Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is a significant zoonotic pathogen responsible for listeriosis, a foodborne infection with high mortality. The inflammasome, an innate immune complex, plays a critical role in controlling pathogenic infections through its rapid inflammatory output. During L. monocytogenes infection, pore-forming toxins such as listeriolysin-O and flagellin are quickly recognized by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), triggering inflammatory responses and activating the host’s anti-infection immunity. However, excessive or chronic inflammasome activation and subsequent interleukin-1β (IL-1β) release are implicated in the pathogenesis of L. monocytogenes. Although inflammasome activation is an effective defense against L. monocytogenes, the bacterium has evolved multiple mechanisms to inhibit this immune pathway. Hence, research on inflammasomes activation is crucial for better understanding the pathogenic mechanism of L. monocytogenes. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of inflammasome activation by L. monocytogenes infection. We then discuss advances in the role of the inflammasome pathway in the pathogenesis of L. monocytogenes, along with an overview of the applications of inflammasome inhibitors. Extensive studies into the mechanisms by which L. monocytogenes activates the inflammasome could lead to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and strategies to fight L. monocytogenes infections.

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a secondary metabolite produced by Penicillium and Aspergillus species, contaminates food and feed globally, posing serious threats to both livestock and human health. Among current detoxification strategies, probiotic-based degradation of OTA has emerged as a key research focus. This study aimed to isolate safe probiotic strains with high OTA-detoxifying efficacy to support their potential application in feed and food industries. A total of 57 bacterial strains were isolated from environmental samples, including soil, moldy feed, and animal feces. Among these, a novel strain identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MM28 demonstrated strong OTA-degrading activity, removing 86.31% of OTA (0.4 µg/mL) within 48 h. Whole-genome analysis indicated that B. amyloliquefaciens MM28 harbors functional genes related to glucose metabolism, membrane transport, and properties associated with antibacterial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities, suggesting multiple beneficial traits. In a 28-day chronic exposure study, mice were administered B. amyloliquefaciens MM28 via gavage (1 × 10⁸ CFU/mL). Results showed that both female and male mice in the MM28 group exhibited higher body weight and improved growth performance compared to the PBS control group. Furthermore, intestinal morphology was enhanced in the MM28 group, as indicated by greater villus length and villus-length-to-crypt-depth ratio. The expression of proinflammatory cytokines was also reduced in the treated animals. Moreover, analysis of gut microbiota composition revealed that MM28 supplementation led to an increased abundance of Bacteroides and Desulfovibrio, alongside a reduction in Lachnospira and Oscillospira. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MM28 is a safe and efficient strain capable of degrading OTA. These findings highlight its promising potential as a biological detoxifying agent in food and feed industries.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are key components of the innate immune system across a wide range of organisms. In addition to their direct antimicrobial activity, AMPs exert immunomodulatory effects that differ from those of conventional antibiotics. This review summarizes recent evidence on the roles of microbe-derived AMPs in regulating immune cell function, including neutrophil activation and NET formation, macrophage polarization, and lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation. It also examines their organ-specific roles, particularly in intestinal immunity through reinforcement of the intestinal barrier, maintenance of gut microbiota homeostasis, and promotion of sIgA secretion. Together, their direct antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities support the therapeutic potential of microbe-derived AMPs against drug-resistant infections, cancer, and inflammatory conditions. We synthesize recent evidence on the modulation of innate and adaptive immunity by microbe-derived AMPs. This review provides an integrated framework for understanding how microbe-derived AMPs orchestrate immune defense across cellular, tissue, and systemic levels, with implications for therapeutic development against infectious, inflammatory, and neoplastic diseases.