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Contributions of the Mac-1 glycoprotein family to adherence-dependent granulocyte functions: structure-function assessments employing subunit-specific monoclonal antibodies.

MAb directed at the alpha-subunits of Mac-1 (alpha M), LFA-1 (alpha L), p150,95 (alpha X), or their common beta-subunit were used to characterize the contributions of the Mac-1 glycoprotein family to granulocyte adherence reactions. Inhibitory effects of these MAb in incubation experiments with normal granulocytes indicated distinct adhesive contributions of each subunit. Significantly greater adherence, and inhibition of adherence by anti alpha M, alpha X, and beta MAb, was observed under chemotactic conditions designed to "up-regulate" the surface expression of the alpha M beta and alpha X beta complexes. Adherence to protein-coated glass and binding of albumin-coated latex beads were significantly inhibited by anti-beta greater than anti-alpha M (OKM-10, M1/70, LM2/1.6 and OKM-1) greater than anti-alpha X greater than anti-alpha L MAb, but no effects of anti-HLA, AB, or anti-CR-1 MAb were evident. A similar rank order of inhibition was observed in granulocyte aggregation assays in response to C5a, PMA, or f-Met-Leu-Phe. Significant inhibition of directed migration by anti-beta or anti-alpha M (OKM-1 or OKM-10) MAb was observed in subagarose but not Boyden chemotaxis assays; inhibition was dependent on a continuous cell exposure to anti-Mac-1 alpha or beta during the assay, suggesting that a continuum of new Mac-1 expression is required for directed translocation. Phagocytosis of Oil-Red-O paraffin or zymosan selectively opsonized with C3-derived ligands was significantly inhibited by anti-alpha M MAb (OKM-10 greater than LM2/1.6 greater than M1/70 greater than OKM-1) or by combinations of anti-alpha M + anti-CR-1 MAb, but only minimal inhibitory effects of anti-beta MAb and no effects of anti-alpha L or anti-alpha X MAb were seen. Similarly, complement-dependent phagocytosis-associated lactoferrin release, ingestion, and intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus 502A, and binding of iC3b-opsonized SRBC, were significantly inhibited by anti-alpha M (OKM-10, M1/70) or combinations of anti-alpha M + anti-CR-1 MAb, but not by anti-beta, alpha L, or alpha X MAb. Notably, none of the anti-Mac-1 MAb demonstrated inhibitory effects in assays of adherence-independent functions including shape change, specific f-Met-Leu-3H-Phe binding, O-2 generation, chemiluminescence evolution, or lactoferrin release in response to PMA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗

Salmonellosis: host immune responses and bacterial virulence determinants.

The lifestyle of bacterial pathogens requires them to establish infection in the face of host immunity. Upon entering a potential host, a variety of interactions are initiated, the outcome of which depends upon a myriad of attributes of each of the participants. In this review we discuss the interactions that occur between pathogenic Salmonella species and the host immune systems, but when appropriate to broaden perspective, we have provided a general overview of the interactions between bacterial pathogens and animal hosts. Pathogenic Salmonella species possess an array of invasion genes that produce proteins secreted by a specialized type III secretion apparatus. These proteins are used by the bacteria to penetrate the intestinal mucosa by invading and destroying specialized epithelial M cells of the Peyer's patches. This maneuver deposits the bacteria directly within the confines of the reticuloendothelial system. The host responds to these actions with nonspecific phagocytic cells and an inflammatory response as well as by activating specific cellular and humoral immune responses. Salmonella responds to this show of force directly. It appears that the bacteria invade and establish a niche within the very cells that have been sent to destroy them. Efforts are underway to characterize the factors that allow these intracellular bacteria to customize intracellular vacuoles for their own purposes. It is the constant play between these interactions that determines the outcome of the host infection, and clearly they will also shape the evolution of new survival strategies for both the bacterium and the host.

Animals↗

Solitary bronchioloalveolar adenoma of the lung.

A case of an unusual pulmonary neoplasia, called bronchioloalveolar adenoma of the lung, is reported. The neoplasm presented as a solitary peripheral lesion of the left lung on computed tomography. Examination of the tumor revealed a focal proliferating lesion consisting of cuboidal or peg-shaped epithelial cells with slight nuclear atypia. Immunohistochemical study with anti-carcinoembryonic antigen antibody, anti-surfactant apoprotein antibody, and anti-Clara cell antibody suggested that this neoplasia has the characteristics of a type II pneumocyte. It is likely that more of these small peripheral lesions, which have potential for evolution to carcinoma, will now be encountered due to the introduction of helical CT of the chest.

