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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD

@michaelshiloh.bsky.social
1.2K followers 306 following 73 posts

Physician-scientist at UT Southwestern Medical Center (Infectious Diseases; Immunology; Microbiology; Neuroimmunology). All views my own. Lab website: labs.utsouthwestern.edu/shiloh-lab

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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
This work was a collaborative effort between @utswinfdis.bsky.social @utswim.bsky.social and @scripps.edu, and I’m grateful to Ben Cravatt and the Cravatt lab for their contributions. Supported by @niaidnews.bsky.social
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
This work uses cysteine-directed activity-based protein profiling to map infection-induced proteome changes in human macrophages and identify host proteins that regulate intracellular Mtb replication.
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Our paper, Cysteine Reactivity Profiling Identifies Host Regulators of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Replication in Human Macrophages, is now out. Congratulations to John Neff and Kristen DeMeester on their many years of dedication to bring this project to completion. pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....
pubs.acs.org
Cysteine Reactivity Profiling Identifies Host Regulators of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Replication in Human Macrophages
Innate immune cells, such as monocytes and macrophages, provide the earliest defense against intracellular pathogen infection by initiating signaling pathways and restricting pathogen replication. However, the full complement of proteins that mediate cell-autonomous immunity remains incompletely defined. Here, we applied cysteine-directed activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) to map proteome-wide cysteine reactivity changes in THP-1 monocytes and primary human monocyte-derived macrophages during Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. Across both cell types, we quantified 148 cysteine residues with altered reactivity. Knockdown of a subset of proteins harboring infection-induced reactivity significantly altered Mtb replication in THP-1 monocytes, linking proteins with reactive cysteines to antimicrobial defense. These data define previously unrecognized host protein changes during Mtb infection and provide a resource for investigating post-translational events that regulate innate immune responses to intracellular bacteria.
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Reposted by Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD
Dr Kathleen Millen @neurodevkathy.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Reminder for those applying for #NIH grants using the #ScienCV templates. You can format the text sections using html codes: <p> paragraph <br> break line <b>bold</b> <i>italics</i>
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Reposted by Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD
Matthew Lawrenz @lawrenzlab.bsky.social · 17/08/2025
My alma mater is hiring a microbiologist! Assistant/Associate Prof. 👇👇
careers.uth.tmc.edu
Assistant/Associate Professor, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics - McGovern Medical School in Texas, United States | Faculty & Physicians at UTHealth Houston
Apply for Assistant/Associate Professor, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics - McGovern Medical School job with UTHealth Houston in Texas, United States. Faculty & Physicians at UTHealth Houston
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
Many thanks to @niaidnews.bsky.social for their support for this work. This project was done at UTSW @utswim.bsky.social in the Division of Infectious Diseases @utswinfdis.bsky.social.
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
Together, these results identify USP15 as a conserved and targetable suppressor of xenophagy. Inhibiting USP15 could boost the host’s own ability to control Mtb, indicating a potential path for host-directed TB therapy to augment existing antibiotics or shorten treatment duration.
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
A selective small-molecule USP15 inhibitor mimicked the genetic effects of knocking down USP15 in most human donors tested, lowering Mtb burden without harming the host cells.
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
We saw the same effects in primary mouse macrophages and in human monocyte-derived macrophages. Even partial knockdown of USP15 reduced Mtb growth and increased LC3 targeting.
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
The picture became clearer when we looked at PARKIN. This E3 ligase normally promotes K63 ubiquitination of Mtb, leading to it's destruction. Depleting PARKIN reversed the enhanced antibacterial effects seen in USP15-deficient cells, pointing to a direct antagonism between PARKIN and USP15.
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
Restoring wild-type USP15 to macrophages genetically lacking USP15 rescued Mtb growth, while a catalytically inactive mutant did not — highlighting the importance of USP15's enzymatic activity for its immune-suppressive role.
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
Without USP15, K63 ubiquitin piled onto Mtb-associated structures, LC3 recruitment increased, and bacterial replication was reduced. Blocking autophagy initiation removed this benefit, showing the effect depends on canonical autophagy.
LC3B (green) surrounding intracellular Mtb (red) in macrophages lacking USP15
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
We screened murine deubiquitinases for effects on intracellular Mtb growth. One stood out — USP15. Knocking it down or knocking it slowed the growth of Mtb in macrophages.
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
Macrophages can mark Mtb-associated structures with K63-linked ubiquitin, drawing in LC3 and the autophagy machinery to degrade the bacteria. But some host enzymes remove these marks, tipping the balance in favor of the pathogen.
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
Congratulations to Kathryn Rahlwes and the rest of the team on the new preprint from our group. We identify USP15, a deubiquitinase, as a key brake on macrophage immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Remove it, and macrophages control Mtb far more effectively. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
biorxiv.org
Deubiquitinase USP15 restricts autophagy and macrophage immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Autophagy enables macrophages to degrade intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), and this defense depends on E3 ubiquitin ligases such as PARKIN and SMURF1, which tag Mtb-associated structures...
