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Naik B, Sasikumar J, Das SP. From Skin and Gut to the Brain: The Infectious Journey of the Human Commensal Fungus Malassezia and Its Neurological Consequences. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04270-w. [PMID: 38871941 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04270-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
The human mycobiome encompasses diverse communities of fungal organisms residing within the body and has emerged as a critical player in shaping health and disease. While extensive research has focused on the skin and gut mycobiome, recent investigations have pointed toward the potential role of fungal organisms in neurological disorders. Among those fungal organisms, the presence of the commensal fungus Malassezia in the brain has created curiosity because of its commensal nature and primary association with the human skin and gut. This budding yeast is responsible for several diseases, such as Seborrheic dermatitis, Atopic dermatitis, Pityriasis versicolor, Malassezia folliculitis, dandruff, and others. However recent findings surprisingly show the presence of Malassezia DNA in the brain and have been linked to diseases like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Multiple sclerosis, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The exact role of Malassezia in these disorders is unknown, but its ability to infect human cells, travel through the bloodstream, cross the blood-brain barrier, and reside along with the lipid-rich neuronal cells are potential mechanisms responsible for pathogenesis. This also includes the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, disruption of the blood-brain barrier, gut-microbe interaction, and accumulation of metabolic changes in the brain environment. In this review, we discuss these key findings from studies linking Malassezia to neurological disorders, emphasizing the complex and multifaceted nature of these cases. Furthermore, we discuss potential mechanisms through which Malassezia might contribute to the development of neurological conditions. Future investigations will open up new avenues for our understanding of the fungal gut-brain axis and how it influences human behavior. Collaborative research efforts among microbiologists, neuroscientists, immunologists, and clinicians hold promise for unraveling the enigmatic connections between human commensal Malassezia and neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharati Naik
- Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, 575018, India
| | - Jayaprakash Sasikumar
- Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, 575018, India
| | - Shankar Prasad Das
- Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, 575018, India.
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2
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Kettunen P, Koistinaho J, Rolova T. Contribution of CNS and extra-CNS infections to neurodegeneration: a narrative review. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:152. [PMID: 38845026 PMCID: PMC11157808 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03139-y] [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: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system infections have been suggested as a possible cause for neurodegenerative diseases, particularly sporadic cases. They trigger neuroinflammation which is considered integrally involved in neurodegenerative processes. In this review, we will look at data linking a variety of viral, bacterial, fungal, and protozoan infections to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis and unspecified dementia. This narrative review aims to bring together a broad range of data currently supporting the involvement of central nervous system infections in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. The idea that no single pathogen or pathogen group is responsible for neurodegenerative diseases will be discussed. Instead, we suggest that a wide range of susceptibility factors may make individuals differentially vulnerable to different infectious pathogens and subsequent pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinja Kettunen
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jari Koistinaho
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Taisia Rolova
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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3
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Ekwudo MN, Gubert C, Hannan AJ. The microbiota-gut-brain axis in Huntington's disease: pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic targets. FEBS J 2024. [PMID: 38426291 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a currently incurable neurogenerative disorder and is typically characterized by progressive movement disorder (including chorea), cognitive deficits (culminating in dementia), psychiatric abnormalities (the most common of which is depression), and peripheral symptoms (including gastrointestinal dysfunction). There are currently no approved disease-modifying therapies available for HD, with death usually occurring approximately 10-25 years after onset, but some therapies hold promising potential. HD subjects are often burdened by chronic diarrhea, constipation, esophageal and gastric inflammation, and a susceptibility to diabetes. Our understanding of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in HD is in its infancy and growing evidence from preclinical and clinical studies suggests a role of gut microbial population imbalance (gut dysbiosis) in HD pathophysiology. The gut and the brain can communicate through the enteric nervous system, immune system, vagus nerve, and microbiota-derived-metabolites including short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, and branched-chain amino acids. This review summarizes supporting evidence demonstrating the alterations in bacterial and fungal composition that may be associated with HD. We focus on mechanisms through which gut dysbiosis may compromise brain and gut health, thus triggering neuroinflammatory responses, and further highlight outcomes of attempts to modulate the gut microbiota as promising therapeutic strategies for HD. Ultimately, we discuss the dearth of data and the need for more longitudinal and translational studies in this nascent field. We suggest future directions to improve our understanding of the association between gut microbes and the pathogenesis of HD, and other 'brain and body disorders'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Millicent N Ekwudo
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Carolina Gubert
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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Novak Babič M, Marolt G, Imperl J, Breskvar M, Džeroski S, Gunde-Cimerman N. Effect of Location, Disinfection, and Building Materials on the Presence and Richness of Culturable Mycobiota through Oligotrophic Drinking Water Systems. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1086. [PMID: 37998891 PMCID: PMC10672563 DOI: 10.3390/jof9111086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Safe drinking water is a constant challenge due to global environmental changes and the rise of emerging pathogens-lately, these also include fungi. The fungal presence in water greatly varies between sampling locations. Little is known about fungi from water in combination with a selection of materials used in water distribution systems. Our research was focused on five water plants located in the Pannonian Plain, Slovenia. Sampled water originated from different natural water sources and was subjected to different cleaning methods before distribution. The average numbers of fungi from natural water, water after disinfection, water at the first sampling point in the water network, and water at the last sampling point were 260, 49, 64, and 97 CFU/L, respectively. Chlorination reduced the number of fungi by a factor of 5, but its effect decreased with the length of the water network. The occurrence of different fungi in water and on materials depended on the choice of material. The presence of the genera Aspergillus, Acremonium, Furcasterigmium, Gliomastix, and Sarocladium was mostly observed on cement, while Cadophora, Cladosporium, Cyphellophora, and Exophiala prevailed on metals. Plastic materials were more susceptible to colonization with basidiomycetous fungi. Opportunistically pathogenic fungi were isolated sporadically from materials and water and do not represent a significant health risk for water consumers. In addition to cultivation data, physico-chemical features of water were measured and later processed with machine learning methods, revealing the sampling location and water cleaning processes as the main factors affecting fungal presence and richness in water and materials in contact with water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Novak Babič
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Gregor Marolt
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (G.M.); (J.I.)
| | - Jernej Imperl
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (G.M.); (J.I.)
| | - Martin Breskvar
- Department of Knowledge Technologies, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.B.); (S.D.)
- DZR, Luize Pesjakove ulica 11, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sašo Džeroski
- Department of Knowledge Technologies, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.B.); (S.D.)
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Wu Y, Du S, Bimler LH, Mauk KE, Lortal L, Kichik N, Griffiths JS, Osicka R, Song L, Polsky K, Kasper L, Sebo P, Weatherhead J, Knight JM, Kheradmand F, Zheng H, Richardson JP, Hube B, Naglik JR, Corry DB. Toll-like receptor 4 and CD11b expressed on microglia coordinate eradication of Candida albicans cerebral mycosis. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113240. [PMID: 37819761 PMCID: PMC10753853 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The fungal pathogen Candida albicans is linked to chronic brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the molecular basis of brain anti-Candida immunity remains unknown. We show that C. albicans enters the mouse brain from the blood and induces two neuroimmune sensing mechanisms involving secreted aspartic proteinases (Saps) and candidalysin. Saps disrupt tight junction proteins of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to permit fungal brain invasion. Saps also hydrolyze amyloid precursor protein (APP) into amyloid β (Aβ)-like peptides that bind to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and promote fungal killing in vitro while candidalysin engages the integrin CD11b (Mac-1) on microglia. Recognition of Aβ-like peptides and candidalysin promotes fungal clearance from the brain, and disruption of candidalysin recognition through CD11b markedly prolongs C. albicans cerebral mycosis. Thus, C. albicans is cleared from the brain through innate immune mechanisms involving Saps, Aβ, candidalysin, and CD11b.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Wu
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shuqi Du
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lynn H Bimler
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kelsey E Mauk
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Léa Lortal
- Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Nessim Kichik
- Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - James S Griffiths
- Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Radim Osicka
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lizhen Song
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Katherine Polsky
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lydia Kasper
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute Jena (HKI), 07737 Jena, Germany
| | - Peter Sebo
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jill Weatherhead
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - J Morgan Knight
- Departments of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Farrah Kheradmand
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Departments of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Biology of Inflammation Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Michael E. DeBakey VA Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hui Zheng
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jonathan P Richardson
- Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute Jena (HKI), 07737 Jena, Germany; Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, 07737 Jena, Germany.
| | - Julian R Naglik
- Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK.