Adenoma↗

Histological and immunological features of primary Kaposi's sarcoma: evaluation before and after chemotherapy.

Forty-one patients with primary Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) have been evaluated clinically, histologically and immunologically at the time of diagnosis. There was no correlation between histological and immunological features. Moreover, the disease did not appear to be related to particular HLA phenotypes. The T4/T8 ratio was augmented. Leu 7+ cells were also significantly increased. The last 15 patients who received chemotherapy were recently reevaluated after treatment and an increase in B lymphocytes was observed. We also observed that spindle-shaped cells (SSC), which appear later in the histopathological course of the disease, disappear first during chemotherapy, concomitantly with the increase in B cells. We conclude that the course of the disease appears to be controlled by the host's immune response, though there is no clear correlation between histological and immunological evolution. Several immunological features differentiating it from AIDS associated KS have been found.

Aged↗

Asynchronous transitions from high-risk hepatoblastoma to carcinoma.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Most pediatric hepatocellular tumors are classified as hepatoblastoma (HB) or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), yet a subset exhibits mixed histological and molecular features. These hepatoblastomas with carcinoma features (HBCs) include cases provisionally designated as hepatocellular neoplasm-not otherwise specified (HCN-NOS). Their biology remains poorly understood, with unresolved questions about their cellular composition and outcomes. It is unclear whether HBCs comprise hybrid cells with combined HB and HCC characteristics (HBC cells) or admixtures of distinct HB and HCC cells. We characterized the biology, etiology, cellular composition, and evolutionary dynamics of HBCs. METHODS: We performed multi-omics profiling - including single-nucleus RNA sequencing, single-nucleus DNA sequencing, and multi-region longitudinal bulk RNA and DNA sequencing - to characterize HBC composition, evolution, and treatment response. Two-thirds of our samples were post-chemotherapy resections. RESULTS: HBCs comprise heterogeneous mixtures of HB-like, HBC-like, and HCC-like molecular cell types. Outcomes in HBC are significantly worse than in HB, and HBC cells are more chemoresistant than HB cells, with resistance shaped by their cell identity, genetic alterations, and embryonic differentiation stage. HBC cells originate from HB cells that were arrested at early hepatic stem cell development stages because of aberrant WNT signaling activation. Inhibition of WNT signaling promoted differentiation and enhanced sensitivity to chemotherapy. Furthermore, each analyzed HBC reflected a dynamic process of multiple HB-to-HBC and HBC-to-HCC transitions, underscoring their evolutionary complexity. A limitation of our study is our inability to pinpoint the role of chemotherapy-induced genome modifications. CONCLUSIONS: Multi-omics profiling of HBCs revealed key insights into their biology and composition, demonstrating that they originate from HB precursors at early hepatic stem cell development stages and that their differentiation arrest depends on sustained aberrant WNT signaling activity. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS: Hepatoblastomas with carcinoma features (HBCs) represent a poorly understood subset of pediatric liver tumors with mixed characteristics of hepatoblastoma (HB) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Using multi-omics profiling, we show that HBCs comprise heterogeneous mixtures of HB-like, intermediate HBC-like, and HCC-like cell populations that arise from HB precursors arrested at early hepatic stem cell developmental stages due to aberrant WNT signaling. This differentiation arrest contributes to chemoresistance and poorer clinical outcomes compared with HB. Importantly, pharmacologic inhibition of WNT signaling promoted differentiation and increased chemotherapy sensitivity, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy. These findings refine the biological classification of HBCs and highlight differentiation-based treatment approaches for this aggressive tumor subtype.

Multiomics↗

The cytogenetic basis for classifying ependymomas.

