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King J, Dambuza IM, Reid DM, Yuecel R, Brown GD, Warris A. Detailed characterisation of invasive aspergillosis in a murine model of X-linked chronic granulomatous disease shows new insights in infections caused by Aspergillus fumigatus versus Aspergillus nidulans. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1241770. [PMID: 37724291 PMCID: PMC10505440 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1241770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is the most prevalent infectious complication in patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). Yet, understanding of fungal pathogenesis in the CGD host remains limited, particularly with regards to A. nidulans infection. Methods We have used a murine model of X-linked CGD to investigate how the pathogenesis of IA varies between A. fumigatus and A. nidulans, comparing infection in both X-linked CGD (gp91-/-) mice and their parent C57BL/6 (WT) mice. A 14-colour flow cytometry panel was used to assess the cell dynamics over the course of infection, with parallel assessment of pulmonary cytokine production and lung histology. Results We observed a lack of association between pulmonary pathology and infection outcome in gp91-/- mice, with no significant mortality in A. nidulans infected mice. An overwhelming and persistent neutrophil recruitment and IL-1 release in gp91-/- mice following both A. fumigatus and A. nidulans infection was observed, with divergent macrophage, dendritic cell and eosinophil responses and distinct cytokine profiles between the two infections. Conclusion We have provided an in-depth characterisation of the immune response to pulmonary aspergillosis in an X-linked CGD murine model. This provides the first description of distinct pulmonary inflammatory environments in A. fumigatus and A. nidulans infection in X-linked CGD and identifies several new avenues for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill King
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- Department of General Paediatrics, Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Ivy M. Dambuza
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Delyth M. Reid
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Raif Yuecel
- Exeter Centre for Cytometrics, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Iain Fraser Cytometry Centre, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Gordon D. Brown
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Adilia Warris
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
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2
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Sarvestani HK, Ansari S, Parvaneh N, Yaghmaie B, Ahmadi B. Fatal invasive aspergillosis in a child with chronic granulomatous disease. J Wound Care 2022; 31:427-431. [PMID: 35579316 DOI: 10.12968/jowc.2022.31.5.427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Patients with chronic granulomatous disease, a primary immunodeficiency, experience granulomatous complications and recurrent life-threatening opportunistic bacterial and fungal infections. In this article, we report on a case of invasive aspergillosis in an eight-year-old boy with chronic granulomatous disease, who presented with pleural effusion and pneumonia, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, and unusual skin lesions caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. Antifungal treatment with itraconazole and other antifungal agents, along with interferon-γ, was ineffective and the patient eventually died from cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, and intracerebral haemorrhage following increased intracranial pressure after one month. The diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis should be considered early in children presenting with invasive fungal infections, particularly those involving the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasti Kamali Sarvestani
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saham Ansari
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Parvaneh
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahareh Yaghmaie
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahram Ahmadi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Para-Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
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3
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Peng L, Liu CF, Wu H, Jin H, Deng XY, Zeng LT, Xiao Y, Deng C, Yang ZK. Complete Genome Sequencing and Comparative Analysis of the Clinically-Derived Apiotrichum mycotoxinivorans Strain GMU1709. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:834015. [PMID: 35186802 PMCID: PMC8855340 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.834015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, Apiotrichum mycotoxinivorans has been recognized globally as a source of opportunistic infections. It is a yeast-like fungus, and its association as an uncommon pulmonary pathogen with cystic fibrosis patients has been previously reported. Immunocompromised patients are at the highest risk of A. mycotoxinivorans infections. Therefore, to investigate the genetic basis for the pathogenicity of A. mycotoxinivorans, we performed whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomic analysis of A. mycotoxinivorans GMU1709 that was isolated from sputum specimens of a pneumonia patient receiving cardiac repair surgery. The assembly of Oxford Nanopore reads from the GMU1709 strain and its subsequent correction using Illumina paired-end reads yielded a high-quality complete genome with a genome size of 30.5 Mb in length, which comprised six chromosomes and one mitochondrion. Subsequently, 8,066 protein-coding genes were predicted based on multiple pieces of evidence, including transcriptomes. Phylogenomic analysis indicated that