| | - David B Corry
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Departments of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Biology of Inflammation Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Michael E. DeBakey VA Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Arabi TZ, Alabdulqader AA, Sabbah BN, Ouban A. Brain-inhabiting bacteria and neurodegenerative diseases: the "brain microbiome" theory. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1240945. [PMID: 37927338 PMCID: PMC10620799 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1240945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Controversies surrounding the validity of the toxic proteinopathy theory of Alzheimer's disease have led the scientific community to seek alternative theories in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders (ND). Recent studies have provided evidence of a microbiome in the central nervous system. Some have hypothesized that brain-inhabiting organisms induce chronic neuroinflammation, leading to the development of a spectrum of NDs. Bacteria such as Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, and Cutibacterium acnes have been found to inhabit the brains of ND patients. Furthermore, several fungi, including Candida and Malassezia species, have been identified in the central nervous system of these patients. However, there remains several limitations to the brain microbiome hypothesis. Varying results across the literature, concerns regarding sample contamination, and the presence of exogenous deoxyribonucleic acids have led to doubts about the hypothesis. These results provide valuable insight into the pathogenesis of NDs. Herein, we provide a review of the evidence for and against the brain microbiome theory and describe the difficulties facing the hypothesis. Additionally, we define possible mechanisms of bacterial invasion of the brain and organism-related neurodegeneration in NDs and the potential therapeutic premises of this theory.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Abderrahman Ouban
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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7
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Babič MN, Gunde-Cimerman N. Culturable mycobiota of drinking water in Göteborg (Sweden) in comparison to Ljubljana (Slovenia) with implications on human health. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2023; 21:1064-1072. [PMID: 37632381 PMCID: wh_2023_089 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2023.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
The European Union currently has no specific regulations on fungi in water. The only country where fungi are listed as the parameter is Sweden, with the maximal number of 100 CFU per 100 mL. The present study thus compared culturable mycobiota from Swedish drinking water with Slovenian, which has no specific requirements for fungi. Fungi were isolated with up to 38 CFU/L from 75% of Swedish samples. The most common were the genera Varicosporellopsis (27.3%), Paracremonium (14.5%), and black yeasts Cadophora, Cyphellophora, and Exophiala (18.2%). Using the same sampling and isolation methods, 90% of tap water samples in Slovenia were positive for fungi, with Aspergillus spp. (46%), Aureobasidium melanogenum (36%), and Exophiala spp. (24%) being the most common. The observed differences between countries are likely the consequence of geographical location, the use of different raw water sources, and water treatment methods. However, the core species and emerging fungi Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto, Exophiala phaeomuriformis, Bisifusarium dimerum, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa were isolated in both studies. These findings point out the relevance of tracking the presence of emerging fungi with known effects on health in drinking water and encourage further studies on their transmission from raw water sources to the end-users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Novak Babič
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia E-mail:
| | - Nina Gunde-Cimerman
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
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8
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Spencer PS, Palmer VS, Kisby GE, Lagrange E, Horowitz BZ, Valdes Angues R, Reis J, Vernoux JP, Raoul C, Camu W. Early-onset, conjugal, twin-discordant, and clusters of sporadic ALS: Pathway to discovery of etiology via lifetime exposome research. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1005096. [PMID: 36860617 PMCID: PMC9969898 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1005096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The identity and role of environmental factors in the etiology of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS) is poorly understood outside of three former high-incidence foci of Western Pacific ALS and a hotspot of sALS in the French Alps. In both instances, there is a strong association with exposure to DNA-damaging (genotoxic) chemicals years or decades prior to clinical onset of motor neuron disease. In light of this recent understanding, we discuss published geographic clusters of ALS, conjugal cases, single-affected twins, and young-onset cases in relation to their demographic, geographic and environmental associations but also whether, in theory, there was the possibility of exposure to genotoxic chemicals of natural or synthetic origin. Special opportunities to test for such exposures in sALS exist in southeast France, northwest Italy, Finland, the U.S. East North Central States, and in the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. Given the degree and timing of exposure to an environmental trigger of ALS may be related to the age at which the disease is expressed, research should focus on the lifetime exposome (from conception to clinical onset) of young sALS cases. Multidisciplinary research of this type may lead to the identification of ALS causation, mechanism, and primary prevention, as well as to early detection of impending ALS and pre-clinical treatment to slow development of this fatal neurological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter S. Spencer
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States,Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States,*Correspondence: Peter S. Spencer,
| | - Valerie S. Palmer
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Glen E. Kisby
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest, Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon, OR, United States
| | - Emmeline Lagrange
- Department of Neurology, Reference Center of Neuromuscular Disease and ALS Consultations, Grenoble University Hospital, Grenoble, France
| | - B. Zane Horowitz
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon-Alaska Poison Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Raquel Valdes Angues
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Jacques Reis
- University of Strasbourg, Faculté de Médecine, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean-Paul Vernoux
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, Unité de Recherche Aliments Bioprocédés Toxicologie Environnements, Caen, France
| | - Cédric Raoul
- INM, University of Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - William Camu
- ALS Reference Center, Montpellier University Hospital and University of Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
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Wu C, Jiang ML, Jiang R, Pang T, Zhang CJ. The roles of fungus in CNS autoimmune and neurodegeneration disorders. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1077335. [PMID: 36776399 PMCID: PMC9910218 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1077335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal infection or proliferation in our body is capable of initiation of strong inflammation and immune responses that result in different consequences, including infection-trigged organ injury and inflammation-related remote organ dysfunction. Fungi associated infectious diseases have been well recognized in the clinic. However, whether fungi play an important role in non-infectious central nervous system disease is still to be elucidated. Recently, a growing amount of evidence point to a non-negligible role of peripheral fungus in triggering unique inflammation, immune response, and exacerbation of a range of non-infectious CNS disorders, including Multiple sclerosis, Neuromyelitis optica, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis et al. In this review, we summarized the recent advances in recognizing patterns and inflammatory signaling of fungi in different subsets of immune cells, with a specific focus on its function in CNS autoimmune and neurodegeneration diseases. In conclusion, the fungus is capable of triggering unique inflammation by multiple mechanisms in the progression of a body of CNS non-infectious diseases, suggesting it serves as a key factor and critical novel target for the development of potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuyu Wu
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mei-Ling Jiang
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,*Correspondence: Cun-Jin Zhang, ; Mei-Ling Jiang, ; Tao Pang,
| | - Runqui Jiang
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tao Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China,*Correspondence: Cun-Jin Zhang, ; Mei-Ling Jiang, ; Tao Pang,
| | - Cun-Jin Zhang
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,Institute of Brain Sciences, Institute of Brain Disorder Translational Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,Jiangsu Province Stroke Center for Diagnosis and Therapy, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,*Correspondence: Cun-Jin Zhang, ; Mei-Ling Jiang, ; Tao Pang,
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10
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Mazumder S, Kiernan MC, Halliday GM, Timmins HC, Mahoney CJ. The contribution of brain banks to knowledge discovery in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A systematic review. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2022; 48:e12845. [PMID: 35921237 PMCID: PMC9804699 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decade, considerable efforts have been made to accelerate pathophysiological understanding of fatal neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with brain banks at the forefront. In addition to exploratory disease mechanisms, brain banks have aided our understanding with regard to clinical diagnosis, genetics and cell biology. Across neurodegenerative disorders, the impact of brain tissue in ALS research has yet to be quantified. This review aims to outline (i) how postmortem tissues from brain banks have influenced our understanding of ALS over the last 15 years, (ii) correlate the location of dedicated brain banks with the geographical prevalence of ALS, (iii) identify the frequency of features reported from postmortem studies and (iv) propose common reporting standards for materials obtained from dedicated brain banks. A systematic review was conducted using PubMed and Web of Science databases using key words. From a total of 1439 articles, 73 articles were included in the final review, following PRISMA guidelines. Following a thematic analysis, articles were categorised into five themes; clinico-pathological (13), genetic (20), transactive response DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) pathology (12), non-TDP-43 neuronal pathology (nine) and extraneuronal pathology (19). Research primarily focused on the genetics of ALS, followed by protein pathology. About 63% of the brain banks were in the United States of America and United Kingdom. The location of brain banks overall aligned with the incidence of ALS worldwide with 88% of brain banks situated in Europe and North America. An overwhelming lack of consistency in reporting and replicability was observed, strengthening the need for a standardised reporting system. Overall, postmortem material from brain banks generated substantial new knowledge in areas of genetics and proteomics and supports their ongoing role as an important research tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srestha Mazumder
- ForeFront Clinic, Brain and Mind CentreUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Matthew C. Kiernan
- ForeFront Clinic, Brain and Mind CentreUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Glenda M. Halliday
- Frontier, Brain and Mind CentreUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Hannah C. Timmins
- ForeFront Clinic, Brain and Mind CentreUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Colin J. Mahoney
- ForeFront Clinic, Brain and Mind CentreUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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11
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Implications of Microorganisms in Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:4584-4615. [PMID: 36286029 PMCID: PMC9600878 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44100314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a deadly brain degenerative disorder that leads to brain shrinkage and dementia. AD is manifested with hyperphosphorylated tau protein levels and amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide buildup in the hippocampus and cortex regions of the brain. The nervous tissue of AD patients also contains fungal proteins and DNA which are linked to bacterial infections, suggesting that polymicrobial infections also occur in the brains of those with AD. Both immunohistochemistry and next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques were employed to assess fungal and bacterial infections in the brain tissue of AD patients and non-AD controls, with the most prevalent fungus genera detected in AD patients being Alternaria, Botrytis, Candida, and Malassezia. Interestingly, Fusarium was the most common genus detected in the control group. Both AD patients and controls were also detectable for Proteobacteria, followed by Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroides for bacterial infection. At the family level, Burkholderiaceae and Staphylococcaceae exhibited higher levels in the brains of those with AD than the brains of the control group. Accordingly, there is thought to be a viscous cycle of uncontrolled neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in the brain, caused by agents such as the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1), Chlamydophilapneumonia, and Spirochetes, and the presence of apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4), which is associated with an increased proinflammatory response in the immune system. Systemic proinflammatory cytokines are produced by microorganisms such as Cytomegalovirus, Helicobacter pylori, and those related to periodontal infections. These can then cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and lead to the onset of dementia. Here, we reviewed the relationship between the etiology of AD and microorganisms (such as bacterial pathogens, Herpesviridae viruses, and periodontal pathogens) according to the evidence available to understand the pathogenesis of AD. These findings might guide a targeted anti-inflammatory therapeutic approach to AD.
