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Wang R, Oliveira LVN, Hester MM, Carlson D, Christensen D, Specht CA, Levitz SM. Protection against experimental cryptococcosis elicited by Cationic Adjuvant Formulation 01-adjuvanted subunit vaccines. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.24.591045. [PMID: 38712080 PMCID: PMC11071535 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.24.591045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
The fungal infection, cryptococcosis, is responsible for >100,000 deaths annually. No licensed vaccines are available. We explored the efficacy and immune responses of subunit cryptococcal vaccines adjuvanted with Cationic Adjuvant Formulation 01 (CAF01). CAF01 promotes humoral and T helper (Th) 1 and Th17 immune responses and has been safely used in human vaccine trials. Four subcutaneous vaccines, each containing single recombinant Cryptococcus neoformans protein antigens, partially protected mice from experimental cryptococcosis. Protection increased, up to 100%, in mice that received bivalent and quadrivalent vaccine formulations. Vaccinated mice that received a pulmonary challenge with C. neoformans had an influx of leukocytes into the lung including robust numbers of polyfunctional CD4+ T cells which produced Interferon gamma (IFNγ), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and interleukin (IL)-17 upon ex vivo antigenic stimulation. Cytokine-producing lung CD8+ T cells were also found, albeit in lesser numbers. A significant, durable IFNγ response was observed in the lungs, spleen, and blood. Moreover, IFNγ secretion following ex vivo stimulation directly correlated with fungal clearance in the lungs. Thus, we have developed multivalent cryptococcal vaccines which protect mice from experimental cryptococcosis using an adjuvant which has been safely tested in humans. These preclinical studies suggest a path towards human cryptococcal vaccine trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiying Wang
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Lorena V. N. Oliveira
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Maureen M. Hester
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Diana Carlson
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Dennis Christensen
- Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Present address: Croda Pharma, Diplomvej 381, Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Charles A. Specht
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Stuart M. Levitz
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
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Hester MM, Carlson D, Lodge JK, Levitz SM, Specht CA. Immune evasion by Cryptococcus gattii in vaccinated mice coinfected with C. neoformans. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1356651. [PMID: 38469300 PMCID: PMC10925662 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1356651] [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: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii, the etiologic agents of cryptococcosis, cause over 100,000 deaths worldwide every year, yet no cryptococcal vaccine has progressed to clinical trials. In preclinical studies, mice vaccinated with an attenuated strain of C. neoformans deleted of three cryptococcal chitin deacetylases (Cn-cda1Δ2Δ3Δ) were protected against a lethal challenge with C. neoformans strain KN99. While Cn-cda1Δ2Δ3Δ extended the survival of mice infected with C. gattii strain R265 compared to unvaccinated groups, we were unable to demonstrate fungal clearance as robust as that seen following KN99 challenge. In stark contrast to vaccinated mice challenged with KN99, we also found that R265-challenged mice failed to induce the production of protection-associated cytokines and chemokines in the lungs. To investigate deficiencies in the vaccine response to R265 infection, we developed a KN99-R265 coinfection model. In unvaccinated mice, the strains behaved in a manner which mirrored single infections, wherein only KN99 disseminated to the brain and spleen. We expanded the coinfection model to Cn-cda1Δ2Δ3Δ-vaccinated mice. Fungal burden, cytokine production, and immune cell infiltration in the lungs of vaccinated, coinfected mice were indicative of immune evasion by C. gattii R265 as the presence of R265 neither compromised the immunophenotype established in response to KN99 nor inhibited clearance of KN99. Collectively, these data indicate that R265 does not dampen a protective vaccine response, but rather suggest that R265 remains largely undetected by the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen M. Hester
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Diana Carlson
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Jennifer K. Lodge
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Stuart M. Levitz
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Charles A. Specht
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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Balaji S, Chakraborty R, Aggarwal S. Neurological Complications Caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Associated Opportunistic Co-infections: A Review on their Diagnosis and Therapeutic Insights. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2024; 23:284-305. [PMID: 37005520 DOI: 10.2174/1871527322666230330083708] [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: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
Neurocognitive disorders associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals increase the risk of mortality and morbidity that remain a prevalent clinical complication even in the antiretroviral therapy era. It is estimated that a considerable number of people in the HIV community are developing neurological complications at their early stages of infection. The daily lives of people with chronic HIV infections are greatly affected by cognitive declines such as loss of attention, learning, and executive functions, and other adverse conditions like neuronal injury and dementia. It has been found that the entry of HIV into the brain and subsequently crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) causes brain cell damage, which is the prerequisite for the development of neurocognitive disorders. Besides the HIV replication in the central nervous system and the adverse effects of antiretroviral therapy on the BBB, a range of opportunistic infections, including viral, bacterial, and parasitic agents, augment the neurological complications in people living with HIV (PLHIV). Given the immuno-compromised state of PLHIV, these co-infections can present a wide range of clinical syndromes with atypical manifestations that pose challenges in diagnosis and clinical management, representing a substantial burden for the public health system. Therefore, the present review narrates the neurological complications triggered by HIV and their diagnosis and treatment options. Moreover, coinfections that are known to cause neurological disorders in HIV infected individuals are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sivaraman Balaji
- Division of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research-Headquarters, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Rohan Chakraborty
- Department of Medical Elementology and Toxicology, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Sumit Aggarwal
- Division of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research-Headquarters, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
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McHale TC, Boulware DR, Kasibante J, Ssebambulidde K, Skipper CP, Abassi M. Diagnosis and management of cryptococcal meningitis in HIV-infected adults. Clin Microbiol Rev 2023; 36:e0015622. [PMID: 38014977 PMCID: PMC10870732 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00156-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcal meningitis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, especially in people with advanced HIV disease. Cryptococcal meningitis is responsible for nearly 20% of all deaths related to advanced HIV disease, with the burden of disease predominantly experienced by people in resource-limited countries. Major advancements in diagnostics have introduced low-cost, easy-to-use antigen tests with remarkably high sensitivity and specificity. These tests have led to improved diagnostic accuracy and are essential for screening campaigns to reduce the burden of cryptococcosis. In the last 5 years, several high-quality, multisite clinical trials have led to innovations in therapeutics that have allowed for simplified regimens, which are better tolerated and result in less intensive monitoring and management of medication adverse effects. One trial found that a shorter, 7-day course of deoxycholate amphotericin B is as effective as the longer 14-day course and that flucytosine is an essential partner drug for reducing mortality in the acute phase of disease. Single-dose liposomal amphotericin B has also been found to be as effective as a 7-day course of deoxycholate amphotericin B. These findings have allowed for simpler and safer treatment regimens that also reduce the burden on the healthcare system. This review provides a detailed discussion of the latest evidence guiding the clinical management and special circumstances that make cryptococcal meningitis uniquely difficult to treat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C. McHale
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - David R. Boulware
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - John Kasibante
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Caleb P. Skipper
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mahsa Abassi
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Okurut S, Boulware DR, Okafor E, Rhein J, Kajumbula H, Bagaya BS, Bwanga F, Olobo JO, Manabe YC, Meya DB, Janoff EN. Divergent neuroimmune signatures in the cerebrospinal fluid predict differential gender-specific survival among patients with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1275443. [PMID: 38152404 PMCID: PMC10752005 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1275443] [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: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Survival among people with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis (CM) remains low, particularly among women, despite the currently optimal use of antifungal drugs. Cryptococcus dissemination into the central nervous system [brain, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)] elicits the local production of cytokines, chemokines, and other biomarkers. However, no consistent diagnostic or prognostic neuroimmune signature is reported to underpin the risk of death or to identify mechanisms to improve treatment and survival. We hypothesized that distinct neuroimmune signatures in the CSF would distinguish survivors from people who died on antifungal treatment and who may benefit from tailored therapy. Methods We considered baseline clinical features, CSF cryptococcal fungal burden, and CSF neuroimmune signatures with survival at 18 weeks among 419 consenting adults by "gender" (168 women and 251 men by biological sex defined at birth). Results Survival at 18 weeks was significantly lower among women than among men {47% vs. 59%, respectively; hazard ratio (HR) = 1.4 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.0 to 1.9; p = 0.023]}. Unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated divergent neuroimmune signatures by gender, survival, and intragender-specific survival. Overall, women had lower levels of programmed death ligand 1, Interleukin (IL) (IL-11RA/IL-1F30, and IL-15 (IL-15) than men (all p < 0.028). Female survivors compared with those who died expressed significant elevations in levels of CCL11 and CXCL10 chemokines (both p = 0.001), as well as increased T helper 1, regulatory, and T helper 17 cytokines (all p < 0.041). In contrast, male survivors expressed lower levels of IL-15 and IL-8 compared with men who died (p < 0.044). Conclusions Survivors of both genders demonstrated a significant increase in the levels of immune regulatory IL-10. In conclusion, the lower survival among women with CM was accompanied by distinct differential gender-specific neuroimmune signatures. These female and male intragender-specific survival-associated neuroimmune signatures provide potential targets for interventions to advance therapy to improve the low survival among people with HIV-associated CM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Okurut
- Translation Sciences Laboratory, Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David R. Boulware
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Elizabeth Okafor
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Joshua Rhein
