J. F. Urban

Intestinal helminth infection impairs vaccine-induced T cell responses and protection against SARS-CoV-2

This study shows that intestinal helminth infection reduces T cell responses to an mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and weakens protection against Omicron but not the ancestral strain.

Discovery of New Broad-Spectrum Anti-Infectives for Eukaryotic Pathogens Using Bioorganometallic Chemistry

Simple derivatives of the well-known antifungal drug fluconazole were found to be highly effective in vivo against fungal infections and potent against parasitic nematodes causing lymphatic filariasis and soil-transmitted helminths.

Intestinal helminth infection impairs oral and parenteral vaccine efficacy

This study shows that intestinal helminth infection reduces vaccine efficacy by altering immune responses to both oral and parenteral vaccines in mice.

Purified cytosolic crystals from Bacillus thuringiensis as a novel active pharmaceutical ingredient (API)

This paper describes the scalable purification of Bt Cry5B crystals and demonstrates their potent bioactivity against nematodes in vitro and in vivo.

Resident T cells orchestrate adipose tissue remodeling in a site peripheral to infection

The paper shows that Th2 lymphocytes in mesenteric adipose tissue interact with stromal cells to influence adiposity during helminth infection.

Recombinant Paraprobiotics as a New Paradigm for Treating Gastrointestinal Nematode Parasites of Humans

This paper develops a safe, effective, and scalable anthelmintic based on Bacillus thuringiensis Cry5B for treating human gastrointestinal nematodes.

De novo identification of toxicants that cause irreparable damage to parasitic nematode intestinal cells

The paper identifies 10 inhibitors that cause irreparable damage to intestinal cells of parasitic nematodes, showing potential for broad-spectrum anthelmintics.

Deficiency in Bhlhe40 impairs resistance to H. polygyrus bakeri and reveals novel Csf2rb-dependent regulation of anti-helminth immunity

This study shows that Bhlhe40 is essential for TH2 cell immunity against H. polygyrus and reveals redundancy in βC chain-dependent cytokines.