Alison J. Eastman
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View article: Comparison of cytokine responses to group B <i>Streptococcus</i> infection in a human maternal-fetal interface organ-on-a-chip system and <i>ex vivo</i> culture model of human gestational membranes
Comparison of cytokine responses to group B <i>Streptococcus</i> infection in a human maternal-fetal interface organ-on-a-chip system and <i>ex vivo</i> culture model of human gestational membranes Open
Adverse pregnancy outcomes represent a global health burden. Bacterial infection and subsequent inflammation in gestational membranes lead to immunological and physiological changes that contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Although a…
View article: The impact of persistent organic pollutants on fertility: exposure to the environmental toxicant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin alters reproductive tract immune responses
The impact of persistent organic pollutants on fertility: exposure to the environmental toxicant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin alters reproductive tract immune responses Open
Exposure to environmental contaminants can result in profound effects on the host immune system. One class of environmental toxicants, known as dioxins, are persistent environmental contaminants termed “forever chemicals”. The archetype to…
View article: Reproductive organ on-a-chip technologies and assessments of the fetal-maternal interface
Reproductive organ on-a-chip technologies and assessments of the fetal-maternal interface Open
In this review, we discuss recent reproductive organ-on-a-chip (OoC) experiments that encompass multiple target areas of investigation, including model fabrication strategies, transport mechanisms, and immunology. We highlight fetal membra…
View article: Palmitate and group B Streptococcus synergistically and differentially induce IL-1β from human gestational membranes
Palmitate and group B Streptococcus synergistically and differentially induce IL-1β from human gestational membranes Open
Introduction Rupture of the gestational membranes often precedes major pregnancy complications, including preterm labor and preterm birth. One major cause of inflammation in the gestational membranes, chorioamnionitis (CAM) is often a resu…
View article: Environmental Toxicant Exposure Paralyzes Human Placental Macrophage Responses to Microbial Threat
Environmental Toxicant Exposure Paralyzes Human Placental Macrophage Responses to Microbial Threat Open
Exposure to environmental toxicants (such as dioxins) has been epidemiologically linked to adverse reproductive health outcomes, including placental inflammation and preterm birth. However, the molecular underpinnings that govern these out…
View article: Impact of Metabolic Stress on BeWo Syncytiotrophoblast Function**
Impact of Metabolic Stress on BeWo Syncytiotrophoblast Function** Open
During placental formation, cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) fuse into multinucleate, microvilli‐coated syncytiotrophoblasts (STBs), which contact maternal blood, mediating nutrient, metabolite, and gas exchange between mother and fetus, and provid…
View article: Impact of Metabolic Stress on BeWo Syncytiotrophoblast Function
Impact of Metabolic Stress on BeWo Syncytiotrophoblast Function Open
Background: During placental formation, cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) fuse into multinucleate, microvilli-coated syncytiotrophoblasts (STBs), which contact maternal blood, mediating nutrient, metabolite, and gas exchange between mother and fetus…
View article: Matrix metalloproteinases in preterm prelabor rupture of membranes in the setting of chorioamnionitis: A scoping review
Matrix metalloproteinases in preterm prelabor rupture of membranes in the setting of chorioamnionitis: A scoping review Open
Fetal or gestational membranes extend from the placenta to enclose the fetus and amniotic fluid. While the membranes spontaneously rupture at term in normal pregnancies, they can rupture prematurely before the onset of labor, termed preter…
View article: Streptococcus agalactiae cadD alleviates metal stress and promotes intracellular survival in macrophages and ascending infection during pregnancy
Streptococcus agalactiae cadD alleviates metal stress and promotes intracellular survival in macrophages and ascending infection during pregnancy Open
View article: Front Cover: Antibacterial and Anti‐biofilm Activity of the Human Breast Milk Glycoprotein Lactoferrin against Group B <i>Streptococcus</i> (ChemBioChem 12/2021)
Front Cover: Antibacterial and Anti‐biofilm Activity of the Human Breast Milk Glycoprotein Lactoferrin against Group B <i>Streptococcus</i> (ChemBioChem 12/2021) Open