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Henry Kajumbula
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Bernard S. Bagaya
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Freddie Bwanga
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joseph O. Olobo
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Yukari C. Manabe
- Translation Sciences Laboratory, Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David B. Meya
- Translation Sciences Laboratory, Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Edward N. Janoff
- Mucosal and Vaccine Research Program Colorado, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Medicine and Infectious Disease, Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, CO, United States
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Kasibante J, Irfanullah E, Wele A, Okafor E, Ssebambulidde K, Okurut S, Kagimu E, Gakuru J, Rutakingirwa MK, Mugabi T, Nuwagira E, Jjunju S, Mpoza E, Tugume L, Nsangi L, Musibire AK, Muzoora C, Rhein J, Meya DB, Boulware DR, Abassi M. Utility of Cerebrospinal Fluid Protein Levels as a Potential Predictive Biomarker of Disease Severity in HIV-Associated Cryptococcal Meningitis. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.12.10.23299793. [PMID: 38168371 PMCID: PMC10760268 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.10.23299793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Background Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein levels exhibit high variability in HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis from being normal to markedly elevated. However, the clinical implications of CSF protein levels in cryptococcal meningitis remain unclear. Methods We analysed data from 890 adults with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis randomized into two clinical trials in Uganda between 2015 and 2021. CSF protein was grouped into ≥100 mg/dL (n=249) and <100 mg/dL (n=641). We described baseline clinical variables and mortality by CSF protein levels. Results Approximately one-third of individuals had a baseline CSF protein ≥100 mg/dL. Those with CSF protein ≥100 mg/dL were more likely to present with Glasgow coma scale scores <15 (P<0.01), self-reported seizures at baseline (P=0.02), higher CD4 T-cells (p<0.001), and higher CSF white cells (p<0.001). Moreover, those with a baseline CSF protein ≥100 mg/dL also had a lower baseline CSF fungal burden (p<0.001) and a higher percentage of sterile CSF cultures at day 14 (p=0.02). Individuals with CSF protein ≥100 mg/dL demonstrated a more pronounced immune response consisting of upregulation of immune effector molecules pro-inflammatory cytokines, type-1 T-helper cell cytokines, type-3 chemokines, and immune-exhaustion marker (p<0.05). 18-week mortality risk in individuals with a CSF protein <100 mg/dL was 34% higher, (unadjusted Hazard Ratio 1.34; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.70; p=0.02) than those with ≥100 mg/dL. Conclusion In cryptococcal meningitis, individuals with CSF protein ≥100 mg/dL more frequently presented with seizures, altered mental status, immune activation, and favourable fungal outcomes. Baseline CSF protein levels may serve as a surrogate marker of immune activation and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Kasibante
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of health sciences, Makerere University. P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Eesha Irfanullah
- Division of Infectious Diseases & International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Abduljewad Wele
- Division of Infectious Diseases & International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Elizabeth Okafor
- Division of Infectious Diseases & International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Kenneth Ssebambulidde
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of health sciences, Makerere University. P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Samuel Okurut
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of health sciences, Makerere University. P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Enock Kagimu
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of health sciences, Makerere University. P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jane Gakuru
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of health sciences, Makerere University. P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Morris K. Rutakingirwa
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of health sciences, Makerere University. P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Timothy Mugabi
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of health sciences, Makerere University. P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Edwin Nuwagira
- Department of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Samuel Jjunju
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of health sciences, Makerere University. P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Edward Mpoza
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of health sciences, Makerere University. P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Lillian Tugume
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of health sciences, Makerere University. P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Laura Nsangi
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of health sciences, Makerere University. P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Abdu K Musibire
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of health sciences, Makerere University. P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Conrad Muzoora
- Department of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Joshua Rhein
- Division of Infectious Diseases & International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - David B. Meya
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of health sciences, Makerere University. P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
- Division of Infectious Diseases & International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - David R. Boulware
- Division of Infectious Diseases & International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Mahsa Abassi
- Division of Infectious Diseases & International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Tugume L, Ssebambulidde K, Kasibante J, Ellis J, Wake RM, Gakuru J, Lawrence DS, Abassi M, Rajasingham R, Meya DB, Boulware DR. Cryptococcal meningitis. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2023; 9:62. [PMID: 37945681 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-023-00472-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii species complexes cause meningoencephalitis with high fatality rates and considerable morbidity, particularly in persons with deficient T cell-mediated immunity, most commonly affecting people living with HIV. Whereas the global incidence of HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis (HIV-CM) has decreased over the past decade, cryptococcosis still accounts for one in five AIDS-related deaths globally due to the persistent burden of advanced HIV disease. Moreover, mortality remains high (~50%) in low-resource settings. The armamentarium to decrease cryptococcosis-associated mortality is expanding: cryptococcal antigen screening in the serum and pre-emptive azole therapy for cryptococcal antigenaemia are well established, whereas enhanced pre-emptive combination treatment regimens to improve survival of persons with cryptococcal antigenaemia are in clinical trials. Short courses (≤7 days) of amphotericin-based therapy combined with flucytosine are currently the preferred options for induction therapy of cryptococcal meningitis. Whether short-course induction regimens improve long-term morbidity such as depression, reduced neurocognitive performance and physical disability among survivors is the subject of further study. Here, we discuss underlying immunology, changing epidemiology, and updates on the management of cryptococcal meningitis with emphasis on HIV-associated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lillian Tugume
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Kenneth Ssebambulidde
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - John Kasibante
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jayne Ellis
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Rachel M Wake
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Jane Gakuru
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David S Lawrence
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Mahsa Abassi
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Radha Rajasingham
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - David B Meya
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - David R Boulware
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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8
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Okurut S, Boulware DR, Okafor E, Rhein J, Kajumbula H, Bagaya B, Bwanga F, Olobo JO, Manabe YC, Meya DB, Janoff EN. Divergent Neuroimmune Signatures in the Cerebrospinal Fluid Predict Differential Gender-Specific Survival Among Patients With HIV-Associated Cryptococcal Meningitis. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.08.09.23293903. [PMID: 37645984 PMCID: PMC10462187 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.09.23293903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Survival among people with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis (CM) remains low, exceptionally among women with the increased threat of death on current optimal use of antifungal drugs. Cryptococcus dissemination into the central nervous system (CNS) prompts a neuroimmune reaction to activate pathogen concomitant factors. However, no consistent diagnostic or prognostic immune-mediated signature is reported to underpin the risk of death or mechanism to improve treatment or survival. We theorized that the distinct neuroimmune cytokine or chemokine signatures in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), distinguish survivors from people who died on antifungal treatment, who may benefit from tailored therapy. We considered the baseline clinical disease features, cryptococcal microbiologic factors, and CSF neuroimmune modulated signatures among 419 consenting adults by gender (biological sex assigned at birth) (168 females and 251 males) by 18 weeks of survival on antifungal management. Survival at 18 weeks was inferior among females than males (47% vs. 59%; hazard ratio HR=1.4, 95% CI: 1.0 to 1.9, and p=0.023). Unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated the divergent neuroimmune signatures by gender, survival, and intragender-specific survival. Overall, females displayed lower levels of PD-L1, IL-1RA, and IL-15 than males (all p≤0.028). Female survivors compared with those who died, expressed significant fold elevations in levels of CSF (CCL11 - myeloid and CXCL10 - lymphoid chemokine (in both p=0.001), and CSF Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines. In contrast, male survivors expressed distinctly lower levels of CSF IL-15 and IL-8 compared with those who died. Survivors of either gender demonstrated a significant increase in the levels of immune regulatory element, IL-10. In the finale, we classified divergent neuroimmune key signatures in CSF by gender, survival, and intragender-specific survival among people with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis. These intragender-specific survival associated-neuroimmune signatures, suggests the discrete role of gender immune regulating mechanisms as the possible targets for interventions to advance therapy to improve survival among people with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Okurut
- Translation Sciences Laboratory, Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David R Boulware
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Elizabeth Okafor
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Joshua Rhein
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Henry Kajumbula
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Bernard Bagaya
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Freddie Bwanga
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joseph O Olobo
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Yukari C Manabe
- Translation Sciences Laboratory, Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, MD, 21205, USA
| | - David B Meya
- Translation Sciences Laboratory, Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Edward N Janoff
- Mucosal and Vaccine Research Program Colorado, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, 80045, USA
- Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver CO, 80045, USA