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Hobi S, Cafarchia C, Romano V, Barrs VR. Malassezia: Zoonotic Implications, Parallels and Differences in Colonization and Disease in Humans and Animals. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8070708. [PMID: 35887463 PMCID: PMC9324274 DOI: 10.3390/jof8070708] [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: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Malassezia spp. are commensals of the skin, oral/sinonasal cavity, lower respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. Eighteen species have been recovered from humans, other mammals and birds. They can also be isolated from diverse environments, suggesting an evolutionary trajectory of adaption from an ecological niche in plants and soil to the mucocutaneous ecosystem of warm-blooded vertebrates. In humans, dogs and cats, Malassezia-associated dermatological conditions share some commonalities. Otomycosis is common in companion animals but is rare in humans. Systemic infections, which are increasingly reported in humans, have yet to be recognized in animals. Malassezia species have also been identified as pathogenetic contributors to some chronic human diseases. While Malassezia species are host-adapted, some species are zoophilic and can cause fungemia, with outbreaks in neonatal intensive care wards associated with temporary colonization of healthcare worker’s hands from contact with their pets. Although standardization is lacking, susceptibility testing is usually performed using a modified broth microdilution method. Antifungal susceptibility can vary depending on Malassezia species, body location, infection type, disease duration, presence of co-morbidities and immunosuppression. Antifungal resistance mechanisms include biofilm formation, mutations or overexpression of ERG11, overexpression of efflux pumps and gene rearrangements or overexpression in chromosome 4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Hobi
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
- Correspondence: (S.H.); (V.R.B.)
| | - Claudia Cafarchia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Str. prov. per Casamassima Km 3, Valenzano, (Bari), 70010, Italy; (C.C.); (V.R.)
| | - Valentina Romano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Str. prov. per Casamassima Km 3, Valenzano, (Bari), 70010, Italy; (C.C.); (V.R.)
| | - Vanessa R. Barrs
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Animal Health and Welfare, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China
- Correspondence: (S.H.); (V.R.B.)
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Yang Q, Ouyang J, Pi D, Feng L, Yang J. Malassezia in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Accomplice of Evoking Tumorigenesis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:846469. [PMID: 35309351 PMCID: PMC8931276 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.846469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a significantly higher risk of developing different cancers, while the exact mechanism involved is not yet fully understood. Malassezia is a lipid-dependent opportunistic yeast, which colonizes on mammalian skin and internal organs. Also, dysbiosis in fungal communities accompanied by high level of Malassezia are fairly common in inflammatory diseases such as IBD and various cancers. In cancer patients, higher levels of Malassezia are associated with worse prognosis. Once it is ablated in tumor-bearing mice, their prognostic conditions will be improved. Moreover, Malassezia manifests multiple proinflammatory biological properties, such as destruction of epithelial barrier, enrichment of inflammatory factors, and degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM), all of which have been reported to contribute to tumor initiation and malignant progression. Based on these facts, we hypothesize that high levels of Malassezia together with mycobiome dysbiosis in patients with IBD, would aggravate the microecological imbalance, worsen the inflammatory response, and further promote tumorigenesis and deterioration. Herein, we will discuss the detrimental properties of Malassezia and explore the key role of this fungus in the correlation between IBD and cancer, in order to take early surveillance and intervention to minimize the cancer risk in individuals with IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyu Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital & Chongqing Cancer Institute & Chongqing Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Ouyang
- Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Damao Pi
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Feng
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Li Feng, ; Jiadan Yang,
| | - Jiadan Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Li Feng, ; Jiadan Yang,
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Phuna ZX, Madhavan P. A CLOSER LOOK AT THE MYCOBIOME IN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE: FUNGAL SPECIES, PATHOGENESIS AND TRANSMISSION. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 55:1291-1321. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Xin Phuna
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University Malaysia Subang Jaya Selangor
| | - Priya Madhavan
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University Malaysia Subang Jaya Selangor
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Evaluation of the antibacterial effects and mechanism of Plantaricin 149 from Lactobacillus plantarum NRIC 149 on the peri-implantitis pathogens. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21022. [PMID: 34697350 PMCID: PMC8545926 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00497-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Peri-implantitis is a common reversible disease after tooth implantation, caused by a variety of pathogenic microorganisms. Based on non-surgical or surgical treatment principles, supplementation by local or systemic drugs might enhance treatment efficacy. Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) (ATCC 33,277) and Prevotella intermedius (Pi) (ATCC 25,611) were used as test strains. The effects of Pln 149 on the biofilm formation and growth of four periodontal pathogens were evaluated by RT-PCR, fluorescence microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The antibacterial mechanism was tested by the patch-clamp technique. The cytotoxicity of Pln 149 (125 µg/ml) to bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) was assessed using an MTT assay. Pln 149 exhibited significant inhibitory effects on Pg and Pi (P < 0.05), with significant differences in the biofilm images of fluorescence microscope and scanning electron microscope (P < 0.05). Pln 149 could change the sodium channel currents and exerted no cytotoxicity on bone marrow stromal cell. Pln 149 could inhibit the biofilm formation and growth of periodontal pathogens. Considering the absence of antimicrobial resistance and cytotoxicity, we suggest that the Pln 149 from Lactobacillus plantarum 149 might be a promising option for managing peri-implantitis.
