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Dao Y, Yu J, Yang M, Han J, Fan C, Pang X. DNA metabarcoding analysis of fungal community on surface of four root herbs. CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINES 2024; 16:143-150. [PMID: 38375056 PMCID: PMC10874771 DOI: 10.1016/j.chmed.2023.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Angelicae Sinensis Radix (ASR, Danggui in Chinese), Cistanches Herba (CH, Roucongrong in Chinese), Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (PG, Renshen in Chinese), and Panacis Quinquefolii Radix (PQ, Xiyangshen in Chinese), widely used as medicine and dietary supplement around the world, are susceptible to fungal and mycotoxin contamination. In this study, we aim to analyze their fungal community by DNA metabarcoding. Methods A total of 12 root samples were collected from three main production areas in China. The samples were divided into four groups based on herb species, including ASR, CH, PG, and PQ groups. The fungal community on the surface of four root groups was investigated through DNA metabarcoding via targeting the internal transcribed spacer 2 region (ITS2). Results All the 12 samples were detected with fungal contamination. Rhizopus (13.04%-74.03%), Aspergillus (1.76%-23.92%), and Fusarium (0.26%-15.27%) were the predominant genera. Ten important fungi were identified at the species level, including two potential toxigenic fungi (Penicillium citrinum and P. oxalicum) and eight human pathogenic fungi (Alternaria infectoria, Candida sake, Hyphopichia burtonii, Malassezia globosa, M. restricta, Rhizopus arrhizus, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, and Ochroconis tshawytschae). Fungal community in ASR and CH groups was significantly different from other groups, while fungal community in PG and PQ groups was relatively similar. Conclusion DNA metabarcoding revealed the fungal community in four important root herbs. This study provided an important reference for preventing root herbs against fungal and mycotoxin contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Dao
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jingsheng Yu
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Meihua Yang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jianping Han
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Chune Fan
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaohui Pang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
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Fernandes C, Casadevall A, Gonçalves T. Mechanisms of Alternaria pathogenesis in animals and plants. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2023; 47:fuad061. [PMID: 37884396 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuad061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternaria species are cosmopolitan fungi darkly pigmented by melanin that infect numerous plant species causing economically important agricultural spoilage of various food crops. Alternaria spp. also infect animals, being described as entomopathogenic fungi but also infecting warm-blooded animals, including humans. Their clinical importance in human health, as infection agents, lay in the growing number of immunocompromised patients. Moreover, Alternaria spp. are considered some of the most abundant and potent sources of airborne sensitizer allergens causing allergic respiratory diseases, as severe asthma. Among the numerous strategies deployed by Alternaria spp. to attack their hosts, the production of toxins, carrying critical concerns to public health as food contaminant, and the production of hydrolytic enzymes such as proteases, can be highlighted. Alternaria proteases also trigger allergic symptoms in individuals with fungal sensitization, acting as allergens and facilitating antigen access to the host subepithelium. Here, we review the current knowledge about the mechanisms of Alternaria pathogenesis in plants and animals, the strategies used by Alternaria to cope with the host defenses, and the involvement Alternaria allergens and mechanisms of sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal Fernandes
- CNC-UC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Wolfe Street, Room E5132, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Teresa Gonçalves
- CNC-UC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- FMUC - Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
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Galectin-3 Is a Crucial Immunological Disease Marker in Patients with Fungal Keratitis. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2022:1380560. [PMID: 35845133 PMCID: PMC9286934 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1380560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Fungal keratitis, one of the most common infectious eye diseases in China, often results in a poor prognosis due to a delayed diagnosis and the insufficiency of effective therapy. There is an urgent need to identify specific biomarkers for the disease. In this study, we screened out tear proteins in patients with fungal keratitis by microsphere-based immunoassay analysis. Levels of cytokine expression were determined in both human corneal epithelial cell models in vitro and the corneas of patients by western blot, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and immunofluorescence analysis. Neutrophil activation was examined by flow cytometry analysis. The relationship between the cytokine expression and neutrophils was evaluated by immunofluorescence costaining and correlation analysis. These results demonstrated that the galectin-3 expression level was increased in both cell model and patient samples at the early and late stages of fungal keratitis. The neutrophils were significantly activated during the disease course of fungal keratitis. Meanwhile, colocalization and a positive correlation between galectin-3 and neutrophils were observed, suggesting that galectin-3 may play a crucial role in the recruitment of neutrophils and immune regulation of fungal keratitis. In conclusion, galectin-3 could be a key disease marker implying a beneficial immune response in the pathogenesis of fungal keratitis, which might be a target of therapeutic strategy in the future.