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9
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Lionakis MS, Drummond RA, Hohl TM. Immune responses to human fungal pathogens and therapeutic prospects. Nat Rev Immunol 2023; 23:433-452. [PMID: 36600071 PMCID: PMC9812358 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-022-00826-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Pathogenic fungi have emerged as significant causes of infectious morbidity and death in patients with acquired immunodeficiency conditions such as HIV/AIDS and following receipt of chemotherapy, immunosuppressive agents or targeted biologics for neoplastic or autoimmune diseases, or transplants for end organ failure. Furthermore, in recent years, the spread of multidrug-resistant Candida auris has caused life-threatening outbreaks in health-care facilities worldwide and raised serious concerns for global public health. Rapid progress in the discovery and functional characterization of inborn errors of immunity that predispose to fungal disease and the development of clinically relevant animal models have enhanced our understanding of fungal recognition and effector pathways and adaptive immune responses. In this Review, we synthesize our current understanding of the cellular and molecular determinants of mammalian antifungal immunity, focusing on observations that show promise for informing risk stratification, prognosis, prophylaxis and therapies to combat life-threatening fungal infections in vulnerable patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michail S Lionakis
- Fungal Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Rebecca A Drummond
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Tobias M Hohl
- Infectious Disease Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
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10
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Lionakis MS. Exploiting antifungal immunity in the clinical context. Semin Immunol 2023; 67:101752. [PMID: 37001464 PMCID: PMC10192293 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
The continuous expansion of immunocompromised patient populations at-risk for developing life-threatening opportunistic fungal infections in recent decades has helped develop a deeper understanding of antifungal host defenses, which has provided the foundation for eventually devising immune-based targeted interventions in the clinic. This review outlines how genetic variation in certain immune pathway-related genes may contribute to the observed clinical variability in the risk of acquisition and/or severity of fungal infections and how immunogenetic-based patient stratification may enable the eventual development of personalized strategies for antifungal prophylaxis and/or vaccination. Moreover, this review synthesizes the emerging cytokine-based, cell-based, and other immunotherapeutic strategies that have shown promise as adjunctive therapies for boosting or modulating tissue-specific antifungal immune responses in the context of opportunistic fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michail S Lionakis
- From the Fungal Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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11
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Jackson KM, Ding M, Nielsen K. Importance of Clinical Isolates in Cryptococcus neoformans Research. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:364. [PMID: 36983532 PMCID: PMC10056780 DOI: 10.3390/jof9030364] [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: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The human pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans is a global health concern. Previous research in the field has focused on studies using reference strains to identify virulence factors, generate mutant libraries, define genomic structures, and perform functional studies. In this review, we discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using reference strains to study C. neoformans, describe how the study of clinical isolates has expanded our understanding of pathogenesis, and highlight how studies using clinical isolates can further develop our understanding of the host-pathogen interaction during C. neoformans infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kirsten Nielsen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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12
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Skipper CP, Schleiss MR. Cytomegalovirus viremia and advanced HIV disease: is there an argument for anti-CMV treatment? Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2023; 21:227-233. [PMID: 36691835 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2023.2172400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The role of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection as a co-factor in HIV disease has been a topic of considerable interest since the beginning of the HIV pandemic. CMV is believed to function both as a co-factor in the progression of HIV infection, and as a contributor to enhanced disease for other opportunistic infections. AREAS COVERED In this special article, we review several recent studies that have enhanced our understanding of the role that CMV infection plays in the natural history of other HIV-related opportunistic infections. We review the clinical evidence that demonstrates how CMV viremia has emerged as an independent risk factor for the progression of infections such as those caused by C. neoformans and M. tuberculosis. We outline the biological underpinnings of the various hypotheses by which CMV, as an immunomodulatory virus, may modify the natural history of HIV-related infections. EXPERT OPINION Evidence suggests that active CMV replication, manifest as CMV viremia (DNAemia), may play a key role in driving progression of HIV-associated opportunistic infections. We propose that control of CMV replication, independent of the known benefit of HAART therapy on reducing CMV end-organ disease, could reduce the risk of disease and mortality attributable to opportunistic infections such as cryptococcosis and tuberculosis. This could be achieved by the targeted use of CMV antivirals. The advent of newer (and safer) orally bioavailable CMV antivirals has renewed interest in, and opportunities for, randomized controlled trials to evaluate CMV viremia as a modifiable risk factor in high-risk persons with HIV disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb P Skipper
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Mark R Schleiss
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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13
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Wake RM, Molloy SF, Jarvis JN, Harrison TS, Govender NP. Cryptococcal Antigenemia in Advanced Human Immunodeficiency Virus Disease: Pathophysiology, Epidemiology, and Clinical Implications. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 76:764-770. [PMID: 35986670 PMCID: PMC9938740 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) is detectable in blood prior to the onset of symptomatic cryptococcal meningitis (CM), a leading cause of death among people with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease globally. Highly sensitive assays can detect CrAg in blood, and screening people with HIV with low CD4 counts, followed by preemptive antifungal treatment, is recommended and widely implemented as part of a global strategy to prevent CM and end cryptococcal-related deaths. Cryptococcal antigenemia encompasses a spectrum of conditions from preclinical asymptomatic infection (cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] CrAg-negative) through subclinical (CSF CrAg-positive without overt meningism) to clinical symptomatic cryptococcal disease, usually manifesting as CM. In this review, we summarize current understanding of the pathophysiology, risk factors for, and clinical implications of cryptococcal antigenemia within this spectrum. We also provide an update on global prevalence, recommended screening and treatment strategies, and future considerations for improving outcomes among patients with cryptococcal antigenemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M Wake
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George’s University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Clinical Academic Group in Infection and Immunity, St George’s University Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Síle F Molloy
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George’s University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Joseph N Jarvis
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Thomas S Harrison
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George’s University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Clinical Academic Group in Infection and Immunity, St George’s University Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Nelesh P Govender
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George’s University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Centre for Healthcare-Associated Infections, Antimicrobial Resistance and Mycoses, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Medical Microbiology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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14
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Phospholipase B Is Critical for Cryptococcus neoformans Survival in the Central Nervous System. mBio 2023; 14:e0264022. [PMID: 36786559 PMCID: PMC10127605 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02640-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) is an opportunistic, encapsulated, yeast-like fungus that causes severe meningoencephalitis, especially in countries with high HIV prevalence. In addition to its well-known polysaccharide capsule, Cn has other virulence factors such as phospholipases, a heterogeneous group of enzymes that hydrolyze ester linkages in glycerophospholipids. Phospholipase B (PLB1) has been demonstrated to play a key role in Cn pathogenicity. In this study, we used a PLB1 mutant (plb1) and its reconstituted strain (Rec1) to assess the importance of this enzyme on Cn brain infection in vivo and in vitro. Mice infected with the plb1 strain survive significantly longer, have lower peripheral and central nervous system (CNS) fungal loads, and have fewer and smaller cryptococcomas or biofilm-like brain lesions compared to H99- and Rec1-infected animals. PLB1 causes extensive brain tissue damage and changes microglia morphology during cryptococcal disease, observations which can have important implications in patients with altered mental status or dementia as these manifestations are related to poorer survival outcomes. plb1 cryptococci are significantly more phagocytosed and killed by NR-9460 microglia-like cells. plb1 cells have altered capsular polysaccharide biophysical properties which impair their ability to stimulate glial cell responses or morphological changes. Here, we provide significant evidence demonstrating that Cn PLB1 is an important virulence factor for fungal colonization of and survival in the CNS as well as in the progression of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis. These findings may potentially help fill in a gap of knowledge in our understanding of cerebral cryptococcosis and provide novel research avenues in Cn pathogenesis. IMPORTANCE Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (CME) is a serious disease caused by infection by the neurotropic fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Due to the increasing number of cases in HIV-infected individuals, as well as the limited therapies available, investigation into potential targets for new therapeutics has become critical. Phospholipase B is an enzyme synthesized by Cn that confers virulence to the fungus through capsular enlargement, immunomodulation, and intracellular replication. In this study, we examined the properties of PLB1 by comparing infection of a Cn PLB1 mutant strain with both the wild-type and a PLB1-reconstituted strain. We show that PLB1 augments the survival and proliferation of the fungus in the CNS and strengthens virulence by modulating the immune response and enhancing specific biophysical properties of the fungus. PLB1 expression causes brain tissue damage and impacts glial cell functions, which may be responsible for the dementia observed in patients which may persist even after resolving from CME. The implications of PLB1 inhibition reveal its involvement in Cn infection and suggest that it may be a possible molecular target in the development of antifungal therapies. The results of this study support additional investigation into the mechanism of PLB1 to further understand the intricacies of cerebral Cn infection.
