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Li P, Zhu H, Wang C, Zeng F, Jia J, Feng S, Han X, Shen S, Wang Y, Hao Z, Dong J. StRAB4 gene is required for filamentous growth, conidial development, and pathogenicity in Setosphaeria turcica. Front Microbiol 2024; 14:1302081. [PMID: 38264490 PMCID: PMC10804457 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1302081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Setosphaeria turcica, the fungal pathogen responsible for northern corn leaf blight in maize, forms specialized infectious structures called appressoria that are critical for fungal penetration of maize epidermal cells. The Rab family of proteins play a crucial role in the growth, development, and pathogenesis of many eukaryotic species. Rab4, in particular, is a key regulator of endocytosis and vesicle trafficking, essential for filamentous growth and successful infection by other fungal pathogens. In this study, we silenced StRAB4 in S. turcica to gain a better understanding the function of Rab4 in this plant pathogen. Phenotypically, the mutants exhibited a reduced growth rate, a significant decline in conidia production, and an abnormal conidial morphology. These phenotypes indicate that StRab4 plays an instrumental role in regulating mycelial growth and conidial development in S. turcica. Further investigations revealed that StRab4 is a positive regulator of cell wall integrity and melanin secretion. Functional enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes highlighted primary enrichments in peroxisome pathways, oxidoreductase and catalytic activities, membrane components, and cell wall organization processes. Collectively, our findings emphasize the significant role of StRab4 in S. turcica infection and pathogenicity in maize and provide valuable insights into fungal behavior and disease mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Li
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
- College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Hang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
- Hebei Bioinformatic Utilization and Technological Innovation Center for Agricultural Microbes, Hebei Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Chengze Wang
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
- Hebei Bioinformatic Utilization and Technological Innovation Center for Agricultural Microbes, Hebei Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Fanli Zeng
- Hebei Bioinformatic Utilization and Technological Innovation Center for Agricultural Microbes, Hebei Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Jingzhe Jia
- Hebei Bioinformatic Utilization and Technological Innovation Center for Agricultural Microbes, Hebei Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Shang Feng
- Hebei Bioinformatic Utilization and Technological Innovation Center for Agricultural Microbes, Hebei Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Xinpeng Han
- Hebei Bioinformatic Utilization and Technological Innovation Center for Agricultural Microbes, Hebei Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Shen Shen
- Hebei Bioinformatic Utilization and Technological Innovation Center for Agricultural Microbes, Hebei Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Yanhui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
- Hebei Bioinformatic Utilization and Technological Innovation Center for Agricultural Microbes, Hebei Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Zhimin Hao
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
- Hebei Bioinformatic Utilization and Technological Innovation Center for Agricultural Microbes, Hebei Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Jingao Dong
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
- College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
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Li W, Shu Y, Zhang J, Wu M, Zhu GH, Huang WY, Shen L, Kang Y. Long-term prednisone treatment causes fungal microbiota dysbiosis and alters the ecological interaction between gut mycobiome and bacteriome in rats. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1112767. [PMID: 37342562 PMCID: PMC10277626 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1112767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are widely used in the treatment of immune-mediated diseases due to their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. Prednisone is one of the most commonly used GCs. However, it is still unknown whether prednisone affects gut fungi in rats. Herein we investigated whether prednisone changed the composition of gut fungi and the interactions between gut mycobiome and bacteriome/fecal metabolome in rats. Twelve male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to a control group and a prednisone group which received prednisone daily by gavage for 6 weeks. ITS2 rRNA gene sequencing of fecal samples was performed to identify differentially abundant gut fungi. The associations between gut mycobiome and bacterial genera/fecal metabolites obtained from our previously published study were explored by using Spearman correlation analysis. Our data showed that there were no changes in the richness of gut mycobiome in rats after prednisone treatment, but the diversity increased significantly. The relative abundance of genera Triangularia and Ciliophora decreased significantly. At the species level, the relative abundance of Aspergillus glabripes increased significantly, while Triangularia mangenotii and Ciliophora sp. decreased. In addition, prednisone altered the gut fungi-bacteria interkingdom interactions in rats after prednisone treatment. Additionally, the genus Triangularia was negatively correlated with m-aminobenzoic acid, but positively correlated with hydrocinnamic acid and valeric acid. Ciliophora was negatively correlated with phenylalanine and homovanillic acid, but positively correlated with 2-Phenylpropionate, hydrocinnamic acid, propionic acid, valeric acid, isobutyric acid, and isovaleric acid. In conclusion, long-term prednisone treatment caused fungal microbiota dysbiosis and might alter the ecological interaction between gut mycobiome and bacteriome in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyan Li
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Shu
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengmeng Wu
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guang-hua Zhu
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-yan Huang
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Shen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yulin Kang
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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Immunopathologic Role of Fungi in Chronic Rhinosinusitis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032366. [PMID: 36768687 PMCID: PMC9917138 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Airborne fungi are ubiquitous in the environment and are commonly associated with airway inflammatory diseases. The innate immune defense system eliminates most inhaled fungi. However, some influence the development of chronic rhinosinusitis. Fungal CRS is thought of as not a common disease, and its incidence increases over time. Fungi are present in CRS patients and in healthy sinonasal mucosa. Although the immunological mechanisms have not been entirely explained, CRS patients may exhibit different immune responses than healthy people against airborne fungi. Fungi can induce Th1 and Th2 immune responses. In CRS, Th2-related immune responses against fungi are associated with pattern recognition receptors in nasal epithelial cells, the production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines from nasal epithelial cells, and interaction with innate type 2 cells, lymphocytes, and inflammatory cells. Fungi also interact with neutrophils and eosinophils and induce neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and eosinophil extracellular traps (EETs). NETs and EETs are associated with antifungal properties and aggravation of chronic inflammation in CRS by releasing intracellular granule proteins. Fungal and bacterial biofilms are commonly found in CRS and may support chronic and recalcitrant CRS infection. The fungal-bacterial interaction in the sinonasal mucosa could affect the survival and virulence of fungi and bacteria and host immune responses. The interaction between the mycobiome and microbiome may also influence the host immune response, impacting local inflammation and chronicity. Although the exact immunopathologic role of fungi in the pathogenesis of CRS is not completely understood, they contribute to the development of sinonasal inflammatory responses in CRS.