The phylogeny of ependymal cells and astrocytes can be traced to a single primitive progenitor the ependymoglia or the tanycyte, respectively. Ependymoglia cells have ependymal perikarya having astrocyte-like processes that terminate subpially in primitive glial footplates. Such cells prevail in primitive nervous systems, but they also persist regionally in the mature mammalian brain. Their fine structure has been studied in many species. An electronmicroscopic study of 8 ependymomas reveals that the neoplastic cells possess features characteristic of primitive ependymoglia; in particular they possess cell processes filled with glial filaments, terminating submesenchymally in a primitive, piston-shaped footplate. The perivascular pseudorosettes of ependymomas are the equivalents of these cell poles. The dominant phenomenon of ependymoma structure appears to be a reversion of cellular organization to the stage of primitive ependymoglia cells. On reviewing 43 ependymomas and 71 astrocytomas 11 neoplasms were found having a tissue structure reminiscent of the evolution of piloid astrocytes from ependymoglia or tanycytes, respectively. These features correspond to transitional stages seen in normal primitive brains. Tumors of this type may be characterized as a tanycytic variant of ependymomas. They appear to be relatively common in the spinal cord and present a source of confusion with piloid astrocytomas.

Adolescent↗

Mapping receptive fields in primary visual cortex.

Nearly 40 years ago, in the pages of this journal, Hubel and Wiesel provided the first description of receptive fields in the primary visual cortex of higher mammals. They defined two classes of cortical cells, "simple" and "complex", based on neural responses to simple visual stimuli. The notion of a hierarchy of receptive fields, where increasingly intricate receptive fields are constructed from more elementary ones, was introduced. Since those early days we have witnessed the birth of quantitative methods to map receptive fields and mathematical descriptions of simple and complex cell function. Insights gained from these models, along with new theoretical concepts, are refining our understanding of receptive field structure and the underlying cortical circuitry. Here, I provide a brief historical account of the evolution of receptive field mapping in visual cortex along with the associated conceptual advancements, and speculate on the shape novel theories of the cortex may take as a result these measurements.

Animals↗

[Epithelial invasion of the anterior chamber : exploration by scanning electron microscopy (author's transl)].

Transfixing keratoplasty was performed in a patient seven years after a lens extraction, following the appearance of corneal edema with hypertony and proliferation of a retrocorneal veil. Scanning electron microscopy examination of the posterior surface of the removed graft demonstrated the presence of a vast cellular veil formed of epithelial cells. The principal characteristics of these cells were their polygonal shape, slightly raised edges, and the presence of numerous surface microvilli. Because of the particular characteristics of this epithelium, scanning electron microscopy can be used to observe mitoses in the deep layer as well as for differentiation of the superficial layers. The epithelial cell appears to be identical, as far as its evolution is concerned, both in the aqueous humor and when in contact with the lacrymal film. When compared with other modern investigational techniques, the scanning electron microscope appears to be an effective method for studying epithelial invasion of the anterior chamber. In fact, optical microscopy is of little value in such cases, and transmitted light electron microscopy too heavy a technique for the results expected. Scanning electron microscopy enables precise definition of epithelial cells and can confirm their corneal or conjunctival origin.

Anterior Chamber↗

Theory of the growth and evolution of feather shape.

We present the first explicit theory of the growth of feather shape, defined as the outline of a pennaceous feather vane. Based on a reanalysis of data from the literature, we propose that the absolute growth rate of the barbs and rachis ridges, not the vertical growth rate, is uniform throughout the follicle. The growth of feathers is simulated with a mathematical model based on six growth parameters: (1) absolute barb and rachis ridge growth rate, (2) angle of helical growth of barb ridges, (3) initial barb ridge number, (4) new barb ridge addition rate, (5) barb ridge diameter, and (6) the angle of barb ramus expansion following emergence from the sheath. The model simulates growth by cell division in the follicle collar and, except for the sixth parameter, does not account for growth by differentiation in cell size and shape during later keratinization. The model can simulate a diversity of feather shapes that correspond closely in shape to real feathers, including various contour feathers, asymmetrical feathers, and even emarginate primaries. Simulations of feather growth under different parameter values demonstrate that each parameter can have substantial, independent effects on feather shape. Many parameters also have complex and redundant effects on feather shape through their influence on the diameter of the follicle, the barb ridge fusion rate, and the internodal distance. Simulated isochrones-the loci, or sets, of feather cells of the same age-have the same oblique chevron-shaped position in the mature feather as fault bars, which are isochronic defects in the barbules created by a disruptions during development. Accurate simulation of fault bar shape and position confirms the uniform absolute growth rate hypothesis and the general realism of the model. The theory defines a six-parameter feather morphospace, and provides many predictions about the developmental determination of feather shape that can be tested with detailed observations and experiments on developing feathers. This theory also provides testable predictions about the changes in developmental mechanisms required to evolve different feather shapes to accomplish various functions.