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Chronic Diseases Associated with Malassezia Yeast. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7100855. [PMID: 34682276 PMCID: PMC8540640 DOI: 10.3390/jof7100855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Malassezia are a lipid-dependent basidiomycetous yeast of the normal skin microbiome, although Malassezia DNA has been recently detected in other body sites and has been associated with certain chronic human diseases. This new perspective raises many questions. Are these yeasts truly present in the investigated body site or were they contaminated by other body sites, adjacent or not? Does this DNA contamination come from living or dead yeast? If these yeasts are alive, do they belong to the resident mycobiota or are they transient colonizers which are not permanently established within these niches? Finally, are these yeasts associated with certain chronic diseases or not? In an attempt to shed light on this knowledge gap, we critically reviewed the 31 published studies focusing on the association of Malassezia spp. with chronic human diseases, including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (AD), chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), asthma, cystic fibrosis (CF), HIV infection, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colorectal cancer (CRC), and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Antequera D, Moneo D, Carrero L, Bartolome F, Ferrer I, Proctor G, Carro E. Salivary Lactoferrin Expression in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Immunol 2021; 12:749468. [PMID: 34659251 PMCID: PMC8514982 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.749468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last few years, microbial infection and innate immune theories have been proposed as an alternative approach explaining the etiopathogenesis and origin of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Lactoferrin, one of the main antimicrobial proteins in saliva, is an important modulator of immune response and inflammation, and represents an important defensive element by inducing a broad spectrum of antimicrobial effects against microbial infections. We demonstrated that lactoferrin levels in saliva are decreased in prodromal and dementia stages of AD compared with healthy subjects. That finding seems to be specific to cerebral amyloid-β (Aβ) load as such observation was not observed in healthy elderly controls or those subjects with frontotemporal dementia. In the present study, we analysed salivary lactoferrin levels in a mouse model of AD. We observed robust and early reduction of lactoferrin levels in saliva from 6- and 12-month-old APP/PS1 mice. Because saliva is secreted by salivary glands, we presume that deregulation in salivary glands resulting in reduced salivary lactoferrin levels may occur in AD. To test this hypothesis, we collected submandibular glands from APP/PS1 mice, as well as submandibular gland tissue from AD patients and we analysed the expression levels of key components of the salivary protein signalling pathway. A significant reduction in M3 receptor levels was found along with decreased acetylcholine (Ach) levels in submandibular glands from APP/PS1 mice. Similarly, a reduction in M3 receptor levels was observed in human submandibular glands from AD patients but in that case, the Ach levels were found increased. Our data suggest that the ACh-mediated M3 signalling pathway is impaired in salivary glands in AD, resulting in salivary gland dysfunction and reduced salivary lactoferrin secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desiree Antequera
- Network Centre for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Degenerative Dementias, Madrid, Spain
- Group of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Diego Moneo
- Group of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Carrero
- Network Centre for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Degenerative Dementias, Madrid, Spain
- Group of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Bartolome
- Network Centre for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Degenerative Dementias, Madrid, Spain
- Group of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Isidro Ferrer
- Network Centre for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Degenerative Dementias, Madrid, Spain
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Barcelona, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gordon Proctor
- Centre for Host Microbiome Interactions, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eva Carro
- Network Centre for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Degenerative Dementias, Madrid, Spain
- Group of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
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Nguyen VTT, König S, Eggert S, Endres K, Kins S. The role of mycotoxins in neurodegenerative diseases: current state of the art and future perspectives of research. Biol Chem 2021; 403:3-26. [PMID: 34449171 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2021-0214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Mycotoxins are fungal metabolites that can cause various diseases in humans and animals. The adverse health effects of mycotoxins such as liver failure, immune deficiency, and cancer are well-described. However, growing evidence suggests an additional link between these fungal metabolites and neurodegenerative diseases. Despite the wealth of these initial reports, reliable conclusions are still constrained by limited access to human patients and availability of suitable cell or animal model systems. This review summarizes knowledge on mycotoxins associated with neurodegenerative diseases and the assumed underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. The limitations of the common in vivo and in vitro experiments to identify the role of mycotoxins in neurotoxicity and thereby in neurodegenerative diseases are elucidated and possible future perspectives to further evolve this research field are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vu Thu Thuy Nguyen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Str. 8, D-55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Svenja König
- Department of Human Biology and Human Genetics, University of Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schrödinger-Straße 13, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Simone Eggert
- Department of Human Biology and Human Genetics, University of Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schrödinger-Straße 13, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Kristina Endres
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Str. 8, D-55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Stefan Kins
- Department of Human Biology and Human Genetics, University of Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schrödinger-Straße 13, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
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Lotz SK, Blackhurst BM, Reagin KL, Funk KE. Microbial Infections Are a Risk Factor for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:691136. [PMID: 34305533 PMCID: PMC8292681 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.691136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, comprise a family of disorders characterized by progressive loss of nervous system function. Neuroinflammation is increasingly recognized to be associated with many neurodegenerative diseases but whether it is a cause or consequence of the disease process is unclear. Of growing interest is the role of microbial infections in inciting degenerative neuroinflammatory responses and genetic factors that may regulate those responses. Microbial infections cause inflammation within the central nervous system through activation of brain-resident immune cells and infiltration of peripheral immune cells. These responses are necessary to protect the brain from lethal infections but may also induce neuropathological changes that lead to neurodegeneration. This review discusses the molecular and cellular mechanisms through which microbial infections may increase susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases. Elucidating these mechanisms is critical for developing targeted therapeutic approaches that prevent the onset and slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kristen E. Funk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
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20
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Cerebrospinal Fluid Chitinases as Biomarkers for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11071210. [PMID: 34359293 PMCID: PMC8305219 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11071210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative neuromuscular disease that affects motor neurons controlling voluntary muscles. Survival is usually 2–5 years after onset, and death occurs due to respiratory failure. The identification of biomarkers would be very useful to help in disease diagnosis and for patient stratification based on, e.g., progression rate, with implications in therapeutic trials. Neurofilaments constitute already-promising markers for ALS and, recently, chitinases have emerged as novel marker targets for the disease. Here, we investigated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) chitinases as potential markers for ALS. Chitotriosidase (CHIT1), chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1), chitinase-3-like protein 2 (CHI3L2) and the benchmark marker phosphoneurofilament heavy chain (pNFH) were quantified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) from the CSF of 34 ALS patients and 24 control patients with other neurological diseases. CSF was also analyzed by UHPLC-mass spectrometry. All three chitinases, as well as pNFH, were found to correlate with disease progression rate. Furthermore, CHIT1 was elevated in ALS patients with high diagnostic performance, as was pNFH. On the other hand, CHIT1 correlated with forced vital capacity (FVC). The three chitinases correlated with pNFH, indicating a relation between degeneration and neuroinflammation. In conclusion, our results supported the value of CHIT1 as a diagnostic and progression rate biomarker, and its potential as respiratory function marker. The results opened novel perspectives to explore chitinases as biomarkers and their functional relevance in ALS.
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21
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Neuroinflammation: An Integrating Overview of Reactive-Neuroimmune Cell Interactions in Health and Disease. Mediators Inflamm 2021; 2021:9999146. [PMID: 34158806 PMCID: PMC8187052 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9999146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept of central nervous system (CNS) inflammation has evolved over the last decades. Neuroinflammation is the response of reactive CNS components to altered homeostasis, regardless of the cause to be endogenous or exogenous. Neurological diseases, whether traumatic, neoplastic, ischemic, metabolic, toxic, infectious, autoimmune, developmental, or degenerative, involve direct and indirect immune-related neuroinflammation. Brain infiltrates of the innate and adaptive immune system cells appear in response to an infective or otherwise noxious agent and produce inflammatory mediators. Mediators of inflammation include local and recruited cells and signals. Processes derived from extrinsic and intrinsic CNS diseases also elicit the CNS inflammatory response. A deeper understanding of immune-related inflammation in health and disease is necessary to find potential therapeutic targets for preventing or reducing CNS damage. This review is aimed at discussing the innate and adaptive immune system functions and their roles in regulating brain cell responses in disease and homeostasis maintenance.
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Melnick M, Gonzales P, LaRocca TJ, Song Y, Wuu J, Benatar M, Oskarsson B, Petrucelli L, Dowell RD, Link CD, Prudencio M. Application of a bioinformatic pipeline to RNA-seq data identifies novel viruslike sequence in human blood. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2021; 11:6259144. [PMID: 33914880 PMCID: PMC8661426 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Numerous reports have suggested that infectious agents could play a role in neurodegenerative diseases, but specific etiological agents have not been convincingly demonstrated. To search for candidate agents in an unbiased fashion, we have developed a bioinformatic pipeline that identifies microbial sequences in mammalian RNA-seq data, including sequences with no significant nucleotide similarity hits in GenBank. Effectiveness of the pipeline was tested using publicly available RNA-seq data and in a reconstruction experiment using synthetic data. We then applied this pipeline to a novel RNA-seq dataset generated from a cohort of 120 samples from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and controls, and identified sequences corresponding to known bacteria and viruses, as well as novel virus-like sequences. The presence of these novel virus-like sequences, which were identified in subsets of both patients and controls, were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. We believe this pipeline will be a useful tool for the identification of potential etiological agents in the many RNA-seq datasets currently being generated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Melnick
- Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80303, USA
| | - Patrick Gonzales
- Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80303, USA
| | - Thomas J LaRocca
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Center for Healthy Aging, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80523, USA
| | - Yuping Song
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, Florida, 32224, USA
| | - Joanne Wuu
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, 33136, USA
| | - Michael Benatar
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, 33136, USA
| | - Björn Oskarsson
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville FL, 32224, USA
| | - Leonard Petrucelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, Florida, 32224, USA.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Jacksonville, Florida, 32224, USA
| | - Robin D Dowell
- BioFrontiers Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80303, USA
| | - Christopher D Link
- Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80303, USA.,Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80303, USA
| | - Mercedes Prudencio
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, Florida, 32224, USA.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Jacksonville, Florida, 32224, USA
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Stipa G, Ancidoni A, Mazzola M, Testai E, Funari E, Spera C, Fanelli C, Mancini A, Vanacore N. Is Chronic Exposure to Raw Water a Possible Risk Factor for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis? A Pilot Case-Control Study. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11020193. [PMID: 33562464 PMCID: PMC7914845 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11020193] [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: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The etiopathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is still largely unknown. Methods: We performed a case-control study (33 cases and 35 controls) in Umbria, Italy. We investigated associations between common lifestyle, clinical factors, as well as environmental exposures potentially implicated with ALS onset. Face-to-face interviews were carried out. All cases were recruited and diagnosed according to El Escorial criteria. Case-control comparisons were made for educational and residential status, occupational exposures, and clinical and lifestyle factors prior to cases’ dates of diagnosis. Results: Our results showed an increased risk of ALS for subjects chronically exposed to raw water use (odds ratio (OR) = 6.55, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.24–19.12). Garden activities showed a tight association with ALS as well, very likely as a consequence of chronic raw water exposure. Indeed, we could exclude an impact for pesticides, as no significant differences were observed in pesticide exposure in the two groups interviewed. However, cases were more often exposed to fertilizers. After adjustment for age, sex, and heavy physical activities, exposure to raw water was still associated with increased ALS risk (OR = 4.74, 95% CI: 1.33–16.85). Discussion: These findings suggest an association between ALS and exposure to raw water, which should be further investigated for the presence of chemicals interfering with nervous system functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Stipa
- Clinical Neurophysiology Division, Neuroscience Department, S. Maria University Hospital, 05100 Terni, Italy; (C.F.); (A.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Antonio Ancidoni
- National Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (ISS), 34, 00162 Roma, Italy; (A.A.); (M.M.); (N.V.)