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Tiew PY, Narayana JK, Quek MSL, Ang YY, Ko FWS, Poh ME, Jaggi TK, Xu H, Thng KX, Koh MS, Tee A, Hui DSC, Abisheganaden JA, Tsaneva-Atanasova K, Chew FT, Chotirmall SH. Sensitisation to recombinant Aspergillus fumigatus allergens and clinical outcomes in COPD. Eur Respir J 2023; 61:2200507. [PMID: 35926878 PMCID: PMC9816419 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00507-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Variable clinical outcomes are reported with fungal sensitisation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and it remains unclear which fungi and what allergens associate with the poorest outcomes. The use of recombinant as opposed to crude allergens for such assessment is unknown. METHODS A prospective multicentre assessment of stable COPD (n=614) was undertaken in five hospitals across three countries: Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. Clinical and serological assessment was performed against a panel of 35 fungal allergens including crude and recombinant Aspergillus and non-Aspergillus allergens. Unsupervised clustering and topological data analysis (TDA) approaches were employed using the measured sensitisation responses to elucidate if sensitisation subgroups exist and their related clinical outcomes. RESULTS Aspergillus fumigatus sensitisation was associated with increased exacerbations in COPD. Unsupervised cluster analyses revealed two "fungal sensitisation" groups. The first was characterised by Aspergillus sensitisation and increased exacerbations, poorer lung function and worse prognosis. Polysensitisation in this group conferred even poorer outcome. The second group, characterised by Cladosporium sensitisation, was more symptomatic. Significant numbers of individuals demonstrated sensitisation responses to only recombinant (as opposed to crude) A. fumigatus allergens f 1, 3, 5 and 6, and exhibited increased exacerbations, poorer lung function and an overall worse prognosis. TDA validated these findings and additionally identified a subgroup within Aspergillus-sensitised COPD of patients with frequent exacerbations. CONCLUSION Aspergillus sensitisation is a treatable trait in COPD. Measuring sensitisation responses to recombinant Aspergillus allergens identifies an important patient subgroup with poor COPD outcomes that remains overlooked by assessment of only crude Aspergillus allergens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Yee Tiew
- Dept of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | | | | | - Yan Ying Ang
- Dept of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Fanny Wai San Ko
- Dept of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Mau Ern Poh
- Dept of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Tavleen Kaur Jaggi
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Huiying Xu
- Dept of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
| | - Kai Xian Thng
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Mariko Siyue Koh
- Dept of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Augustine Tee
- Dept of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
| | - David Shu Cheong Hui
- Dept of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - John Arputhan Abisheganaden
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
- Dept of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
| | - Krasimira Tsaneva-Atanasova
- Living Systems Institute and Department of Mathematics, College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
- EPSRC Hub for Quantitative Modelling in Healthcare, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Fook Tim Chew
- Dept of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sanjay H Chotirmall
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
- Dept of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
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Zhao B, He D, Gao S, Zhang Y, Wang L. Hypothetical protein FoDbp40 influences the growth and virulence of Fusarium oxysporum by regulating the expression of isocitrate lyase. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1050637. [DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1050637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal growth is closely related to virulence. Finding the key genes and pathways that regulate growth can help elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of fungal growth and virulence in efforts to locate new drug targets. Fusarium oxysporum is an important plant pathogen and human opportunistic pathogen that has research value in agricultural and medicinal fields. A mutant of F. oxysporum with reduced growth was obtained by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation, the transferred DNA (T-DNA) interrupted gene in this mutant coded a hypothetical protein that we named FoDbp40. FoDbp40 has an unknown function, but we chose to explore its possible functions as it may play a role in fungal growth regulatory mechanisms. Results showed that F. oxysporum growth and virulence decreased after FoDbp40 deletion. FOXG_05529 (NCBI Gene ID, isocitrate lyase, ICL) was identified as a key gene that involved in the reduced growth of this mutant. Deletion of FoDbp40 results in a decrease of more than 80% in ICL expression and activity, succinate level, and energy level, plus a decrease in phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin level and an increase in phosphorylated 5′-adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase level. In summary, our study found that the FoDbp40 regulates the expression of ICL at a transcriptional level and affects energy levels and downstream related pathways, thereby regulating the growth and virulence of F. oxysporum.
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Tiew PY, Thng KX, Chotirmall SH. Clinical Aspergillus Signatures in COPD and Bronchiectasis. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8050480. [PMID: 35628736 PMCID: PMC9146266 DOI: 10.3390/jof8050480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary mycoses remain a global threat, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Patients with airways disease, including COPD and bronchiectasis, are at increased risks of pulmonary mycoses and its associated complications. Frequent use of antibiotics and corticosteroids coupled with impaired host defenses predispose patients to fungal colonization and airway persistence, which are associated with negative clinical consequences. Notably, Aspergillus species remain the best-studied fungal pathogen and induce a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations in COPD and bronchiectasis ranging from colonization and sensitization to more invasive disease. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has gained prominence in the field of respiratory infection, and in some cases is beginning to act as a viable alternative to traditional culture. NGS has revolutionized our understanding of airway microbiota and in particular fungi. In this context, it permits the identification of the previously unculturable, fungal composition, and dynamic change within microbial communities of the airway, including potential roles in chronic respiratory disease. Furthermore, inter-kingdom microbial interactions, including fungi, in conjunction with host immunity have recently been shown to have important clinical roles in COPD and bronchiectasis. In this review, we provide an overview of clinical Aspergillus signatures in COPD and bronchiectasis and cover the current advances in the understanding of the mycobiome in these disease states. The challenges and limitations of NGS will be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Yee Tiew
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore 168753, Singapore;
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Kai Xian Thng
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, Singapore;
| | - Sanjay H. Chotirmall
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, Singapore;
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore 308433, Singapore
- Correspondence:
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Palmieri F, Koutsokera A, Bernasconi E, Junier P, von Garnier C, Ubags N. Recent Advances in Fungal Infections: From Lung Ecology to Therapeutic Strategies With a Focus on Aspergillus spp. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:832510. [PMID: 35386908 PMCID: PMC8977413 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.832510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are estimated to be the main cause of death for more than 1.5 million people worldwide annually. However, fungal pathogenicity has been largely neglected. This is notably the case for pulmonary fungal infections, which are difficult to diagnose and to treat. We are currently facing a global emergence of antifungal resistance, which decreases the chances of survival for affected patients. New therapeutic approaches are therefore needed to face these life-threatening fungal infections. In this review, we will provide a general overview on respiratory fungal infections, with a focus on fungi of the genus Aspergillus. Next, the immunological and microbiological mechanisms of fungal pathogenesis will be discussed. The role of the respiratory mycobiota and its interactions with the bacterial microbiota on lung fungal infections will be presented from an ecological perspective. Finally, we will focus on existing and future innovative approaches for the treatment of respiratory fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Palmieri
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Fabio Palmieri,
| | - Angela Koutsokera
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Service de Pneumologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eric Bernasconi
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Service de Pneumologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pilar Junier
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Christophe von Garnier
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Service de Pneumologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Niki Ubags
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Service de Pneumologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Niki Ubags,
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Tiew PY, Hou Lim AY, Keir HR, Dicker AJ, Aogáin MM, Pang SL, Boon LT, Hassan TM, Poh ME, Xu H, Ong TH, Koh MS, Abisheganaden JA, Tee A, Chew FT, Chalmers JD, Chotirmall SH. HIGH FREQUENCY OF ALLERGIC BRONCHOPULMONARY ASPERGILLOSIS IN BRONCHIECTASIS-COPD OVERLAP. Chest 2021; 161:40-53. [PMID: 34364870 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2021.07.2165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is associated with frequent exacerbations and poor outcomes in chronic respiratory disease but remains underdiagnosed. The role of fungal sensitization in bronchiectasis-COPD overlap (BCO) is unknown. RESEARCH QUESTION What is the occurrence and clinical relevance of Aspergillus sensitization and ABPA in BCO when compared to individuals with COPD or bronchiectasis without overlap? STUDY DESIGN Prospective, observational and cross-sectional. METHODS We prospectively recruited n=280 patients during periods of clinical stability with bronchiectasis (n=183), COPD (n=50) and BCO (n=47) from six hospitals across three countries (Singapore, Malaysia, and Scotland). We assessed sensitization responses (as specific IgE) to a panel of recombinant Aspergillus fumigatus (rAsp f) allergens and the occurrence of ABPA (ABPA) in relation to clinical outcomes. RESULTS Individuals with BCO illustrate an increased frequency and clinical severity of ABPA compared to COPD and bronchiectasis without overlap. BCO-associated ABPA demonstrates more severe disease, higher exacerbation rates and lower lung function when compared to ABPA occurring in the absence of overlap. BCO with a severe bronchiectasis severity index (BSI) (>9) significantly associates with the occurrence of ABPA that is unrelated to underlying COPD severity. CONCLUSIONS BCO demonstrates a high frequency of ABPA that associates with a severe BSI (>9) and poor clinical outcomes. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for the potential development of ABPA in BCO patients with high BSI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Yee Tiew
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Albert Yick Hou Lim
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
| | - Holly R Keir
- Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, UK
| | - Alison J Dicker
- Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, UK
| | - Micheál Mac Aogáin
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Sze Lei Pang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore
| | - Low Teck Boon
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
| | | | - Mau Ern Poh
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Huiying Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
| | - Thun How Ong
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Mariko Siyue Koh
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - John Arputhan Abisheganaden
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
| | - Augustine Tee
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Fook Tim Chew
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore
| | | | - Sanjay H Chotirmall
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
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Jaggi TK, Ter SK, Mac Aogáin M, Chotirmall SH. Aspergillus-Associated Endophenotypes in Bronchiectasis. Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2021; 42:556-566. [PMID: 34261180 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1730947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Bronchiectasis is a chronic condition of global relevance resulting in permanent and irreversible structural airway damage. Bacterial infection in bronchiectasis is well studied; however, recent molecular studies identify fungi as important pathogens, either independently or in association with bacteria. Aspergillus species are established fungal pathogens in cystic fibrosis and their role is now increasingly being recognized in noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. While the healthy airway is constantly exposed to ubiquitously present Aspergillus conidia in the environment, anatomically damaged airways appear more prone to colonization and subsequent infection by this fungal group. Aspergilli possess diverse immunopathological mechanistic capabilities and when coupled with innate immune defects in a susceptible host, such as that observed in bronchiectasis, it may promote a range of clinical manifestations including sensitization, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, Aspergillus bronchitis, and/or invasive aspergillosis. How such clinical states influence "endophenotypes" in bronchiectasis is therefore of importance, as each Aspergillus-associated disease state has overlapping features with bronchiectasis itself, and can evolve, depending on underlying host immunity from one type into another. Concurrent Aspergillus infection complicates the clinical course and exacerbations in bronchiectasis and therefore dedicated research to better understand the Aspergillus-host interaction in the bronchiectasis airway is now warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tavleen Kaur Jaggi
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Soo Kai Ter
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Micheál Mac Aogáin
- Biochemical Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,Clinical Biochemistry Unit, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sanjay H Chotirmall
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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Understanding the fundamental role of virulence determinants to combat Aspergillus fumigatus infections: exploring beyond cell wall. Mycol Prog 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11557-021-01677-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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11
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Respiratory Mycoses in COPD and Bronchiectasis. Mycopathologia 2021; 186:623-638. [PMID: 33709335 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-021-00539-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis represent chronic airway diseases associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Bacteria and viruses are commonly implicated in acute exacerbations; however the significance of fungi in these airways remains poorly defined. While COPD and bronchiectasis remain recognized risk factors for the occurrence of Aspergillus-associated disease including chronic and invasive aspergillosis, underlying mechanisms that lead to the progression from colonization to invasive disease remain uncertain. Nonetheless, advances in molecular technologies have improved our detection, identification and understanding of resident fungi characterizing these airways. Mycobiome sequencing has revealed the complex varied and myriad profile of airway fungi in COPD and bronchiectasis, including their association with disease presentation, progression, and mortality. In this review, we outline the emerging evidence for the clinical importance of fungi in COPD and bronchiectasis, available diagnostic modalities, mycobiome sequencing approaches and association with clinical outcomes.
