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Rowley J, Namvar S, Gago S, Labram B, Bowyer P, Richardson MD, Herrick SE. Differential Proinflammatory Responses to Aspergillus fumigatus by Airway Epithelial Cells In Vitro Are Protease Dependent. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:468. [PMID: 34200666 PMCID: PMC8228831 DOI: 10.3390/jof7060468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is an important human respiratory mould pathogen. In addition to a barrier function, airway epithelium elicits a robust defence against inhaled A. fumigatus by initiating an immune response. The manner by which A. fumigatus initiates this response and the reasons for the immunological heterogeneity with different isolates are unclear. Both direct fungal cell wall-epithelial cell interaction and secretion of soluble proteases have been proposed as possible mechanisms. Our aim was to determine the contribution of fungal proteases to the induction of epithelial IL-6 and IL-8 in response to different A. fumigatus isolates. Airway epithelial cells were exposed to conidia from a low or high protease-producing strain of A. fumigatus, and IL-6 and IL-8 gene expression and protein production were quantified. The role of proteases in cytokine production was further determined using specific protease inhibitors. The proinflammatory cytokine response correlated with conidia germination and hyphal extension. IL-8 induction was significantly reduced in the presence of matrix metalloprotease or cysteine protease inhibitors. With a high protease-producing strain of A. fumigatus, IL-6 release was metalloprotease dependent. Dectin-1 antagonism also inhibited the production of both cytokines. In conclusion, A. fumigatus-secreted proteases mediate a proinflammatory response by airway epithelial cells in a strain-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Rowley
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (J.R.); (S.N.); (S.G.); (B.L.); (P.B.); (M.D.R.)
| | - Sara Namvar
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (J.R.); (S.N.); (S.G.); (B.L.); (P.B.); (M.D.R.)
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, UK
| | - Sara Gago
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (J.R.); (S.N.); (S.G.); (B.L.); (P.B.); (M.D.R.)
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
- NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester M23 9LT, UK
| | - Briony Labram
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (J.R.); (S.N.); (S.G.); (B.L.); (P.B.); (M.D.R.)
| | - Paul Bowyer
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (J.R.); (S.N.); (S.G.); (B.L.); (P.B.); (M.D.R.)
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Malcolm D. Richardson
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (J.R.); (S.N.); (S.G.); (B.L.); (P.B.); (M.D.R.)
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
- NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester M23 9LT, UK
- Mycology Reference Centre, ECMM Excellence Centre of Medical Mycology, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester M23 9LT, UK
| | - Sarah E. Herrick
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (J.R.); (S.N.); (S.G.); (B.L.); (P.B.); (M.D.R.)
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Comparative systems analysis of the secretome of the opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus and other Aspergillus species. Sci Rep 2018; 8:6617. [PMID: 29700415 PMCID: PMC5919931 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25016-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus and multiple other Aspergillus species cause a wide range of lung infections, collectively termed aspergillosis. Aspergilli are ubiquitous in environment with healthy immune systems routinely eliminating inhaled conidia, however, Aspergilli can become an opportunistic pathogen in immune-compromised patients. The aspergillosis mortality rate and emergence of drug-resistance reveals an urgent need to identify novel targets. Secreted and cell membrane proteins play a critical role in fungal-host interactions and pathogenesis. Using a computational pipeline integrating data from high-throughput experiments and bioinformatic predictions, we have identified secreted and cell membrane proteins in ten Aspergillus species known to cause aspergillosis. Small secreted and effector-like proteins similar to agents of fungal-plant pathogenesis were also identified within each secretome. A comparison with humans revealed that at least 70% of Aspergillus secretomes have no sequence similarity with the human proteome. An analysis of antigenic qualities of Aspergillus proteins revealed that the secretome is significantly more antigenic than cell membrane proteins or the complete proteome. Finally, overlaying an expression dataset, four A. fumigatus proteins upregulated during infection and with available structures, were found to be structurally similar to known drug target proteins in other organisms, and were able to dock in silico with the respective drug.