| | - Monica Mazzola
- National Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (ISS), 34, 00162 Roma, Italy; (A.A.); (M.M.); (N.V.)
| | - Emanuela Testai
- Department of Environment and Health, National Institute of Health (ISS), 299, 00161 Roma, Italy; (E.T.); (E.F.)
| | - Enzo Funari
- Department of Environment and Health, National Institute of Health (ISS), 299, 00161 Roma, Italy; (E.T.); (E.F.)
| | - Cristina Spera
- Neurology Division, Neuroscience Department, S. Maria University Hospital, 05100 Terni, Italy;
| | - Cinzia Fanelli
- Clinical Neurophysiology Division, Neuroscience Department, S. Maria University Hospital, 05100 Terni, Italy; (C.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Alessia Mancini
- Clinical Neurophysiology Division, Neuroscience Department, S. Maria University Hospital, 05100 Terni, Italy; (C.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Nicola Vanacore
- National Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (ISS), 34, 00162 Roma, Italy; (A.A.); (M.M.); (N.V.)
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Fülöp T, Munawara U, Larbi A, Desroches M, Rodrigues S, Catanzaro M, Guidolin A, Khalil A, Bernier F, Barron AE, Hirokawa K, Beauregard PB, Dumoulin D, Bellenger JP, Witkowski JM, Frost E. Targeting Infectious Agents as a Therapeutic Strategy in Alzheimer's Disease. CNS Drugs 2020; 34:673-695. [PMID: 32458360 PMCID: PMC9020372 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-020-00737-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent dementia in the world. Its cause(s) are presently largely unknown. The most common explanation for AD, now, is the amyloid cascade hypothesis, which states that the cause of AD is senile plaque formation by the amyloid β peptide, and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles by hyperphosphorylated tau. A second, burgeoning theory by which to explain AD is based on the infection hypothesis. Much experimental and epidemiological data support the involvement of infections in the development of dementia. According to this mechanism, the infection either directly or via microbial virulence factors precedes the formation of amyloid β plaques. The amyloid β peptide, possessing antimicrobial properties, may be beneficial at an early stage of AD, but becomes detrimental with the progression of the disease, concomitantly with alterations to the innate immune system at both the peripheral and central levels. Infection results in neuroinflammation, leading to, and sustained by, systemic inflammation, causing eventual neurodegeneration, and the senescence of the immune cells. The sources of AD-involved microbes are various body microbiome communities from the gut, mouth, nose, and skin. The infection hypothesis of AD opens a vista to new therapeutic approaches, either by treating the infection itself or modulating the immune system, its senescence, or the body's metabolism, either separately, in parallel, or in a multi-step way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamàs Fülöp
- Geriatric Division, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Research Center on Aging, University of Sherbrooke, 3001, 12th Avenue North, Sherbrooke, QC, J1H 5N4, Canada.
| | - Usma Munawara
- Geriatric Division, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Research Center on Aging, University of Sherbrooke, 3001, 12th Avenue North, Sherbrooke, QC, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Anis Larbi
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Immunos Building, Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Mathieu Desroches
- MathNeuro Team, Inria Sophia Antipolis Méditerranée, Valbonne, France
- Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Serafim Rodrigues
- Ikerbasque, The Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
- BCAM, The Basque Center for Applied Mathematics, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Michele Catanzaro
- Geriatric Division, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Research Center on Aging, University of Sherbrooke, 3001, 12th Avenue North, Sherbrooke, QC, J1H 5N4, Canada
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Andrea Guidolin
- BCAM, The Basque Center for Applied Mathematics, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Abdelouahed Khalil
- Geriatric Division, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Research Center on Aging, University of Sherbrooke, 3001, 12th Avenue North, Sherbrooke, QC, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - François Bernier
- Next Generation Science Institute, Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd., Zama, Japan
| | - Annelise E Barron
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Katsuiku Hirokawa
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Health and Life Science, Tokyo and Nito-memory Nakanosogo Hospital, Tokyo Med. Dent. University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Pascale B Beauregard
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - David Dumoulin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-Philippe Bellenger
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Jacek M Witkowski
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Eric Frost
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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Spatz M, Richard ML. Overview of the Potential Role of Malassezia in Gut Health and Disease. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:201. [PMID: 32528901 PMCID: PMC7265801 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Malassezia is the most prevalent fungus identified in the human skin microbiota; originally described at the end of the nineteenth century, this genus is composed of at least 14 species. The role of Malassezia on the skin remains controversial because this genus has been associated with both healthy skin and pathologies (dermatitis, eczema, etc.). However, with the recent development of next-generation sequencing methods, allowing the description of the fungal diversity of various microbiota, Malassezia has also been identified as a resident fungus of diverse niches such as the gut or breast milk. A potential role for Malassezia in gut inflammation and cancer has also been suggested by recent studies. The aim of this review is to describe the findings on Malassezia in these unusual niches, to investigate what is known of the adaptation of Malassezia to the gut environment and to speculate on the role of this yeast in the host physiology specifically related to the gastrointestinal tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Spatz
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Mathias L Richard
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
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26
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Carrasco L, Pisa D, Alonso R. Polymicrobial Infections and Neurodegenerative Diseases. CURRENT CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40588-020-00139-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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27
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Pisa D, Alonso R, Carrasco L. Parkinson's Disease: A Comprehensive Analysis of Fungi and Bacteria in Brain Tissue. Int J Biol Sci 2020; 16:1135-1152. [PMID: 32174790 PMCID: PMC7053320 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.42257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by motor disorders and the destruction of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. In addition to motor disability, many patients with PD present a spectrum of clinical symptoms, including cognitive decline, psychiatric alterations, loss of smell and bladder dysfunction, among others. Neuroinflammation is one of the most salient features of PD, but the nature of the trigger remains unknown. A plausible mechanism to explain inflammation and the range of clinical symptoms in these patients is the presence of systemic microbial infection. Accordingly, the present study provides extensive evidence for the existence of mixed microbial infections in the central nervous system (CNS) of patients with PD. Assessment of CNS sections by immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies revealed the presence of both fungi and bacteria. Moreover, different regions of the CNS were positive for a variety of microbial morphologies, suggesting infection by a number of microorganisms. Identification of specific fungal and bacterial species in different CNS regions from six PD patients was accomplished using nested PCR analysis and next-generation sequencing, providing compelling evidence of polymicrobial infections in the CNS of PD. Most of the fungal species identified belong to the genera Botrytis, Candida, Fusarium and Malassezia. Some relevant bacterial genera were Streptococcus and Pseudomonas, with most bacterial species belonging to the phyla Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. Interestingly, we noted similarities and differences between the microbiota present in the CNS of patients with PD and that in other neurodegenerative diseases. Overall, our observations lend strong support to the concept that mixed microbial infections contribute to or are a risk factor for the neuropathology of PD. Importantly, these results provide the basis for effective treatments of this disease using already approved and safe antimicrobial therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luis Carrasco
- Centro de Biología Molecular “Severo Ochoa” (CSIC-UAM). c/Nicolás Cabrera, 1. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Cantoblanco. 28049 Madrid. Spain
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28
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Tiew PY, Mac Aogain M, Ali NABM, Thng KX, Goh K, Lau KJX, Chotirmall SH. The Mycobiome in Health and Disease: Emerging Concepts, Methodologies and Challenges. Mycopathologia 2020; 185:207-231. [PMID: 31894501 PMCID: PMC7223441 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-019-00413-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Fungal disease is an increasingly recognised global clinical challenge associated with high mortality. Early diagnosis of fungal infection remains problematic due to the poor sensitivity and specificity of current diagnostic modalities. Advances in sequencing technologies hold promise in addressing these shortcomings and for improved fungal detection and identification. To translate such emerging approaches into mainstream clinical care will require refinement of current sequencing and analytical platforms, ensuring standardisation and consistency through robust clinical benchmarking and its validation across a range of patient populations. In this state-of-the-art review, we discuss current diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with fungal disease and provide key examples where the application of sequencing technologies has potential diagnostic application in assessing the human ‘mycobiome’. We assess how ready access to fungal sequencing may be exploited in broadening our insight into host–fungal interaction, providing scope for clinical diagnostics and the translation of emerging mycobiome research into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Yee Tiew
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 11 Mandalay Road, Singapore, 308232, Singapore
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Micheál Mac Aogain
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 11 Mandalay Road, Singapore, 308232, Singapore
| | | | - Kai Xian Thng
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 11 Mandalay Road, Singapore, 308232, Singapore
| | - Karlyn Goh
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kenny J X Lau
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 11 Mandalay Road, Singapore, 308232, Singapore
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sanjay H Chotirmall
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 11 Mandalay Road, Singapore, 308232, Singapore.
