Pathocast in Review

Welcome to Pathocast In Review – S2. Ep6Can exposure to a virus shape an offspring's immune system even when the offspring is never infected? And how does the architecture of breast tissue change with age, potentially influencing cancer development? In this episode we explore two fascinating applications of how mouse models are helping researchers uncover the indirect effects of maternal Zika virus infection on offspring especially sex-dependent changes in placental immune balance and how these may influence immune development. We then turn to imaging mass cytometry to explore the spatial organisation of cells within breast tissue. By mapping cellular neighbourhoods across different ages, researchers are building a spatial atlas of breast tissue ageing, offering new insights into how age-related changes in the tissue microenvironment may intersect with cancer development.Papers in Review:1. Prenatal exposure to Zika virus shapes offspring neutrophil function in a sex-specificmanner (DOI:10.1038/s41467-025-63941-x)2. Single-cell spatial atlas of the aging human breast (DOI: 10.1038/s43587-026-01104-3)Moderator: Wealth OketePanelists: Gadisi Nthambeleni and ZwileZunguProduction: Zd CreationsCreator: Immun-Vir JC

Welcome to Pathocast In Review – S2. Ep5What if the first week of life is not simply a period of immuneimmaturity, but a highly regulated state of immune adaptation? In this episode,we explore transcriptomic changes in newborns from two African populations,revealing that age shapes early-life immune responses more strongly thanpopulation, with a striking surge in neutrophils alongside tight regulation ofinflammation. Are we telling the story of early-life immunity correctly?We then turn to mRNA influenza vaccination and ask whether enhancedgerminal-centre B-cell maturation can drive broader and more diverse antibodyresponses than conventional split-virus vaccination across successive fluseasons. Will we ever have a universal flu vaccine?Papers in Review:1. Population-specificheterogeneity in ontogeny of the broadly conserved blood transcriptionalprogram during the first week of life (DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-73244-4)2. mRNA-based influenza vaccineexpands the B cell response breadth in humans (DOI: 10.1038/s41590-026-02569-5)Moderator: Gadisi NthambeleniPanelists: Blessing Moses and AlilitaLajobodaProduction: Zd CreationsCreator: Immun-Vir JC

Welcome to Pathocast In Review – S2. Ep4What do diet, the gut microbiome, and multi-omicshave in common? In this episode we explore how the gutmicrobiome, microbial metabolites and Th17 cells may connect ketogenic diets with colorectal cancer protection. We then dive into multi-omic data from infants across Africa and Southeast Asia, where malnutrition emerged as thestrongest predictor of post-discharge mortality, withproteomic biomarkers outperforming metabolic and metagenomic approaches.Papers in Review:1. Ketogenic diet suppressescolorectal cancer through the gutmicrobiome long chain fatty acid stearate (DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56678-0)2. Multiomics characterization ofacute child illness and mortality in Africa and South Asia (DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-69754-w)Moderator: Bliss MusvosviPanelists: Nelisa Makeleni and SonwabileDzanibeProduction: Zd CreationsCreator: Immun-Vir JC

Welcome to Pathocast In Review – S2. Ep3 – Can we really improve vaccine responses by giving someone a meal first, or is there a deeper connection between fasting, diet, and immunity? And could ADHD and autism have roots in the gut?In this episode, we explore how fasting and dietary lipids can change the fitness and function of the immune system, and how interactions between the microbiome and the epigenome in early life may influence a baby’s neurodevelopmental trajectory. Papers in Review:1. Postprandial lipid metabolism durably enhances T cell immunity (DOI: 10.1038/s41586-026-10432-8).2. Epigenome-microbiome interplay in early life associates with infants' neurodevelopmental outcomes (DOI:10.1016j.cpblue.2026.100009⁠⁠⁠⁠)Moderator: Sonwabile DzanibePanelists: Wealth Okete and Valencia ChaukeProduction: Zd CreationsCreator: Immun-Vir JC

Welcome to Pathocast In Review – S2. Ep2 – What if we could give formula-fed babies some of the same microbiome advantages as breastfeeding? And why does the microbiome look so different across Africa while remaining unique to the rest of the world? Join us as we unpack the science behind infant gut development, explore an innovative antibody-based approach to directing microbiome development in formula-fed infants, and travel across the continent to discover how environment, culture and lifestyle create one of the world's most diverse microbial landscapes. This episode reveals why understanding Africa's microbiome is essential for developing equitable, context-specific health interventions.Papers in Review:1. A newborn derived monoclonal IgM antibody selectively modulates microbial metabolism in the gut (DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63585-x).2. Expanding the human gut microbiome atlas of Africa (DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-08485-8⁠)Moderator: Zwile ZunguPanelists: Rachael Gachogo and Dean BrinkProduction: Zd CreationsCreator: Immun-Vir JC