Animals↗

When does a ganglion become a brain? Evolutionary origin of the central nervous system.

A brain, a neural structure located in the head, differs from a ganglion by the following characteristics: (1) a brain subserves the entire body, not just restricted segments; (2) it has functionally specialized parts; (3) it is bilobar; (4) commissures and neurons form the surface with axons in the central core; (5) interneurons are more numerous than primary motor or primary sensory neurons; and (6) multisynaptic rather than monosynaptic circuits predominate. A "cephalic ganglion" does not exist in any living animal and probably never occurred even in extinct ancestral species. It also is not a developmental stage in the ontogenesis of any vertebrate. Amphioxus may represent an intermediate stage in the evolution of the vertebrate nervous system, but the anatomic relationship between the notochord and neural tube is more complex. The decussating interneuron of amphioxus, to mediate a primitive coiling reflex away from any stimulus, provides a phylogenetic explanation for the pattern of crossed long ascending and descending pathways in the subsequent evolution of the vertebrate central nervous system. The evolution of the vertebrate central nervous system may have begun with free-living flatworms (planaria) that evolved before the divergence of metazoans into invertebrate and chordate branches. The planarian is the simplest animal to develop a body plan of bilateral symmetry and axes of growth with gradients of genetic expression, enabling cephalization, dorsal and ventral surfaces, medial and lateral regions, and an aggregate of neural cells in the head that form a bilobed brain. Neurons of the planarian brain more closely resemble those of vertebrates than those of advanced invertebrates, exhibiting typical vertebrate features of multipolar shape, dendritic spines with synaptic boutons, a single axon, expression of vertebrate-like neural proteins, and relatively slow spontaneously generated electrical activity. The planarian is thus not only the first animal to possess a brain, but may be the ancestor of the vertebrate brain.

Animals↗

The functions of the preplate in development and evolution of the neocortex and hippocampus.

Recently, it has been shown that the early developmental organization of the archicortical hippocampus resembles that of the neocortex. In both cortices at embryonic stages, a preplate is present, which is split by the formation of the cortical plate into a marginal zone and a subplate layer. The pioneer neurons of the preplate are believed to form a phylogenetically ancient cortical structure. Neurons in these preplate layers are the first postmitotic neurons and have important roles in the development of the cerebral cortex. Cajal-Retzius cells in the marginal zone regulate the phenotype of radial glial cells and may direct neuronal migration establishing the inside-out gradient of corticogenesis. Furthermore, pioneer neurons form the initial axonal connections with other (sub)cortical structures. A significant difference between the hippocampus and neocortex, however, is that in the hippocampus, most afferents are guided by the pioneer neurons in the prominent marginal zone, while in the neocortex most ingrowing afferent axons enter via the subplate. At later developmental periods, most pioneer neurons disappear by cell death or transform into other neuronal shapes. Here, we review the early developmental organization of the mammalian cerebral cortex (both neocortex and hippocampus) and discuss the functions and fate of pioneer neurons in cortical development, in particular that of Cajal-Retzius cells. Evaluating the developmental properties of the hippocampus and neocortex, we present the hypothesis that the distribution of the main ingrowing afferent systems in the developing neocortex, which differs from the one in the hippocampal region, may have enabled the specific evolution of the neocortex.

Animals↗

Evolution of sequence recognition by restriction-modification enzymes: selective pressure for specificity decrease.

Several type II restriction-modification (RM) gene complexes kill host bacterial cells that have lost them, through attack on the chromosomal recognition sites of these cells. Two RM gene complexes recognizing the same sequence cannot simultaneously enjoy such stabilization through postsegregational host killing, because one will defend chromosomal sites from attack by the other. In the present work, we analyzed intrahost competition between two RM gene complexes when the recognition sequence of one was included in that of the other. When the EcoRII gene complex, recognizing 5'-CCWGG (W = A, T), is lost from the host, the SsoII gene complex, which recognizes 5'-CCNGG (N = A, T, G, C), will prevent host death by protecting CCWGG sites on the chromosome. However, when the SsoII (CCNGG) gene complex is lost, the EcoRII (CCWGG) gene complex will be unable to prevent host death through attack by SsoII on 5'-CCSGG (S = C, G) sites. These predictions were verified in our experiments, in which we analyzed plasmid maintenance, cell growth, cell shape, and chromosomal DNA. Our results demonstrate the presence of selective pressure for decrease in the specificity of recognition sequence of RM systems in the absence of invading DNA.