A. mycotoxinivorans exhibited the closest evolutionary affinity to A. veenhuisii, and both the A. mycotoxinivorans strains and the formerly Trichosporon cutaneum ACCC 20271 strain occupied the same phylogenetic position. Further comparative analysis supported that the ACCC 20271 strain belonged to A. mycotoxinivorans. Comparisons of three A. mycotoxinivorans strains indicated that the differences between clinical and non-clinical strains in pathogenicity and drug resistance may be little or none. Based on the comparisons with strains of other species in the Trichosporonaceae family, we identified potential key genetic factors associated with A. mycotoxinivorans infection or pathogenicity. In addition, we also deduced that A. mycotoxinivorans had great potential to inactivate some antibiotics (e.g., tetracycline), which may affect the efficacy of these drugs in co-infection. In general, our analyses provide a better understanding of the classification and phylogeny of the Trichosporonaceae family, uncover the underlying genetic basis of A. mycotoxinivorans infections and associated drug resistance, and provide clues into potential targets for further research and the therapeutic intervention of infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Peng
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- KingMed School of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chen-Fei Liu
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong Wu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hai Jin
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Deng
- KingMed School of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li-Ting Zeng
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Xiao
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cong Deng
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Kai Yang
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Zhi-Kai Yang,
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4
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Ralph BA, Lehoux M, Ostapska H, Snarr BD, Caffrey-Carr AK, Fraser R, Saleh M, Obar JJ, Qureshi ST, Sheppard DC. The IL-1 Receptor Is Required to Maintain Neutrophil Viability and Function During Aspergillus fumigatus Airway Infection. Front Immunol 2021; 12:675294. [PMID: 34322116 PMCID: PMC8312098 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.675294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus airway infections are associated with increased rates of hospitalizations and declining lung function in patients with chronic lung disease. While the pathogenesis of invasive A. fumigatus infections is well studied, little is known about the development and progression of airway infections. Previous studies have demonstrated a critical role for the IL-1 cytokines, IL-1α and IL-1β in enhancing pulmonary neutrophil recruitment during invasive aspergillosis. Here we use a mouse model of A. fumigatus airway infection to study the role of these IL-1 cytokines in immunocompetent mice. In the absence of IL-1 receptor signaling, mice exhibited reduced numbers of viable pulmonary neutrophils and increased levels of neutrophil apoptosis during fungal airway infection. Impaired neutrophil viability in these mice was associated with reduced pulmonary and systemic levels of G-CSF, and treatment with G-CSF restored both neutrophil viability and resistance to A. fumigatus airway infection. Taken together, these data demonstrate that IL-1 dependent G-CSF production plays a key role for host resistance to A. fumigatus airway infection through suppressing neutrophil apoptosis at the site of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Awr Ralph
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health, Centre for Translational Biology, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center (RI-MUHC), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Melanie Lehoux
- Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health, Centre for Translational Biology, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center (RI-MUHC), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Hanna Ostapska
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health, Centre for Translational Biology, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center (RI-MUHC), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Brendan D Snarr
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health, Centre for Translational Biology, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center (RI-MUHC), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Alayna K Caffrey-Carr
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Richard Fraser
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Maya Saleh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Joshua J Obar
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Salman T Qureshi
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Program in Translation Research in Respiratory Diseases and Department of Critical Care, Centre for Translational Biology, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center (RI-MUHC), Montréal, QC, Canada.,Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Donald C Sheppard
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health, Centre for Translational Biology, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center (RI-MUHC), Montréal, QC, Canada.,Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
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5
