M. T. Figge

The role of pneumococcal extracellular vesicles on the pathophysiology of the kidney disease Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

This paper investigates the role of pneumococcal extracellular vesicles in the pathogenesis of hemolytic uremic syndrome and identifies their cargo and effects on host cells.

Re-direction of phagosomes to the recycling expulsion pathway by a fungal pathogen

This study identifies HscA as an effector protein from Aspergillus fumigatus that redirects phagosomes to the recycling expulsion pathway by anchoring p11, affecting susceptibility to invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.

The lipid raft-associated protein stomatin is required for accumulation of dectin-1 in the phagosomal membrane and for full activity of macrophages against Aspergillus fumigatus

This study shows that stomatin is necessary for dectin-1 accumulation in phagosomal membranes and for macrophage activity against Aspergillus fumigatus.

Toxin-producing endosymbionts shield pathogenic fungus against micropredators

This study shows that rhizoxin, produced by a bacterial endosymbiont in the fungus Rhizopus microsporus, protects the fungus from protozoan and nematode predators.

Human macrophage polarization determines bacterial persistence of Staphylococcus aureus in a liver-on-chip-based infection model

This study shows that S. aureus targets liver macrophages in a liver-on-chip model, with M2 polarization promoting bacterial persistence and small colony variant formation.

Ex vivo Immune Profiling in Patient Blood enables Quantification of innate immune Effector Functions

The paper quantifies innate immune effector functions in patient blood after ex vivo infection, revealing altered immune responses post-cardiac surgery.

Human neutrophils produce antifungal extracellular vesicles against Aspergillus fumigatus

This study identifies antifungal extracellular vesicles (afEVs) released by human neutrophils in response to Aspergillus fumigatus, which associate with fungal cells and reduce growth through antimicrobial cargo.