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Dai B, Xu Y, Gao N, Chen J. Wor1-regulated ferroxidases contribute to pigment formation in opaque cells of Candida albicans. FEBS Open Bio 2021; 11:598-621. [PMID: 33350590 PMCID: PMC7931227 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a harmless commensal resident in the human gut and a prevalent opportunistic pathogen. A key part of its commensalism and pathogenesis is its ability to switch between different morphological forms, including white‐to‐opaque switching. The Wor1 protein was previously identified as a master regulator of white‐to‐opaque switching in mating type locus (MTL) homozygous cells. The mechanisms by which the dark color of the opaque colonies is controlled and the pimpled surface of opaque cells is formed remain unknown. Candida albicans produces melanin pigment in vitro and during infection. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the regulation of melanin production is unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that ferroxidases (Fets) function as pigment multicopper oxidases and regulate the production of dark‐pigmented melanin in opaque cells. The FET genes presented distinct regulation patterns in response to different extracellular stimuli. In YPD (1% yeast extract, 2% peptone and 2% dextrose)‐rich medium, four of the five FET genes were up‐regulated by Wor1, especially at the human body temperature of 37 °C. In minimal medium with low ammonium concentrations, all five FET genes were up‐regulated by Wor1. However, at high ammonium concentrations, some FET genes were down‐regulated by Wor1. Wor1‐up‐regulated Fets contributed to dark pigment formation in opaque colonies, but not to the elongated shape of these opaque cells. Increased melanin externalization was associated with the pimpled surface of the opaque cells. Melanized C. albicans cells were more resistant to fungal clearance. Deletion of the five FET genes completely blocked melanin production in opaque cells and resulted in the generation of white elongated ‘opaque’ cells. In addition, the up‐regulated Fets are important for defense against oxidant attacks. The functional diversity of Fets may reflect the multiple strategies of C. albicans to rapidly adapt to diverse host niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baodi Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yinxing Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiangye Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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13
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Abreu SC, Hampton TH, Hoffman E, Dearborn J, Ashare A, Singh Sidhu K, Matthews DE, McKenna DH, Amiel E, Barua J, Krasnodembskaya A, English K, Mahon B, Dos Santos C, Cruz FF, Chambers DC, Liu KD, Matthay MA, Cramer RA, Stanton BA, Rocco PRM, Wargo MJ, Weiss DJ, Rolandsson Enes S. Differential effects of the cystic fibrosis lung inflammatory environment on mesenchymal stromal cells. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2020; 319:L908-L925. [PMID: 32901521 PMCID: PMC7792680 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00218.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence demonstrates that human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) modify their in vivo anti-inflammatory actions depending on the specific inflammatory environment encountered. Understanding this better is crucial to refine MSC-based cell therapies for lung and other diseases. Using acute exacerbations of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease as a model, the effects of ex vivo MSC exposure to clinical bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples, as a surrogate for the in vivo clinical lung environment, on MSC viability, gene expression, secreted cytokines, and mitochondrial function were compared with effects of BALF collected from healthy volunteers. CF BALF samples that cultured positive for Aspergillus sp. (Asp) induced rapid MSC death, usually within several hours of exposure. Further analyses suggested the fungal toxin gliotoxin as a potential mediator contributing to CF BALF-induced MSC death. RNA sequencing analyses of MSCs exposed to either Asp+ or Asp- CF BALF samples identified a number of differentially expressed transcripts, including those involved in interferon signaling, antimicrobial gene expression, and cell death. Toxicity did not correlate with bacterial lung infections. These results suggest that the potential use of MSC-based cell therapies for CF or other lung diseases may not be warranted in the presence of Aspergillus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraia C Abreu
- Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
- Laboratory of Pulmonary Investigation, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Thomas H Hampton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Evan Hoffman
- Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Jacob Dearborn
- Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Alix Ashare
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
- Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | | | - Dwight E Matthews
- Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
- Department of Chemistry, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - David H McKenna
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Eyal Amiel
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Jayita Barua
- Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care, University of Vermont, and The Vermont Lung Center, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Anna Krasnodembskaya
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Karen English
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Biology Department, Human Health Research Institute, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Bernard Mahon
- Immunology & Cell Biology Laboratory, Biology Department, Human Health Research Institute, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Claudia Dos Santos
- Departments of Medicine and Critical Care Medicine and the Keenan Research Center for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fernanda F Cruz
- Laboratory of Pulmonary Investigation, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology for Regenerative Medicine, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniel C Chambers
- School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Queenland Lung Transplant Service, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kathleen D Liu
- Departments of Medicine and Anesthesiology and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Michael A Matthay
- Departments of Medicine and Anesthesiology and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Robert A Cramer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Bruce A Stanton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Patricia R M Rocco
- Laboratory of Pulmonary Investigation, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology for Regenerative Medicine, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Matthew J Wargo
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Daniel J Weiss
- Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Sara Rolandsson Enes
- Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lung Biology Unit, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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14
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Keown K, Reid A, Moore JE, Taggart CC, Downey DG. Coinfection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus fumigatus in cystic fibrosis. Eur Respir Rev 2020; 29:29/158/200011. [PMID: 33208485 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0011-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease is characterised by mucus stasis, chronic infection and inflammation, causing progressive structural lung disease and eventual respiratory failure. CF airways are inhabited by an ecologically diverse polymicrobial environment with vast potential for interspecies interactions, which may be a contributing factor to disease progression. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus fumigatus are the most common bacterial and fungal species present in CF airways respectively and coinfection results in a worse disease phenotype. METHODS In this review we examine existing expert knowledge of chronic co-infection with P. aeruginosa and A. fumigatus in CF patients. We summarise the mechanisms of interaction and evaluate the clinical and inflammatory impacts of this co-infection. RESULTS P. aeruginosa inhibits A. fumigatus through multiple mechanisms: phenazine secretion, iron competition, quorum sensing and through diffusible small molecules. A. fumigatus reciprocates inhibition through gliotoxin release and phenotypic adaptations enabling evasion of P. aeruginosa inhibition. Volatile organic compounds secreted by P. aeruginosa stimulate A. fumigatus growth, while A. fumigatus stimulates P. aeruginosa production of cytotoxic elastase. CONCLUSION A complex bi-directional relationship exists between P. aeruginosa and A. fumigatus, exhibiting both mutually antagonistic and cooperative facets. Cross-sectional data indicate a worsened disease state in coinfected patients; however, robust longitudinal studies are required to derive causality and to determine whether interspecies interaction contributes to disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Keown
- Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, UK.,Wellcome Wolfson Centre for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Alastair Reid
- Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, UK
| | - John E Moore
- Northern Ireland Public Health Laboratory, Dept of Bacteriology, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast, UK
| | - Clifford C Taggart
- Wellcome Wolfson Centre for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Damian G Downey
- Wellcome Wolfson Centre for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
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15