Cell Division↗

Ultrastructural alterations and virus-like particles in lymph nodes of drug addicts with lymphadenopathy syndrome (LAS).

Lymph node biopsies from 16 cases of intravenous drug addicts with lymphadenopathy syndrome (LAS) have been examined at the electron microscope. The main ultrastructural alterations observed in the lymphocytes, dendritic reticulum cells and endothelial cells were tubulo-reticular structures (TRS), test tube and ring shaped forms (TRF) and nuclear pockets (NP). Images suggesting virus budding from lymphocytes and virus-like particles have also been found in 9 out of the 16 cases. The possibility to correlate the latter findings with a better knowledge of LAS evolution and prognosis is discussed.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

Energizing porters by proton-motive force.

It is generally accepted that the chemistry of water was the most crucial determinant in shaping life on earth. Among the more important chemical features of water is its dissociation into protons and hydroxyl ions. The presence of relatively high proton concentrations in the ambient solution resulted in the evolution of proton pumps during the dawn of life on earth. These proton pumps maintained neutral pH inside the cells and generated electrochemical gradients of protons (proton-motive force) across their membranes. The existence of proton-motive force enabled the evolution of porters driven by it that are most probably among the more primitive porters in the world. The directionality of the substrate transport by the porters could be to both sides of the membranes because they can serve as proton symporters or antiporters. One of the most important subjects of this meeting is the mechanism by which proton-motive and other ion-motive forces drive the transport processes through porters. Is there a common mechanism of action for all proton-driven porters? Is there some common partial reaction by which we can identify the way that porters are energized by proton-motive force? Is there a common coupling between proton movement and uptake or secretion of certain molecules? Even a partial answer to one of these questions would advance our knowledge... or confusion. As my mentor Efraim Racker used to say: 'If you are not totally confused you do not understand the issue'.

Animals↗

Natural history of intraepithelial neoplasia in humans with implications for cancer chemoprevention strategy.

Intraepithelial neoplasia is of critical importance to the cancer chemoprevention field because it is a target condition for which drugs must be sought that will prevent its development or stop its progression. The term "dysplasia" refers to the morphological alterations that characterize intraepithelial neoplasia and according to many authors consists of seven basic morphological changes that occur in the majority of human epithelia, as well as in the epithelium of mouse skin papillomas induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate: increased nuclear size; altered nuclear shape; increased nuclear stain uptake; nuclear pleomorphism (increased variation in nuclear size, shape, and stain uptake); increased mitoses; abnormal mitoses; and disordered or absent maturation. Clonal evolution appears to begin early in the neoplastic process during intraepithelial neoplasia. Aneuploidy has been found during intraepithelial neoplasia in many human epithelia, and, in association with other forms of genetic instability, may provide the increase in genetically variant cells required for clonal evolution to occur. It is postulated that two major factors affecting the rate of progression of intraepithelial neoplasia are the cellular mutation rate, which is enhanced by environmental carcinogens, and the cellular proliferation rate, which is enhanced by agents that include sex hormones, inducers of chronic inflammation, and irritant chemicals which stimulate reactive hyperproliferation. A preferred chemoprevention strategy should consist of the development of drugs and drug combinations which will block mutagenic carcinogens or prevent epithelial hyperproliferation or its causes. Two examples of the induction of regression of intraepithelial neoplasia by chemopreventive drugs are the regression of oral leukoplakia produced by beta-carotene and the regression of colorectal polyps in patients with familial polyposis produced by sulindac. It is evident that there is a strong need for more research on the induction of regression of intraepithelial neoplasia with chemopreventive agents. There is also a critical need to identify and develop biomarkers that correlate with the appearance and regression of intraepithelial neoplasia.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

The cytologic diagnosis of adenocarcinoma in situ of the cervix uteri and related lesions. I. Adenocarcinoma in situ.