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Bastos RW, Valero C, Silva LP, Schoen T, Drott M, Brauer V, Silva-Rocha R, Lind A, Steenwyk JL, Rokas A, Rodrigues F, Resendiz-Sharpe A, Lagrou K, Marcet-Houben M, Gabaldón T, McDonnell E, Reid I, Tsang A, Oakley BR, Loures FV, Almeida F, Huttenlocher A, Keller NP, Ries LNA, Goldman GH. Functional Characterization of Clinical Isolates of the Opportunistic Fungal Pathogen Aspergillus nidulans. mSphere 2020; 5:e00153-20. [PMID: 32269156 PMCID: PMC7142298 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00153-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus nidulans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen in patients with immunodeficiency, and virulence of A. nidulans isolates has mainly been studied in the context of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), with characterization of clinical isolates obtained from non-CGD patients remaining elusive. This study therefore carried out a detailed biological characterization of two A. nidulans clinical isolates (CIs), obtained from a patient with breast carcinoma and pneumonia and from a patient with cystic fibrosis that underwent lung transplantation, and compared them to the reference, nonclinical FGSC A4 strain. Both CIs presented increased growth in comparison to that of the reference strain in the presence of physiologically relevant carbon sources. Metabolomic analyses showed that the three strains are metabolically very different from each other in these carbon sources. Furthermore, the CIs were highly susceptible to cell wall-perturbing agents but not to other physiologically relevant stresses. Genome analyses identified several frameshift variants in genes encoding cell wall integrity (CWI) signaling components. Significant differences in CWI signaling were confirmed by Western blotting among the three strains. In vivo virulence studies using several different models revealed that strain MO80069 had significantly higher virulence in hosts with impaired neutrophil function than the other strains. In summary, this study presents detailed biological characterization of two A. nidulanssensu stricto clinical isolates. Just as in Aspergillus fumigatus, strain heterogeneity exists in A. nidulans clinical strains that can define virulence traits. Further studies are required to fully characterize A. nidulans strain-specific virulence traits and pathogenicity.IMPORTANCE Immunocompromised patients are susceptible to infections with opportunistic filamentous fungi from the genus Aspergillus Although A. fumigatus is the main etiological agent of Aspergillus species-related infections, other species, such as A. nidulans, are prevalent in a condition-specific manner. A. nidulans is a predominant infective agent in patients suffering from chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). A. nidulans isolates have mainly been studied in the context of CGD although infection with A. nidulans also occurs in non-CGD patients. This study carried out a detailed biological characterization of two non-CGD A. nidulans clinical isolates and compared the results to those with a reference strain. Phenotypic, metabolomic, and genomic analyses highlight fundamental differences in carbon source utilization, stress responses, and maintenance of cell wall integrity among the strains. One clinical strain had increased virulence in models with impaired neutrophil function. Just as in A. fumigatus, strain heterogeneity exists in A. nidulans clinical strains that can define virulence traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Wesley Bastos
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Clara Valero
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Lilian Pereira Silva
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Taylor Schoen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Milton Drott
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Verônica Brauer
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Rafael Silva-Rocha
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Abigail Lind
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jacob L Steenwyk
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Antonis Rokas
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Fernando Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/3B's Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Agustin Resendiz-Sharpe
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- National Reference Center for Mycosis, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marina Marcet-Houben
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain
- Life Sciences Program, Barcelona Supercomputing Centre, Barcelona, Spain
- Mechanisms of Disease Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Toni Gabaldón
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain
- Life Sciences Program, Barcelona Supercomputing Centre, Barcelona, Spain
- Mechanisms of Disease Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Erin McDonnell
- Centre for Structural and Functional Genomics, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ian Reid
- Centre for Structural and Functional Genomics, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Adrian Tsang
- Centre for Structural and Functional Genomics, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Berl R Oakley
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Flávio Vieira Loures
- Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São José dos Campos, Brazil
| | - Fausto Almeida
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Anna Huttenlocher
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Nancy P Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Gustavo H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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6