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15
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Cryptococcal Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome: From Clinical Studies to Animal Experiments. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10122419. [PMID: 36557672 PMCID: PMC9780901 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10122419] [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: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated pathogenic fungus that initially infects the lung but can migrate to the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in meningoencephalitis. The organism causes the CNS infection primarily in immunocompromised individuals including HIV/AIDS patients, but also, rarely, in immunocompetent individuals. In HIV/AIDS patients, limited inflammation in the CNS, due to impaired cellular immunity, cannot efficiently clear a C. neoformans infection. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) can rapidly restore cellular immunity in HIV/AIDS patients. Paradoxically, ART induces an exaggerated inflammatory response, termed immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), in some HIV/AIDS patients co-infected with C. neoformans. A similar excessive inflammation, referred to as post-infectious inflammatory response syndrome (PIIRS), is also frequently seen in previously healthy individuals suffering from cryptococcal meningoencephalitis. Cryptococcal IRIS and PIIRS are life-threatening complications that kill up to one-third of affected people. In this review, we summarize the inflammatory responses in the CNS during HIV-associated cryptococcal meningoencephalitis. We overview the current understanding of cryptococcal IRIS developed in HIV/AIDS patients and cryptococcal PIIRS occurring in HIV-uninfected individuals. We also describe currently available animal models that closely mimic aspects of cryptococcal IRIS observed in HIV/AIDS patients.
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16
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Cryptococcus neoformans Infection in the Central Nervous System: The Battle between Host and Pathogen. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8101069. [PMID: 36294634 PMCID: PMC9605252 DOI: 10.3390/jof8101069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans) is a pathogenic fungus with a global distribution. Humans become infected by inhaling the fungus from the environment, and the fungus initially colonizes the lungs. If the immune system fails to contain C. neoformans in the lungs, the fungus can disseminate to the blood and invade the central nervous system, resulting in fatal meningoencephalitis particularly in immunocompromised individuals including HIV/AIDS patients. Following brain invasion, C. neoformans will encounter host defenses involving resident as well as recruited immune cells in the brain. To overcome host defenses, C. neoformans possesses multiple virulence factors capable of modulating immune responses. The outcome of the interactions between the host and C. neoformans will determine the disease progression. In this review, we describe the current understanding of how C. neoformans migrates to the brain across the blood–brain barrier, and how the host immune system responds to the invading organism in the brain. We will also discuss the virulence factors that C. neoformans uses to modulate host immune responses.
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17
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Sharma J, Mudalagiriyappa S, Nanjappa SG. T cell responses to control fungal infection in an immunological memory lens. Front Immunol 2022; 13:905867. [PMID: 36177012 PMCID: PMC9513067 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.905867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, fungal vaccine research emanated significant findings in the field of antifungal T-cell immunity. The generation of effector T cells is essential to combat many mucosal and systemic fungal infections. The development of antifungal memory T cells is integral for controlling or preventing fungal infections, and understanding the factors, regulators, and modifiers that dictate the generation of such T cells is necessary. Despite the deficiency in the clear understanding of antifungal memory T-cell longevity and attributes, in this review, we will compile some of the existing literature on antifungal T-cell immunity in the context of memory T-cell development against fungal infections.
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18
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Jiang YK, Wang RY, Zhou LH, Cheng JH, Luo Y, Zhu RS, Qiu WJ, Zhao HZ, Wang X, Harrison TS, Zhu LP. Cerebrospinal fluid cytokine and chemokine patterns correlate with prognosis of HIV-uninfected cryptococcal meningitis: A prospective observational study. Front Immunol 2022; 13:993495. [PMID: 36032125 PMCID: PMC9411642 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.993495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) immune responses in HIV-uninfected cryptococcal meningitis (CM) have not been well studied. In this study, we aimed to explore the phenotype of CSF immune response during the course of disease and to examine relationships between phenotypes and disease severity. We profiled the CSF immune response in 128 HIV-uninfected CM and 30 pulmonary cryptococcosis patients using a 27-plex Luminex cytokine kit. Principal component analyses (PCA) and logistic regression model were performed. Concentrations of 23 out of 27 cytokines and chemokines in baseline CSF were significantly elevated in CM patients compared with pulmonary cryptococcosis cases. In CM patients with Cryptococcus neoformans infection, IL-1ra, IL-9, and VEGF were significantly elevated in immunocompetent cases. Cytokine levels usually reached peaks within the first 2 weeks of antifungal treatment and gradually decreased over time. PCA demonstrated a co-correlated CSF cytokine and chemokine response consisting of Th1, Th2, and Th17 type cytokines. Prognostic analysis showed that higher scores for the PCs loading pro-inflammatory cytokines, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-12; and anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-4; and chemokines, Eotaxin, FGF-basis, and PDGF-bb; as well as lower scores for the PCs loading RANTES were associated with disease severity, as defined by a Glasgow Coma Scale of <15 or death. In conclusion, combined inflammatory responses in CSF involving both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines are upregulated in HIV-uninfected CM, and associated with disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Kui Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui-Ying Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling-Hong Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Hui Cheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Luo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong-Sheng Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Jia Qiu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hua-Zhen Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Thomas Stephen Harrison
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George’s University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Li-Ping Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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19
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IL-9 plays a protective role on host defense against the infection of Cryptococcus Neoformans. J Mycol Med 2022; 32:101297. [PMID: 35660540 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2022.101297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes neurological disease in immunocompromised patients. Preliminary experiments showed that cryptococcal strains could induce the expression of interleukin-9 (IL-9). The use of a neutralizing antibody against IL-9 decreased the survival rates of mice in a murine model. In this study, we found that in vitro, IL-9 could enhance the phagocytic function of M1 macrophages and promote the killing of extracellular pathogens by had no effect on the killing of invading pathogens. IL-9 could also promote the expression of IL-6 while suppressing the expression of TNF-α in M1 macrophages. In vivo, IL-9 reduced the colony-forming units (CFUs) in the brain and liver, but there were no differences in the lung. Furthermore, the weight of mice in the IL-9 group decreased slower than that of mice in the phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) group after infection. Moreover, IL-9 could enhance the survival rate at 21 days. The results also showed that IL-9 could promote the secretion of IL-17 while blocking the secretion of IL-4. Therefore, we concluded that IL-9 plays a protective role in C. neoformans infection.
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20
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Shirley K, Loftis JM. A spotlight on HCV and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection and brain function. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2022; 217:173403. [PMID: 35561837 PMCID: PMC9088049 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kate Shirley
- Research & Development Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Clinical Psychology PhD Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jennifer M Loftis
- Research & Development Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Clinical Psychology PhD Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
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21
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Holcomb ZE, Steinbrink JM, Zaas AK, Betancourt M, Tenor JL, Toffaletti DL, Alspaugh JA, Perfect JR, McClain MT. Transcriptional Profiles Elucidate Differential Host Responses to Infection with Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8050430. [PMID: 35628686 PMCID: PMC9143552 DOI: 10.3390/jof8050430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Many aspects of the host response to invasive cryptococcal infections remain poorly understood. In order to explore the pathobiology of infection with common clinical strains, we infected BALB/cJ mice with Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus gattii, or sham control, and assayed host transcriptomic responses in peripheral blood. Infection with C. neoformans resulted in markedly greater fungal burden in the CNS than C. gattii, as well as slightly higher fungal burden in the lungs. A total of 389 genes were significantly differentially expressed in response to C. neoformans infection, which mainly clustered into pathways driving immune function, including complement activation and TH2-skewed immune responses. C. neoformans infection demonstrated dramatic up-regulation of complement-driven genes and greater up-regulation of alternatively activated macrophage activity than seen with C gattii. A 27-gene classifier was built, capable of distinguishing cryptococcal infection from animals with bacterial infection due to Staphylococcus aureus with 94% sensitivity and 89% specificity. Top genes from the murine classifiers were also differentially expressed in human PBMCs following infection, suggesting cross-species relevance of these findings. The host response, as manifested in transcriptional profiles, informs our understanding of the pathophysiology of cryptococcal infection and demonstrates promise for contributing to development of novel diagnostic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary E. Holcomb
- Harvard Combined Dermatology Residency Program, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
| | - Julie M. Steinbrink
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (A.K.Z.); (M.B.); (J.L.T.); (D.L.T.); (J.A.A.); (J.R.P.); (M.T.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Aimee K. Zaas
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (A.K.Z.); (M.B.); (J.L.T.); (D.L.T.); (J.A.A.); (J.R.P.); (M.T.M.)
| | - Marisol Betancourt
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (A.K.Z.); (M.B.); (J.L.T.); (D.L.T.); (J.A.A.); (J.R.P.); (M.T.M.)
| | - Jennifer L. Tenor
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (A.K.Z.); (M.B.); (J.L.T.); (D.L.T.); (J.A.A.); (J.R.P.); (M.T.M.)
| | - Dena L. Toffaletti
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (A.K.Z.); (M.B.); (J.L.T.); (D.L.T.); (J.A.A.); (J.R.P.); (M.T.M.)
| | - J. Andrew Alspaugh
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (A.K.Z.); (M.B.); (J.L.T.); (D.L.T.); (J.A.A.); (J.R.P.); (M.T.M.)
