C. M. Sassetti

Differential requirement for IRGM proteins during tuberculosis infection in mice

This study shows that Irgm1 is critical for host defense against Mtb, but Irgm3 compensates for its loss, and combined loss of all three Irgm genes leads to worse outcomes in mice infected with Mtb.

High bacillary burden and the ESX-1 type VII secretion system promote MHC class I presentation by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infected macrophages to CD8 T-cells

The paper shows high Mtb burden in macrophages leads to cell death and cross-presentation of TB10.4 antigen to CD8 T-cells via the ESX-1 system, promoting immune response but potentially worsening immunopathology.

Host genetic background is a barrier to broadly effective vaccine protection: Relevance to BCG and Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection

This study shows that host genetic background affects BCG vaccine efficacy against tuberculosis, with diverse immune responses in genetically varied mice.

Phase variation as a major mechanism of adaptation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex

The paper identifies phase variation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex as an adaptive mechanism, showing it alters gene expression and virulence.

Cell wall damage reveals spatial flexibility in peptidoglycan synthesis and a non-redundant role for RodA in mycobacteria

This study investigates the role of RodA in mycobacterial cell wall synthesis under damage, showing its non-redundant function in spatially flexible peptidoglycan assembly and stress response.

Modeling site-specific nucleotide biases affecting Himar1 transposon insertion frequencies in TnSeq datasets

This paper identifies site-specific nucleotide biases affecting Himar1 transposon insertion frequencies in TnSeq datasets and introduces a new method to improve the identification of conditionally essential genes.

Chemical-genetic interaction mapping links carbon metabolism and cell wall structure to tuberculosis drug efficacy

This study maps chemical-genetic interactions in Mycobacterium tuberculosis to identify how carbon metabolism and cell wall structure affect drug efficacy, revealing environment-dependent and -independent interactions.

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis transposon sequencing database (MtbTnDB): a large-scale guide to genetic conditional essentiality

The paper builds MtbTnDB, a database of Mtb TnSeq screens, enabling comparison of genetic essentiality across conditions and analysis of gene function.

Mitochondrial respiration contributes to the interferon gamma response in antigen presenting cells

This study identifies mitochondrial respiration as essential for the interferon gamma response in antigen presenting cells, showing that complex I inhibition blocks T cell activation.

Phosphorylation on PstP regulates cell wall metabolism and antibiotic tolerance in Mycobacterium smegmatis

This study shows that phosphorylation of PstP affects cell wall metabolism and antibiotic tolerance in Mycobacterium smegmatis by regulating peptidoglycan and mycolic acid metabolism during growth and stasis.

Host immunity increases Mycobacterium tuberculosis reliance on cytochrome bd oxidase

This study shows that Mycobacterium tuberculosis relies on cytochrome bd oxidase to resist the adaptive immune response, particularly under acidic conditions in macrophages.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis evasion of Guanylate Binding Protein-mediated host defense in mice requires the ESX1 secretion system.

This study shows that Mycobacterium tuberculosis evades GBP-mediated immunity in mice via the ESX1 secretion system, unlike M. bovis BCG which is directly restricted by GBPs.

Evaluation of IL-1 blockade as an adjunct to linezolid therapy for tuberculosis in mice and macaques

This study evaluates IL-1 blockade as an adjunct to linezolid therapy for tuberculosis in mice and macaques, finding reduced inflammation and preserved host response without impairing treatment efficacy.

Cell cycle-associated expression patterns predict gene function in mycobacteria

The paper identifies cell cycle-associated gene expression patterns in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and links them to specific biological functions.

A large inner membrane pore defines the ESX translocon

The paper reports the cryo-EM structure of the ESX-3 secretion system, revealing a large pore capable of translocating folded substrates and a regulatory cytoplasmic complex.

Functionally overlapping variants control TB susceptibility in Collaborative Cross mice

The paper identifies multiple genetic loci associated with tuberculosis susceptibility in Collaborative Cross mice, including a loss-of-function mutation in Itgal that impairs T cell recruitment.

Large-scale chemical-genetics yields new Mycobacterium tuberculosis inhibitor classes

This study uses a novel chemical-genetics screening strategy to identify new inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, revealing novel compound classes targeting previously unexplored bacterial targets.

The Phagocyte Oxidase Controls Tolerance to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

This study shows that the Phox complex promotes tolerance to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection by preventing uncontrolled Caspase1 activation and neutrophil influx.