R. J. Wilkinson

Dichotomy of neutralizing antibody, B cell and T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and protection in healthy adults

The paper identifies four patterns of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine responses, including broad and narrow responders, and links broad responder traits to longer infection-free time after vaccination.

Blood and site of disease inflammatory profiles differ in HIV-1-infected pericardial tuberculosis patients

This study compares inflammatory profiles in blood and pericardial fluid of HIV-1-infected individuals with latent TB, PTB, and PCTB, finding site-specific elevation of analytes and HLA-DR as a better TB diagnostic marker.

O-Linked Sialoglycans Modulate the Proteolysis of SARS-CoV-2 Spike and Likely Contribute to the Mutational Trajectory in Variants of Concern

This paper shows that O-linked sialoglycans affect SARS-CoV-2 spike proteolysis by furin and TMPRSS2, and may drive mutations in variants of concern.

Phenotypic profile of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific CD4 T cell responses in HIV-positive patients who develop Tuberculosis-associated Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome

The paper examines Mtb-specific CD4 T cell responses in HIV-positive patients with TB-IRIS, finding higher IFN-gamma+CD4 T cell activation and Granzyme B expression at IRIS onset.

Profile of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific CD4 T cells at the site of disease and blood in pericardial tuberculosis

This study compares Mtb-specific CD4 T cell profiles in pericardial fluid and blood from PCTB patients, finding distinct phenotypes in PCF with no difference in cytokine production.

Selection analysis identifies unusual clustered mutational changes in Omicron lineage BA.1 that likely impact Spike function

The paper identifies 13 rare mutations in the Omicron S-gene that cluster in functionally important regions and likely impact Spike function, suggesting cooperative interactions that mitigate fitness costs.

Eosinophils are an integral component of the pulmonary granulocyte response in Tuberculosis and promote host resistance in mice

This study shows eosinophils are recruited to tuberculosis-infected lung tissue in mice and contribute to host resistance against Mtb infection.

Flow cytometry method for absolute counting and single-cell phenotyping of mycobacteria

This paper develops a flow cytometry method for absolute counting and single-cell phenotyping of mycobacteria, showing it can detect cell aggregates and reveal subpopulation dynamics not captured by traditional CFU counting.

HIV coinfection is associated with low fitness rpoB variants in rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The paper analyzes drug-resistant Mtb genomes from HIV coinfected and HIV negative patients, finding that HIV coinfected patients have more low fitness rpoB variants in rifampicin-resistant strains.

Development and Characterization of a Fixed Repertoire of Blood Transcriptome Modules Based on Co-expression Patterns Across Immunological States

The paper develops a fixed repertoire of blood transcriptome modules based on co-expression patterns across immunological states to provide a stable framework for analyzing and interpreting blood transcriptome data.

Transcriptomic characterization of tuberculous sputum reveals a host Warburg effect and microbial cholesterol catabolism

This study uses RNA-sequencing on TB sputum to reveal host metabolic shifts and microbial cholesterol catabolism during tuberculosis transmission.

Th22 cells are a major contributor to the mycobacterial CD4+ T cell response and are depleted during HIV infection

The paper identifies Th22 cells as a major contributor to mycobacterial CD4+ T cell responses and shows their depletion in HIV-infected individuals.

Elevated LRRK2 and α-synuclein levels in CSF of infectious meningitis patients

The paper finds elevated levels of LRRK2 and α-synuclein in CSF of infectious meningitis patients, suggesting a link between neuroinflammation and infection.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis cording in the cytosol of live lymphatic endothelial cells

This study shows that Mycobacterium tuberculosis forms intracellular cords in human lymphatic endothelial cells, evading xenophagy via the ESX-1 system and PDIM lipid.

A Transcriptome Fingerprinting Assay for Clinical Immune Monitoring

The paper develops a targeted transcriptome fingerprinting assay using modular transcriptional repertoires to assess immune functions in clinical settings.

A modular transcriptional signature identifies phenotypic heterogeneity of human tuberculosis infection

The paper identifies a modular transcriptional signature for active tuberculosis that distinguishes it from latent infection and other diseases, showing dynamic heterogeneity in tuberculosis contacts.