V. J. Torres

Heterozygosity for Crohn's Disease Risk Allele of ATG16L1 Protects against Bacterial Infection

The paper shows that heterozygosity for the ATG16L1 T300A allele protects against Salmonella infection, while homozygosity increases susceptibility.

Characterization of Tigurilysin, a Novel Human CD59-Specific Cholesterol-Dependent Cytolysin, Reveals a Role for Host Specificity in Augmenting Toxin Activity

This study characterizes tigurilysin, a novel hCD59-specific CDC, showing it requires both hCD59 and cholesterol for activity and exhibits increased lysis efficiency due to host specificity.

Quorum-sensing agr system of Staphylococcus aureus primes gene expression for protection from lethal oxidative stress

This study shows that the agr quorum-sensing system in Staphylococcus aureus primes the bacteria to resist oxidative stress by controlling reactive oxygen species, even when the system is not actively activated.

Bacterial contact induces polar plug disintegration to mediate whipworm egg hatching

This study identifies how bacterial contact triggers polar plug disintegration in whipworm eggs, facilitating larval hatching through chitinase activity rather than bacterial enzymes.

Single-cell analysis of CX3CR1+ cells reveal a pathogenic role for BIRC5+ myeloid proliferating cells driven by Staphylococcus aureus leukotoxins

The paper identifies BIRC5+ myeloid cells as pathogenic during S. aureus infection using scRNA-seq and genetic fate mapping.

Regulation of Bacterial Two-Component Systems by Cardiolipin

This study shows cardiolipin is essential for the activity of the SaeRS two-component system in Staphylococcus aureus, affecting virulence and immune response.

Clostridia isolated from helminth-colonized humans promote hatching of Trichuris muris

The paper isolates and characterizes Clostridia from helminth-colonized humans, showing they promote hatching of Trichuris muris eggs.

ACE2-containing defensosomes serve as decoys to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection

The paper identifies ACE2-containing exosomes, termed defensosomes, that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection by binding and blocking viral entry.

Gut microbiome dysbiosis during COVID-19 is associated with increased risk for bacteremia and microbial translocation.

The paper shows that gut microbiome dysbiosis in COVID-19 patients is linked to increased risk of bacteremia and microbial translocation.

Distinct features of human myeloid cell cytokine response profiles identify neutrophil activation by cytokines as a prognostic feature during tuberculosis and cancer

The paper identifies neutrophil cytokine response profiles as prognostic markers in tuberculosis and cancer by analyzing myeloid cell transcriptional responses to various cytokines.