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Compare Catalase Activity Between Aspergillus flavus and A. fumigatus, Isolated from Clinical and Environmental Specimens. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2020. [DOI: 10.5812/jjm.103634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Catalase enzyme is a potential virulence factor for Aspergillus species. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the catalase activity in conidium and mycelium of Aspergillus flavus and A. fumigatus isolated from environmental and clinical samples. Methods: Forty Aspergillus species (20 A. fumigatus and 20 A. flavus) were evaluated. Species were identified using the macroscopic and microscopic criteria of the isolates on culture media and the PCR-RFLP method, using the MwoI enzyme. The activity of the enzyme was evaluated using the Amplex red catalase assay kit. The Shapiro Wilk, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Mann-Whitney, and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests were used to analyze the data. Results: The mean conidial and mycelial catalase activities in A. flavus clinical and environmental isolates were 58.10, 57.80 mU/mL, and 1328.30, 531.60 mU/mL, respectively. In A. fumigatus clinical and environmental isolates, the activities were 61.10 and 61.40 mU/mL, and 1248.90 and 722.90 mU/mL, respectively. A significant difference was found between conidial and mycelial catalase activity in Aspergillus species (P = 0.01). The mycelial catalase activity of Aspergillus species isolated from clinical samples was higher than the environmental ones (A. flavus P = 0.01 and A. fumigatus P = 0.04). Conclusions: The mycelial catalase activity was higher than conidia. Clinical isolates of A. flavus had similar mycelium activity to A. fumigatus. By using the information provided in the present study, the severity of aspergillosis can be predicted, which paves the way for identifying new antifungal agents.
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16
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Bigot J, Guillot L, Guitard J, Ruffin M, Corvol H, Balloy V, Hennequin C. Bronchial Epithelial Cells on the Front Line to Fight Lung Infection-Causing Aspergillus fumigatus. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1041. [PMID: 32528481 PMCID: PMC7257779 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is an environmental filamentous fungus that can be pathogenic for humans, wherein it is responsible for a large variety of clinical forms ranging from allergic diseases to life-threatening disseminated infections. The contamination occurs by inhalation of conidia present in the air, and the first encounter of this fungus in the human host is most likely with the bronchial epithelial cells. Although alveolar macrophages have been widely studied in the Aspergillus–lung interaction, increasing evidence suggests that bronchial epithelium plays a key role in responding to the fungus. This review focuses on the innate immune response of the bronchial epithelial cells against A. fumigatus, the predominant pathogenic species. We have also detailed the molecular interactants and the effects of the different modes of interaction between these cells and the fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne Bigot
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, CRSA, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Paris, France
| | - Loïc Guillot
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Juliette Guitard
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, CRSA, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Paris, France
| | - Manon Ruffin
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Harriet Corvol
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, CRSA, AP-HP, Hôpital Trousseau, Service de Pneumologie Pédiatrique, Paris, France
| | - Viviane Balloy
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Christophe Hennequin
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, CRSA, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Paris, France
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17
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The Aspergillus fumigatus Phosphoproteome Reveals Roles of High-Osmolarity Glycerol Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases in Promoting Cell Wall Damage and Caspofungin Tolerance. mBio 2020; 11:mBio.02962-19. [PMID: 32019798 PMCID: PMC7002344 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02962-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic human pathogen causing allergic reactions or systemic infections, such as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways are essential for fungal adaptation to the human host. Fungal cell survival, fungicide tolerance, and virulence are highly dependent on the organization, composition, and function of the cell wall. Upon cell wall stress, MAPKs phosphorylate multiple target proteins involved in the remodeling of the cell wall. Here, we investigate the global phosphoproteome of the ΔsakA and ΔmpkCA. fumigatus and high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway MAPK mutants upon cell wall damage. This showed the involvement of the HOG pathway and identified novel protein kinases and transcription factors, which were confirmed by fungal genetics to be involved in promoting tolerance of cell wall damage. Our results provide understanding of how fungal signal transduction networks modulate the cell wall. This may also lead to the discovery of new fungicide drug targets to impact fungal cell wall function, fungicide tolerance, and virulence. The filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus can cause a distinct set of clinical disorders in humans. Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is the most common life-threatening fungal disease of immunocompromised humans. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways are essential to the adaptation to the human host. Fungal cell survival is highly dependent on the organization, composition, and function of the cell wall. Here, an evaluation of the global A. fumigatus phosphoproteome under cell wall stress caused by the cell wall-damaging agent Congo red (CR) revealed 485 proteins potentially involved in the cell wall damage response. Comparative phosphoproteome analyses with the ΔsakA, ΔmpkC, and ΔsakA ΔmpkC mutant strains from the osmotic stress MAPK cascades identify their additional roles during the cell wall stress response. Our phosphoproteomics allowed the identification of novel kinases and transcription factors (TFs) involved in osmotic stress and in the cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway. Our global phosphoproteome network analysis showed an enrichment for protein kinases, RNA recognition motif domains, and the MAPK signaling pathway. In contrast to the wild-type strain, there is an overall decrease of differentially phosphorylated kinases and phosphatases in ΔsakA, ΔmpkC, and ΔsakA ΔmpkC mutants. We constructed phosphomutants for the phosphorylation sites of several proteins differentially phosphorylated in the wild-type and mutant strains. For all the phosphomutants, there is an increase in the sensitivity to cell wall-damaging agents and a reduction in the MpkA phosphorylation upon CR stress, suggesting these phosphosites could be important for the MpkA modulation and CWI pathway regulation.
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18
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Fungal Infections and ABPA. Respir Med 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-42382-7_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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19
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Severiche-Bueno D, Gamboa E, Reyes LF, Chotirmall SH. Hot topics and current controversies in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. Breathe (Sheff) 2019; 15:286-295. [PMID: 31803263 PMCID: PMC6885332 DOI: 10.1183/20734735.0261-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) is a neglected and orphan disease with poor advances through the 20th century. However, its prevalence is rising and with this come new challenges for physicians. Few guidelines are available to guide clinicians on how to diagnose and manage patients with NCFB. Many areas of debate persist, and there is lack of consensus about research priorities most needed to advance patient care and improve clinical outcomes. In this review, we highlight the current hot topics in NCFB and present updated evidence to inform the critical areas of controversy. Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) is a neglected and orphan disease with poor advances through the 20th century. Physicians should understand available data to provide evidence-based treatments to patients suffering from NCFB.http://bit.ly/2kBGVsx
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sanjay H Chotirmall
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
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20
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Facilitators of adaptation and antifungal resistance mechanisms in clinically relevant fungi. Fungal Genet Biol 2019; 132:103254. [PMID: 31326470 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2019.103254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Opportunistic fungal pathogens can cause a diverse range of diseases in humans. The increasing rate of fungal infections caused by strains that are resistant to commonly used antifungals results in difficulty to treat diseases, with accompanying high mortality rates. Existing and newly emerging molecular resistance mechanisms rapidly spread in fungal populations and need to be monitored. Fungi exhibit a diversity of mechanisms to maintain physiological resilience and create genetic variation; processes which eventually lead to the selection and spread of resistant fungal pathogens. To prevent and anticipate this dispersion, the role of evolutionary factors that drive fungal adaptation should be investigated. In this review, we provide an overview of resistance mechanisms against commonly used antifungal compounds in the clinic and for which fungal resistance has been reported. Furthermore, we aim to summarize and elucidate potent generators of genetic variability across the fungal kingdom that aid adaptation to stressful environments. This knowledge can lead to recognizing potential niches that facilitate fast resistance development and can provide leads for new management strategies to battle the emerging resistant populations in the clinic and the environment.