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Schoen TJ, Rosowski EE, Knox BP, Bennin D, Keller NP, Huttenlocher A. Neutrophil phagocyte oxidase activity controls invasive fungal growth and inflammation in zebrafish. J Cell Sci 2019; 133:jcs.236539. [PMID: 31722976 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.236539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neutrophils are primary phagocytes of the innate immune system that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mediate host defense. Deficient phagocyte NADPH oxidase (PHOX) function leads to chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) that is characterized by invasive infections, including those by the generally non-pathogenic fungus Aspergillus nidulans The role of neutrophil ROS in this specific host-pathogen interaction remains unclear. Here, we exploit the optical transparency of zebrafish to image the effects of neutrophil ROS on invasive fungal growth and neutrophil behavior in response to Aspergillus nidulans In a wild-type host, A. nidulans germinates rapidly and elicits a robust inflammatory response with efficient fungal clearance. PHOX-deficient larvae have increased susceptibility to invasive A. nidulans infection despite robust neutrophil infiltration. Expression of subunit p22phox (officially known as CYBA), specifically in neutrophils, does not affect fungal germination but instead limits the area of fungal growth and excessive neutrophil inflammation and is sufficient to restore host survival in p22phox-deficient larvae. These findings suggest that neutrophil ROS limits invasive fungal growth and has immunomodulatory activities that contribute to the specific susceptibility of PHOX-deficient hosts to invasive A. nidulans infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor J Schoen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.,Comparative Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Emily E Rosowski
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Benjamin P Knox
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - David Bennin
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Nancy P Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.,Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Anna Huttenlocher
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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7
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Speth C, Rambach G, Lass-Flörl C, Howell PL, Sheppard DC. Galactosaminogalactan (GAG) and its multiple roles in Aspergillus pathogenesis. Virulence 2019; 10:976-983. [PMID: 30667338 PMCID: PMC8647848 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2019.1568174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus spp and particularly the species Aspergillus fumigatus are the causative agents of invasive aspergillosis, a progressive necrotizing pneumonia that occurs in immunocompromised patients. The limited efficacy of currently available antifungals has led to interest in a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of invasive aspergillosis in order to identify new therapeutic targets for this devastating disease. The Aspergillus exopolysaccharide galactosaminogalactan (GAG) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of experimental invasive aspergillosis. The present review article summarizes our current understanding of GAG composition and synthesis and the molecular mechanisms whereby GAG promotes virulence. Promising directions for future research and the prospect of GAG as both a therapy and therapeutic target are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Speth
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Invasive Fungal Infections, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Günter Rambach
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Invasive Fungal Infections, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Invasive Fungal Infections, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - P Lynne Howell
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Donald C Sheppard
- Departments of Medicine and of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, Canada.,Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Canada
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8
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Abstract
The balance between reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species production by the host and stress response by fungi is a key axis of the host-pathogen interaction. This review will describe emerging themes in fungal pathogenesis underpinning this axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adilia Warris
- Medical Research Centre for Medical Mycology, Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, UK
| | - Elizabeth R Ballou
- Institute for Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
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Gresnigt MS, Becker KL, Leenders F, Alonso MF, Wang X, Meis JF, Bain JM, Erwig LP, van de Veerdonk FL. Differential Kinetics of Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus fumigatus Phagocytosis. J Innate Immun 2017; 10:145-160. [PMID: 29248928 DOI: 10.1159/000484562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive aspergillosis mainly occurs in immunocompromised patients and is commonly caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, while A.nidulans is rarely the causative agent. However, in chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) patients, A. nidulans is a frequent cause of invasive aspergillosis and is associated with higher mortality. Immune recognition of A. nidulans was compared to A. fumigatus to offer an insight into why A. nidulans infections are prevalent in CGD. Live cell imaging with J774A.1 macrophage-like cells and LC3-GFP-mCherry bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) revealed that phagocytosis of A. nidulans was slower compared to A. fumigatus. This difference could be attributed to slower migration of J774A.1 cells and a lower percentage of migrating BMDMs. In addition, delayed phagosome acidification and LC3-associated phagocytosis was observed with A. nidulans. Cytokine and oxidative burst measurements in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells revealed a lower oxidative burst upon challenge with A. nidulans. In contrast, A. nidulans induced significantly higher concentrations of cytokines. Collectively, our data demonstrate that A. nidulans is phagocytosed and processed at a slower rate compared to A. fumigatus, resulting in reduced fungal killing and increased germination of conidia. This slower rate of A. nidulans clearance may be permissive for overgrowth within certain immune settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark S Gresnigt