Seventy cases of histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) of the cervix uteri have been predicted in this laboratory using cytologic criteria, which are illustrated in this paper. The architectural features that were of primary diagnostic importance included an exfoliation pattern consisting of sheets of cells and tissue fragments in the form of cellular strips and rosettes. Nuclear criteria allowed the distinction of AIS into well-differentiated and poorly differentiated types. The former showed nuclear enlargement, an oval nuclear shape, hyperchromasia and moderate-to-coarse granularity as usual features. In the latter, nuclear enlargement was even greater, with an oval-to-round shape, prominent nucleoli and chromatin that was usually only finely granular. Variant patterns of AIS included endocervical, endometrioid and intestinal subtypes, each with characteristic cytologic appearances that correspond closely with their histologic appearances. The evolution of the description of AIS reveals a range of precursor lesions that may match the range of invasive adenocarcinomas originating in the cervix. This suggests that invasive adenocarcinoma of the cervix uteri could be preventable as is its more common squamous counterpart.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Intracellular interactions shape antiviral resistance outcomes in poliovirus via eco-evolutionary feedback.

Antiviral resistance evolution poses a major obstacle for controlling viral infections. A promising strategy is to target shared viral proteins that allow drug susceptible viruses to sensitize resistant ones during cellular coinfection, muting selection for resistance. Pocapavir, a poliovirus capsid inhibitor, employs this sociovirological strategy. While susceptible viruses significantly suppressed resistance in the presence of pocapavir in cell culture, a pocapavir clinical trial observed widespread resistance evolution and limited improvements to clearance times. To reconcile these findings, we present an intra-host eco-evolutionary model of poliovirus in the presence of pocapavir, which reproduces both the potent interference observed in vitro and the resistance emergence seen in patients. In the short term, our model predicts that a high density of susceptible viruses sensitizes resistant ones to pocapavir, mirroring cell culture results. However, over multiple replication cycles, pocapavir's high potency collapses viral density, which reduces coinfection and allows resistance to evolve as observed in the clinical trial. Since coinfection is essential to suppress resistance, enabling greater survival of susceptible viruses could offer therapeutic advantages. Counterintuitively, we demonstrate that this can be achieved by lessening antiviral potency, which can limit resistance evolution while also maintaining a low viral load. These findings suggest that antivirals that rely on viral intracellular interaction must balance immediate neutralization with the preservation of future coinfection, yielding more sustained inhibition. Explicitly considering the eco-evolutionary feedback encompassing viral density, shared phenotypes and absolute fitness not only provides new insights into designing effective therapies but also illuminates viral evolutionary dynamics more broadly.

Journal Article↗

Selective context, rather than persister cycling alone, drives resistance fixation in Escherichia coli.

Whether persister cells contribute to the evolution of antibiotic resistance and, if so, under what selective conditions this occurs, remain unresolved. Here, we examined whether repeated persister cycling itself promotes resistance evolution and how persister-associated minor variants are retained, lost, or fixed under distinct selective contexts. We compared five Escherichia coli cellular states: mutation-induced cells (M), persister-Amp cycling cells (A), persister cycling cells without selection (R), stationary-phase cells (S), and NaCl-stored persisters (P), using state-resolved whole-genome sequencing and phenotypic assays. Persister cycling without selection, stationary-phase cells, and NaCl-stored persisters maintained baseline MICs and showed no detectable high-frequency variant fixation. In contrast, mutation-induced cells fixed efflux-regulatory mutations in marR, acrR, and acrB, increasing MIC to 32 μg/mL. Persister-Amp cycling cells showed an intermediate MIC increase to 16 μg/mL without detectable quality-filtered genetic fixation, distinguishing this state from mutation-induced resistance. The stfE/stfP prophage background further shaped adaptive routes under mutation-inducing conditions. Exploratory analysis revealed sub-threshold low-frequency variant signals during persister cycling, but lineage tracking showed that these variants were not stage-specifically fixed and were instead stochastically retained or lost. These findings support a model in which persister cycling can reveal low-frequency genetic heterogeneity, but fixed resistance evolution requires selection that promotes variant retention and clonal expansion. Thus, resistance fixation was governed primarily by selective context during regrowth rather than by the persister state itself.

Journal Article↗