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
Congrats @samuelalvarez.bsky.social and the entire team on this work characterizing established (i.e. M cells) and new cells in the mucosal immune system! The new cells we named WISP cells as they are found in both adenoid and tonsils. Read the paper to find out so much more!
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Similar to this study. academic.oup.com/ofid/article...
academic.oup.com
A Diagnostic Stewardship Success: Implementing a Urine Culture Reflex Policy in the Emergency Department of a Large Safety-Net Hospital
AbstractBackground. Urinalyses and urine cultures (UCs) are frequently ordered simultaneously in emergency departments (EDs) to increase efficiency and dec
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Reposted by Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD
Linsey Marr @linseymarr.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
Quantifying Dissemination of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Air from a Dairy Farm and Swine Farm, led by PhD student David Kormos, now published! We found ARGs in a range of particle sizes, indicating potential for inhalation exposure and long-range transport. pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
pubs.acs.org
Quantifying Dissemination of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Air from a Dairy Farm and Swine Farm
Farms are a suspected source of dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) to the atmosphere, but their contribution remains poorly quantified. This study investigated the concentrations, emi...
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Congrats to Dhananjay Naik from @tedpricethepainguy.bsky.social's lab at UT Dallas on their new preprint deeply characterizing the nociceptive activity of SL-1 on mouse & human neurons. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
biorxiv.org
Mycobacterium tuberculosis sulfolipid-1 (Sl-1) increases the excitability of mouse and human TRPV1-positive sensory neurons in a YM254890-reversible fashion
Cough is a hallmark sign of tuberculosis and key driver of transmission. While traditionally attributed to host-driven inflammation, we previously demonstrated that Mycobacterium tuberculosis lipid ex...
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 24/05/2025
Enjoyed celebrating John Neff’s PhD graduation ceremony yesterday.
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
I get the cartoonist's point, but, if I'm going to be pedantic (and scientifically accurate), since measles is an airborne disease with the highest transmissibility of all pathogens, the girl on the left would have been exposed/infected in the top left panel.
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
I wish I could find it online, but 30 years ago my PhD advisor had a cartoon on his door (maybe New Yorker?), with 3 spinning-wheels. On one was "eggs, butter, fat, sugar, coffee, etc.", then "causes, cures, etc." and the last "cancer, heart disease, stroke, etc." So, I think the answer is "yes".
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Thank you Olivier!
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Thank you Kat!
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
This project would not have been possible without the financial support of @niaidnews.bsky.social ws.bsky.social, @bwfund.bsky.social nd.bsky.social, and @thewelchfoundation.bsky.social. 14/14 tenor.com/view/ted-las...
tenor.com
Ted Lasso Thank You GIF - Ted lasso Thank you Mercy buckets - Discover & Share GIFs
Click to view the GIF
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
All credit belongs to Kubra Naqvi, PhD (not yet on Bluesky), who led this project from the start. We are also indebted to our chemistry collaborators at @unileiden.bsky.social and neuroscience collaborators @utdpaincenter.bsky.social. 13/14
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Please check out and share our preprint relating to the aerobiology of one of the most successful human pathogens, Mtb. 12/14 @idsainfo.bsky.social sky.social @utswinfdis.bsky.social is.bsky.social @carlzimmer.com #InfectiousDisease #Purinergic #DrugDiscovery www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
biorxiv.org
Mycobacterial Phenolic Glycolipid Triggers ATP-Mediated Neuronal P2X3 Signaling and Cough
Cough drives respiratory pathogen transmission, yet how microbes directly engage host sensory neurons to trigger cough is largely unknown. We previously demonstrated that the Mycobacterium tuberculosi...
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
We propose that Mtb evolved to produce multiple neuron activating molecules to co-opt the host cough reflex, thus facilitating its own spread from person to person. Therapeutically, P2X3 antagonists may help reduce airborne transmission of Mtb. 11/14
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
PGL triggers rapid extracellular ATP release from host cells through pannexin channels. ATP then binds neuronal P2X3 purinergic receptors. Blocking P2X3 with a specific antagonist inhibits PGL-mediated neuronal activity. ⚠️. #anti-tussive 10/14
An image showing the role of ATP in neuronal activation
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
PGL is also made by other mycobacteria, like M. bovis, M. leprae, M. marinum and M. kansasii. By organically synthesizing PGL analogs, we found that neuroactivity is proportional to saccharide chain length & structure. Mtb PGL triggers the most robust activity with the lowest EC50, 30 pM! 9/14
A picture of animals and their mycobacterial hosts
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Combining PGL + SL-1 ➡️ super-activation of neurons. This suggests that Mtb HN878 uses a “one-two punch” to maximize cough and transmission. 8/14 tenor.com/view/balthaz...
tenor.com
Balthazar Ko GIF - Balthazar Ko Combat - Discover & Share GIFs
Click to view the GIF
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
We used whole body plethysmography in guinea pigs (the best model of human cough reflexes) to show that PGL is sufficient to induce cough 🚀. #cough #plethysmography #physiology 7/14
An image of a guinea pig being exposed to PGL
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Together with @tedpricethepainguy.bsky.social’s lab at @utdpaincenter.bsky.social, we also found through single cell recording in human nociceptive neurons that PGL treatment raises the resting membrane potential, thereby increasing excitability. #electrophysiology 6/14
An image of human dorsal root ganglia being used in patch clamp experiments.