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Proteomics as a Tool to Identify New Targets Against Aspergillus and Scedosporium in the Context of Cystic Fibrosis. Mycopathologia 2017; 183:273-289. [PMID: 28484941 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-017-0139-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that increases the risk of suffering microbial, including fungal, infections. In this paper, proteomics-based information was collated relating to secreted and cell wall proteins with potential medical applications from the most common filamentous fungi in CF, i.e., Aspergillus and Scedosporium/Lomentospora species. Among the Aspergillus fumigatus secreted allergens, β-1,3-endoglucanase, the alkaline protease 1 (Alp1/oryzin), Asp f 2, Asp f 13/15, chitinase, chitosanase, dipeptidyl-peptidase V (DppV), the metalloprotease Asp f 5, mitogillin/Asp f 1, and thioredoxin reductase receive a special mention. In addition, the antigens β-glucosidase 1, catalase, glucan endo-1,3-β-glucosidase EglC, β-1,3-glucanosyltransferases Gel1 and Gel2, and glutaminase A were also identified in secretomes of other Aspergillus species associated with CF: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus nidulans, and Aspergillus terreus. Regarding cell wall proteins, cytochrome P450 and eEF-3 were proposed as diagnostic targets, and alkaline protease 2 (Alp2), Asp f 3 (putative peroxiredoxin pmp20), probable glycosidases Asp f 9/Crf1 and Crf2, GPI-anchored protein Ecm33, β-1,3-glucanosyltransferase Gel4, conidial hydrophobin Hyp1/RodA, and secreted aspartyl protease Pep2 as protective vaccines in A. fumigatus. On the other hand, for Scedosporium/Lomentospora species, the heat shock protein Hsp70 stands out as a relevant secreted and cell wall antigen. Additionally, the secreted aspartyl proteinase and an ortholog of Asp f 13, as well as the cell wall endo-1,3-β-D-glucosidase and 1,3-β-glucanosyl transferase, were also found to be significant proteins. In conclusion, proteins mentioned in this review may be promising candidates for developing innovative diagnostic and therapeutic tools for fungal infections in CF patients.
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Current Approaches Towards Development of Molecular Markers in Diagnostics of Invasive Aspergillosis. Fungal Biol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-34106-4_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Robledo A, Aguilar CN, Belmares-Cerda RE, Flores-Gallegos AC, Contreras-Esquivel JC, Montañez JC, Mussatto SI. Production of thermostable xylanase by thermophilic fungal strains isolated from maize silage. CYTA - JOURNAL OF FOOD 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/19476337.2015.1105298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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SABBAGH BASSEL, COSTINA VICTOR, BUCHHEIDT DIETER, REINWALD MARK, NEUMAIER MICHAEL, FINDEISEN PETER. Functional protease profiling for laboratory based diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis. Int J Oncol 2015; 47:143-50. [DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2015.2984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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Johnson G, Ferrini A, Dolan SK, Nolan T, Agrawal S, Doyle S, Bustin SA. Biomarkers for invasive aspergillosis: the challenges continue. Biomark Med 2014; 8:429-51. [PMID: 24712434 DOI: 10.2217/bmm.13.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of invasive aspergillosis (IA), an opportunistic infection in immunocompromised individuals, is rising, but its early diagnosis remains challenging and treatment options are limited. Hence there is an urgent need to improve existing diagnostic procedures as well as develop novel approaches. The clinical usefulness of galactomannan and β-d-glucan, widely used assays detecting cell-wall antigens of Aspergillus, is unclear and depends on clinicians' awareness of their practical limitations. This leaves room for new methods that utilise genomic, proteomic and metabolomics approaches as well as novel detection procedures, for example point-of-care lateral-flow devices. Each of these strategies has its own limitations and it is likely that a combination of methods will be required to achieve optimal performance for the diagnosis of IA and subsequent appropriate patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Johnson
- Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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Wildgruber R, Weber G, Wise P, Grimm D, Bauer J. Free-flow electrophoresis in proteome sample preparation. Proteomics 2013; 14:629-36. [PMID: 24123730 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201300253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2013] [Revised: 08/07/2013] [Accepted: 08/23/2013] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
An aim of proteome research is to identify the entire complement of proteins expressed in defined cell types of humans, animals, plants, and microorganisms. The approach requires searching for low abundant or even rarely expressed proteins in many cell types, as well as the determination of the protein expression levels in subcellular compartments and organelles. In recent years, rather powerful MS technologies have been developed. At this stage of MS device development, it is of highest interest to purify intact cell types or isolate subcellular compartments, where the proteins of interest are originating from, which determine the final composition of a peptide mixture. Free-flow electrophoresis proved to be useful to prepare meaningful peptide mixtures because of its improved capabilities in particle electrophoresis and the enhanced resolution in protein separation. Sample preparation by free-flow electrophoresis mediated particle separation was preferentially performed for purification of either organelles and their subspecies or major protein complexes. Especially, the introduction of isotachophoresis and interval zone electrophoresis improved the purity of the gained analytes of interest. In addition, free-flow IEF proved to be helpful, when proteins of low solubility, obtained, e.g. from cell membranes, were investigated.