Welcome to Pathocast In Review – S2. Ep1 – The wait is over. In this episode, we explore cutting-edge advances in vaccinology and immunology, from the pursuit of a universal vaccine to innovative strategies aimed at enhancing HIV vaccine efficacy. We discuss the exciting possibility of a single mucosal vaccine capable of providing protection against a broad range of pathogens and examine the scientific challenges involved in achieving this goal.We also shift gears to the role of immune checkpoint blockade in reversing immune exhaustion in people living with HIV. Could restoring immune function enhance vaccine-induced protection? Join us as we unpack emerging approaches to reinvigorate CD8 T-cell responses and improve the effectiveness of next-generation vaccines.Papers in Review:1. Mucosal vaccination in mice provides protection from diverse respiratory threats (DOI: 10.1126/science.aea1260).2. PD-1 blockade enhances functional vaccine-induced HIV-1 CD8 + T-cell responses in PWH receiving early ART (DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.106070)Moderator: Valencia ChaukePanelists: Nyaradzo Chigorimbo and Bliss MusvosviProduction: Zd CreationsCreator: Immun-Vir JC

Welcome to Pathocast In Review – S1. Ep7 – What if winter doesn’t just change the weather but also your microbiome? In this seventh and final episode, we explore how seasonal shifts shape gut microbial diversity, and why fermented foods consumed during colder months may reduce diversity in a beneficial and stabilising way. We then switch our focus to spotlight issues in public health, unpacking how socioeconomic conditions, such as maternal education, income level and wealth which are defined differently across regions, drive adverse birth outcomes, and how context-specific metrics can inform smarter, more equitable interventions to improve infant survival and lifelong health.Papers in Review:1. Fermented foods affect the seasonal stability of gut bacteria in an Indian rural population (DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56014-6).2. The Global Network Socioeconomic Status Index as a predictor of stillbirths, perinatal mortality, and neonatal mortality in rural communities in low and lower middle income country sites of the Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research (DOI: ⁠10.1371/journal.pone.0272712)Moderator: Zwile Zungu (@zwilezungu)Panelists: Janine Fredericks and Yashodani Pillay (@yashodani)Production: Zd CreationsCreator: Immun-Vir JCMusic: iLethu (@Mphephethwa_sa)

Welcome to Pathocast In Review – S1. Ep6 – The sixth instalment explore how maternal biology shapes the health and development of the next generation. We unpack the maternal immune mechanisms that support a successful pregnancy, focusing on the pivotal role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in preventing miscarriage and ensuring tolerance in subsequent pregnancies. We then shift to the maternal microbiome, examining emerging evidence on how a mother’s microbial community can influence the neurological development of her newborn. Intriguingly, we discuss research showing that microbiomes from older mothers may impart subtle developmental impairments.Papers in Review:1. Pregnancy-acquired memory CD4+ regulatory T cells improvepregnancy outcome in mice (DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61572-w).2. Maternal dysbiosis produces long-lasting behaviouralchanges in offspring (DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02794-0)Moderator: NelisaMakaleni (@nelly_saciar)Panelists: Blessing Moses (@emeraldeey) and ValenciaChaukeProduction: Zd CreationsCreator: Immun-Vir JCMusic: iLethu (@Mphephethwa_sa)

Welcome to Pathocast In Review – S1. Ep5 - On this fifth instalment we explore new evidence showing how HIV infection accelerates biological ageing, not just in years lived, but deep in the molecular architecture of antibodies revealing that changes in antibody glycosylation can predict ageing long before clinical signs appear, offering a molecular window into how chronic inflammation reshapes immune function. We then turn to obesity, a condition now understood to reprogram adipose tissue in lasting ways. Even after weight loss, fat tissue retains a form of metabolic memory, driving inflammation and accelerated cellular senescence. But here’s the hopeful part, this ageing process can be partially reversed by weight loss.Papers in Review:1. Immunoglobulin G N-glycan markers of accelerated biological aging during chronic HIV infection. (DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47279-4).2. Selective remodelling of the adipose niche in obesity and weight loss. (DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09233-2).Moderator: Adijat Jimoh (@deejah_deej)Panelists: Wealth Okete (@de_dew001) and Sonwabile Dzanibe (@⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sonwa_dzanibe⁠⁠)Production: Zd CreationsCreator: Immun-Vir JCMusic: iLethu (@Mphephethwa_sa)

Welcome to Pathocast In Review – S1. Ep4 - From AgeingImmunity to Infant Gut Resistome. On this fourth instalment, we unpack how ageing reshapes the immune landscape, where multi-omic profiling using single cell RNA-sequencing and mass cytometry reveals that CD8 T cells bear the brunt of age-related changes, while children show a surprising enrichment of cytotoxic B cells. Then, we turn to a longitudinal mother-infant analysis exploring factors that contribute to the development of infant gut resistome, yes the load of antibiotic-resistant genes, with Bifidobacterium being the key player in shaping the infant resistome, protecting against the accumulation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and how early cessation of breastfeeding tips the balance in the wrong direction.Papers in Review:1. Integrating single-cell RNA and T cell/B cell receptorsequencing with mass cytometry reveals dynamic trajectories of human peripheralimmune cells from birth to old age. (DOI: 10.1038/s41590-024-02059-6).2. Breastfeeding and early Bifidobacterium-driven microbialcolonization shape the infant gut resistome. (DOI: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠10.1038/s41467-025-61154-w⁠).Moderator: Rachael GachogoPanelists: Zwile Zungu (@zwilezungu) and Gadisi Nthambeleni(@⁠⁠⁠⁠ gadisinth)Production: Zd CreationsCreator: Immun-Vir JCMusic: iLethu (@Mphephethwa_sa)