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
We used live cell calcium imaging in mouse and human nociceptive neurons to show that PGL alone → robust neuronal firing. Shown here a representative live cell calcium imaging experiment with a nociceptive neuronal cell line. Cells become green once activated → increased intracellular calcium. 5/14
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Mtb HN878 is an isolate of the Mtb lineage 2, which some studies how shown is more transmissible than other Mtb lineages. Intriguingly, the commonly-studied lineage 4 strains have a frameshift mutation in a key polyketide synthase, rendering them unable to make PGL. #Aerobiology #Evolution 4/14
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
👉 Today: we reveal in a preprint on @biorxivpreprint.bsky.social that phenolic glycolipid (PGL), produced by the hyper-transmissible HN878 strain, is a second glycolipid neuronal activator. #glycobiology 3/14 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
biorxiv.org
Mycobacterial Phenolic Glycolipid Triggers ATP-Mediated Neuronal P2X3 Signaling and Cough
Cough drives respiratory pathogen transmission, yet how microbes directly engage host sensory neurons to trigger cough is largely unknown. We previously demonstrated that the Mycobacterium tuberculosi...
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
In 2020 we showed that the Mtb glycolipid sulfolipid-1 (SL-1) can directly activate lung-innervating neurons and trigger cough. But is that the whole story? 🧐 2/14 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32142653/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Sulfolipid-1 Activates Nociceptive Neurons and Induces Cough - PubMed
Pulmonary tuberculosis, a disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), manifests with a persistent cough as both a primary symptom and mechanism of transmission. The cough reflex can be trigger...
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
🦠💨 Why do some TB strains make you cough more? Cough isn’t just an annoying sign and symptom of active tuberculosis - it’s one way that Mycobacterium tuberculosis spreads from person to person. 1/14 #Tuberculosis #CoughScience #Aerobiology #Neuroimmunology #Microbiology youtu.be/9qqHOKUXY5U?...
youtu.be
Coughs and sneezes travel farther than you think
YouTube video by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
And stay tuned for several papers outlining his results using ABPP to generate a map of reactive cysteines during macrophage infection with bacterial pathogens.
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
Celebrating the next PhD to leave the lab. Congratulations Dr. Neff. As per Shiloh lab tradition, John’s graduation cake represents Activity Based Proteomic Profiling with rock candy “proteins”.
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 02/02/2025
Right…. It would be really sad if on one of his last minute slides something happened and then the Eagles beat Carson Wentz….
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 02/02/2025
Two years ago they dominated for three quarters and were one dubious “Mahomes special” holding call from possibly winning the game. Eagles have a much stronger roster this time around. Chiefs have Mahomes, Reid and the refs. Other than that, Eagles are a superior team.
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 02/02/2025
Sorry for your loss. You know there’s an amazing football team with a pretty cool owner who supports autism research and doesn’t care about publicity. Oddly enough, that team will be playing next Sunday 😆
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 25/01/2025
Michael Oliver needs to be investigated for corruption. This is not a joke.
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Reposted by Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD
ᐯIᑕTOᖇ ᑎIᘔET, ᗰᗪ @nizet.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
Scientists and Physicians I’m being serious here —at this precarious juncture, along with all other defensive and support strategies, it is important to seize the public narrative—high level investment and leadership in medical discovery and innovation is unabashedly patriotic! USA! USA! USA!
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
Tomlin is the face of the Steelers. You think current ownership of “America’s Team” would ever share the limelight? Welcome back to Dallas, Kellen Moore….
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
First ever “Great Shiloh Lab Bake Off” was a big success. Loaf cake/bread was the assignment. Congrats to all 6 bakers and thanks to the 3 judges. Bakes were judged anonymously and comments were kind but fair.
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
It may also reflect that people with larger cavities cough more frequently, and increased cough frequency itself has been associated with increased transmission, along with bacillary burden and disease severity. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC... pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/5762102/
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Cough Frequency During Treatment Associated With Baseline Cavitary Volume and Proximity to the Airway in Pulmonary TB
Cough frequency, and its duration, is a biomarker that can be used in low-resource settings without the need of laboratory culture and has been associated with transmission and treatment response. Rad...
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Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD @michaelshiloh.bsky.social · 13/12/2024
Lab Secret Santa today was a big hit. Really enjoyed my gifts!
Gift bag with everyone as elves Wearing a Bake Off apron and pin
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Reposted by Michael Shiloh, MD, PhD
Olivier Neyrolles @oneyrolles.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
And just like that, Ms. Monard leveled up to Dr. Monard! 🥳🎓 Proof that caffeine, stubbornness, and 0.05 p-values can work wonders. Congratulations, ⁦‬Sarah! 🚀🔬 #PhDone
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