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Barton RC. Laboratory diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis: from diagnosis to prediction of outcome. SCIENTIFICA 2013; 2013:459405. [PMID: 24278780 PMCID: PMC3820361 DOI: 10.1155/2013/459405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2012] [Accepted: 11/14/2012] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Invasive aspergillosis (IA), an infection caused by fungi in the genus Aspergillus, is seen in patients with immunological deficits, particularly acute leukaemia and stem cell transplantation, and has been associated with high rates of mortality in previous years. Diagnosing IA has long been problematic owing to the inability to culture the main causal agent A. fumigatus from blood. Microscopic examination and culture of respiratory tract specimens have lacked sensitivity, and biopsy tissue for histopathological examination is rarely obtainable. Thus, for many years there has been a great interest in nonculture-based techniques such as the detection of galactomannan, β -D-glucan, and DNA by PCR-based methods. Recent meta-analyses suggest that these approaches have broadly similar performance parameters in terms of sensitivity and specificity to diagnose IA. Improvements have been made in our understanding of the limitations of antigen assays and the standardisation of PCR-based DNA detection. Thus, in more recent years, the debate has focussed on how these assays can be incorporated into diagnostic strategies to maximise improvements in outcome whilst limiting unnecessary use of antifungal therapy. Furthermore, there is a current interest in applying these tests to monitor the effectiveness of therapy after diagnosis and predict clinical outcomes. The search for improved markers for the early and sensitive diagnosis of IA continues to be a challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard C. Barton
- Mycology Reference Centre, Department of Microbiology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, Leeds LS1 3EX, UK
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Farnell E, Rousseau K, Thornton DJ, Bowyer P, Herrick SE. Expression and secretion of Aspergillus fumigatus proteases are regulated in response to different protein substrates. Fungal Biol 2012; 116:1003-12. [PMID: 22954343 PMCID: PMC3605576 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2012.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2011] [Revised: 07/06/2012] [Accepted: 07/09/2012] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitous filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus secretes a number of allergens with protease activity and has been linked to a variety of allergic conditions such as Severe Asthma with Fungal Sensitization (SAFS) and Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA). However, it is unclear which allergen proteases are being secreted during fungal invasion and whether the local biological environment regulates their expression. Understanding the dynamic expression of allergen proteases during growth of A. fumigatus may lead to further characterisation of the pathogenesis of these disorders as well as improved standardisation in the commercial production of these allergens. Secretion of proteases during germination and early growth of A. fumigatus was investigated in response to various complex protein sources (pig lung homogenate, mucin or casein). Protease inhibitor studies demonstrated that A. fumigatus (AF293 strain) secretes predominately serine proteases during growth in pig lung based medium and mainly metalloproteases during growth in casein based medium but suppressed protease secretion in unmodified Vogel's minimal medium and secreted both types in mucin based medium. Analysis of gene transcription and protein identification by mass spectrometry showed that the matrix metalloprotease, Mep/Asp f 5 and the serine protease, Alp1/Asp f 13, were upregulated and secreted during growth in pig lung medium, whereas Alp1 was predominately expressed and secreted in mucin based medium. In casein medium, the matrix metalloprotease, Lap1, was also upregulated and secreted in addition to Mep and Alp1. These findings suggest that A. fumigatus is able to detect different complex proteins available as substrates in its environment and regulate protease secretion accordingly. There is a requirement for the standardisation of A. fumigatus allergen extracts used both in clinical diagnosis of A. fumigatus allergy and in research studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Farnell
- Respiratory Research Group, School of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Stopford Building, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Karine Rousseau
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - David J. Thornton
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Paul Bowyer
- Respiratory Research Group, School of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Education and Research Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK
| | - Sarah E. Herrick
- Respiratory Research Group, School of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Stopford Building, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
