Pathogen Manipulation
Pathogen Manipulation - Related Videos
13:27
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment as a Useful Adjunctive Tool for Pneumonia
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Cited by 50 •
2014
Pneumonia is one of the top ten leading causes of death in the U.S. Osteopathic manipulative techniques (OMT) may be utilized as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of pneumonia to enhance biomechanical and immune function; and ultimately, to reduce hospital stay, duration of antibiotics, incidence of respiratory failure, and mortality. In this video-article, we will review randomized controlled studies on the use of OMT in pneumonia patients, as well as demonstrate specific hands-on...
10:39
Single Cell Measurements of Vacuolar Rupture Caused by Intracellular Pathogens
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Cited by 22 •
2013
We describe a method for tracking the endomembrane rupture elicited by the intracellular bacteria Shigella flexneri and Mycobacterium tuberculosis upon host cell invasion. Our assay makes use of CCF4, a host cytoplasmic FRET probe in live or fixed cells. This reporter is degraded by an enzyme activity present on the bacterial surface.
11:42
Genetic Manipulation of the Plant Pathogen Ustilago maydis to Study Fungal Biology and Plant Microbe Interactions
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Cited by 32 •
2016
We describe a robust gene replacement strategy to genetically manipulate the smut fungus Ustilago maydis. This protocol explains how to generate deletion mutants to investigate infection phenotypes. It can be extended to modify genes in any desired way, e.g., by adding a sequence encoding a fluorescent protein tag.
11:18
Infection of Zebrafish Embryos with Intracellular Bacterial Pathogens
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Cited by 234 •
2012
Transparent zebrafish embryos have proved useful model hosts to visualize and functionally study interactions between innate immune cells and intracellular bacterial pathogens, such as Salmonella typhimurium and Mycobacterium marinum. Micro-injection of bacteria and multi-color fluorescence imaging are essential techniques involved in the application of zebrafish embryo infection models.
11:18
Automated Separation of C. elegans Variably Colonized by a Bacterial Pathogen
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Cited by 1 •
2014
The wormsorter facilitates genetic screens in Caenorhabditis elegans by sorting worms according to expression of fluorescent reporters. Here, we describe a new usage: sorting according to colonization by a GFP-expressing pathogen, and we employ it to examine the poorly understood role of pathogen recognition in initiating immune responses.
FAQs
Pathogen manipulation can reprogram cellular signaling so that infected cells respond differently to external or immune cues. Secreted effector proteins, toxins, and surface molecules may change signaling pathways, cytokine production, or cellular behavior. These alterations can weaken protective responses, modify tissue conditions, and create an environment that supports pathogen survival, replication, or spread.
These virulence factors influence infection through different interaction points. Secreted effector proteins can act inside host cells, toxins can disrupt cellular or tissue functions, and surface molecules can affect how pathogens interact with host cells and immune components. Examining these classes separately helps investigators connect a specific pathogen activity with altered barriers, signaling, or immune-cell function.
Antigen presentation helps the immune system identify material associated with infection. When a pathogen interferes with this process, immune recognition and subsequent responses may become less effective. In immunology and infection research, this mechanism is considered alongside changes in cytokine production and immune-cell function because several disrupted processes can work together to reduce pathogen clearance.
The outcome depends on how manipulation affects host barriers, cellular signaling, cytokine production, antigen presentation, and immune-cell activity. Changes in these processes can influence whether the host contains the infection or whether the pathogen continues to survive, replicate, and spread. Comparing these effects helps explain why different pathogen strategies produce different infection outcomes.
A useful investigation examines how an infectious agent and its virulence factors affect host cells, tissues, or immune responses. Researchers can compare changes in signaling, barrier function, cytokine production, antigen presentation, and immune-cell activity across experimental models. Such comparisons help identify recurring strategies, connect mechanisms with infection outcomes, and support predictions about pathogen behavior.
Understanding how pathogens alter host defenses can reveal vulnerabilities for intervention. Vaccine design can use knowledge of immune recognition and disrupted antigen presentation, while antimicrobial approaches can target pathogen activities that support survival or replication. Host-directed therapies can instead focus on protecting or restoring affected host processes, including barriers, signaling, cytokine responses, or immune-cell function.