{"title":"Diet-pathobiont interplay in health and inflammatory bowel disease.","authors":"Héloïse Rytter, Hannah Sturgeon, Benoit Chassaing","doi":"10.1016/j.tim.2025.04.003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2025.04.003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The intestinal microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining host health by participating in various beneficial functions. However, under certain conditions, it can contribute to the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other chronic inflammatory conditions. Importantly, not all commensal microbiota members are drivers of inflammation. A specific subset of commensal bacteria, known as pathobionts, can exhibit pathogenic potential under specific circumstances. Their inflammatory potential is modulated by several factors, including the host's genetic background and the surrounding microbiota. Furthermore, diet has emerged as a critical factor influencing the gut microbiota, with some studies highlighting its role in modulating pathobionts. This review will delve into the role played by pathobionts in chronic intestinal inflammation, in both mouse models as well as in humans, with a focus on the interplay between dietary factors and pathobiont members of the intestinal microbiota. Understanding the complex relationships between diet, pathobionts, and chronic inflammation could pave the way for diet-based therapeutic strategies aimed at managing chronic inflammatory conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":23275,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144086399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Growth rates of bacteria in vivo.","authors":"Philip S Stewart","doi":"10.1016/j.tim.2025.04.014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2025.04.014","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A quantitative framework is proposed for analyzing bacterial dynamics at the site of a biofilm infection. A key parameter in this analysis is the bacterial specific growth rate. The literature was surveyed for quantitative measurements of bacterial specific growth rate in vivo in animals or humans, with and without an implant present, and in different stages of infection. These few measurements offer clues, but the chemical microenvironment, physiology, and rates of microbial growth prevailing in vivo remain poorly characterized. New techniques for measuring bacterial growth rates, and for accessing in vivo chemistry and physiology, are becoming available and offer the potential to greatly improve our understanding of bacterial growth and metabolism in vivo. This article issues a call for the application of such techniques in situ and in vivo.</p>","PeriodicalId":23275,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144086549","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Providencia rettgeri.","authors":"Pedro F Vale","doi":"10.1016/j.tim.2025.04.013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2025.04.013","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23275,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144080578","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Plasmid-bacteria associations in the clinical context.","authors":"Laura Toribio-Celestino, Alvaro San Millan","doi":"10.1016/j.tim.2025.04.011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2025.04.011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most pressing global health problems, with plasmids playing a central role in its evolution and dissemination. Over the past decades, many studies have investigated the ecoevolutionary dynamics between plasmids and their bacterial hosts. However, what drives the epidemiological success of certain plasmid-bacterium associations remains unclear. In this opinion article, we review which factors influence these associations and underline that studying plasmid-host interactions of clinical relevance is critical for understanding the evolution and spread of AMR. We also highlight the increasing importance of integrating experimental research with bioinformatics and machine learning tools to study plasmid-bacteria dynamics. This combined approach will assist researchers to dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying successful plasmid-host associations and to design strategies to prevent and predict future high-risk associations.</p>","PeriodicalId":23275,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144080577","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Preena Prasanna, Bianca Herrera, Larry S Schlesinger, Mirko Paiardini, Riti Sharan
{"title":"Advances in host-directed therapy for tuberculosis and HIV coinfection: enhancing immune responses.","authors":"Preena Prasanna, Bianca Herrera, Larry S Schlesinger, Mirko Paiardini, Riti Sharan","doi":"10.1016/j.tim.2025.04.006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2025.04.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV coinfection present a significant global health challenge worldwide. While most individuals infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) have clinically asymptomatic latent TB infection (LTBI), those with immunosuppressive conditions, such as HIV, are at higher risk for reactivation and disseminated TB. HIV exacerbates TB progression by impairing immune responses, particularly through the depletion of Mtb-specific CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells and chronic immune activation. Despite the success of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) in managing HIV, it does not eliminate the risk of LTBI reactivation, highlighting the need for additional therapeutic strategies. Host-directed therapy (HDT) has emerged as a promising adjunct to current treatments. HDTs aim to restore immune function and counteract immune dysregulation caused by HIV, including T cell exhaustion and inflammation. This review explores key HDTs, including cytokine therapy, chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T cell) therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors, which target Mtb-infected cells, enhance immune responses, and mitigate inflammation. By complementing cART and anti-TB therapy, HDTs could improve clinical outcomes by enhancing immune function, reducing inflammation, and preventing Mtb reactivation, offering hope for better management of TB/HIV coinfection.