The cover feature picture is a composite of a high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of Streptococcus agalactiae biofilms at high (10 000×) magnification pseudocolored purple with ribbon diagram structures of the lactoferrin mo…
View article: Group B <i>Streptococcus cpsE</i> Is Required for Serotype V Capsule Production and Aids in Biofilm Formation and Ascending Infection of the Reproductive Tract during Pregnancy
Group B <i>Streptococcus cpsE</i> Is Required for Serotype V Capsule Production and Aids in Biofilm Formation and Ascending Infection of the Reproductive Tract during Pregnancy Open
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is an encapsulated Gram-positive pathogen that causes ascending infections of the reproductive tract during pregnancy. The capsule of this organism is a critical virulence factor that has been implicated …
View article: Antibacterial and Anti‐biofilm Activity of the Human Breast Milk Glycoprotein Lactoferrin against Group B <i>Streptococcus</i>
Antibacterial and Anti‐biofilm Activity of the Human Breast Milk Glycoprotein Lactoferrin against Group B <i>Streptococcus</i> Open
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is an encapsulated Gram‐positive human pathogen that causes invasive infections in pregnant hosts and neonates, as well as immunocompromised individuals. Colonization of the human host requires the ability to ad…
View article: The Influence of Obesity and Associated Fatty Acids on Placental Inflammation
The Influence of Obesity and Associated Fatty Acids on Placental Inflammation Open
View article: Vitamin D and Streptococci: The Interface of Nutrition, Host Immune Response, and Antimicrobial Activity in Response to Infection
Vitamin D and Streptococci: The Interface of Nutrition, Host Immune Response, and Antimicrobial Activity in Response to Infection Open
Streptococcus species are common causes of human infection. These Gram-positive, encapsulated bacterial pathogens infect diverse anatomic spaces, leading to infections including skin and soft tissue infection, endocarditis, pneumoni…
View article: Cytotrophoblasts suppress macrophage‐mediated inflammation through a contact‐dependent mechanism
Cytotrophoblasts suppress macrophage‐mediated inflammation through a contact‐dependent mechanism Open
Problem Gestational membrane (GM) infection provokes inflammation and can result in preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM). The choriodecidual layer of the GM includes decidual stromal cells (DSC), cytotrophoblasts (CTB), and macrop…
View article: Leveraging bioengineering to assess cellular functions and communication within human fetal membranes
Leveraging bioengineering to assess cellular functions and communication within human fetal membranes Open
The fetal membranes enclose the growing fetus and amniotic fluid. Preterm prelabor rupture of fetal membranes is a leading cause of preterm birth. Fetal membranes are composed of many different cell types, both structural and immune. These…
View article: Leveraging Bioengineering to Assess Cellular Functions and Communication Within Human Fetal Membranes
Leveraging Bioengineering to Assess Cellular Functions and Communication Within Human Fetal Membranes Open
The fetal membranes enclose the growing fetus and amniotic fluid. Preterm prelabor rupture of fetal membranes is a leading cause of preterm birth. Fetal membranes are composed of many different cell types, both structural and immune. These…
View article: Levonorgestrel modulates innate immune activation in human endocervical epithelium and monocytes during<i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i>infection
Levonorgestrel modulates innate immune activation in human endocervical epithelium and monocytes during<i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i>infection Open
Problem Our group has previously shown that baboons with a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) have delayed clearance of Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct). Based on this result, we hypothesized that LNG results in changes to de…
View article: Palmitate induces apoptotic cell death and inflammasome activation in human placental macrophages
Palmitate induces apoptotic cell death and inflammasome activation in human placental macrophages Open
View article: Epigenetic stabilization of DC and DC precursor classical activation by TNFα contributes to protective T cell polarization
Epigenetic stabilization of DC and DC precursor classical activation by TNFα contributes to protective T cell polarization Open
TNFα is critical for epigenetic DC maturation, DC phenotype stabilization, and driving protective T H 1 immunity to fungal infection.