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - John R. Perfect
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (A.K.Z.); (M.B.); (J.L.T.); (D.L.T.); (J.A.A.); (J.R.P.); (M.T.M.)
| | - Micah T. McClain
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (A.K.Z.); (M.B.); (J.L.T.); (D.L.T.); (J.A.A.); (J.R.P.); (M.T.M.)
- Infectious Diseases Section, Medical Service, Durham Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, USA
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22
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Wang Y, Pawar S, Dutta O, Wang K, Rivera A, Xue C. Macrophage Mediated Immunomodulation During Cryptococcus Pulmonary Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:859049. [PMID: 35402316 PMCID: PMC8987709 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.859049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are key cellular components of innate immunity, acting as the first line of defense against pathogens to modulate homeostatic and inflammatory responses. They help clear pathogens and shape the T-cell response through the production of cytokines and chemokines. The facultative intracellular fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans has developed a unique ability to interact with and manipulate host macrophages. These interactions dictate how Cryptococcus infection can remain latent or how dissemination within the host is achieved. In addition, differences in the activities of macrophages have been correlated with differential susceptibilities of hosts to Cryptococcus infection, highlighting the importance of macrophages in determining disease outcomes. There is now abundant information on the interaction between Cryptococcus and macrophages. In this review we discuss recent advances regarding macrophage origin, polarization, activation, and effector functions during Cryptococcus infection. The importance of these strategies in pathogenesis and the potential of immunotherapy for cryptococcosis treatment is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology , Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Siddhi Pawar
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Orchi Dutta
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Keyi Wang
- Center for Immunity and Inflammation, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Amariliz Rivera
- Center for Immunity and Inflammation, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Chaoyang Xue
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
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23
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Martynova E, Rizvanov A, Urbanowicz RA, Khaiboullina S. Inflammasome Contribution to the Activation of Th1, Th2, and Th17 Immune Responses. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:851835. [PMID: 35369454 PMCID: PMC8969514 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.851835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammasomes are cytosolic polyprotein complexes formed in response to various external and internal stimuli, including viral and bacterial antigens. The main product of the inflammasome is active caspase 1 which proteolytically cleaves, releasing functional interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18). These cytokines play a central role in shaping immune response to pathogens. In this review, we will focus on the mechanisms of inflammasome activation, as well as their role in development of Th1, Th2, and Th17 lymphocytes. The contribution of cytokines IL-1β, IL-18, and IL-33, products of activated inflammasomes, are summarized. Additionally, the role of cytokines released from tissue cells in promoting differentiation of lymphocyte populations is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Richard A. Urbanowicz
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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24
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Ding M, Smith KD, Wiesner DL, Nielsen JN, Jackson KM, Nielsen K. Use of Clinical Isolates to Establish Criteria for a Mouse Model of Latent Cryptococcus neoformans Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:804059. [PMID: 35186781 PMCID: PMC8847453 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.804059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms of latency in the context of C. neoformans infection remain poorly understood. Two reasons for this gap in knowledge are: 1) the lack of standardized criteria for defining latent cryptococcosis in animal models and 2) limited genetic and immunological tools available for studying host parameters against C. neoformans in non-murine models of persistent infection. In this study, we defined criteria required for latency in C. neoformans infection models and used these criteria to develop a murine model of persistent C. neoformans infection using clinical isolates. We analyzed infections with two clinical C. neoformans strains, UgCl223 and UgCl552, isolated from advanced HIV patients with cryptococcal meningitis. Our data show that the majority of C57BL/6 mice infected with the clinical C. neoformans isolates had persistent, stable infections with low fungal burden, survived beyond 90 days-post infection, exhibited weight gain, had no clinical signs of disease, and had yeast cells contained within pulmonary granulomas with no generalized alveolar inflammation. Infected mice exhibited stable relative frequencies of pulmonary immune cells during the course of the infection. Upon CD4+ T-cell depletion, the CD4DTR mice had significantly increased lung and brain fungal burden that resulted in lethal infection, indicating that CD4+ T-cells are important for control of the pulmonary infection and to prevent dissemination. Cells expressing the Tbet transcription factor were the predominant activated CD4 T-cell subset in the lungs during the latent infection. These Tbet-expressing T-cells had decreased IFNγ production, which may have implications in the capacity of the cells to orchestrate the pulmonary immune response. Altogether, these results indicate that clinical C. neoformans isolates can establish a persistent controlled infection that meets most criteria for latency; highlighting the utility of this new mouse model system for studies of host immune responses that control C. neoformans infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minna Ding
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Kyle D. Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Darin L. Wiesner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Medicine, Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Judith N. Nielsen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Katrina M. Jackson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Kirsten Nielsen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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25
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Zhao T, Xu XL, Lu YQ, Liu M, Yuan J, Nie JM, Yu JH, Liu SQ, Yang TT, Zhou GQ, Liu J, Qin YM, Chen H, Harypursat V, Chen YK. The Effect of Early vs. Deferred Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation in HIV-Infected Patients With Cryptococcal Meningitis: A Multicenter Prospective Randomized Controlled Analysis in China. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:779181. [PMID: 34869498 PMCID: PMC8639871 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.779181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The optimal timing for initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV-positive patients with cryptococcal meningitis (CM) has not, as yet, been compellingly elucidated, as research data concerning mortality risk and the occurrence of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in this population remains inconsistent and controversial. Method: The present multicenter randomized clinical trial was conducted in China in patients who presented with confirmed HIV/CM, and who were ART-naïve. Subjects were randomized and stratified into either an early-ART group (ART initiated 2-5 weeks after initiation of antifungal therapy), or a deferred-ART group (ART initiated 5 weeks after initiation of antifungal therapy). Intention-to-treat, and per-protocol analyses of data for these groups were conducted for this study. Result: The probability of survival was found to not be statistically different between patients who started ART between 2-5 weeks of CM therapy initiation (14/47, 29.8%) vs. those initiating ART until 5 weeks after CM therapy initiation (10/55, 18.2%) (p = 0.144). However, initiating ART within 4 weeks after the diagnosis and antifungal treatment of CM resulted in a higher mortality compared with deferring ART initiation until 6 weeks (p = 0.042). The incidence of IRIS did not differ significantly between the early-ART group and the deferred-ART group (6.4 and 7.3%, respectively; p = 0.872). The percentage of patients with severe (grade 3 or 4) adverse events was high in both treatment arms (55.3% in the early-ART group and 41.8% in the deferred-ART group; p=0.183), and there were significantly more grade 4 adverse events in the early-ART group (20 vs. 13; p = 0.042). Conclusion: Although ART initiation from 2 to 5 weeks after initiation of antifungal therapy was not significantly associated with high cumulative mortality or IRIS event rates in HIV/CM patients compared with ART initiation 5 weeks after initiation of antifungal therapy, we found that initiating ART within 4 weeks after CM antifungal treatment resulted in a higher mortality compared with deferring ART initiation until 6 weeks. In addition, we observed that there were significantly more grade 4 adverse events in the early-ART group. Our results support the deferred initiation of ART in HIV-associated CM. Clinical Trials Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: ChiCTR1900021195.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhao
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao-Lei Xu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan-Qiu Lu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Min Liu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Yuan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing-Min Nie
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Jian-Hua Yu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Xixi Hospital of Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shui-Qing Liu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Guiyang Public Health Clinical Center, Guizhou, China
| | - Tong-Tong Yang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Guo-Qiang Zhou
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Kunming Third People's Hospital, Yunnan, China
| | - Ying-Mei Qin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Fourth's Hospital of Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Hui Chen
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Vijay Harypursat
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Yao-Kai Chen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
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26
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Dangarembizi R. Reimagining the future of African brain health: Perspectives for basic research on the pathogenesis of cryptococcal meningitis. Brain Behav Immun Health 2021; 18:100388. [PMID: 34825235 PMCID: PMC8605210 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcal meningitis is a fatal opportunistic infection of the brain and a leading cause of neurological damage and death in immunocompromised individuals. This neglected fungal disease of the brain is a huge burden on the health systems of developing countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, where up to 25% of people living with HIV/AIDS succumb to it. Cryptococcal fungal cells have a predilection for the brain and they are capable of traversing the blood brain barrier and invade the brain where they cause infection, inflammation and a disruption of normal brain function. A robust host neuroimmune response is critical for pathogen clearance and survival, and a good understanding of the mechanisms underlying its development in the host is critical for the development of effective treatments. However, past basic research studies have been focussed on the characteristics of the fungus and its effect on the peripheral immune system; with little attention paid to how it interacts with brain immune cells. This mini review briefly discusses the paucity of basic research data on the neuroimmune response to cryptococcal infection, raises pertinent questions on how the brain cells respond to the fungal infection, and thereafter discusses models, techniques and advanced technologies that could be useful for carrying out high-throughput research on the pathogenesis of cryptococcal meningitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Dangarembizi
- Division of Physiological Sciences, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
- CMM AFRICA Medical Mycology Research Unit, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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27
