L. Ramakrishnan

The hepcidin-ferroportin axis influences mitochondrial function, proliferation, and migration in pulmonary artery endothelial and smooth muscle cells

Gaucher Disease Protects Against Tuberculosis

This paper shows that the GBA1 N370S mutation, common in Ashkenazi Jews, protects against tuberculosis by enhancing macrophage microbicidal activity through glucosylsphingosine.

mTOR-regulated Mitochondrial Metabolism Limits Mycobacterium-induced Cytotoxicity

This study identifies mTOR as a host factor that protects macrophages from Mycobacterium-induced death by regulating mitochondrial metabolism.

Chronic hyperglycemia drives alterations in macrophage effector function in pulmonary tuberculosis

This study examines how chronic hyperglycemia affects macrophage effector functions in pulmonary tuberculosis, finding reduced phagocytic capacity and altered PRR expression in diabetic TB patients.

The C terminus of the mycobacterium ESX-1 secretion system substrate ESAT-6 is required for phagosomal membrane damage and virulence

This paper identifies conserved residues in the C-terminal tail of ESAT-6 required for phagosomal damage and virulence, while showing that secretion levels remain near-normal in these mutants.

Ebselen attenuates mycobacterial virulence through inhibition of ESX-1 secretion

This paper shows ebselen inhibits ESX-1 secretion in M. marinum and M. tuberculosis, reducing virulence and intracellular growth.

Elevated cerebrospinal fluid cytokine levels in tuberculous meningitis predict survival in response to dexamethasone

The paper examines how pre-treatment CSF cytokine levels influence survival in dexamethasone-treated tuberculous meningitis, finding higher cytokine levels correlate with better survival.

Tumor Necrosis Factor and Schistosoma mansoni egg antigen Omega-1 shape distinct aspects of the early egg-induced granulomatous response

This study investigates how TNF and omega-1 from Schistosoma mansoni eggs influence granuloma formation in zebrafish, showing distinct roles in macrophage recruitment and granuloma enlargement.

Mycobacterium marinum phthiocerol dimycocerosates enhance macrophage phagosomal permeabilization and membrane damage

This study shows PDIMs in M. marinum enhance phagosomal membrane damage and hemolysis, with PDIM mutants retaining more membrane-damaging activity than ESX-1 mutants.

Schistosoma mansoni eggs modulate the timing of granuloma formation to promote transmission

This study shows that Schistosoma mansoni eggs modulate granuloma formation timing to promote parasite transmission by evading immune response until optimal extrusion.

Tumor Necrosis Factor induces pathogenic programmed macrophage necrosis in tuberculosis through a mitochondrial-lysosomal-endoplasmic reticulum circuit

This study shows that TNF induces macrophage necrosis in tuberculosis via a mitochondrial-lysosomal-endoplasmic reticulum circuit involving ROS, ceramide, and calcium overload.

A Zebrafish Model For Ocular Tuberculosis

This study uses a zebrafish model to investigate the early pathogenesis of ocular tuberculosis, revealing hematogenous bacterial seeding and granuloma formation in the eye.

A Macrophage Response To Mycobacterium leprae Phenolic Glycolipid Initiates Nerve Damage In Leprosy

The paper shows that M. leprae's PGL-1 toxin triggers macrophages to damage nerves by inducing nitric oxide, leading to axon demyelination in leprosy.

A Zebrafish Model For Mycobacterium leprae Granulomatous Infection

This study develops a zebrafish model for Mycobacterium leprae infection, showing rapid noncaseating granuloma formation and revealing immune mechanisms involved in infection control.