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Faria-Gonçalves P, Oliveira AS, Gaspar C, Rodrigues L, Palmeira-de-Oliveira R, Martinez-de-Oliveira J, Gonçalves T, Palmeira-de-Oliveira A, Rolo J. Vulvovaginal Candida albicans Clinical Isolates’ Resistance to Phagocytosis In-Vitro. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12060838. [PMID: 35743869 PMCID: PMC9225182 DOI: 10.3390/life12060838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have revealed that Candida albicans isolates involved in chronic vulvovaginal candidosis (cVVC) phenotypically express less virulent traits than clinical isolates involved in sporadic infections. In this study, we aimed to further explore this finding by studying the behaviour of those same clinical isolates in in-vitro models of infection. Eighteen clinical Candida albicans isolates were collected from women suffering sporadic (eight isolates) or chronic infections (ten isolates). Adhesion to HeLa cells (human cervical cancer epithelial cell line) and resistance to phagocytosis by RAW 264.7 cells (murine macrophages cell line) were tested in-vitro. In addition, phenotypic expression of virulence factors related with either adhesion or resistance to phagocytosis was tested in-vitro. Results indicated that yeast isolates involved in sporadic infection adhered in a higher proportion of HeLa cells than those of chronic infections, which was related with their ability to produce biofilm (p < 0.05). The ability to evade phagocytosis was related to an elevated production of proteases (p < 0.05) by chronic isolates, while sporadic isolates’ resistance to phagocytosis was related to a higher hydrophobicity of cell walls (p < 0.05). We conclude that the evasion of macrophage-mediated phagocytosis related to the production of proteases might be an important factor involved in the recurrence of vulvovaginal candidosis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Faria-Gonçalves
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.F.-G.); (A.S.O.); (C.G.); (R.P.-d.-O.); (J.M.-d.-O.); (A.P.-d.-O.)
- FCS-UBI—Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- FMUMN—Faculty of Medicine, University Mandume Ya Ndemufayo, Lubango 3FJP+27X, Angola
| | - Ana Sofia Oliveira
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.F.-G.); (A.S.O.); (C.G.); (R.P.-d.-O.); (J.M.-d.-O.); (A.P.-d.-O.)
- FCS-UBI—Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Carlos Gaspar
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.F.-G.); (A.S.O.); (C.G.); (R.P.-d.-O.); (J.M.-d.-O.); (A.P.-d.-O.)
- FCS-UBI—Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Labfit-HPRD—Health Products Research and Development Lda, 6200-284 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Lisa Rodrigues
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (L.R.); (T.G.)
- FMUC—Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rita Palmeira-de-Oliveira
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.F.-G.); (A.S.O.); (C.G.); (R.P.-d.-O.); (J.M.-d.-O.); (A.P.-d.-O.)
- FCS-UBI—Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Labfit-HPRD—Health Products Research and Development Lda, 6200-284 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - José Martinez-de-Oliveira
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.F.-G.); (A.S.O.); (C.G.); (R.P.-d.-O.); (J.M.-d.-O.); (A.P.-d.-O.)
| | - Teresa Gonçalves
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (L.R.); (T.G.)
- FMUC—Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Palmeira-de-Oliveira
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.F.-G.); (A.S.O.); (C.G.); (R.P.-d.-O.); (J.M.-d.-O.); (A.P.-d.-O.)
- FCS-UBI—Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Labfit-HPRD—Health Products Research and Development Lda, 6200-284 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Joana Rolo
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.F.-G.); (A.S.O.); (C.G.); (R.P.-d.-O.); (J.M.-d.-O.); (A.P.-d.-O.)