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Hagag S, Kubitschek-Barreira P, Neves GWP, Amar D, Nierman W, Shalit I, Shamir R, Lopes-Bezerra L, Osherov N. Transcriptional and proteomic analysis of the Aspergillus fumigatus ΔprtT protease-deficient mutant. PLoS One 2012; 7:e33604. [PMID: 22514608 PMCID: PMC3326020 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0033604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2011] [Accepted: 02/13/2012] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common opportunistic mold pathogen of humans, infecting immunocompromised patients. The fungus invades the lungs and other organs, causing severe damage. Penetration of the pulmonary epithelium is a key step in the infectious process. A. fumigatus produces extracellular proteases to degrade the host structural barriers. The A. fumigatus transcription factor PrtT controls the expression of multiple secreted proteases. PrtT shows similarity to the fungal Gal4-type Zn(2)-Cys(6) DNA-binding domain of several transcription factors. In this work, we further investigate the function of this transcription factor by performing a transcriptional and a proteomic analysis of the ΔprtT mutant. Unexpectedly, microarray analysis revealed that in addition to the expected decrease in protease expression, expression of genes involved in iron uptake and ergosterol synthesis was dramatically decreased in the ΔprtT mutant. A second finding of interest is that deletion of prtT resulted in the upregulation of four secondary metabolite clusters, including genes for the biosynthesis of toxic pseurotin A. Proteomic analysis identified reduced levels of three secreted proteases (ALP1 protease, TppA, AFUA_2G01250) and increased levels of three secreted polysaccharide-degrading enzymes in the ΔprtT mutant possibly in response to its inability to derive sufficient nourishment from protein breakdown. This report highlights the complexity of gene regulation by PrtT, and suggests a potential novel link between the regulation of protease secretion and the control of iron uptake, ergosterol biosynthesis and secondary metabolite production in A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelly Hagag
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Paula Kubitschek-Barreira
- Department of Cellular Biology, The Roberto Alcantara Gomes Institute of Biology, University of Estado Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gabriela W. P. Neves
- Department of Cellular Biology, The Roberto Alcantara Gomes Institute of Biology, University of Estado Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - David Amar
- Department of Computer Science, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - William Nierman
- The J. CraigVenter Institute, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Itamar Shalit
- Sackler School of Medicine, Ramat Aviv, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ron Shamir
- Department of Computer Science, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Leila Lopes-Bezerra
- Department of Cellular Biology, The Roberto Alcantara Gomes Institute of Biology, University of Estado Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nir Osherov
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- * E-mail:
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Zhu P, Bowden P, Zhang D, Marshall JG. Mass spectrometry of peptides and proteins from human blood. MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS 2011; 30:685-732. [PMID: 24737629 DOI: 10.1002/mas.20291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2008] [Revised: 12/09/2009] [Accepted: 01/19/2010] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
It is difficult to convey the accelerating rate and growing importance of mass spectrometry applications to human blood proteins and peptides. Mass spectrometry can rapidly detect and identify the ionizable peptides from the proteins in a simple mixture and reveal many of their post-translational modifications. However, blood is a complex mixture that may contain many proteins first expressed in cells and tissues. The complete analysis of blood proteins is a daunting task that will rely on a wide range of disciplines from physics, chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, electromagnetic instrumentation, mathematics and computation. Therefore the comprehensive discovery and analysis of blood proteins will rank among the great technical challenges and require the cumulative sum of many of mankind's scientific achievements together. A variety of methods have been used to fractionate, analyze and identify proteins from blood, each yielding a small piece of the whole and throwing the great size of the task into sharp relief. The approaches attempted to date clearly indicate that enumerating the proteins and peptides of blood can be accomplished. There is no doubt that the mass spectrometry of blood will be crucial to the discovery and analysis of proteins, enzyme activities, and post-translational processes that underlay the mechanisms of disease. At present both discovery and quantification of proteins from blood are commonly reaching sensitivities of ∼1 ng/mL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peihong Zhu
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 2K3