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21
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Zhao J, Yu W. Interaction between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus fumigatus in cystic fibrosis. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5931. [PMID: 30430043 PMCID: PMC6231424 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a disease characterized by chronic airway infection with a high incidence and poor prognosis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus fumigatus are pathogens commonly found in CF patients. Clinically, these two microorganisms often coexist in the airway of CF patients. Combined infection with P. aeruginosa and A. fumigatus results in worsening lung function and clinical condition. Methods In this review, we focus on the mutual inhibition and promotion mechanisms of P. aeruginosa and A. fumigatus in CF patients. We also summarized the mechanisms of the interaction between these pathogenic microorganisms. Results P. aeruginosa inhibits A. fumigatus growth through the effects of phenazines, the quorum sensing system, iron competition, bacteriophages, and small colony variants. P. aeruginosa induces A. fumigatus growth through volatile organic compounds and subbacteriostatic concentrations of phenazines. A. fumigatus interferes with P. aeruginosa, affecting its metabolic growth via phenazine metabolic transformation, gliotoxin production, and reduced antibiotic sensitivity. Discussion Coexistence of P. aeruginosa and A. fumigatus can lead to both mutual inhibition and promotion. In different stages of CF disease, the interaction between these two pathogenic microorganisms may shift between promotion and inhibition. A discussion of the mechanisms of P. aeruginosa and A. fumigatus interaction can be beneficial for further treatment of CF patients and for improving the prognosis of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingming Zhao
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Wencheng Yu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
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22
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Steger M, Bermejo-Jambrina M, Yordanov T, Wagener J, Brakhage AA, Pittl V, Huber LA, Haas H, Lass-Flörl C, Posch W, Wilflingseder D. β-1,3-glucan-lacking Aspergillus fumigatus mediates an efficient antifungal immune response by activating complement and dendritic cells. Virulence 2018; 10:957-969. [PMID: 30372658 PMCID: PMC8647855 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2018.1528843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Complement system and dendritic cells (DCs) form - beside neutrophils and macrophages - the first line of defense to combat fungal infections. Therefore, we here studied interactions of these first immune elements with Aspergillus fumigatus lacking ß-1,3-glucans (fks1tetOnrep under repressed conditions) to mechanistically explain the mode of action of echinocandins in more detail. Echinocandins are cell wall active agents blocking β-glucan synthase, making the A. fumigatus fks1tetOn mutant a good model to study immune-modulatory actions of these drugs. We now demonstrate herein, that complement was activated to significantly higher levels by the fks1-deficient strain compared to its respective wild type. This enhanced covalent linking of complement fragments to the A. fumigatus fks1tetOnrep mutant further resulted in enhanced DC binding and internalization of the fungus. Additionally, we found that fks1tetOnrep induced a Th1-/Th17-polarizing cytokine profile program in DCs. The effect was essentially dependent on massive galactomannan shedding, since blocking of DC-SIGN significantly reduced the fks1tetOnrep-mediated induction of an inflammatory cytokine profile.Our data demonstrate that lack of ß-1,3-glucan, also found under echinocandin therapy, results in improved recognition of Aspergillus fumigatus by complement and DCs and therefore not only directly affects the fungus by its fungistatic actions, but also is likely to exert indirect antifungal mechanisms by strengthening innate host immune mechanisms.Abbreviations: C: complement; CR:complement receptor; DC: dendritic cell; iDC: immature dendritic cell; DC-SIGN: Dendritic Cell-Specific Intercellular adhesion molecule-3-Grabbing Non-integrin; ERK: extracellular signal-regulated kinases; JNK : c-Jun N-terminal kinases; MAPK: mitogen-activated protein kinase; NHS: normal human serum; PRR: pattern recognition receptor; Th :T helper; TLR :Toll-like receptor; WT: wild type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Steger
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Marta Bermejo-Jambrina
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Teodor Yordanov
- Division of Cell Biology, Biocenter, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Johannes Wagener
- Max von Pettenkofer-Institut für Hygiene und Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Germany.,Division of Molecular Biology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Verena Pittl
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lukas A Huber
- Division of Cell Biology, Biocenter, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Friedrich Schiller University (FSU), Jena, Germany
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Wilfried Posch
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Doris Wilflingseder
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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23
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Banfalvi G. Improved and adopted murine models to combat pulmonary aspergillosis. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:6865-6875. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-9161-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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24
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Guerra FQS, Araújo RSA, Sousa JP, Silva VA, Pereira FO, Mendonça-Junior FJB, Barbosa-Filho JM, Pereira JA, Lima EO. A new coumarin derivative, 4-acetatecoumarin, with antifungal activity and association study against Aspergillus spp. Braz J Microbiol 2018; 49:407-413. [PMID: 29102293 PMCID: PMC5913826 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjm.2017.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections have become a concern for health professionals, and the emergence of resistant strains has been reported for all known classes of antifungal drugs. Among the fungi causing disease, we highlight those that belong to the genus Aspergillus. For these reasons, the search for new antifungals is important. This study examines the effects of a coumarin derivative, 4-acetatecoumarin (Cou-UMB16) both alone and together with antifungal drugs, and its mode of action against Aspergillus spp. Cou-UMB16 was tested to evaluate its effects on mycelia growth, and germination of Aspergillus spp. fungal conidia. We investigated its possible action on cell walls, on the cell membrane, and also the capacity of this coumarin derivative to enhance the activity of antifungal drugs. Our results suggest that Cou-UMB16 inhibits Aspergillus spp. virulence factors (mycelia growth and germination of conidia) and affects the structure of the fungal cell wall. When applying Cou-UMB16 in combination with azoles, both synergistic and additive effects were observed. This study concludes that Cou-UMB16 inhibits mycelial growth and spore germination, and that the activity is due to its action on the fungal cell wall, and that Cou-UMB16 could act as an antifungal modifier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Q S Guerra
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Departamento de ciências Farmacêuticas, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo S A Araújo
- Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Janiere P Sousa
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Departamento de ciências Farmacêuticas, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Viviane A Silva
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Departamento de ciências Farmacêuticas, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Fillipe O Pereira
- Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Centro de educação e saúde, Cuité, PB, Brazil
| | | | - José M Barbosa-Filho
- Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Julio Abrantes Pereira
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Departamento de ciências Farmacêuticas, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Edeltrudes O Lima
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Departamento de ciências Farmacêuticas, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
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Manfiolli AO, Dos Reis TF, de Assis LJ, de Castro PA, Silva LP, Hori JI, Walker LA, Munro CA, Rajendran R, Ramage G, Goldman GH. Mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) and protein phosphatases are involved in Aspergillus fumigatus adhesion and biofilm formation. Cell Surf 2018; 1:43-56. [PMID: 32743127 PMCID: PMC7389341 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcsw.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The main characteristic of biofilm formation is extracellular matrix (ECM) production. The cells within the biofilm are surrounded by ECM which provides structural integrity and protection. During an infection, this protection is mainly against cells of the immune system and antifungal drugs. A. fumigatus forms biofilms during static growth on a solid substratum and in chronic aspergillosis infections. It is important to understand how, and which, A. fumigatus signal transduction pathways are important for the adhesion and biofilm formation in a host during infection. Here we investigated the role of MAP kinases and protein phosphatases in biofilm formation. The loss of the MAP kinases MpkA, MpkC and SakA had an impact on the cell surface and the ECM during biofilm formation and reduced the adherence of A. fumigatus to polystyrene and fibronectin-coated plates. The phosphatase null mutants ΔsitA and ΔptcB, involved in regulation of MpkA and SakA phosphorylation, influenced cell wall carbohydrate exposure. Moreover, we characterized the A. fumigatus protein phosphatase PphA. The ΔpphA strain was more sensitive to cell wall-damaging agents, had increased β-(1,3)-glucan and reduced chitin, decreased conidia phagocytosis by Dictyostelium discoideum and reduced adhesion and biofilm formation. Finally, ΔpphA strain was avirulent in a murine model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and increased the released of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) from bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs). These results show that MAP kinases and phosphatases play an important role in signaling pathways that regulate the composition of the cell wall, extracellular matrix production as well as adhesion and biofilm formation in A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Oliveira Manfiolli
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Thaila Fernanda Dos Reis
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Leandro José de Assis
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Alves de Castro
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Lilian Pereira Silva
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Juliana I Hori
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Louise A Walker
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Carol A Munro
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Ranjith Rajendran