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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10
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Immune Recognition of Fungal Polysaccharides. J Fungi (Basel) 2017; 3:jof3030047. [PMID: 29371564 PMCID: PMC5715945 DOI: 10.3390/jof3030047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Revised: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of fungal infections has dramatically increased in recent years, in large part due to increased use of immunosuppressive medications, as well as aggressive medical and surgical interventions that compromise natural skin and mucosal barriers. There are relatively few currently licensed antifungal drugs, and rising resistance to these agents has led to interest in the development of novel preventative and therapeutic strategies targeting these devastating infections. One approach to combat fungal infections is to augment the host immune response towards these organisms. The polysaccharide-rich cell wall is the initial point of contact between fungi and the host immune system, and therefore, represents an important target for immunotherapeutic approaches. This review highlights the advances made in our understanding of the mechanisms by which the immune system recognizes and interacts with exopolysaccharides produced by four of the most common fungal pathogens: Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Histoplasma capsulatum. Work to date suggests that inner cell wall polysaccharides that play an important structural role are the most conserved across diverse members of the fungal kingdom, and elicit the strongest innate immune responses. The immune system senses these carbohydrates through receptors, such as lectins and complement proteins. In contrast, a greater diversity of polysaccharides is found within the outer cell walls of pathogenic fungi. These glycans play an important role in immune evasion, and can even induce anti-inflammatory host responses. Further study of the complex interactions between the host immune system and the fungal polysaccharides will be necessary to develop more effective therapeutic strategies, as well as to explore the use of immunosuppressive polysaccharides as therapeutic agents to modulate inflammation.
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The Carbohydrate Lectin Receptor Dectin-1 Mediates the Immune Response to Exserohilum rostratum. Infect Immun 2017; 85:IAI.00903-16. [PMID: 28031265 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00903-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dematiaceous molds are found ubiquitously in the environment and cause a wide spectrum of human disease, including infections associated with high rates of mortality. Despite this, the mechanism of the innate immune response has been less well studied, although it is key in the clearance of fungal pathogens. Here, we focus on Exserohilum rostratum, a dematiaceous mold that caused 753 infections during a multistate outbreak due to injection of contaminated methylprednisolone. We show that macrophages are incapable of phagocytosing Exserohilum Despite a lack of phagocytosis, macrophage production of tumor necrosis factor alpha is triggered by hyphae but not spores and depends upon Dectin-1, a C-type lectin receptor. Dectin-1 is specifically recruited to the macrophage-hyphal interface but not the macrophage-spore interface due to differences in carbohydrate antigen expression between these two fungal forms. Corticosteroid and antifungal therapy perturb this response, resulting in decreased cytokine production. In vivo soft tissue infection in wild-type mice demonstrated that Exserohilum provokes robust neutrophilic and granulomatous inflammation capable of thwarting fungal growth. However, coadministration of methylprednisolone acetate results in robust hyphal tissue invasion and a significant reduction in immune cell recruitment. Our results suggest that Dectin-1 is crucial for macrophage recognition and the macrophage response to Exserohilum and that corticosteroids potently attenuate the immune response to this pathogen.
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Krappmann S. How to invade a susceptible host: cellular aspects of aspergillosis. Curr Opin Microbiol 2016; 34:136-146. [PMID: 27816786 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2016.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Diseases caused by Aspergillus spp. and in particular A. fumigatus are manifold and affect individuals suffering from immune dysfunctions, among them immunocompromised ones. The determinants of whether the encounter of a susceptible host with infectious propagules of this filamentous saprobe results in infection have been characterized to a limited extent. Several cellular characteristics of A. fumigatus that have evolved in its natural environment contribute to its virulence, among them general traits as well as particular ones that affect interaction with the mammalian host. Among the latter, conidial constituents, cell wall components, secreted proteins as well as extrolites shape the tight interaction of A. fumigatus with the host milieu and also contribute to evasion from immune surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Krappmann
- Institute of Microbiology - Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Wasserturmstr. 3/5, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany.
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