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Jia LJ, González K, Orasch T, Schmidt F, Brakhage AA. Manipulation of host phagocytosis by fungal pathogens and therapeutic opportunities. Nat Microbiol 2024; 9:2216-2231. [PMID: 39187614 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-024-01780-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
An important host defence mechanism against pathogens is intracellular killing, which is achieved through phagocytosis, a cellular process for engulfing and neutralizing extracellular particles. Phagocytosis results in the formation of matured phagolysosomes, which are specialized compartments that provide a hostile environment and are considered the end point of the degradative pathway. However, all fungal pathogens studied to date have developed strategies to manipulate phagosomal function directly and also indirectly by redirecting phagosomes from the degradative pathway to a non-degradative pathway with the expulsion and even transfer of pathogens between cells. Here, using the major human fungal pathogens Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Histoplasma capsulatum as examples, we discuss the processes involved in host phagosome-fungal pathogen interactions, with a focus on fungal evasion strategies. We also discuss recent approaches to targeting intraphagosomal pathogens, including the redirection of phagosomes towards degradative pathways for fungal pathogen eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei-Jie Jia
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany.
- Junior Research Group Phagosome Biology and Engineering, Leibniz-HKI, Jena, Germany.
| | - Katherine González
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Orasch
- Transfer Group Anti-infectives, Leibniz-HKI, Jena, Germany
| | - Franziska Schmidt
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany.
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.
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Katsipoulaki M, Stappers MHT, Malavia-Jones D, Brunke S, Hube B, Gow NAR. Candida albicans and Candida glabrata: global priority pathogens. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024; 88:e0002123. [PMID: 38832801 PMCID: PMC11332356 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00021-23] [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] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYA significant increase in the incidence of Candida-mediated infections has been observed in the last decade, mainly due to rising numbers of susceptible individuals. Recently, the World Health Organization published its first fungal pathogen priority list, with Candida species listed in medium, high, and critical priority categories. This review is a synthesis of information and recent advances in our understanding of two of these species-Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. Of these, C. albicans is the most common cause of candidemia around the world and is categorized as a critical priority pathogen. C. glabrata is considered a high-priority pathogen and has become an increasingly important cause of candidemia in recent years. It is now the second most common causative agent of candidemia in many geographical regions. Despite their differences and phylogenetic divergence, they are successful as pathogens and commensals of humans. Both species can cause a broad variety of infections, ranging from superficial to potentially lethal systemic infections. While they share similarities in certain infection strategies, including tissue adhesion and invasion, they differ significantly in key aspects of their biology, interaction with immune cells, host damage strategies, and metabolic adaptations. Here we provide insights on key aspects of their biology, epidemiology, commensal and pathogenic lifestyles, interactions with the immune system, and antifungal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrto Katsipoulaki
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Mark H. T. Stappers
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Dhara Malavia-Jones
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Neil A. R. Gow
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
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Silva PA, Souza AA, de Oliveira GM, Ramada MHS, Hernández NV, Mora-Montes HM, Bueno RV, Martins-de-Sa D, de Freitas SM, Felipe MSS, Barbosa JARG. An improved expression and purification protocol enables the structural characterization of Mnt1, an antifungal target from Candida albicans. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2024; 11:5. [PMID: 38715132 PMCID: PMC11077754 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-024-00174-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Candida albicans is one of the most prevalent fungi causing infections in the world. Mnt1 is a mannosyltransferase that participates in both the cell wall biogenesis and biofilm growth of C. albicans. While the cell wall performs crucial functions in pathogenesis, biofilm growth is correlated with sequestration of drugs by the extracellular matrix. Therefore, antifungals targeting CaMnt1 can compromise fungal development and potentially also render Candida susceptible to drug therapy. Despite its importance, CaMnt1 has not yet been purified to high standards and its biophysical properties are lacking. RESULTS We describe a new protocol to obtain high yield of recombinant CaMnt1 in Komagataella phaffii using methanol induction. The purified protein's identity was confirmed by MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectroscopy. The Far-UV circular dichroism (CD) spectra demonstrate that the secondary structure of CaMnt1 is compatible with a protein formed by α-helices and β-sheets at pH 7.0. The fluorescence spectroscopy results show that the tertiary structure of CaMnt1 is pH-dependent, with a greater intensity of fluorescence emission at pH 7.0. Using our molecular modeling protocol, we depict for the first time the ternary complex of CaMnt1 bound to its two substrates, which has enabled the identification of residues involved in substrate specificity and catalytic reaction. Our results corroborate the hypothesis that Tyr209 stabilizes the formation of an oxocarbenium ion-like intermediate during nucleophilic attack of the acceptor sugar, opposing the double displacement mechanism proposed by other reports. CONCLUSIONS The methodology presented here can substantially improve the yield of recombinant CaMnt1 expressed in flask-grown yeasts. In addition, the structural characterization of the fungal mannosyltransferase presents novelties that can be exploited for new antifungal drug's development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Alves Silva
- Laboratório de Biofísica Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Amanda Araújo Souza
- Laboratório de Biofísica Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Gideane Mendes de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Biofísica Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Henrique Soller Ramada
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, 70790-160, Brazil
| | - Nahúm Valente Hernández
- Departmento de Biologia, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, 36050, Mexico
| | - Héctor Manuel Mora-Montes
- Departmento de Biologia, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, 36050, Mexico
| | - Renata Vieira Bueno
- Laboratório de Biofísica Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Diogo Martins-de-Sa
- Laboratório de Biofísica Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
- Genesilico Biotech, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Sonia Maria de Freitas
- Laboratório de Biofísica Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Maria Sueli Soares Felipe
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, 70790-160, Brazil