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Ward RA, Aghaeepour N, Bhattacharyya RP, Clish CB, Gaudillière B, Hacohen N, Mansour MK, Mudd PA, Pasupneti S, Presti RM, Rhee EP, Sen P, Spec A, Tam JM, Villani AC, Woolley AE, Hsu JL, Vyas JM. Harnessing the Potential of Multiomics Studies for Precision Medicine in Infectious Disease. Open Forum Infect Dis 2021; 8:ofab483. [PMID: 34805429 PMCID: PMC8598922 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The field of infectious diseases currently takes a reactive approach and treats infections as they present in patients. Although certain populations are known to be at greater risk of developing infection (eg, immunocompromised), we lack a systems approach to define the true risk of future infection for a patient. Guided by impressive gains in "omics" technologies, future strategies to infectious diseases should take a precision approach to infection through identification of patients at intermediate and high-risk of infection and deploy targeted preventative measures (ie, prophylaxis). The advances of high-throughput immune profiling by multiomics approaches (ie, transcriptomics, epigenomics, metabolomics, proteomics) hold the promise to identify patients at increased risk of infection and enable risk-stratifying approaches to be applied in the clinic. Integration of patient-specific data using machine learning improves the effectiveness of prediction, providing the necessary technologies needed to propel the field of infectious diseases medicine into the era of personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Ward
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nima Aghaeepour
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Roby P Bhattacharyya
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Clary B Clish
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brice Gaudillière
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Nir Hacohen
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Cancer for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael K Mansour
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Philip A Mudd
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Shravani Pasupneti
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Medical Service, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Rachel M Presti
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of lnternal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity to Microbial Pathogens, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Eugene P Rhee
- The Nephrology Division and Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pritha Sen
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrej Spec
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of lnternal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Jenny M Tam
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alexandra-Chloé Villani
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ann E Woolley
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joe L Hsu
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Medical Service, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Jatin M Vyas
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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28
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Stott KE, Loyse A, Jarvis JN, Alufandika M, Harrison TS, Mwandumba HC, Day JN, Lalloo DG, Bicanic T, Perfect JR, Hope W. Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis: time for action. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2021; 21:e259-e271. [PMID: 33872594 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(20)30771-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis was first described over a century ago. This fungal infection is preventable and treatable yet continues to be associated with excessive morbidity and mortality. The largest burden of disease resides in people living with HIV in low-income and middle-income countries. In this group, mortality with the best antifungal induction regimen (7 days of amphotericin B deoxycholate [1·0 mg/kg per day] and flucytosine [100·0 mg/kg per day]) in a clinical trial setting was 24% at 10 weeks. The world is now at an inflection point in terms of recognition, research, and action to address the burden of morbidity and mortality from cryptococcal meningoencephalitis. However, the scope of interventional programmes needs to increase, with particular attention to implementation science that is specific to individual countries. This Review summarises causes of excessive mortality, interventions with proven survival benefit, and gaps in knowledge and practice that contribute to the ongoing high death toll from cryptococcal meningoencephalitis. TRANSLATIONS: For the Vietnamese and Chichewa translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine Elizabeth Stott
- Antimicrobial Pharmacodynamics and Therapeutics, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool, UK; Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi.
| | - Angela Loyse
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, St George's University and Hospital, London, UK
| | - Joe N Jarvis
- Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana; Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Melanie Alufandika
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Henry C Mwandumba
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi; Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jeremy N Day
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, UK
| | | | - Tihana Bicanic
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, St George's University and Hospital, London, UK
| | - John R Perfect
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - William Hope
- Antimicrobial Pharmacodynamics and Therapeutics, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool, UK
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29
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Zhou LH, Zhao HZ, Wang X, Wang RY, Jiang YK, Huang LP, Yip CW, Cheng JH, Que CX, Zhu LP. Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in non-HIV cryptococcal meningitis: Cross-talk between pathogen and host. Mycoses 2021; 64:1402-1411. [PMID: 34390048 PMCID: PMC9290805 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13361] [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: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptococcal meningitis (CM)-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is associated with high mortality, the epidemiology and pathophysiology of which is poorly understood, especially in non-HIV populations. OBJECTIVES We aim to explore the incidence, clinical risk factors, immunological profiles and potential influence of leukotriene A4 hydroxylase (LTA4H) on non-HIV CM IRIS populations. METHODS In this observational cohort study, 101 previously untreated non-HIV CM patients were included. We obtained data for clinical variables, 27 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytokines levels and LTA4H genotype frequencies. Changes of CSF cytokines levels before and at IRIS occurrence were compared. RESULTS Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome was identified in 11 immunocompetent males, generating an incidence of 10.9% in non-HIV CM patients. Patients with higher CrAg titres (> 1:160) were more likely to develop IRIS, and titre of 1:1280 is the optimum level to predict IRIS occurrence. Baseline CSF cytokines were significantly higher in IRIS group, which indicated a severe host immune inflammation response. Four LTA4H SNPs (rs17525488, rs6538697, rs17525495 and rs1978331) exhibited significant genetic susceptibility to IRIS in overall non-HIV CM, while five cytokines were found to be associated with rs1978331, and baseline monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) became the only cytokine correlated with both IRIS and LTA4H SNPs. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggested that non-HIV CM patients with high fungal burden and severe immune inflammation response were more likely to developed IRIS. LTA4H polymorphisms may affect the pathogenesis of IRIS by regulating the level of baseline CSF MCP-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Hong Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical college, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hua-Zhen Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical college, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical college, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui-Ying Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical college, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying-Kui Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical college, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li-Ping Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical college, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ching-Wan Yip
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical college, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Hui Cheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical college, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chun-Xing Que
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical college, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li-Ping Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical college, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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30
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Abstract
Complex processes mediate immunity to fungal infections. Responses vary depending on the organism, morphogenic state, and infection site. Innate immune effectors such as epithelia, phagocytes, and soluble molecules detect pathogens, kill fungi, release cytokines, and prime the adaptive response. Adaptive responses to mucocutaneous or invasive disease are markedly different but intersect at certain pathways (molecules required for IL-23 and IL-12 signaling). Many of these pathways have been elucidated from the study of inborn errors of immunity. This review explores the general aspects of antifungal immunity and delves into the mechanisms that mediate protection from frequently encountered fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar A Fernández-García
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga 15, Belisario Domínguez Sección XVI, 14080 Tlalpan, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jennifer M Cuellar-Rodríguez
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 10 Center Drive, Building 10CRC 3-3264, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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31
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A preliminary study on the characteristics of Th1/Th2 immune response in cerebrospinal fluid of AIDS patients with cryptococcal meningitis. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:500. [PMID: 34051748 PMCID: PMC8164222 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06138-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cryptococcal Meningitis (CM) is a common opportunistic infection in the late stage of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Despite the wide use of effective antiretroviral and antifungal therapy in AIDS patients, CM is still a major morbidity and mortality cause. Understanding the immune response in cryptococcal infection may help to improve the treatment strategies. Methods We established a prospective cohort of twelve AIDS patients with CM (HIV + CM+) admitted to the hospital from 2019 to 2020. All patients were examined at the baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks thereafter. The level of 19 cytokines in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were recorded to analyze the characteristics and dynamic changes of Th1/Th2 immune response. Meanwhile, six AIDS patients without CM (HIV + CM-) and seventeen healthy subjects (HIV-CM-) were included as control groups for CSF assessment. Results The HIV+ CM+ group had higher CSF IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 (P40), IL-15, IL-18, CCL2 levels but lower IL-4 when compared with the HIV-CM- group at baseline. And they also had a higher level of IL-12 (P40) and IL-17A compared with HIV + CM- patients. Except one patient dropped out of the study, eleven HIV + CM+ patients received induction antifungal therapy and regular CSF testing, and the mortality rate was 9.1% (1/11) and 18.2% (2/11) respectively at week 2 and week 4. Compared with baseline CSF cytokines, IL-2, IL-13, IL-17A, and VEGF-A decreased in week 2, and the VEGF-A levels further decreased in week 4. But there was no difference in the levels of all cytokines between survivors and the dead. Conclusion No evidence of Th1/Th2 imbalance was found in AIDS patients with CM. However, the CSF cytokine network may provide new clues for the treatment of AIDS patients with CM. Trial registration This trial was prospectively registered in 2019.7.16. The registered number is ChiCTR1900024565. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-021-06138-z.