- Infection and Immunity Research Group, Glasgow Dental School, School of Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, The University of Glasgow, 378 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JZ, UK
| | - Gordon Ramage
- Infection and Immunity Research Group, Glasgow Dental School, School of Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, The University of Glasgow, 378 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JZ, UK
| | - Gustavo H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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Nesbitt JR, Steves EY, Schonhofer CR, Cait A, Manku SS, Yeung JHF, Bennet AJ, McNagny KM, Choy JC, Hughes MR, Moore MM. The Aspergillus fumigatus Sialidase (Kdnase) Contributes to Cell Wall Integrity and Virulence in Amphotericin B-Treated Mice. Front Microbiol 2018; 8:2706. [PMID: 29403452 PMCID: PMC5778107 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a filamentous fungus that can cause a life-threatening invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in immunocompromised individuals. We previously characterized an exo-sialidase from A. fumigatus that prefers the sialic acid substrate, 2-keto-3-deoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-nononic acid (Kdn); hence it is a Kdnase. Sialidases are known virulence factors in other pathogens; therefore, the goal of our study was to evaluate the importance of Kdnase in A. fumigatus. A kdnase knockout strain (Δkdnase) was unable to grow on medium containing Kdn and displayed reduced growth and abnormal morphology. Δkdnase was more sensitive than wild type to hyperosmotic conditions and the antifungal agent, amphotericin B. In contrast, Δkdnase had increased resistance to nikkomycin, Congo Red and Calcofluor White indicating activation of compensatory cell wall chitin deposition. Increased cell wall thickness and chitin content in Δkdnase were confirmed by electron and immunofluorescence microscopy. In a neutropenic mouse model of invasive aspergillosis, the Δkdnase strain had attenuated virulence and a significantly lower lung fungal burden but only in animals that received liposomal amphotericin B after spore exposure. Macrophage numbers were almost twofold higher in lung sections from mice that received the Δkdnase strain, possibly related to higher survival of macrophages that internalized the Δkdnase conidia. Thus, A. fumigatus Kdnase is important for fungal cell wall integrity and virulence, and because Kdnase is not present in the host, it may represent a potential target for the development of novel antifungal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason R Nesbitt
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Y Steves
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Cole R Schonhofer
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Alissa Cait
- Biomedical Research Centre, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sukhbir S Manku
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Juliana H F Yeung
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Andrew J Bennet
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Kelly M McNagny
- Biomedical Research Centre, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jonathan C Choy
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Michael R Hughes
- Biomedical Research Centre, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Margo M Moore
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
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Fungi in Bronchiectasis: A Concise Review. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19010142. [PMID: 29300314 PMCID: PMC5796091 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19010142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2017] [Revised: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the spectrum of fungal pathology has been studied extensively in immunosuppressed patients, little is known about the epidemiology, risk factors, and management of fungal infections in chronic pulmonary diseases like bronchiectasis. In bronchiectasis patients, deteriorated mucociliary clearance—generally due to prior colonization by bacterial pathogens—and thick mucosity propitiate, the persistence of fungal spores in the respiratory tract. The most prevalent fungi in these patients are Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus; these are almost always isolated with bacterial pathogens like Haemophillus influenzae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, making very difficult to define their clinical significance. Analysis of the mycobiome enables us to detect a greater diversity of microorganisms than with conventional cultures. The results have shown a reduced fungal diversity in most chronic respiratory diseases, and that this finding correlates with poorer lung function. Increased knowledge of both the mycobiome and the complex interactions between the fungal, viral, and bacterial microbiota, including mycobacteria, will further our understanding of the mycobiome’s relationship with the pathogeny of bronchiectasis and the development of innovative therapies to combat it.
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Manfiolli AO, de Castro PA, dos Reis TF, Dolan S, Doyle S, Jones G, Riaño Pachón DM, Ulaş M, Noble LM, Mattern DJ, Brakhage AA, Valiante V, Silva-Rocha R, Bayram O, Goldman GH. Aspergillus fumigatusprotein phosphatase PpzA is involved in iron assimilation, secondary metabolite production, and virulence. Cell Microbiol 2017; 19. [DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrícia Alves de Castro
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto; Universidade de São Paulo; Ribeirão Preto Brazil
| | - Thaila Fernanda dos Reis
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto; Universidade de São Paulo; Ribeirão Preto Brazil
| | - Stephen Dolan
- Department of Biology; Maynooth University; Maynooth Co. Kildare Ireland
| | - Sean Doyle
- Department of Biology; Maynooth University; Maynooth Co. Kildare Ireland
| | - Gary Jones
- Department of Biology; Maynooth University; Maynooth Co. Kildare Ireland
| | - Diego M. Riaño Pachón
- Laboratório Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Bioetanol (CTBE); Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM); Campinas São Paulo Brazil
| | - Mevlüt Ulaş
- Department of Biology; Maynooth University; Maynooth Co. Kildare Ireland
| | | | - Derek J. Mattern
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology; Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute; Jena Germany
- University of Jena; Jena Germany
| | - Axel A. Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology; Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute; Jena Germany
- University of Jena; Jena Germany
| | - Vito Valiante
- Leibniz Research Group-Biobricks of Microbial Natural Product Syntheses; Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute; Jena Germany
| | - Rafael Silva-Rocha
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto; Universidade de São Paulo; Ribeirão Preto Brazil
| | - Ozgur Bayram
- Department of Biology; Maynooth University; Maynooth Co. Kildare Ireland
| | - Gustavo H. Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto; Universidade de São Paulo; Ribeirão Preto Brazil
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Enzymatic Mechanisms Involved in Evasion of Fungi to the Oxidative Stress: Focus on Scedosporium apiospermum. Mycopathologia 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11046-017-0160-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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30
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Aspergillus Species in Bronchiectasis: Challenges in the Cystic Fibrosis and Non-cystic Fibrosis Airways. Mycopathologia 2017; 183:45-59. [DOI: 10.1007/s11046-017-0143-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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31
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Joubert LM, Ferreira JA, Stevens DA, Nazik H, Cegelski L. Visualization of Aspergillus fumigatus biofilms with Scanning Electron Microscopy and Variable Pressure-Scanning Electron Microscopy: A comparison of processing techniques. J Microbiol Methods 2016; 132:46-55. [PMID: 27836634 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2016.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Revised: 11/06/2016] [Accepted: 11/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus biofilms consist of a three-dimensional network of cellular hyphae and extracellular matrix. They are involved in infections of immune-compromised individuals, particularly those with cystic fibrosis. These structures are associated with persistence of infection, resistance to host immunity, and antimicrobial resistance. Thorough understanding of structure and function is imperative in the design of therapeutic drugs. Optimization of processing parameters, including aldehyde fixation, heavy metal contrasting, drying techniques and Ionic Liquid treatment, was undertaken for an ultrastructural approach to understand cellular and extracellular biofilm components. Conventional and Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscopy were applied to analyze the structure of biofilms attached to plastic and formed at an air-liquid interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia-Marie Joubert
- Cell Sciences Imaging Facility, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Jose Ag Ferreira
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; California Institute for Medical Research, San Jose, CA, USA
| | - David A Stevens
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; California Institute for Medical Research, San Jose, CA, USA
| | - Hasan Nazik
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; California Institute for Medical Research, San Jose, CA, USA
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32
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Vermamoeba vermiformis-Aspergillus fumigatus relationships and comparison with other phagocytic cells. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:4097-4105. [PMID: 27381330 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5182-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Free living amoebae (FLA) are protists ubiquitously present in the environment. Aspergillus fumigatus is a mould responsible for severe deep-seated infections, and that can be recovered in the same habitats as the FLA. By conducting coculture experiments and fungal incubation with amoebal supernatants, we report herein that Vermamoeba vermiformis, a FLA present in hospital water systems, promotes filamentation and growth of A. fumigatus. This finding is of particular importance to institutions whose water systems might harbor FLA and could potentially be used by immunocompromised patients. Also, the relationships between V. vermiformis and A. fumigatus were compared to those between this fungus and two other phagocytic cells: Acanthamoeba castellanii, another FLA, and macrophage-like THP-1 cells. After 4 h of coincubation, the percentages of the three phagocytic cell types with adhered conidia were similar, even though the types of receptors between FLA and macrophagic cell seemed different. However, the percentage of THP-1 with internalized conidia was considerably lower (40 %) in comparison with the two other cell types (100 %). Thus, this study revealed that interactions between A. fumigatus and these three phagocytic cell types show similarities, even though it is premature to extrapolate these results to interpret relationships between A. fumigatus and macrophages.
