD8+ T Lymphocyte Responses.

Vaccines intended to induce a cytotoxic CD8+ T-cell response are highly sought after. However, some of these vaccines can be problematic if they replicate in the host. An alternative strategy is to exploit cross-presentation of exogenous antigens to express peptides on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules.

Intracellular growth and survival of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium carrying truncated hemoglobins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Two distantly related truncated hemoglobins (trHbs), HbN and HbO, are produced at different growth stages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Oxygen and nitric oxide (NO) binding properties of these trHbs suggest their vital role(s) in adaptation of tubercle bacillus under hypoxic and nitrosative stress conditions. Here, we have demonstrated that HbN of M.