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32
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Alshahrani MY, Alfaifi M, Al Shahrani M, Alshahrani AS, Alkhathami AG, Dera AA, Ahmad I, Wahab S, Beg MMA, Hakamy A, Hamid ME. Increased mRNA expression of key cytokines among suspected cases of Pneumocystis jirovecii infection. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:28. [PMID: 33413198 PMCID: PMC7792013 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-05729-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a fatal infectious disease caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii (PJP). The major factor relevant to morbidity and mortality seems to be the host inflammatory reaction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13 cytokine mRNA expression among suspected P. jirovecii infection. Methods This was a cross-sectional analytical study undertaken in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. One hundred suspected PCP cases and 100 healthy controls were included in the study. Basic clinical manifestations, radiological findings, microbiological and immunological findings were extracted from the hospital records from January 2019 to August 2019, Pneumocystis detection was done by immune-fluorescent staining (IFAT, Gomorimethanamine silver staining (GMSS), Giemsa staining, Toluidine blue O (TBO), and Pneumocystis RT-PCR. Results Increased more than 5 fold, 3 fold, 4 fold, and 7 fold of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13 mRNA expression were observed in PCP cases compared to controls. Higher expression of IL-2 mRNA was connected with crept, wheezing and chest X-ray findings like central perihilar infiltrate, patchy infiltrate, consolidation, hilar lymphadenopathy, pneumothorax, pleural effusion which showed higher expression compared to counterpart (p< 0.0001). Higher expression of IL-4 mRNA was found to be significantly associated with weight loss (p=0.002), dyspnea (p=0.003), crept (p=0.01), and chest X-ray findings (p< 0.0001). Significantly increased expression of IL-10 mRNA was observed to be associated with weight loss, dyspnea, night sweats, wheezing, and different findings of chest X-ray compared to their counterparts, whereas, IL-13 mRNA was observed in cases with fever. Suspected cases of PCP confirmed positive by IFTA with higher IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 mRNA expression compared to negative cases. RT-PCR confirmed PCP cases had significantly higher expression of IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 as well as IL-13 mRNA compared to negative cases. Positive detected cases by GMSS showed higher IL-2, IL-10 mRNA expression, while Giemsa showed only higher IL-4 mRNA expression compared to negative cases. Conclusion Confirmed cases of P. jirovecii showed higher IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13 mRNA expression comparatively to negative cases. Increased expression of cytokines may be indicative of infection severity and could help in patients’ management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Y Alshahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alfaifi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mesfer Al Shahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Ali G Alkhathami
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayed A Dera
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Irfan Ahmad
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shadma Wahab
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mirza M A Beg
- Department of Biochemistry, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Ali Hakamy
- Respiratory Therapy Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed E Hamid
- Department of Microbiology and Clinical Parasitology, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
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Chesdachai S, Engen NW, Rhein J, Tugume L, Kiiza Kandole T, Abassi M, Ssebambulidde K, Kasibante J, Williams DA, Skipper CP, Hullsiek KH, Musubire AK, Rajasingham R, Meya DB, Boulware DR. Baseline Serum C-Reactive Protein Level Predicts Mortality in Cryptococcal Meningitis. Open Forum Infect Dis 2020; 7:ofaa530. [PMID: 33335936 PMCID: PMC7727340 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaa530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein produced by the liver in response to systemic inflammation. CRP is a helpful surrogate biomarker used for following the progression and resolution of infection. We aimed to determine the association of baseline CRP level and the temporal change in CRP over time with cryptococcal meningitis outcome. METHODS We reviewed 168 prospectively enrolled HIV-infected Ugandans with confirmed first-episode cryptococcal meningitis. Baseline plasma CRP collected within 5 days of meningitis diagnosis was categorized into quartiles. We compared baseline CRP with 18-week survival using time-to-event analysis. RESULTS Of 168 participants, the baseline first quartile of serum CRP was <29.0 mg/L, second quartile 29.0-49.5 mg/L, third quartile 49.6-83.6 mg/L, and fourth quartile >83.6 mg/L. Baseline CD4 count, HIV viral load, and cerebrospinal fluid results did not differ by CRP quartile. Participants with CRP >49.5 mg/L more likely presented with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) <15 (P = .03). The 18-week mortality rate was 55% (46/84) in the highest 2 quartile CRP groups (>49.5 mg/L), 41% (17/42) in the mid-range CRP group (29.0-49.5 mg/L), and 14% (6/42) in the low-CRP group (<29.0 mg/L; P < .001). After adjustment for possible confounding factors including GCS <15, CRP remained significantly associated with mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.084 per 10 mg/L; 95% CI, 1.031-1.139; P = .0016). CONCLUSIONS Higher baseline CRP is associated with increased mortality in HIV-infected individuals with first-episode cryptococcal meningitis. CRP could be a surrogate marker for undiagnosed coinfections or may reflect immune dysregulation, leading to worse outcomes in persons with advanced AIDS and concomitant cryptococcal meningitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supavit Chesdachai
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA,Correspondence: Supavit Chesdachai, MD, 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 284, Minneapolis, MN 55455 ()
| | - Nicole W Engen
- Division of Biostatistics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Joshua Rhein
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Lillian Tugume
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Tadeo Kiiza Kandole
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Mahsa Abassi
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kenneth Ssebambulidde
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - John Kasibante
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Darlisha A Williams
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Caleb P Skipper
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kathy H Hullsiek
- Division of Biostatistics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Abdu K Musubire
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Radha Rajasingham
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - David B Meya
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David R Boulware
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Basso AMM, De Castro RJA, de Castro TB, Guimarães HI, Polez VLP, Carbonero ER, Pomin VH, Hoffmann C, Grossi-de-Sa MF, Tavares AH, Bocca AL. Immunomodulatory activity of β-glucan-containing exopolysaccharides from Auricularia auricular in phagocytes and mice infected with Cryptococcus neoformans. Med Mycol 2020; 58:227-239. [PMID: 31095342 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myz042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Current antifungal drugs present poor effectiveness and there is no available vaccine for fungal infections. Thus, novel strategies to treat or prevent invasive mycosis, such as cryptococcosis, are highly desirable. One strategy is the use of immunomodulators of polysaccharide nature isolated from mushrooms. The purpose of the present work was to evaluate the immunostimulatory activity of β-(1,3)-glucan-containing exopolysaccharides (EPS) from the edible mushrooms Auricularia auricula in phagocytes and mice infected with Cryptococcus neoformans. EPS triggered macrophages and dendritic cell activation upon binding to Dectin-1, a pattern recognition receptor of the C-type lectin receptor family. Engagement of Dectin-1 culminated in pro-inflammatory cytokine production and cell maturation via its canonical Syk-dependent pathway signaling. Furthermore, upon EPS treatment, M2-like phenotype macrophages, known to support intracellular survival and replication of C. neoformans, repolarize to M1 macrophage pattern associated with enhanced production of the microbicidal molecule nitric oxide that results in efficient killing of C. neoformans. Treatment with EPS also upregulated transcript levels of genes encoding products associated with host protection against C. neoformans and Dectin-1 mediated signaling in macrophages. Finally, orally administrated β-glucan-containing EPS from A. auricular enhanced the survival of mice infected with C. neoformans. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that EPS from A. auricula exert immunostimulatory activity in phagocytes and induce host protection against C. neoformans, suggesting that polysaccharides from this mushroom may be promising as an adjuvant for vaccines or antifungal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M M Basso
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, UnB, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - R J A De Castro
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, UnB, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - T B de Castro
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, UnB, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - H I Guimarães
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, Brazil
| | - V L P Polez
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, Brazil
| | - E R Carbonero
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Goiás, Campus Catalão, GO, Brazil
| | - V H Pomin
- Program of Glicobiology, Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University Federal of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Department of BioMolecular Sciences, Division of Pharmacognosy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, the University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS 38677-1848, USA
