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Interactions Between Microbes and Hosts: Physiology, Pathology and Treatment—Second Edition
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Interactions Between Microbes and Hosts: Physiology, Pathology and Treatment—Second Edition

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 1620

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Emira D’Amico

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University Gabriele d'Annunzio Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Interests: oral biology; biomaterials; dental implants; osteogenesis; bone regeneration; photodynamic therapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Studies have shown that microbial virulence factors and bias molecules play important roles in host cell invasion, colonization, and immune escape. These factors affect the pathogenicity of microbes and determine the host's immune response.

This Special Issue aims to explore new advances in microbial pathogenicity and treatment, understand the interactions between microbes and hosts, and provide theoretical support for the development of new treatment strategies. We are seeking submissions of reviews and research articles exploring the mechanisms of microbial infection. Topics of interest include (but are not limited to)

  • Interactions between microbes and hosts;
  • Virulence factors and their effects;
  • Bacterial and viral infection mechanisms and effects;
  • Antimicrobial drugs: antimicrobial peptides, antibiotics, antivirals and other drugs.

This Special Issue is a continuation of Volume I: “Interactions Between Microbes and Hosts: Physiology, Pathology and Treatment”.

Dr. Emira D’Amico
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • microbial infection
  • microbes–host interaction
  • virulence factors
  • molecular and cell biology
  • antimicrobial therapy
  • antibiotics
  • antimicrobial peptides
  • resistance mechanisms

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 9428 KB  
Article
Bacterial Acyl Carrier Proteins Are a Cytoplasmic Target for Different Cationic Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Peptides
by Gopal Ramamourthy, Subrata Paul, Ishrat M. Jalal, Hiroaki Ishida and Hans J. Vogel
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(11), 4823; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27114823 - 27 May 2026
Viewed by 171
Abstract
Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that can target multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria via multiple mechanisms are considered promising alternatives to antibiotics. Small (~9 kDa) highly acidic acyl carrier proteins (ACPs), which are a well-known cofactor protein in bacterial fatty acid synthesis (FAS), are a potential [...] Read more.
Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that can target multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria via multiple mechanisms are considered promising alternatives to antibiotics. Small (~9 kDa) highly acidic acyl carrier proteins (ACPs), which are a well-known cofactor protein in bacterial fatty acid synthesis (FAS), are a potential intracellular target for AMPs. A previous study has demonstrated that the human AMP LL-37 can bind to ACP and thereby affect FAS and the bacterial membrane integrity. In this work, we have investigated the interactions of different classes of AMPs and antibiofilm peptides (ABPs) with the ACPs of two pathogens. We first studied the folding characteristics of the two ACPs and found that Pseudomonas aeruginosa ACP (PaACP) is fully folded at neutral pH in the absence of divalent cations. On the other hand, the homologous Francisella novicida ACP (FnACP) is unfolded at low ionic strength, but it adopts a fully folded conformation after the addition of divalent cations such as Ca2+ or Mg2+. These distinct characteristics were shown to be related to a unique His residue that is involved in a stabilizing cation–π interaction. Subsequent biophysical SPR and NMR interaction studies reveal that cationic AMPs and ABPs such as LL-37, melittin, tritrpticin, indolicidin, puroindoline A, lactoferricin B and IDR-1018, but not F5W-magainin 2, can bind to both apo- and holo-ACPs. Binding of Arg-rich peptides is preferred over their Lys-rich analogs. Interestingly, all the peptides bind to holo-ACP with higher affinity than to apo-ACP, which lacks the functionally important phosphopantothenate group. NMR peak intensity perturbation data reveal that helix II of ACP, which is known to be directly involved in complex formation with bacterial FAS enzymes, acts as a common and main recognition site for the peptides. We propose that binding of AMPs and ABPs to this region of bacterial ACPs can directly block fatty acid synthesis and interfere in other ACP-dependent biosynthetic and regulatory events, which in turn could contribute to killing the bacteria and could also intervene in biofilm formation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interactions Between Microbes and Hosts: Physiology, Pathology and Treatment—Second Edition)
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23 pages, 5055 KB  
Article
Phosphonamidates Integrating Sterically Hindered Phenols with Membrane-Active Cations: A Redox-Activated Approach to Antimicrobial Agents
by Elmira Gibadullina, Adel Shakirov, Margarita Neganova, Yulia Aleksandrova, Alexandra Voloshina, Anna Lyubina, Anastasiya Sapunova, Anna Strelnik, Kamil Ivshin, Assel Shuragaziyeva, Altynkul Toibazarova, Banu Diyarova, Anipa Tapalova, Nurbol Appazov and Alexander Burilov
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(10), 4524; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27104524 - 18 May 2026
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Abstract
A strategy to create highly effective antimicrobial agents was proposed based on the conjugation of three functional components: a cationic quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) that exerts a membrane-disrupting effect and promotes selective accumulation on bacterial surfaces; a phosphonamidate linker for controlled activation; and [...] Read more.
A strategy to create highly effective antimicrobial agents was proposed based on the conjugation of three functional components: a cationic quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) that exerts a membrane-disrupting effect and promotes selective accumulation on bacterial surfaces; a phosphonamidate linker for controlled activation; and a sterically hindered phenol (SHP) fragment as a potential redox component. This approach enabled the preparation of 40 target phosphonamidate–SHP/QAS hybrids in high yields (88–98%). Evaluation of their antimicrobial activity against major pathogens and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) revealed high potency against Gram-positive bacteria. The lead compounds achieved minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 0.7–2.8 μM, which is up to 10 times lower than that of the reference drug, norfloxacin. Mechanistic studies confirmed that these hybrids disrupt the bacterial membrane. In addition, an increase in intracellular ROS levels was observed for the most active compound. The SHP/QAS hybrids retained high activity against S. aureus ATCC 209P after 17 passages and showed low cytotoxicity (SI = 62–92) and negligible hemolysis. These properties indicate that this approach may offer a useful strategy for developing antibacterial agents with a potentially lower risk of inducing conventional resistance mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interactions Between Microbes and Hosts: Physiology, Pathology and Treatment—Second Edition)
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Review