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Kniemeyer O. Proteomics of eukaryotic microorganisms: The medically and biotechnologically important fungal genus Aspergillus. Proteomics 2011; 11:3232-43. [DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201100087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2011] [Revised: 03/26/2011] [Accepted: 04/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Dong YC, Shao J, Yin XY, Fan LY, Cao CX. Mid-scale free-flow electrophoresis with gravity-induced uniform flow of background buffer in chamber for the separation of cells and proteins. J Sep Sci 2011; 34:1683-91. [DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201100293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2011] [Revised: 04/29/2011] [Accepted: 04/29/2011] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Wartenberg D, Lapp K, Jacobsen ID, Dahse HM, Kniemeyer O, Heinekamp T, Brakhage AA. Secretome analysis of Aspergillus fumigatus reveals Asp-hemolysin as a major secreted protein. Int J Med Microbiol 2011; 301:602-11. [PMID: 21658997 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2011.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2011] [Revised: 04/07/2011] [Accepted: 04/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Surface-associated and secreted proteins represent primarily exposed components of Aspergillus fumigatus during host infection. Several secreted proteins are known to be involved in defense mechanisms or immune evasion, thus, probably contributing to pathogenicity. Furthermore, several secreted antigens were identified as possible biomarkers for the verification of diseases caused by Aspergillus species. Nevertheless, there is only limited knowledge about the composition of the secretome and about molecular functions of particular proteins. To identify secreted proteins potentially essential for virulence, the core secretome of A. fumigatus grown in minimal medium was determined. Two-dimensional gel electrophoretic separation and subsequent MALDI-TOF-MS/MS analyses resulted in the identification of 64 different proteins. Additionally, secretome analyses of A. fumigatus utilizing elastin, collagen or keratin as main carbon and nitrogen source were performed. Thereby, the alkaline serine protease Alp1 was identified as the most abundant protein and hence presumably represents an important protease during host infection. Interestingly, the Asp-hemolysin (Asp-HS), which belongs to the protein family of aegerolysins and which was often suggested to be involved in fungal virulence, was present in the secretome under all growth conditions tested. In addition, a second, non-secreted protein with an aegerolysin domain annotated as Asp-hemolysin-like (HS-like) protein can be found to be encoded in the genome of A. fumigatus. Generation and analysis of Asp-HS and HS-like deletion strains revealed no differences in phenotype compared to the corresponding wild-type strain. Furthermore, hemolysis and cytotoxicity was not altered in both single-deletion and double-deletion mutants lacking both aegerolysin genes. All mutant strains showed no attenuation in virulence in a mouse infection model for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of secreted proteins of A. fumigatus and a detailed characterization of hemolysin mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Wartenberg
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
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Fungal proteases and their pathophysiological effects. Mycopathologia 2011; 171:299-323. [PMID: 21259054 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-010-9386-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2010] [Accepted: 12/02/2010] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Proteolytic enzymes play an important role in fungal physiology and development. External digestion of protein substrates by secreted proteases is required for survival and growth of both saprophytic and pathogenic species. Extracellular serine, aspartic, and metalloproteases are considered virulence factors of many pathogenic species. New findings focus on novel membrane-associated proteases such as yapsins and ADAMs and their role in pathology. Proteases from fungi induce inflammatory responses by altering the permeability of epithelial barrier and by induction of proinflammatory cytokines through protease-activated receptors. Many fungal allergens possess proteolytic activity that appears to be essential in eliciting Th2 responses. Allergenic fungal proteases can act as adjuvants, potentiating responses to other allergens. Proteolytic enzymes from fungi contribute to inflammation through interactions with the kinin system as well as the coagulation and fibrinolytic cascades. Their effect on the host protease-antiprotease balance results from activation of endogenous proteases and degradation of protease inhibitors. Recent studies of the role of fungi in human health point to the growing importance of proteases not only as pathogenic agents in fungal infections but also in asthma, allergy, and damp building related illnesses. Proteolytic enzymes from fungi are widely used in biotechnology, mainly in food, leather, and detergent industries, in ecological bioremediation processes and to produce therapeutic peptides. The involvement of fungal proteases in diverse pathological mechanisms makes them potential targets of therapeutic intervention and candidates for biomarkers of disease and exposure.
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