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33
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Opportunities for the development of novel therapies based on host-microbial interactions. Pharmacol Res 2016; 112:68-83. [PMID: 27107789 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Immune responses are fundamental for protecting against most infectious agents. However, there is now much evidence to suggest that the pathogenesis and tissue damage after infection are not usually related to the direct action of the replication of microorganisms, but instead to altered immune responses triggered after the contact with the pathogen. This review article discusses several mechanisms necessary for the host to protect against microbial infection and focuses in aspects that cause altered inflammation and drive immunopathology. These basic findings can ultimately reveal pathways amenable to host-directed therapy in adjunct to antimicrobial therapy for future improved control measures for many infectious diseases. Therefore, modulating the effects of inflammatory pathways may represent a new therapy during infection outcome and disease.
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Bruder Nascimento ACMDO, Dos Reis TF, de Castro PA, Hori JI, Bom VLP, de Assis LJ, Ramalho LNZ, Rocha MC, Malavazi I, Brown NA, Valiante V, Brakhage AA, Hagiwara D, Goldman GH. Mitogen activated protein kinases SakA(HOG1) and MpkC collaborate for Aspergillus fumigatus virulence. Mol Microbiol 2016; 100:841-59. [PMID: 26878695 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Here, we investigated which stress responses were influenced by the MpkC and SakA mitogen-activated protein kinases of the high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway in the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. The ΔsakA and the double ΔmpkC ΔsakA mutants were more sensitive to osmotic and oxidative stresses, and to cell wall damaging agents. Both MpkC::GFP and SakA::GFP translocated to the nucleus upon osmotic stress and cell wall damage, with SakA::GFP showing a quicker response. The phosphorylation state of MpkA was determined post exposure to high concentrations of congo red and Sorbitol. In the wild-type strain, MpkA phosphorylation levels progressively increased in both treatments. In contrast, the ΔsakA mutant had reduced MpkA phosphorylation, and surprisingly, the double ΔmpkC ΔsakA had no detectable MpkA phosphorylation. A. fumigatus ΔsakA and ΔmpkC were virulent in mouse survival experiments, but they had a 40% reduction in fungal burden. In contrast, the ΔmpkC ΔsakA double mutant showed highly attenuated virulence, with approximately 50% mice surviving and a 75% reduction in fungal burden. We propose that both cell wall integrity (CWI) and HOG pathways collaborate, and that MpkC could act by modulating SakA activity upon exposure to several types of stresses and during CW biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thaila Fernanda Dos Reis
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Alves de Castro
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Juliana I Hori
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Leite Pedro Bom
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Leandro José de Assis
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Marina Campos Rocha
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Iran Malavazi
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Neil Andrew Brown
- Plant Science and Crop Biology, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Vito Valiante
- Leibniz Junior Research Group Biobricks of Microbial Natural Product Syntheses, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany; Institute for Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Daisuke Hagiwara
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Gustavo H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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35
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Upadhyay S, Xu X, Lowry D, Jackson JC, Roberson RW, Lin X. Subcellular Compartmentalization and Trafficking of the Biosynthetic Machinery for Fungal Melanin. Cell Rep 2016; 14:2511-8. [PMID: 26972005 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.02.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Revised: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Protection by melanin depends on its subcellular location. Although most filamentous fungi synthesize melanin via a polyketide synthase pathway, where and how melanin biosynthesis occurs and how it is deposited as extracellular granules remain elusive. Using a forward genetic screen in the pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus, we find that mutations in an endosomal sorting nexin abolish melanin cell-wall deposition. We find that all enzymes involved in the early steps of melanin biosynthesis are recruited to endosomes through a non-conventional secretory pathway. In contrast, late melanin enzymes accumulate in the cell wall. Such subcellular compartmentalization of the melanin biosynthetic machinery occurs in both A. fumigatus and A. nidulans. Thus, fungal melanin biosynthesis appears to be initiated in endosomes with exocytosis leading to melanin extracellular deposition, much like the synthesis and trafficking of mammalian melanin in endosomally derived melanosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srijana Upadhyay
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Xinping Xu
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - David Lowry
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Jennifer C Jackson
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Robert W Roberson
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Xiaorong Lin
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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36
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Núñez A, Brookes SM, Reid SM, Garcia-Rueda C, Hicks DJ, Seekings JM, Spencer YI, Brown IH. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 Clade 2.3.4.4 Virus: Equivocal Pathogenicity and Implications for Surveillance Following Natural Infection in Breeder Ducks in the United Kingdom. Transbound Emerg Dis 2015; 63:5-9. [DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Núñez
- Pathology Department; Animal and Plant Health Agency; Addlestone Surrey UK
| | - S. M. Brookes
- Avian Virology; Animal and Plant Health Agency; Addlestone Surrey UK
| | - S. M. Reid
- Avian Virology; Animal and Plant Health Agency; Addlestone Surrey UK
| | - C. Garcia-Rueda
- Pathology Department; Animal and Plant Health Agency; Addlestone Surrey UK
| | - D. J. Hicks
- Pathology Department; Animal and Plant Health Agency; Addlestone Surrey UK
| | - J. M. Seekings
- Avian Virology; Animal and Plant Health Agency; Addlestone Surrey UK
| | - Y. I. Spencer
- Pathology Department; Animal and Plant Health Agency; Addlestone Surrey UK
| | - I. H. Brown
- Avian Virology; Animal and Plant Health Agency; Addlestone Surrey UK
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37
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Immunochemical analysis of fumigaclavine mycotoxins in respiratory tissues and in blood serum of birds with confirmed aspergillosis. Mycotoxin Res 2015; 31:177-83. [PMID: 26388046 DOI: 10.1007/s12550-015-0228-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Revised: 09/05/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The ergoline alkaloid fumigaclavine A (FuA) is one of the major mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus fumigatus, the main causative fungal agent of avian aspergillosis. To study in situ production of FuA, post-mortem respiratory tissues of various avian species, as well as blood samples of falcons (Falco sp.), were analysed by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). At a detection limit of 1.5 ng/ml, FuA EIA positive results were obtained for tissue samples from seven (64%) out of 11 birds with confirmed aspergillosis, with a maximum concentration of 38 ng/g, while all controls (n = 7) were negative. No FuA could be detected in blood serum (detection limit 0.7 ng/ml) of 15 falcons, experimentally inoculated with A. fumigatus conidia. Fungal mycelium material from tissue of clinical aspergillosis cases, cultured on malt extract agar, was highly positive in the FuA EIA in milligrams per gram range. Chromatographic analysis of mycelium extracts revealed the co-presence of FuA and the structurally related fumigaclavine C (FuC). Alkaline hydrolysis of FuA and FuC yielded the corresponding deacetylation products, FuB and FuE. This is the first report showing that fumigaclavine alkaloids are produced by A. fumigatus in situ during the course of clinical aspergillosis in birds; however, the role of these compounds in the pathogenesis of this disease is still unknown.