</p>","PeriodicalId":23275,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144051026","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Physiological drivers of pks+ E. coli in colorectal cancer.","authors":"Maude Jans, Lars Vereecke","doi":"10.1016/j.tim.2025.04.010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2025.04.010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant global health challenge, with rising incidence, particularly among individuals under 50. Increasing evidence highlights the gut microbiota as key contributors to CRC development, with certain oncogenic bacteria influencing cancer initiation, progression, and therapy response. Among these is pks+ Escherichia coli, which produces colibactin, a genotoxic compound that induces DNA damage and leaves a distinct mutational signature in healthy individuals and CRC patients. While research has focused on its genotoxic effects, this review examines the kinetics of colibactin-induced mutations and the epithelial and environmental changes that promote E. coli expansion and colibactin exposure. We also explore the broader role of pks+ E. coli in cancer initiation and progression beyond genotoxicity, and discuss potential therapeutic approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":23275,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144011371","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cutting-edge tools for structural biology: bringing AlphaFold to the people.","authors":"Christoph Elfmann, Jörg Stülke","doi":"10.1016/j.tim.2025.03.014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2025.03.014","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The recent application of artificial intelligence-based prediction of protein and protein complex structures by AlphaFold has revolutionized biology. Here, we give an overview of the tools that make this revolution accessible to experimental microbiologists without training in bioinformatics or sophisticated computer equipment, and show how this helps to gain new insights.</p>","PeriodicalId":23275,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144036409","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Symbiotic bacteria and pest control: plant toxins, chemical pesticides, and fungal entomopathogens.","authors":"Joshua A Thia, Ashritha P S Dorai, Ary A Hoffmann","doi":"10.1016/j.tim.2025.04.007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2025.04.007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bacterial symbionts in pests are being increasingly investigated to assess their potential uses for sustainable control approaches. We undertook a review and analysis of the impacts of endosymbionts and gut symbionts on responses to toxins from plants and pesticides, and to attack by fungal entomopathogens. Despite methodological issues affecting estimates of effect sizes, there is evidence for symbionts increasing resistance to all three agents. However, impacts can be small, and for pesticides, these may not reach levels required for resistance at field rates. Negative or neutral effects may be underreported. Further complications arise because host genotype and the environment impact symbiont effects. We anticipate rapid progress in this area over coming years that should clarify practical implications of these effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":23275,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144039963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in MicrobiologyPub Date : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2025-02-27DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2025.02.003
Kathryne C Ford, Ryan G Bing, Mohamad J H Manesh, Michael W W Adams, Robert M Kelly
{"title":"Anaerocellum (f. Caldicellulosiruptor) bescii.","authors":"Kathryne C Ford, Ryan G Bing, Mohamad J H Manesh, Michael W W Adams, Robert M Kelly","doi":"10.1016/j.tim.2025.02.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tim.2025.02.003","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23275,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":"569-570"},"PeriodicalIF":14.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143531896","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in MicrobiologyPub Date : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2025-02-19DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2025.01.007
Jana S Huisman, Andrina Bernhard, Claudia Igler
{"title":"Should I stay or should I go: transmission trade-offs in phages and plasmids.","authors":"Jana S Huisman, Andrina Bernhard, Claudia Igler","doi":"10.1016/j.tim.2025.01.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tim.2025.01.007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mobile genetic elements (MGEs), like temperate bacteriophages and conjugative plasmids, are major vectors of virulence and antibiotic resistance in bacterial populations. For reproductive success, MGEs must balance horizontal and vertical transmission. Yet, the cost of horizontal transmission (metabolic burden or host death) puts these transmission modes at odds. Using virulence-transmission trade-off (VTT) theory, we identify three groups of environmental variables affecting the balance between horizontal and vertical transmission: host density, host physiology, and competitors. We find that general theoretical predictions of the optimal response to environmental cues align with experimental evidence on the regulation of transmission by phages and plasmids. We further highlight gaps between theory and experiments, differences between phages and plasmids, and suggest areas for future research.</p>","PeriodicalId":23275,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":"484-495"},"PeriodicalIF":14.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143469353","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}