About this Research Topic
Gram-negative bacteria produce a variety of virulence factors, including toxins, fimbria, flagella, adhesins, invasins, and other secretory molecules, such as effectors and extracellular matrix, which are required for infection. Some virulence factors induce damage or death of host cells, while others contribute to bacterial adhesion to cells, or to invasion into host cells. There are also virulence factors that enable bacteria to adapt and survive in a host by protecting it from the host's immune system, for example, by out-competing the naturally present flora. Studies on bacterial pathogenesis have been conducted by many scientists and those concerning Gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Helicobacter pylori and Vibrio cholerae are of particular interest to this Research Topic.
Many gram-negative bacterial virulence factors have been identified, and their roles and regulatory mechanisms have been studied at the molecular, biochemical and cellular levels. However, recent advances in the next-generation sequencing and `omics' technologies suggest a large diversity of virulence factors in Gram-negative pathogens. There are still many unanswered questions concerning what the roles of these virulence factors are in the host, and how expression is regulated in host. The first goal of this Topic is to gather a collection of up-to-date information on the pathogenicity of Gram-negative bacteria from a standpoint of basic science. The spread of Gram-negative pathogens that have acquired resistance to conventional drugs is also currently a critical issue in clinical settings. For this reason, establishment of alternative chemotherapy options, such as new classes of antibacterial agents and vaccines is urgently needed. Identifying virulence factors, their mode of action and understanding how they are regulated could provide new ways for preventing or treating infections. Therefore, the second goal is to collect manuscripts focussing on new potential antibacterial targets or vaccine candidates which could lead to future application researches.
This research topic focuses on the latest basic research in molecular pathogenesis of Gram-negative bacteria, including but not limited to Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Helicobacter pylori and Vibrio cholerae. We welcome original research articles and reviews concerning the following themes:
1. Characterization of molecular factors associated with pathogenesis
2. Regulation of virulence factors with genetic and biochemical evidence
3. The proposal of strategies and/or methodologies to abrogate/suppress bacterial virulence using novel means (e.g. virulence inhibitors, anti-virulence drugs, effector decoys)
Many gram-negative bacterial virulence factors have been identified, and their roles and regulatory mechanisms have been studied at the molecular, biochemical and cellular levels. However, recent advances in the next-generation sequencing and `omics' technologies suggest a large diversity of virulence factors in Gram-negative pathogens. There are still many unanswered questions concerning what the roles of these virulence factors are in the host, and how expression is regulated in host. The first goal of this Topic is to gather a collection of up-to-date information on the pathogenicity of Gram-negative bacteria from a standpoint of basic science. The spread of Gram-negative pathogens that have acquired resistance to conventional drugs is also currently a critical issue in clinical settings. For this reason, establishment of alternative chemotherapy options, such as new classes of antibacterial agents and vaccines is urgently needed. Identifying virulence factors, their mode of action and understanding how they are regulated could provide new ways for preventing or treating infections. Therefore, the second goal is to collect manuscripts focussing on new potential antibacterial targets or vaccine candidates which could lead to future application researches.
This research topic focuses on the latest basic research in molecular pathogenesis of Gram-negative bacteria, including but not limited to Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Helicobacter pylori and Vibrio cholerae. We welcome original research articles and reviews concerning the following themes:
1. Characterization of molecular factors associated with pathogenesis
2. Regulation of virulence factors with genetic and biochemical evidence
3. The proposal of strategies and/or methodologies to abrogate/suppress bacterial virulence using novel means (e.g. virulence inhibitors, anti-virulence drugs, effector decoys)
Keywords: Bacterial pathogenesis, Virulence, Molecular genetics, Environmental response and adaptation, Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