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Mirković B, Lavelle GM, Azim AA, Helma K, Gargoum FS, Molloy K, Gernez Y, Dunne K, Renwick J, Murphy P, Moss RB, Greene CM, Gunaratnam C, Chotirmall SH, McElvaney NG. The basophil surface marker CD203c identifies Aspergillus species sensitization in patients with cystic fibrosis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2015; 137:436-443.e9. [PMID: 26388311 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2015.07.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2015] [Revised: 07/04/2015] [Accepted: 07/17/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colonization by Aspergillus fumigatus in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) can cause A fumigatus sensitization and/or allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), which affects pulmonary function and clinical outcomes. Recent studies show that specific allergens upregulate the surface-expressed basophil marker CD203c in sensitized subjects, a response that can be readily measured by using flow cytometry. OBJECTIVE We sought to identify A fumigatus sensitization in patients with CF by using the basophil activation test (BAT). METHODS Patients with CF attending Beaumont Hospital were screened for study inclusion. BAT was used to identify A fumigatus sensitization. Serologic (total and A fumigatus-specific IgE), pulmonary function, and body mass index measurements were performed. RESULTS The BAT discriminates A fumigatus-sensitized from nonsensitized patients with CF. Persistent isolation of A fumigatus in sputum is a significant risk factor for A fumigatus sensitization. Levels of the A fumigatus-stimulated basophil activation marker CD203c inversely correlated with pulmonary function and body mass index in A fumigatus-sensitized but not nonsensitized patients with CF. Total and A fumigatus-specific IgE, but not IgG, levels are increased in A fumigatus-sensitized patients with CF and ABPA when compared with those in A fumigatus-sensitized and nonsensitized patients with CF without ABPA. Itraconazole treatment did not affect A fumigatus sensitization. CONCLUSION Combining the BAT with routine serologic testing allows classification of patients with CF into 3 groups: nonsensitized, A fumigatus-sensitized, and ABPA. Accurate and prompt identification of A fumigatus-associated clinical status might allow early and targeted therapeutic intervention, potentially improving clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bojana Mirković
- Respiratory Research Division, Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gillian M Lavelle
- Respiratory Research Division, Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ahmed Abdul Azim
- Respiratory Research Division, Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kristine Helma
- Respiratory Research Division, Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fatma S Gargoum
- Respiratory Research Division, Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kevin Molloy
- Respiratory Research Division, Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Yael Gernez
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Katie Dunne
- Clinical Microbiology Department, Trinity College Dublin, the Adelaide and Meath Hospital incorporating the National Children's Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Julie Renwick
- Clinical Microbiology Department, Trinity College Dublin, the Adelaide and Meath Hospital incorporating the National Children's Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Philip Murphy
- Clinical Microbiology Department, Trinity College Dublin, the Adelaide and Meath Hospital incorporating the National Children's Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Richard B Moss
- Center for Excellence in Pulmonary Biology, Department of Paediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Catherine M Greene
- Respiratory Research Division, Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Cedric Gunaratnam
- Respiratory Research Division, Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sanjay H Chotirmall
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
| | - Noel G McElvaney
- Respiratory Research Division, Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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Differences in Host Innate Responses among Coccidioides Isolates in a Murine Model of Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2015; 14:1043-53. [PMID: 26275879 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00122-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii are soil-dwelling fungi and the causative agents of coccidioidomycosis, a mycosis endemic to certain semiarid regions in the Americas. The most common route of infection is by inhalation of airborne Coccidioides arthroconidia. Once a susceptible host inhales the conidia, a transition to mature endosporulated spherules can occur within the first 5 days of infection. For this study, we examined the host response in a murine model of coccidioidomycosis during a time period of infection that has not been well characterized. We collected lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from BALB/c mice that were infected with a C. immitis pure strain, a C. immitis hybrid strain, or a C. posadasii strain as well as uninfected mice. We compared the host responses to the Coccidioides strains used in this study by assessing the level of transcription of selected cytokine genes in lung tissues and characterized host and fungal proteins present in BALF. Host response varied depending on the Coccidioides strain that was used and did not appear to be overly robust. This study provides a foundation to begin to dissect the host immune response early in infection, to detect abundant Coccidioides proteins, and to develop diagnostics that target these early time points of infection.
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de Cássia J, de Souza N, Gullo F, Fusco-Almeida A, Mendes-Giannini M. Fungal Biofilms: Formation, Resistance and Pathogenicity. Med Mycol 2015. [DOI: 10.1201/b18707-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Evaluation of Antifungal Activity and Mode of Action of New Coumarin Derivative, 7-Hydroxy-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one, against Aspergillus spp. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2015; 2015:925096. [PMID: 26175794 PMCID: PMC4484559 DOI: 10.1155/2015/925096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Revised: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus spp. produce a wide variety of diseases. For the treatment of such infections, the azoles and Amphotericin B are used in various formulations. The treatment of fungal diseases is often ineffective, because of increases in azole resistance and their several associated adverse effects. To overcome these problems, natural products and their derivatives are interesting alternatives. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of coumarin derivative, 7-hydroxy-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (Cou-NO2), both alone and with antifungal drugs. Its mode of action against Aspergillus spp. Cou-NO2 was tested to evaluate its effects on mycelia growth and germination of fungal conidia of Aspergillus spp. We also investigated possible Cou-NO2 action on cell walls (0.8 M sorbitol) and on Cou-NO2 to ergosterol binding in the cell membrane. The study shows that Cou-NO2 is capable of inhibiting both the mycelia growth and germination of conidia for the species tested, and that its action affects the structure of the fungal cell wall. At subinhibitory concentration, Cou-NO2 enhanced the in vitro effects of azoles. Moreover, in combination with azoles (voriconazole and itraconazole) Cou-NO2 displays an additive effect. Thus, our study supports the use of coumarin derivative 7-hydroxy-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one as an antifungal agent against Aspergillus species.
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Winkelströter LK, Dolan SK, Fernanda Dos Reis T, Bom VLP, Alves de Castro P, Hagiwara D, Alowni R, Jones GW, Doyle S, Brown NA, Goldman GH. Systematic Global Analysis of Genes Encoding Protein Phosphatases in Aspergillus fumigatus. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2015; 5:1525-39. [PMID: 25943523 PMCID: PMC4502386 DOI: 10.1534/g3.115.016766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungal pathogen that causes several invasive and noninvasive diseases named aspergillosis. This disease is generally regarded as multifactorial, considering that several pathogenicity determinants are present during the establishment of this illness. It is necessary to obtain an increased knowledge of how, and which, A. fumigatus signal transduction pathways are engaged in the regulation of these processes. Protein phosphatases are essential to several signal transduction pathways. We identified 32 phosphatase catalytic subunit-encoding genes in A. fumigatus, of which we were able to construct 24 viable deletion mutants. The role of nine phosphatase mutants in the HOG (high osmolarity glycerol response) pathway was evaluated by measuring phosphorylation of the p38 MAPK (SakA) and expression of osmo-dependent genes. We were also able to identify 11 phosphatases involved in iron assimilation, six that are related to gliotoxin resistance, and three implicated in gliotoxin production. These results present the creation of a fundamental resource for the study of signaling in A. fumigatus and its implications in the regulation of pathogenicity determinants and virulence in this important pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizziane K Winkelströter
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 13083-970 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Stephen K Dolan
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Thaila Fernanda Dos Reis
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 13083-970 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Leite Pedro Bom
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 13083-970 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Alves de Castro
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 13083-970 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Daisuke Hagiwara
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8673, Japan
| | - Raneem Alowni
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Gary W Jones
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Sean Doyle
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Neil Andrew Brown
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 13083-970 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Gustavo H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 13083-970 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil National Laboratory of Science and Technology of Bioethanol (CTBE), 13083-970 Campinas, Brazil
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