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29
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Vicente FM, González-Garcia M, Diaz Pico E, Moreno-Castillo E, Garay HE, Rosi PE, Jimenez AM, Campos-Delgado JA, Rivera DG, Chinea G, Pietro RCL, Stenger S, Spellerberg B, Kubiczek D, Bodenberger N, Dietz S, Rosenau F, Paixão MW, Ständker L, Otero-González AJ. Design of a Helical-Stabilized, Cyclic, and Nontoxic Analogue of the Peptide Cm-p5 with Improved Antifungal Activity. ACS OMEGA 2019; 4:19081-19095. [PMID: 31763531 PMCID: PMC6868880 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b02201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Following the information obtained by a rational design study, a cyclic and helical-stabilized analogue of the peptide Cm-p5 was synthetized. The cyclic monomer showed an increased activity in vitro against Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis, compared to Cm-p5. Initially, 14 mutants of Cm-p5 were synthesized following a rational design to improve the antifungal activity and pharmacological properties. Antimicrobial testing showed that the activity was lost in each of these 14 analogues, suggesting, as a main conclusion, that a Glu-His salt bridge could stabilize Cm-p5 helical conformation during the interaction with the plasma membrane. A derivative, obtained by substitution of Glu and His for Cys, was synthesized and oxidized with the generation of a cyclic monomer with improved antifungal activity. In addition, two dimers were generated during the oxidation procedure, a parallel and antiparallel one. The dimers showed a helical secondary structure in water, whereas the cyclic monomer only showed this conformation in SDS. Molecular dynamic simulations confirmed the helical stabilizations for all of them, therefore indicating the possible essential role of the Glu-His salt bridge. In addition, the antiparallel dimer showed a moderate activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a significant activity against Listeria monocytogenes. Neither the cyclic monomer nor the dimers were toxic against macrophages or THP-1 human cells. Due to its increased capacity for fungal control compared to fluconazole, its low cytotoxicity, together with a stabilized α-helix and disulfide bridges, that may advance its metabolic stability, and in vivo activity, the new cyclic Cm-p5 monomer represents a potential systemic antifungal therapeutic candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fidel
E. Morales Vicente
- General
Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemistry and Center for Natural Products Research,
Faculty of Chemistry, University of Havana, Zapata y G, 10400 La Habana, Cuba
- Synthetic
Peptides Group, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P.O. Box 6162, 10600 La Habana, Cuba
- Center
of Excellence for Research in Sustainable Chemistry (CERSusChem),
Department of Chemistry, Federal University
of São Carlos-UFSCar, São Paulo 13565-905, Brazil
| | - Melaine González-Garcia
- Center
for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, 25 and I, 10400 La Habana, Cuba
| | - Erbio Diaz Pico
- Synthetic
Peptides Group, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P.O. Box 6162, 10600 La Habana, Cuba
| | - Elena Moreno-Castillo
- General
Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemistry and Center for Natural Products Research,
Faculty of Chemistry, University of Havana, Zapata y G, 10400 La Habana, Cuba
| | - Hilda E. Garay
- Synthetic
Peptides Group, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P.O. Box 6162, 10600 La Habana, Cuba
| | - Pablo E. Rosi
- Department
of Inorganic Chemistry, Analytical and Physical Chemistry, Facultad
de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad
de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1428EGA, Argentina
| | - Asiel Mena Jimenez
- General
Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemistry and Center for Natural Products Research,
Faculty of Chemistry, University of Havana, Zapata y G, 10400 La Habana, Cuba
| | - Jose A. Campos-Delgado
- Center
of Excellence for Research in Sustainable Chemistry (CERSusChem),
Department of Chemistry, Federal University
of São Carlos-UFSCar, São Paulo 13565-905, Brazil
| | - Daniel G. Rivera
- General
Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemistry and Center for Natural Products Research,
Faculty of Chemistry, University of Havana, Zapata y G, 10400 La Habana, Cuba
| | - Glay Chinea
- Synthetic
Peptides Group, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P.O. Box 6162, 10600 La Habana, Cuba
| | - Rosemeire C. L.
R. Pietro
- Laboratory
of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Drugs and Medicines,
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNESP, Araraquara 14800-900, Brazil
| | - Steffen Stenger
- Institute
of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University
Clinic of Ulm, Robert Koch Str. 8, Ulm D-89081, Germany
| | - Barbara Spellerberg
- Institute
of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University
Clinic of Ulm, Robert Koch Str. 8, Ulm D-89081, Germany
| | - Dennis Kubiczek
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ulm University, James-Frank-Ring N27, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Nicholas Bodenberger
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ulm University, James-Frank-Ring N27, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Steffen Dietz
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ulm University, James-Frank-Ring N27, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Frank Rosenau
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ulm University, James-Frank-Ring N27, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Márcio Weber Paixão
- Center
of Excellence for Research in Sustainable Chemistry (CERSusChem),
Department of Chemistry, Federal University
of São Carlos-UFSCar, São Paulo 13565-905, Brazil
- E-mail: (W.P.)
| | - Ludger Ständker
- Core
Facility for Functional Peptidomics, Ulm Peptide Pharmaceuticals (U-PEP),
University Ulm, Faculty of Medicine, Ulm
University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
- E-mail: (L.S.)
| | - Anselmo J. Otero-González
- Center
for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, 25 and I, 10400 La Habana, Cuba
- E-mail: (A.J.O.-G.)
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30
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Alonso R, Pisa D, Carrasco L. Brain Microbiota in Huntington's Disease Patients. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2622. [PMID: 31798558 PMCID: PMC6861841 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most important challenges facing medical science is to better understand the cause of neuronal pathology in neurodegenerative diseases. Such is the case for Huntington's disease (HD), a genetic disorder primarily caused by a triplet expansion in the Huntingtin gene (HTT). Although aberrant HTT is expressed from embryogenesis, it remains puzzling as to why the onset of disease symptoms manifest only after several decades of life. In the present study, we investigated the possibility of microbial infection in brain tissue from patients with HD, reasoning that perhaps mutated HTT could be deleterious for immune cells and neural tissue, and could facilitate microbial colonization. Using immunohistochemistry approaches, we observed a variety of fungal structures in the striatum and frontal cortex of seven HD patients. Some of these fungi were found in close proximity to the nucleus, or even as intranuclear inclusions. Identification of the fungal species was accomplished by next-generation sequencing (NGS). Interestingly, some genera, such as Ramularia, appeared unique to HD patients, and have not been previously described in other neurodegenerative diseases. Several bacterial species were also identified both by PCR and NGS. Notably, a curved and filamentous structure that immunoreacts with anti-bacterial antibodies was characteristic of HD brains and has not been previously observed in brain tissue from neurodegenerative patients. Prevalent bacterial genera included Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Burkholderia. Collectively, our results represent the first attempt to identify the brain microbiota in HD. Our observations suggest that microbial colonization may be a risk factor for HD and might explain why the onset of the disease appears after several decades of life. Importantly, they may open a new field of investigation and could help in the design of new therapeutic strategies for this devastating disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Alonso
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Diana Pisa
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Carrasco
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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31
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Dempsey JL, Little M, Cui JY. Gut microbiome: An intermediary to neurotoxicity. Neurotoxicology 2019; 75:41-69. [PMID: 31454513 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2019.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 08/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There is growing recognition that the gut microbiome is an important regulator for neurological functions. This review provides a summary on the role of gut microbiota in various neurological disorders including neurotoxicity induced by environmental stressors such as drugs, environmental contaminants, and dietary factors. We propose that the gut microbiome remotely senses and regulates CNS signaling through the following mechanisms: 1) intestinal bacteria-mediated biotransformation of neurotoxicants that alters the neuro-reactivity of the parent compounds; 2) altered production of neuro-reactive microbial metabolites following exposure to certain environmental stressors; 3) bi-directional communication within the gut-brain axis to alter the intestinal barrier integrity; and 4) regulation of mucosal immune function. Distinct microbial metabolites may enter systemic circulation and epigenetically reprogram the expression of host genes in the CNS, regulating neuroinflammation, cell survival, or cell death. We will also review the current tools for the study of the gut-brain axis and provide some suggestions to move this field forward in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph L Dempsey
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, United States
| | - Mallory Little
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, United States
| | - Julia Yue Cui
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, United States.
