This study shows that CCR6 is critical for controlling Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in mice, with CCR6 deficiency leading to increased bacterial burden, inflammation, and mortality, especially in females.

Infection and Immunity · Apr 30, 2026Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

Granuloma Dual RNA-Seq Reveals Composite Transcriptional Programs Driven by Neutrophils and Necrosis within Tuberculous Granulomas

Gopinath Viswanathan, Erika J. Hughes, Mingyu Gan, Ana M. Xet-Mull, Jacob P Lowy, Charlie J. Pyle, Graham C Alexander, Devjanee Swain-Lenz, Qingyun Liu, David M. Tobin

The paper uses dual RNA-seq in zebrafish to study transcriptional programs in tuberculous granulomas, finding neutrophils and necrosis drive bacterial survival and adaptation.

Science Advances · Jan 21, 2026Peer-reviewedImmunology

Cathepsin Z is a conserved susceptibility factor underlying tuberculosis severity

Rachel K. Meade, Oyindamola O. Adefisayo, Marco Túlio Pardini Gontijo, Summer J. Harris, Charlie J. Pyle, Kaley M. Wilburn, Alwyn M. V. Ecker, Erika J. Hughes, Paloma D. Garcia, Josh Ivie, Michael L. McHenry, Penelope H. Benchek, Harriet Mayanja‐Kizza, Jadee Neff, Dennis C. Ko, , Clare M. Smith

This study identifies cathepsin Z as a susceptibility factor for tuberculosis severity in both mice and humans, showing its role in disease outcomes through genetic and cellular analyses.

PLoS Biology · Sep 9, 2025Peer-reviewedGenetics