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19 pages, 872 KB  
Review
Host–Pathogen Crosstalk in Pediatric Peritoneal Dialysis-Associated Peritonitis: Molecular Mechanisms Driving Peritoneal Membrane Remodeling
by John Dotis, Elias Iosifids and Charalampos Antachopoulos
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(7), 3132; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27073132 - 30 Mar 2026
Viewed by 475
Abstract
Peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis in children represents a complex interplay between microbial virulence, host immune activation and progressive peritoneal membrane remodeling. It should not be viewed solely as an acute infectious episode, but as a process unfolding within a chronically conditioned immune environment [...] Read more.
Peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis in children represents a complex interplay between microbial virulence, host immune activation and progressive peritoneal membrane remodeling. It should not be viewed solely as an acute infectious episode, but as a process unfolding within a chronically conditioned immune environment shaped by prolonged exposure to glucose-based dialysis solutions, oxidative stress and persistent biofilm formation on the Tenckhoff catheter. Mesothelial cells act as immunologically active sentinel cells, recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns through Toll-like receptors and related innate pathways. Subsequent activation of nuclear factor kappa B, inflammasome signaling and neutrophil extracellular trap formation further amplifies local inflammatory responses. Repeated inflammatory stimulation promotes mesothelial–mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis and extracellular matrix deposition driven by transforming growth factor beta 1 and interconnected profibrotic networks. In pediatric patients, prolonged PD vintage during critical stages of growth may intensify cumulative structural injury and increase the risk of ultrafiltration failure or encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis. Emerging strategies targeting inflammation, fibrosis and biofilm persistence, together with earlier molecular risk detection, may support preservation of the peritoneal membrane. A unified host–pathogen framework may therefore deepen pathophysiological insight and facilitate more individualized therapeutic strategies in pediatric PD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interactions Between Microbes and Hosts: Physiology, Pathology and Treatment—Second Edition)
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Other

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8 pages, 316 KB  
Case Report
Atypical HIV-1 Viremia Persistently Detected Exclusively Through the Pol Target by a Dual-Target (Pol and LTR) Assay: A Case Report About a New Diagnostic Challenge
by Alessandra Amendola, Sara Belladonna, Flavia Smoquina, Giulia Capecchi, Valentina Mazzotta, Maria Grazia Bocci, Fabrizio Maggi, Federica Forbici and Lavinia Fabeni
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(6), 2595; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27062595 - 12 Mar 2026
Viewed by 441
Abstract
We report the case of a 48-year-old man admitted with severe pneumonia, profound immunosuppression and multiple co-infections, showing unusual pattern of HIV-1 viremia. With the Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx assay, a dual-target diagnostic assay for monitoring of viral RNA in people living with [...] Read more.
We report the case of a 48-year-old man admitted with severe pneumonia, profound immunosuppression and multiple co-infections, showing unusual pattern of HIV-1 viremia. With the Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx assay, a dual-target diagnostic assay for monitoring of viral RNA in people living with HIV-1 (PWH), the patient showed viral RNA consistently detected exclusively through the pol target, while the LTR signal remained absent in all samples during one year of follow-up on antiretroviral therapy. Despite this persistent atypical viral load (pol+/LTR-), near full-length next-generation sequencing of HIV-1 RNA confirmed an almost intact viral genome, including the LTR region and no resistance-associated mutations. Several mechanisms may account for explaining the persistent lack of LTR detection, such as defective quasi-species, RNA structural rearrangements, or epi-transcriptomic modifications interfering with primers annealing, and further studies are currently underway to clarify the biological origins and the clinical implications of the detection patterns of atypical HIV-1 RNA. The case described here is an example of a few PWH undergoing antiretroviral therapy who demonstrated single-target HIV-1 viremia with the Aptima dual-target assay. These particular clinical situations with single-target viremia, even at high levels of HIV-1 RNA, should be carefully considered in clinical management as they would indicate the presence of atypical viral RNA, for which, in some cases, switching antiretroviral therapy could be not necessary. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interactions Between Microbes and Hosts: Physiology, Pathology and Treatment—Second Edition)
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