Biology subjects

Noble, S. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Noble, S. M..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2022

Deep tissue infection by an invasive human fungal pathogen requires novel lipid-based suppression of the IL-17 response

Candida albicans is the most common cause of human fungal infection, but the mechanisms of invasive pathogenesis remain poorly defined. Here we identify an unexpected mechanism: lipid-mediated immunosuppression. Through forward genetics, we found that C. albicans secretes a lipase, Lip2, that is critical for invasive disease. Murine infection with C. albicans strains that lack Lip2 display an exaggerated host IL-17 response that leads to fungal clearance from solid organs and host survival. IL-17 signaling is required for Lip2 action. The lipase activity of Lip2 inhibits IL-17 production indirectly through suppression of IL-23 production by tissue resident dendritic cells. We conclude that C. albicans suppresses antifungal IL-17 defense in solid organs by altering the tissue lipid milieu.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2020

Peptide YY: a novel Paneth cell antimicrobial peptide that maintains fungal commensalism

Perturbed interactions between the intestinal microbes and host correlate with emergence of fungal virulence. Here we report a previously unknown role for peptide YY (PYY), a described endocrine molecule, as an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) expressed by gut immune epithelial Paneth Cells (PC). PC-PYY differs from other AMPs, including lysozyme, because of limited antibacterial activity, packaging in discrete secretory granules, and selective antifungal activity to virulent hyphae, but not yeast forms of Candida albicans. The latter action is through binding of cationic PC-PYY to the anionic hyphal surface, resulting in membrane disruption and killing. PC-PYY is compartmentalized to surface mucus, which optimizes activity and prevents conversion to endocrine PYY by dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV). We conclude PC-PYY is a unique AMP with selective antifungal activity that maintains gut fungal commensalism. Compromised PC-PYY action from PC dysfunction and/or mucus depletion in ileal Crohns disease may initiate or contribute to disease via fungal pathogenesis. Highlights Paneth Cell PYY (PC-PYY) is an antimicrobial peptide that differs from endocrine-PYY PC-PYY is a selective anti-fungal peptide, targeting the virulent form of C. albicans PC-PYY is separately packaged, retained by mucus, and released by C. albicans hyphae PC-PYY is proposed as essential for maintenance of fungal commensalism in the gut Graphical Abstract O_FIG_DISPLAY_L [Figure 1] M_FIG_DISPLAY Model for Paneth cell (PC) PYY action and regulation of fungal commensalisms and potential role in the pathogenesis of ileal Crohns Disease (iCD) (A) In a healthy ileum, commensal yeast reside and do not stimulate PYY1-36 release from PCs. (B) Increased virulent hyphae (purple hyphae) results in PYY1-36 release from crypt PCs into the mucus. Hyphae are targeted by PYY1-36 and killed (red hyphae) to manage the increased fungi community in gut. (C) In a diseased ileum such as iCD, hyphal load induces immune activation and increased inflammation through PC dysfunction (gray PCs) and decreased PYY1-36 release or mucus depletion and PC dysfunction. C_FIG_DISPLAY

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2018

The functional brain organization of an individual predicts measures of social abilities in autism spectrum disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is associated with multiple complex abnormalities in functional brain connectivity measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Despite much research in this area, to date, neuroimaging-based models are not able to characterize individuals with ASD with sufficient sensitivity and specificity; this is likely due to the heterogeneity and complexity of this disorder. Here we apply a data-driven subject-level approach, connectome-based predictive modeling, to resting-state fMRI data from a set of individuals from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange. Using leave-one-subject-out and split-half analyses, we define two functional connectivity networks that predict continuous scores on the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and confirm that these networks generalize to novel subjects. Notably, these networks were found to share minimal anatomical overlap. Further, our results generalize to individuals for whom SRS/ADOS scores are unavailable, predicting worse scores for ASD than typically developing individuals. In addition, predicted SRS scores for individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from the ADHD-200 Consortium are linked to ADHD symptoms, supporting the hypothesis that the functional brain organization changes relevant to ASD severity share a component associated with attention. Finally, we explore the membership of predictive connections within conventional (atlas-based) functional networks. In summary, our results suggest that an individuals functional connectivity profile contains information that supports dimensional, non-binary classification in ASD, aligning with the goals of precision medicine and individual-level diagnosis.

neuroscience↗