- Correspondence:
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Gu X, Hua YH, Zhang YD, Bao DI, Lv J, Hu HF. The Pathogenesis of Aspergillus fumigatus, Host Defense Mechanisms, and the Development of AFMP4 Antigen as a Vaccine. Pol J Microbiol 2021; 70:3-11. [PMID: 33815522 PMCID: PMC8008755 DOI: 10.33073/pjm-2021-003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is one of the ubiquitous fungi with airborne conidia, which accounts for most aspergillosis cases. In immunocompetent hosts, the inhaled conidia are rapidly eliminated. However, immunocompromised or immunodeficient hosts are particularly vulnerable to most Aspergillus infections and invasive aspergillosis (IA), with mortality from 50% to 95%. Despite the improvement of antifungal drugs over the last few decades, the therapeutic effect for IA patients is still limited and does not provide significant survival benefits. The drawbacks of antifungal drugs such as side effects, antifungal drug resistance, and the high cost of antifungal drugs highlight the importance of finding novel therapeutic and preventive approaches to fight against IA. In this article, we systemically addressed the pathogenic mechanisms, defense mechanisms against A. fumigatus, the immune response, molecular aspects of host evasion, and vaccines' current development against aspergillosis, particularly those based on AFMP4 protein, which might be a promising antigen for the development of anti-A. fumigatus vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Gu
- College of Law and Political Science, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, China.,The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yan-Hong Hua
- The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yang-Dong Zhang
- The PLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - D I Bao
- The PLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Lv
- The PLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - Hong-Fang Hu
- The PLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center, Beijing, China
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Branco J, Martins-Cruz C, Rodrigues L, Silva RM, Araújo-Gomes N, Gonçalves T, Miranda IM, Rodrigues AG. The transcription factor Ndt80 is a repressor of Candida parapsilosis virulence attributes. Virulence 2021; 12:601-614. [PMID: 33538224 PMCID: PMC7872087 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2021.1878743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida parapsilosis is an emergent opportunistic yeast among hospital settings that affects mainly neonates and immunocompromised patients. Its most remarkable virulence traits are the ability to adhere to prosthetic materials, as well as the formation of biofilm on abiotic surfaces. The Ndt80 transcription factor was identified as one of the regulators of biofilm formation by C. parapsilosis; however, its function in this process was not yet clarified. By knocking out NDT80 (CPAR2-213640) gene, or even just one single copy of the gene, we observed substantial alterations of virulence attributes, including morphogenetic changes, adhesion and biofilm growth profiles. Both ndt80Δ and ndt80ΔΔ mutants changed colony and cell morphologies from smooth, yeast-shaped to crepe and pseudohyphal elongated forms, exhibiting promoted adherence to polystyrene microspheres and notably, forming a higher amount of biofilm compared to wild-type strain. Interestingly, we identified transcription factors Ume6, Cph2, Cwh41, Ace2, Bcr1, protein kinase Mkc1 and adhesin Als7 to be under Ndt80 negative regulation, partially explaining the phenotypes displayed by the ndt80ΔΔ mutant. Furthermore, ndt80ΔΔ pseudohyphae adhered more rapidly and were more resistant to murine macrophage attack, becoming deleterious to such cells after phagocytosis. Unexpectedly, our findings provide the first evidence for a direct role of Ndt80 as a repressor of C. parapsilosis virulence attributes. This finding shows that C. parapsilosis Ndt80 functionally diverges from its homolog in the close related fungal pathogen C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Branco
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto , Porto, Portugal.,CINTESIS - Center for Health Technology and Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto , Porto, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Martins-Cruz
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto , Porto, Portugal
| | - Lisa Rodrigues
- CNC - Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra , Coimbra, Portugal.,FMUC - Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra , Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Raquel M Silva
- Faculdade De Medicina Dentária, CIIS - Centro De Investigação Interdisciplinar Em Saúde, Universidade Católica Portuguesa , Viseu, Portugal
| | - Nuno Araújo-Gomes
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto , Porto, Portugal
| | - Teresa Gonçalves
- CNC - Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra , Coimbra, Portugal.,FMUC - Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra , Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Isabel M Miranda
- Cardiovascular R&D Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto , Porto, Portugal
| | - Acácio G Rodrigues
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto , Porto, Portugal.,CINTESIS - Center for Health Technology and Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto , Porto, Portugal
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