Use of systems biology to decipher host–pathogen interaction networks and predict biomarkers

Pathogens have evolved unique mechanisms to breach the cell surface barrier and manipulate the host immune response to establish a productive infection. Proteins exposed to the extracellular environment, both cell surface-expressed receptors and secreted proteins, are essential targets for initial invasion and play key roles in pathogen recognition and subsequent immunoregulatory processes. The identification of the host and pathogen extracellular molecules and their interaction networks is fundamental to understanding tissue tropism and pathogenesis and to inform the development of therapeutic strategies. Nevertheless, the characterization of the proteins that function in the host-pathogen interface has been challenging, largely due to the technical challenges associated with detection of extracellular protein interactions. This review discusses available technologies for the high throughput study of extracellular protein interactions between pathogens and their hosts, with a focus on mammalian viruses and bacteria. Emerging work illustrates a rich landscape for extracellular host-pathogen interaction and points towards the evolution of multifunctional pathogen-encoded proteins. Further development and application of technologies for genome-wide identification of extracellular protein interactions will be important in deciphering functional host-pathogen interaction networks, laying the foundation for development of novel therapeutics.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of A Novel Mechanism of Host-Pathogen Interaction through sRNA in Bacterial Outer Membrane Vesicles.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.726419717.793534336 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Burkhard Tümmler

Keyword(s):

Outer Membrane ◽

Membrane Vesicles ◽

Outer Membrane Vesicles ◽

Host Pathogen Interaction ◽

Host Pathogen ◽

Bacterial Outer Membrane

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The Role of Macrophages in the Host’s Defense against Sporothrix schenckii

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10070905 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 905

Author(s):

Estela Ruiz-Baca ◽

Armando Pérez-Torres ◽

Yolanda Romo-Lozano ◽

Daniel Cervantes-García ◽

Carlos A. Alba-Fierro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Responses ◽

Macrophage Polarization ◽

Sporothrix Schenckii ◽

Macrophage Cell ◽

Cell Recruitment ◽

Host Pathogen Interaction ◽

Interaction Processes ◽

Host Pathogen ◽

Molecular Patterns

The role of immune cells associated with sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix schenckii is not yet fully clarified. Macrophages through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) can recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) of Sporothrix, engulf it, activate respiratory burst, and secrete pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory biological mediators to control infection. It is important to consider that the characteristics associated with S. schenckii and/or the host may influence macrophage polarization (M1/M2), cell recruitment, and the type of immune response (1, 2, and 17). Currently, with the use of new monocyte-macrophage cell lines, it is possible to evaluate different host–pathogen interaction processes, which allows for the proposal of new mechanisms in human sporotrichosis. Therefore, in order to contribute to the understanding of these host–pathogen interactions, the aim of this review is to summarize and discuss the immune responses induced by macrophage-S. schenckii interactions, as well as the PRRs and PAMPs involved during the recognition of S. schenckii that favor the immune evasion by the fungus.

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