Mostly Microbes and Infection

  Highlights • Meta-analysis of 11,115 gut metagenomes links uncultured species to human health • Healthy individuals show enrichment and greater diversity of uncultured bacteria • The genus CAG-170 contains uncultured taxa with the strongest health signatures • CAG-170 is ecologically important in healthy populations

  Highlights • Severe IAV infection imparts a long-lasting decline in cardiac function • Atypical GMP-independent CD319 +  pro-DC3s transport infectious IAV to cardiomyocytes • Direct IFN-I signaling on cardiomyocytes drives cardiac dysfunction • mod-mRNA delivery of dominant-negative IFNAR1 on cardiomyocytes ameliorates damage

  Highlights • Three NlpC/P60 endopeptidases identified in  Deinococcus radiodurans • CwlA is essential for cell viability and cell wall integrity • CwlB is involved in cell septation whereas CwlC is dispensable • Regulatory link between CwlA expression and the genotoxic stress response pathway

  Highlights • We have discovered an alternative mechanism mediated by insoluble dietary fiber that contributes to the prevention of colorectal tumorigenesis, potentially accounting for the paradoxical role of SCFAs. • Microbial enzyme encoded by K12373 promotes tumorigenic glycosphingolipid GM3 production, which can be suppressed by high-fiber diet. • As a key node in glycosphingolipid metabolism, K12373 directs metabolic flux primarily towards the GM3 branch and, to a lesser extent, the Gb3 branch, thus illustrating a classic metabolic branch point model in microbiome-host interaction.

  Abstract Porphyromonas gingivalis  is a keystone pathogen in periodontitis, known for its ability to invade gingival epithelial cells and persist intracellularly. Conventional antimicrobials are often ineffective against intracellular pathogens, and natural products remain poorly explored in this context. Here, we investigated the antimicrobial effects of  Boswellia serrata  extract and its bioactive compounds on the dynamics of  P. gingivalis  infection in human gingival epithelial cells. During early times of infection,  B. serrata  extracts stimulated phagocytosis and increased bacterial internalization, suggesting modulation of epithelial uptake mechanisms. At later times of infection,  B. serrata  increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in host cells and markedly reduced intracellular bacterial load. The antimicrobial effect was abolished by the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine, confirming a role for oxidative mechanis...

  Highlights • Chickpea oligosaccharides are broadly utilized by gut commensal bacteria. • Algal polysaccharide use is limited to specific Bacteroidota species. • Algae and chickpea fibers enhance short-chain faty acid production. • Transcriptomics reveal coordinated genes for raffinose metabolism.