R. C. May

Cryptococcus displays spore-specific invasion of alveolar epithelial cells

This study shows Cryptococcus spores invade alveolar epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo, suggesting these cells may serve as an intracellular niche for dissemination and latency.

Phospholipid tail asymmetry allows cellular adaptation to anoxic environments

The paper shows that anoxic cells use asymmetric phospholipid acyl-tail length to maintain membrane fluidity, replacing unsaturated species that require oxygen.

Reciprocal regulation of TLR4, TLR3 and Macrophage Scavenger Receptor 1 regulates nonopsonic phagocytosis of the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.

This study identifies MSR1 as a key receptor for nonopsonic phagocytosis of Cryptococcus neoformans and shows TLR4/MSR1 crosstalk in this process.

Microglia protect fungi against copper starvation and promote brain infection

This study shows microglia support cryptococcal brain infections by hosting fungal growth and facilitating copper acquisition, and demonstrates that IFNγ can block this process.

An in vitro method for inducing titan cells reveals novel features of yeast-to-titan switching in the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus gattii

This paper develops an in vitro method to induce titan cells in Cryptococcus gattii and identifies p-Aminobenzoic acid as a key inducer, revealing strain-specific differences and asynchronous cell cycle features during titanisation.

Pre-copulatory reproductive behaviours are preserved in Drosophila melanogaster infected with bacteria.

This study finds that bacterial infection in Drosophila melanogaster does not significantly affect pre-copulatory reproductive behaviors in males or female sexual receptivity.

Host-derived Reactive Nitrogen Species mediate the Cryptococcus neoformans yeast-to-titan switch via fungal-derived superoxide

This paper identifies host-derived reactive nitrogen species as key drivers of the Cryptococcus neoformans yeast-to-titan switch by increasing endogenous superoxide, which promotes genotoxic stress and polyploidy, while requiring SOD activity for titan cell viability.

Revisiting Cryptococcus extracellular vesicles properties and their use as vaccine platforms

This paper characterizes the structural and compositional features of Cryptococcus extracellular vesicles and demonstrates their potential as vaccine candidates.

Cryptococcus neoformans secretes small molecules that inhibit IL-1β inflammasome-dependent secretion

This study shows that secreted molecules from Cryptococcus neoformans inhibit inflammasome-dependent macrophage responses, reducing antifungal activity and enhancing fungal survival.

15-keto-prostaglandin E2 activates host peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) to promote Cryptococcus neoformans growth during infection.

The Cryptococcus neoformans Titan cell is an inducible and regulated morphotype underlying pathogenesis

This paper establishes an in vitro system to induce Titan cells in Cryptococcus neoformans, identifies bacterial peptidoglycan as an inducer, and shows that Titanisation is regulated and conserved across species.