International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

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Understanding Host-Microbe Interactions: Conflict or Harmony?

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Dear Colleagues,

Microorganisms have evolved different relationships with human hosts, including commensalism, colonization, infection, and persistence. Their long-lasting association with humans has led to a multitude of functional interactions. Studies on the complex microbial communities inhabiting the human body have revealed the symbiotic nature of their relationship, whose unbalance can significantly affect human health. This association encompasses an extensive network of inter-kingdom communication, including the release of noncoding regulatory RNAs from both sides. On the other hand, some human pathogens have evolved several strategies to subvert host immunity and gain access to the host, which represents a profitable nutrient-rich niche. In this context, it is fundamental to unravel the molecular interactions underlying host–microbial relationships to maintain health and fight diseases. In recent years, improvements in in vitro eukaryotic culture models and the combination of high-throughput omics technologies have boosted our understanding in this field. Therefore, this Special Issue will focus on the various aspects of host–pathogen interaction, including host–microbial physiology, pathogenesis, and host immune protective mechanisms. This issue also covers the role of regulatory RNAs in the bidirectional communication between bacteria and human host cells in health and disease.

Prof. Dr. Cecilia Ambrosi
Dr. Daniela Scribano
Dr. Meysam Sarshar
Guest Editors

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Keywords

host–pathogen interactions
microbiota
pathogenesis
virulence factors
regulatory RNAs
exosomes
outer membrane vesicles
innate and adaptive immune responses
omics technologies
organoids

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Research

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14 pages, 1846 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Diversity of Antimicrobial Resistance and Key Virulence Features in Two Extensively Drug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates

by Massimiliano Marazzato, Daniela Scribano, Meysam Sarshar, Francesca Brunetti, Silvia Fillo, Antonella Fortunato, Florigio Lista, Anna Teresa Palamara, Carlo Zagaglia and Cecilia Ambrosi

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(5), 2870; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052870 - 01 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2872

Abstract

In recent decades, Acinetobacter baumannii emerged as a major infective menace in healthcare settings due to scarce therapeutic options to treat infections. Therefore, undertaking genome comparison analyses of multi-resistant A. baumannii strains could aid the identification of key bacterial determinants to develop innovative anti-virulence approaches. Following genome sequencing, we performed a molecular characterization of key genes and genomic comparison of two A. baumannii strains, #36 and #150, with selected reference genomes. Despite a different antibiotic resistance gene content, the analyzed strains showed a very similar antibiogram profile. Interestingly, the lack of some important virulence determinants (i.e., bap, ata and omp33–36) did not abrogate their adhesive abilities to abiotic and biotic surfaces, as reported before; indeed, strains retained these capacities, although to a different extent, suggesting the presence of distinct vicarious genes. Conversely, secretion systems, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), capsule and iron acquisition systems were highly similar to A. baumannii reference strains. Overall, our analyses increased our knowledge on A. baumannii genomic content and organization as well as the genomic events occurring in nosocomial isolates to better fit into changing healthcare environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Understanding Host-Microbe Interactions: Conflict or Harmony?)

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11 pages, 940 KiB

Open AccessReview

MiRNA: Biological Regulator in Host-Parasite Interaction during Malaria Infection

by Poonam Kataria, Neha Surela, Amrendra Chaudhary and Jyoti Das

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(4), 2395; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042395 - 19 Feb 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3068

Abstract

Malaria is a severe life-threatening disease caused by the bites of parasite-infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It remains a significant problem for the most vulnerable children and women. Recent research has helped establish the relationship between microRNAs (miRNAs) and many other diseases. MiRNAs are the class of small non-coding RNAs consisting of 18–23 nucleotides in length that are evolutionarily conserved and regulate gene expression at a post-transcriptional level and play a significant role in various molecular mechanisms such as cell survival, cell proliferation, and differentiation. MiRNAs can help detect malaria infection as the malaria parasite could alter the miRNA expression of the host. These alterations can be diagnosed by the molecular diagnostic tool that can indicate disease. We summarize the current understanding of miRNA during malaria infection. miRNAs can also be used as biomarkers, and initial research has unearthed their potential in diagnosing and managing various diseases such as malaria. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Understanding Host-Microbe Interactions: Conflict or Harmony?)

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