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32
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Laurence M, Benito-León J, Calon F. Malassezia and Parkinson's Disease. Front Neurol 2019; 10:758. [PMID: 31396143 PMCID: PMC6667642 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common debilitating neurodegenerative disease caused by a loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra within the central nervous system (CNS). The process leading to this neuronal loss is poorly understood. Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a common benign inflammatory condition of the skin which mainly affects lipid-rich regions of the head and trunk. SD is caused by over proliferation of the lipophilic fungus Malassezia. PD and SD are strongly associated. The increased PD risk following an SD diagnosis (OR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.36, 2.1; p < 0.001) reported by Tanner and colleagues remains unexplained. Malassezia were historically considered commensals confined to the skin. However, many recent studies report finding Malassezia in internal organs, including the CNS. This raises the possibility that Malassezia might be directly contributing to PD. Several lines of evidence support this hypothesis. AIDS is causally associated with both parkinsonism and SD, suggesting that weak T cell-mediated control of commensal microbes such as Malassezia might contribute to both. Genetic polymorphisms associated with PD (LRRK2, GBA, PINK1, SPG11, SNCA) increase availability of lipids within human cells, providing a suitable environment for Malassezia. Four LRRK2 polymorphisms which increase PD risk also increase Crohn's disease risk; Crohn's disease is strongly associated with an immune response against fungi, particularly Malassezia. Finally, Malassezia hypha formation and melanin synthesis are stimulated by L-DOPA, which could promote Malassezia invasiveness of dopamine neurons, and contribute to the accumulation of melanin in these neurons. Although Malassezia's presence in the substantia nigra remains to be confirmed, if Malassezia play a role in PD etiology, antifungal drugs should be tested as a possible therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julián Benito-León
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Madrid, Spain.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Frédéric Calon
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.,Neurosciences Unit, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, QC, Canada
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33
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Li E, Knight JM, Wu Y, Luong A, Rodriguez A, Kheradmand F, Corry DB. Airway mycosis in allergic airway disease. Adv Immunol 2019; 142:85-140. [PMID: 31296304 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ai.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The allergic airway diseases, including chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), asthma, allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) and many others, comprise a heterogeneous collection of inflammatory disorders affecting the upper and lower airways and lung parenchyma that represent the most common chronic diseases of humanity. In addition to their shared tissue tropism, the allergic airway diseases are characterized by a distinct pattern of inflammation involving the accumulation of eosinophils, type 2 macrophages, innate lymphoid cells type 2 (ILC2), IgE-secreting B cells, and T helper type 2 (Th2) cells in airway tissues, and the prominent production of type 2 cytokines including interleukin (IL-) 33, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and many others. These factors and related inflammatory molecules induce characteristic remodeling and other changes of the airways that include goblet cell metaplasia, enhanced mucus secretion, smooth muscle hypertrophy, tissue swelling and polyp formation that account for the major clinical manifestations of nasal obstruction, headache, hyposmia, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, and, in the most severe cases of lower airway disease, death due to respiratory failure or disseminated, systemic disease. The syndromic nature of the allergic airway diseases that now include many physiological variants or endotypes suggests that distinct endogenous or environmental factors underlie their expression. However, findings from different perspectives now collectively link these disorders to a single infectious source, the fungi, and a molecular pathogenesis that involves the local production of airway proteinases by these organisms. In this review, we discuss the evidence linking fungi and their proteinases to the surprisingly wide variety of chronic airway and systemic disorders and the immune pathogenesis of these conditions as they relate to environmental fungi. We further discuss the important implications these new findings have for the diagnosis and future therapy of these common conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan Li
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - J Morgan Knight
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Biology of Inflammation Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Yifan Wu
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Amber Luong
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Texas Health Science at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Antony Rodriguez
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Biology of Inflammation Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Michael E. DeBakey VA Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Farrah Kheradmand
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Biology of Inflammation Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Michael E. DeBakey VA Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Houston, TX, United States
| | - David B Corry
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Biology of Inflammation Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Michael E. DeBakey VA Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Houston, TX, United States.
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34
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ALSUntangled No. 50: Antifungal Therapy. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2019; 20:625-629. [PMID: 31155963 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2019.1622197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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35
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Alonso R, Pisa D, Carrasco L. Searching for Bacteria in Neural Tissue From Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:171. [PMID: 30863279 PMCID: PMC6399391 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite great efforts in the investigation, the exact etiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a matter of intensive research. We recently advanced the idea that ALS might be caused by fungal infection. Indeed, fungal yeast and hyphal structures can be directly visualized in neural tissue of ALS patients, and a number of fungal species have been identified in the central nervous system (CNS). In the present work, we tested the possibility that bacterial infections can accompany these mycoses. Our findings establish the presence of bacterial DNA in different regions of the CNS from all ALS patients examined. Specifically, we used PCR and next generation sequencing (NGS) to precisely determine the bacterial species present in ALS tissue. Consistent with these findings, immunohistochemistry analysis of CNS sections using specific anti-bacterial antibodies identified prokaryotic cells in neural tissue. Finally, we assayed for the repeat expansion of the hexanucleotide repeat GGGGCC in C9orf72, which is considered the most common genetic cause of ALS in patients, using DNA extracted from ALS CNS tissue. We failed to find this repeated sequence in any of the eleven patients analyzed. Our results indicate that bacterial DNA and prokaryotic cells are present in CNS tissue, leading to the concept that both fungal and bacterial infections coexist in patients with ALS. These observations lay the groundwork for the use of appropriate therapies to eradicate the polymicrobial infections in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Alonso
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Diana Pisa
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Carrasco
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Forbes JD, Bernstein CN, Tremlett H, Van Domselaar G, Knox NC. A Fungal World: Could the Gut Mycobiome Be Involved in Neurological Disease? Front Microbiol 2019; 9:3249. [PMID: 30687254 PMCID: PMC6333682 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.03249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The human microbiome has received decades of attention from scientific and medical research communities. The human gastrointestinal tract is host to immense populations of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, archaea, and fungi (the gut microbiota). High-throughput sequencing and computational advancements provide unprecedented ability to investigate the structure and function of microbial communities associated with the human body in health and disease. Most research to date has largely focused on elucidating the bacterial component of the human gut microbiota. Study of the gut "mycobiota," which refers to the diverse array of fungal species, is a relatively new and rapidly progressing field. Though omnipresent, the number and abundance of fungi occupying the human gut is orders of magnitude smaller than that of bacteria. Recent insights however, have suggested that the gut mycobiota may be intricately linked to health and disease. Evaluation of the gut mycobiota has shown that not only are the fungal communities altered in disease, but they also play a role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and influencing systemic immunity. In addition, it is now widely accepted that host-fungi and bacteria-fungi associations are critical to host health. While research of the gut mycobiota in health and disease is on the rise, little research has been performed in the context of neuroimmune and neurodegenerative conditions. Gut microbiota dysbiosis (specifically bacteria and archaea) have been reported in neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Alzheimer's, among others. Given the widely accepted bacteria-fungi associations and paucity of mycobiota-specific studies in neurological disease, this review discusses the potential role fungi may play in multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases. Herein, we provide an overview of recent advances in gut mycobiome research and discuss the plausible role of both intestinal and non-intestinal fungi in the context of neuroimmune and neurodegenerative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica D. Forbes
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- IBD Clinical and Research Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Charles N. Bernstein
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- IBD Clinical and Research Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Helen Tremlett
- Centre for Brain Health and Faculty of Medicine (Neurology), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Gary Van Domselaar
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Natalie C. Knox
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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French PW, Ludowyke RI, Guillemin GJ. Fungal-contaminated grass and well water and sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neural Regen Res 2019; 14:1490-1493. [PMID: 31089037 PMCID: PMC6557101 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.255959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungi are important infectious disease-causing agents, but are often overlooked as environmental factors in disease. We review several lines of evidence that point to a potential fungal origin of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the most common form of motor neurone disease. Approximately 90% cases of ALS are sporadic, and the aetiology of sporadic ALS is still unknown. We have previously postulated that grass or soil-associated fungal infections may be a leading cause of sporadic ALS. Herein we extend this proposal to water-associated fungi. A wide variety of fungi have been reported in drinking water including Acremonium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Penicillium and Trichoderma. Some of these are known to produce neurotoxic mycotoxins. Despite this, drinking water is not routinely monitored for fungal contamination. Fungal contamination could explain the close correlation between distribution of well water and cases of sporadic ALS in the United States. We propose several mechanisms by which an opportunistic fungal infection from environmental exposure (to water, soil or plants) can lead to long term neuronal degradation resulting in the hallmarks of ALS. If confirmed, the association between fungal infection and sporadic ALS could lead to novel treatment strategies for this progressive and fatal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gilles J Guillemin
- Neuroinflammation Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Fungal Neurotoxins and Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Neurotox Res 2018; 35:969-980. [PMID: 30515715 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-018-9980-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
We review several lines of evidence that point to a potential fungal origin of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is the most common form of motor neuron disease (MND) in adults. It is a progressive and fatal disease. Approximately 90% cases of ALS are sporadic, and 5-10% are due to genetic mutations (familial). About 25 genes implicated in familial ALS have been identified so far, including SOD1 and TARDBP, the gene encoding 43 kDa transactive response (TAR) DNA-binding protein (TDP-43). Despite intensive research over many decades, the aetiology of sporadic ALS is still unknown. An environmental cause, including grass or soil-associated fungal infections, is suggested from a range of widely diverse lines of evidence. Clusters of ALS have been reported in soccer players, natives of Guam and farmers. Grass-associated fungi are known to produce a range of neurotoxins and, in symbiotic associations, high levels of fungal SOD1. Exposure of neurons to fungal neurotoxins elicits a significant increase in glutamate production. High levels of glutamate stimulate TDP-43 translocation and modification, providing a link between fungal infection and one of the molecular and histologic hallmarks of sporadic ALS. A recent study provided evidence of a variety of fungi in the cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue of ALS patients. This review provides a rational explanation for this observation. If a fungal infection could be confirmed as a potential cause of ALS, this could provide a straightforward treatment strategy for this fatal and incurable disease.