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Molina A, Jordá L, Torres MÁ, Martín-Dacal M, Berlanga DJ, Fernández-Calvo P, Gómez-Rubio E, Martín-Santamaría S. Plant cell wall-mediated disease resistance: Current understanding and future perspectives. MOLECULAR PLANT 2024; 17:699-724. [PMID: 38594902 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2024.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Beyond their function as structural barriers, plant cell walls are essential elements for the adaptation of plants to environmental conditions. Cell walls are dynamic structures whose composition and integrity can be altered in response to environmental challenges and developmental cues. These wall changes are perceived by plant sensors/receptors to trigger adaptative responses during development and upon stress perception. Plant cell wall damage caused by pathogen infection, wounding, or other stresses leads to the release of wall molecules, such as carbohydrates (glycans), that function as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). DAMPs are perceived by the extracellular ectodomains (ECDs) of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to activate pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) and disease resistance. Similarly, glycans released from the walls and extracellular layers of microorganisms interacting with plants are recognized as microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) by specific ECD-PRRs triggering PTI responses. The number of oligosaccharides DAMPs/MAMPs identified that are perceived by plants has increased in recent years. However, the structural mechanisms underlying glycan recognition by plant PRRs remain limited. Currently, this knowledge is mainly focused on receptors of the LysM-PRR family, which are involved in the perception of various molecules, such as chitooligosaccharides from fungi and lipo-chitooligosaccharides (i.e., Nod/MYC factors from bacteria and mycorrhiza, respectively) that trigger differential physiological responses. Nevertheless, additional families of plant PRRs have recently been implicated in oligosaccharide/polysaccharide recognition. These include receptor kinases (RKs) with leucine-rich repeat and Malectin domains in their ECDs (LRR-MAL RKs), Catharanthus roseus RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASE 1-LIKE group (CrRLK1L) with Malectin-like domains in their ECDs, as well as wall-associated kinases, lectin-RKs, and LRR-extensins. The characterization of structural basis of glycans recognition by these new plant receptors will shed light on their similarities with those of mammalians involved in glycan perception. The gained knowledge holds the potential to facilitate the development of sustainable, glycan-based crop protection solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Molina
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) - Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA/CSIC), Campus de Montegancedo UPM, Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid), Spain; Departamento de Biotecnología-Biología Vegetal, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaría y de Biosistemas, UPM, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Lucía Jordá
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) - Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA/CSIC), Campus de Montegancedo UPM, Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid), Spain; Departamento de Biotecnología-Biología Vegetal, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaría y de Biosistemas, UPM, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Miguel Ángel Torres
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) - Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA/CSIC), Campus de Montegancedo UPM, Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid), Spain; Departamento de Biotecnología-Biología Vegetal, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaría y de Biosistemas, UPM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marina Martín-Dacal
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) - Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA/CSIC), Campus de Montegancedo UPM, Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid), Spain; Departamento de Biotecnología-Biología Vegetal, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaría y de Biosistemas, UPM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Diego José Berlanga
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) - Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA/CSIC), Campus de Montegancedo UPM, Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid), Spain; Departamento de Biotecnología-Biología Vegetal, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaría y de Biosistemas, UPM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Fernández-Calvo
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) - Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA/CSIC), Campus de Montegancedo UPM, Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid), Spain
| | - Elena Gómez-Rubio
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sonsoles Martín-Santamaría
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Krylov VB, Kuznetsov AN, Polyanskaya AV, Tsarapaev PV, Yashunsky DV, Kushlinskii NE, Nifantiev NE. ASCA-related antibodies in the blood sera of healthy donors and patients with colorectal cancer: characterization with oligosaccharides related to Saccharomyces cerevisiae mannan. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1296828. [PMID: 38146532 PMCID: PMC10749338 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1296828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Mannans are polysaccharide antigens expressed on the cell wall of different fungal species including Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida spp. These fungi are components of the normal intestinal microflora, and the presence of antibodies to fungal antigens is known to reflect the features of the patient's immune system. Thus, titers of IgG and IgA antibodies against Saccharomyces cerevisiae mannan (ASCA) are markers for clinical diagnostics of inflammatory bowel diseases. The complex organization and heterogeneity of cell-wall mannans may reduce the quality and reproducibility of ELISA results due to interference by different antigenic epitopes. In this research, we analyzed the levels of IgG antibodies in the sera of healthy donors and patients with colorectal cancer using an array of synthetic oligosaccharides related to distinct fragments of fungal mannan. This study aimed to establish the influence of oligosaccharide structure on their antigenicity. Variations in the structure of the previously established ASCA epitope (changing type of linkage, chain length, and the presence of branches) significantly modified the ability of ligands to bind to circulating antibodies in blood sera. The study showed that surface presentation density of the ligand critically affects the results of enzyme immunoassay. The transition from natural coating antigens to their corresponding synthetic mimetics with a defined structure opens new opportunities for improving existing ELISA test systems, as well as developing diagnostic kits with new properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vadim B. Krylov
- Laboratory of Synthetic Glycovaccines, N. D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Chemistry, N. D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anton N. Kuznetsov
- Laboratory of Synthetic Glycovaccines, N. D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alina V. Polyanskaya
- Laboratory of Synthetic Glycovaccines, N. D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Pavel V. Tsarapaev
- Laboratory of Synthetic Glycovaccines, N. D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- N. N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry V. Yashunsky
- Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Chemistry, N. D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nikolay E. Kushlinskii
- N. N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nikolay E. Nifantiev
- Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Chemistry, N. D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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