View article: Palmitate induces apoptotic cell death and inflammasome activation in human placental macrophages
Palmitate induces apoptotic cell death and inflammasome activation in human placental macrophages Open
Introduction There is an increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases worldwide. Metabolic diseases such as obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increasingly affect women during pregnancy, which can harm pregnancy outcomes…
View article: Effects of the copper IUD on composition of the vaginal microbiota in the olive baboon
Effects of the copper IUD on composition of the vaginal microbiota in the olive baboon Open
Objectives Assess the impact of transcervical insertion, use, and removal of copper intrauterine devices (Cu-IUD) on baboon physiology ( e.g . weight, menstruation) and vaginal microbiota. Study design Vaginal swabs were taken before inser…
View article: Erratum for Xu et al., “Disruption of Early Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Signaling Prevents Classical Activation of Dendritic Cells in Lung-Associated Lymph Nodes and Development of Protective Immunity against Cryptococcal Infection”
Erratum for Xu et al., “Disruption of Early Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Signaling Prevents Classical Activation of Dendritic Cells in Lung-Associated Lymph Nodes and Development of Protective Immunity against Cryptococcal Infection” Open
View article: Impact of the Levonorgestrel-Releasing Intrauterine System on the Progression of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in a Baboon Model
Impact of the Levonorgestrel-Releasing Intrauterine System on the Progression of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in a Baboon Model Open
LNG-IUS use results in delayed clearance of C. trachomatis and might alter the reproductive tract immune environment.
View article: Scavenger Receptor MARCO Orchestrates Early Defenses and Contributes to Fungal Containment during Cryptococcal Infection
Scavenger Receptor MARCO Orchestrates Early Defenses and Contributes to Fungal Containment during Cryptococcal Infection Open
The scavenger receptor macrophage receptor with collagenous structure (MARCO) promotes protective innate immunity against bacterial and parasitic infections; however, its role in host immunity against fungal pathogens, including the major …
View article: Disruption of Early Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Signaling Prevents Classical Activation of Dendritic Cells in Lung-Associated Lymph Nodes and Development of Protective Immunity against Cryptococcal Infection
Disruption of Early Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Signaling Prevents Classical Activation of Dendritic Cells in Lung-Associated Lymph Nodes and Development of Protective Immunity against Cryptococcal Infection Open
Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF-α) therapies have been increasingly used to treat inflammatory diseases and are associated with increased risk of invasive fungal infections, including Cryptococcus neoformans infection. Using a m…
View article: Immunomodulatory Mechanisms in Pathogenesis of Cryptococcus neoformans Infection.
Immunomodulatory Mechanisms in Pathogenesis of Cryptococcus neoformans Infection. Open
Cryptococcus neoformans (C.neo) is a common monomorphic environmental yeast and opportunistic fungal pathogen that infects over 1 million people per year and causes over 680,000 deaths globally. This dissertation investigates how both C.ne…
View article: Role of Dendritic Cell–Pathogen Interactions in the Immune Response to Pulmonary Cryptococcal Infection
Role of Dendritic Cell–Pathogen Interactions in the Immune Response to Pulmonary Cryptococcal Infection Open
This review discusses the unique contributions of dendritic cells (DCs) to T-cell priming and the generation of effective host defenses against Cryptococcus neoformans (C.neo) infection. We highlight DC subsets involved in the early and la…
View article: Cryptococcal Heat Shock Protein 70 Homolog Ssa1 Contributes to Pulmonary Expansion of <i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i> during the Afferent Phase of the Immune Response by Promoting Macrophage M2 Polarization
Cryptococcal Heat Shock Protein 70 Homolog Ssa1 Contributes to Pulmonary Expansion of <i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i> during the Afferent Phase of the Immune Response by Promoting Macrophage M2 Polarization Open
Numerous virulence factors expressed by Cryptococcus neoformans modulate host defenses by promoting nonprotective Th2-biased adaptive immune responses. Prior studies demonstrate that the heat shock protein 70 homolog, Ssa1, significantly c…
View article: <i>Cryptococcus neoformans–</i>Induced Macrophage Lysosome Damage Crucially Contributes to Fungal Virulence
<i>Cryptococcus neoformans–</i>Induced Macrophage Lysosome Damage Crucially Contributes to Fungal Virulence Open
Upon ingestion by macrophages, Cryptococcus neoformans can survive and replicate intracellularly unless the macrophages become classically activated. The mechanism enabling intracellular replication is not fully understood; neither are the…