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Pisa D, Alonso R, Marina AI, Rábano A, Carrasco L. Human and Microbial Proteins From Corpora Amylacea of Alzheimer's Disease. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9880. [PMID: 29959356 PMCID: PMC6026157 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28231-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Corpora amylacea (CA) are spherical bodies mainly composed of polyglucans and, to a lesser extent, proteins. They are abundant in brains from patients with neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. Although CA were discovered many years ago, their precise origin and function remain obscure. CA from the insular cortex of two Alzheimer’s patients were purified and the protein composition was assessed by proteomic analysis. A number of microbial proteins were identified and fungal DNA was detected by nested PCR.A wide variety of human proteins form part of CA. In addition, we unequivocally demonstrated several fungal and bacterial proteins in purified CA. In addition to a variety of human proteins, CA also contain fungal and bacterial polypeptides.In conclusion, this paper suggests that the function of CA is to scavenge cellular debris provoked by microbial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Pisa
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM). c/Nicolás Cabrera, 1. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Cantoblanco., 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ruth Alonso
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM). c/Nicolás Cabrera, 1. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Cantoblanco., 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Isabel Marina
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM). c/Nicolás Cabrera, 1. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Cantoblanco., 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Rábano
- Department of Neuropathology and Tissue Bank, Unidad de Investigación Proyecto Alzheimer, Fundación CIEN, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Carrasco
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM). c/Nicolás Cabrera, 1. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Cantoblanco., 28049, Madrid, Spain.
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Alonso R, Fernández-Fernández AM, Pisa D, Carrasco L. Multiple sclerosis and mixed microbial infections. Direct identification of fungi and bacteria in nervous tissue. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 117:42-61. [PMID: 29859870 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the prototypical inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS), leading to multifocal demyelination and neurodegeneration. The etiology of this incurable disease is unknown and remains a matter of intensive research. The possibility that microbial infections, such as viruses or bacteria, can trigger an autoimmune reaction in CNS tissue has been suggested. However, the recent demonstration that bacteria are present in CNS tissue points to a direct involvement of microbial infections in the etiology of MS. In the present study, we provide the first evidence of fungal infection in CNS tissue of MS patients, and demonstrate that fungal DNA from different species can be detected in the CNS. We used, nested PCR assays together with next-generation sequencing to identify the fungal species in the nervous tissue of 10 patients with MS. Strikingly, Trichosporon mucoides was found in the majority of MS patients, and particularly high levels of this fungus were found in two patients. Importantly, T. mucoides was not detected in the CNS of control subjects. We were also able to visualize fungal structures in CNS tissue sections by immunohistochemistry using specific antifungal antibodies, which also revealed the accumulation of a number of microbial cells in microfoci. Again, microbial structures were not observed in CNS sections from controls. In addition to fungi, neural tissue from MS patients was also positive for bacteria. In conclusion, our present observations point to the novel concept that MS could be caused by polymicrobial infections. Thus, mycosis of the CNS may be accompanied by opportunistic bacterial infection, promoting neuroinflammation and directly causing focal lesions, followed by demyelination and axonal injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Alonso
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), c/Nicolás Cabrera, 1. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana M Fernández-Fernández
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), c/Nicolás Cabrera, 1. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Diana Pisa
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), c/Nicolás Cabrera, 1. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Carrasco
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), c/Nicolás Cabrera, 1. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
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Castanedo-Vazquez D, Bosque-Varela P, Sainz-Pelayo A, Riancho J. Infectious agents and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: another piece of the puzzle of motor neuron degeneration. J Neurol 2018; 266:27-36. [PMID: 29845377 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-018-8919-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons (MN). This fatal disease is characterized by progressive muscle wasting and lacks an effective treatment. ALS pathogenesis has not been elucidated yet. In a small proportion of ALS patients, the disease has a familial origin, related to mutations in specific genes, which directly result in MN degeneration. By contrast, the vast majority of cases are though to be sporadic, in which genes and environment interact leading to disease in genetically predisposed individuals. Lately, the role of the environment has gained relevance in this field and an extensive list of environmental conditions have been postulated to be involved in ALS. Among them, infectious agents, particularly viruses, have been suggested to play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. These agents could act by interacting with some crucial pathways in MN degeneration, such as gene processing, oxidative stress or neuroinflammation. In this article, we will review the main studies about the involvement of microorganisms in ALS, subsequently discussing their potential pathogenic effect and integrating them as another piece in the puzzle of ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pilar Bosque-Varela
- Service of Neurology, University Hospital Marques de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain
| | | | - Javier Riancho
- Service of Neurology, Hospital Sierrallana-IDIVAL, Torrelavega, Spain. .,CIBERNED, Madrid, Spain.
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Alonso R, Pisa D, Fernández-Fernández AM, Carrasco L. Infection of Fungi and Bacteria in Brain Tissue From Elderly Persons and Patients With Alzheimer's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2018; 10:159. [PMID: 29881346 PMCID: PMC5976758 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in elderly people. The etiology of this disease remains a matter of intensive research in many laboratories. We have advanced the idea that disseminated fungal infection contributes to the etiology of AD. Thus, we have demonstrated that fungal proteins and DNA are present in nervous tissue from AD patients. More recently, we have reported that bacterial infections can accompany these mycoses, suggesting that polymicrobial infections exist in AD brains. In the present study, we have examined fungal and bacterial infection in brain tissue from AD patients and control subjects by immunohistochemistry. In addition, we have documented the fungal and bacterial species in brain regions from AD patients and control subjects by next-generation sequencing (NGS). Our results from the analysis of ten AD patients reveal a variety of fungal and bacterial species, although some were more prominent than others. The fungal genera more prevalent in AD patients were Alternaria, Botrytis, Candida, and Malassezia. We also compared these genera with those found in elderly and younger subjects. One of the most prominent genera in control subjects was Fusarium. Principal component analysis clearly indicated that fungi from frontal cortex samples of AD brains clustered together and differed from those of equivalent control subjects. Regarding bacterial infection, the phylum Proteobacteria was the most prominent in both AD patients and controls, followed by Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroides. At the family level, Burkholderiaceae and Staphylococcaceae exhibited higher percentages in AD brains than in control brains. These findings could be of interest to guide targeted antimicrobial therapy for AD patients. Moreover, the variety of microbial species in each patient may constitute a basis for a better understanding of the evolution and severity of clinical symptoms in each patient.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Luis Carrasco
- Centro de Biología Molecular “Severo Ochoa”, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas y Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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