| | - C Hoffmann
- Department of Food Sciences and Experimental Nutrition, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M F Grossi-de-Sa
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, Brazil.,Graduated Program in Genomic Science and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - A H Tavares
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, UnB, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - A L Bocca
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, UnB, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
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Qu J, Jiang J, Lv X. The utility of cerebrospinal fluid white cell count during the prognostic assessment for cryptococcal meningitis patients: a retrospective study. BMC Infect Dis 2020; 20:571. [PMID: 32758162 PMCID: PMC7405376 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-05287-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The incidence of cryptococcal meningitis (CM) has gradually increased in recent years. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology and cell count are very important for CM on etiology diagnosis and assessment of disease status and therapeutic response. However, the clinical significance of CSF white cell count (WCC) in CM patients is not fully understood. Using longitudinal data of CSF WCC and its relationship with clinical outcomes in CM patients, we aimed to elucidate the clinical significance of this test. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 150 CM patients admitted to our hospital between January 2008 and December 2018. Results CM patients with lower baseline CSF WCC, CSF protein concentration or CD4/CD8 ratio, and those with altered mentation or HIV coinfection were more likely to have poor clinical outcome (P<0.05). CM patients with triple therapy during the induction period presented with a better clinical outcome (P<0.05). Baseline CSF WCC had a moderate positive correlation with peripheral CD4+ T lymphocyte count (r = 0.738, P < 0.001) and CD4+ T lymphocyte percentage (r = 0.616, P < 0.001). The best cut-off value to predict a poor clinical outcome was 40 cells/μL during baseline CSF WCC. The predictive model incorporating longitudinal data of CSF WCC had better sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy than a model incorporating only baseline CSF WCC data. Conclusions Our results indicated that baseline CSF WCC and changes in CSF WCC over time could be used to assess the prognosis of CM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyan Qu
- Center of Infectious Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jingwen Jiang
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoju Lv
- Center of Infectious Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Okurut S, Boulware DR, Olobo J, Meya DB. Landmark clinical observations and immunopathogenesis pathways linked to HIV and Cryptococcus fatal central nervous system co-infection. Mycoses 2020; 63:840-853. [PMID: 32472727 PMCID: PMC7416908 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcal meningitis remains one of the leading causes of death among HIV-infected adults in the fourth decade of HIV era in sub-Saharan Africa, contributing to 10%-20% of global HIV-related deaths. Despite widespread use and early induction of ART among HIV-infected adults, incidence of cryptococcosis remains significant in those with advanced HIV disease. Cryptococcus species that causes fatal infection follows systemic spread from initial environmental acquired infection in lungs to antigenaemia and fungaemia in circulation prior to establishment of often fatal disease, cryptococcal meningitis in the CNS. Cryptococcus person-to-person transmission is uncommon, and deaths related to blood infection without CNS involvement are rare. Keen to the persistent high mortality associated with HIV-cryptococcal meningitis, seizures are common among a third of the patients, altered mental status is frequent, anaemia is prevalent with ensuing brain hypoxia and at autopsy, brain fibrosis and infarction are evident. In addition, fungal burden is 3-to-4-fold higher in those with seizures. And high immune activation together with exacerbated inflammation and elevated PD-1/PD-L immune checkpoint expression is immunomodulated phenotypes elevated in CSF relative to blood. Lastly, though multiple Cryptococcus species cause disease in this setting, observations are mostly generalised to cryptococcal infection/meningitis or regional dominant species (C neoformans or gattii complex) that may limit our understanding of interspecies differences in infection, progression, treatment or recovery outcome. Together, these factors and underlying mechanisms are hypotheses generating for research to find targets to prevent infection or adequate therapy to prevent persistent high mortality with current optimal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Okurut
- Research DepartmentInfectious Diseases InstituteMakerere UniversityKampalaUganda
- Department of MicrobiologySchool of Biomedical SciencesCollege of Health SciencesMakerere UniversityKampalaUganda
| | - David R. Boulware
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International MedicineDepartment of MedicineUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesota
| | - Joseph Olobo
- Department of Immunology and Molecular BiologySchool of Biomedical SciencesCollege of Health SciencesMakerere UniversityKampalaUganda
| | - David B. Meya
- Research DepartmentInfectious Diseases InstituteMakerere UniversityKampalaUganda
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International MedicineDepartment of MedicineUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesota
- Department of MedicineSchool of MedicineCollege of Health SciencesMakerere UniversityKampalaUganda
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Hansakon A, Jeerawattanawart S, Pattanapanyasat K, Angkasekwinai P. IL-25 Receptor Signaling Modulates Host Defense against Cryptococcus neoformans Infection. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 205:674-685. [PMID: 32561567 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcal meningitis is one of the most common life-threatening diseases caused by Cryptococcus infection. Increasing evidence indicates that type 2 immunity is associated with disease progression by promoting fungal growth and dissemination. However, factors that govern this pathogenic response during infection are still elusive. In this study, we investigated the role of IL-25, one of the type 2-inducing cytokines produced by epithelial cells, in contributing to the pathogenesis of cryptococcosis. We found that pulmonary but not systemic infection with a high-virulence strain of C. neoformans significantly induced pulmonary IL-25 expression in the lungs but not brains. In response to pulmonary infection, mice deficient in the surface IL-17 receptor B, a component of the IL-25R, exhibited improved survival with a decreased brain fungal burden. The absence of IL-25R signaling diminished the type 2 and enhanced the type 1 immune response that directed macrophage polarization toward M1 macrophages. Interestingly, Cryptococcus-mediated IL-25 signaling suppressed the expression of cytokines and chemokines associated with protection in the brain, including Ifng, Il1b, Ip10, and Nos2, without affecting brain cellular inflammation and microglia cell activation. Il17rb-/- mice receiving cryptococcal-specific CD4+ T cells from wild-type had a shorter survival time with higher fungal burden within the brain and an elevated expression of M2 macrophage markers than those receiving cryptococcal-specific CD4+ T cells from Il17rb-/- mice. Taken together, our data indicated that IL-25 signaling subverts the induction of protective immunity and amplifies the type 2 immune response that may favor the development of cryptococcal disease and the fungal dissemination to the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adithap Hansakon
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand.,Graduate Program in Biomedical Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand; and
| | - Siranart Jeerawattanawart
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand.,Graduate Program in Biomedical Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand; and
| | - Kovit Pattanapanyasat
- Center of Excellence for Flow Cytometry, Office for Research and Development, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Pornpimon Angkasekwinai
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand;
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Scheffold A, Bacher P. Anti-fungal T cell responses in the lung and modulation by the gut-lung axis. Curr Opin Microbiol 2020; 56:67-73. [PMID: 32679448 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2020.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The lung is a central organ for immune-environmental interactions ranging from tolerance against harmless substances to protection against pathogens, which are particularly sensitive to regulation by the intestinal microbiota. Airborne fungi, can cause variety of diseases, including allergies and inflammatory disorders, as well as life-threatening invasive infections. Remarkable differences exist between ubiquitous fungal species with regard to protective immune mechanisms. Recent data have surprisingly identified Aspergillus-specific regulatory T cells as an essential tolerance checkpoint and provided mechanistic insight for the loss of tolerance in the course of immune pathologies. Furthermore, pathogenic Th17 cells in Aspergillus-associated inflammatory disease seem to be induced by cross-reactivity to the intestinal commensal Candida albicans. Here we review and discuss what is known about fungus-specific T cell responses in the lung how they are modulated by the gut-lung axis and in particular discussing the modulation of adaptive immune responses by cross-reactivity to the microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Scheffold
- Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrechts Universität zu Kiel & Universitätsklinik Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Petra Bacher
- Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrechts Universität zu Kiel & Universitätsklinik Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany; Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology Christian-Albrechts Universität zu Kiel, Germany
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Adewumi OM, Dukhovlinova E, Shehu NY, Zhou S, Council OD, Akanbi MO, Taiwo B, Ogunniyi A, Robertson K, Kanyama C, Hosseinipour MC, Swanstrom R. HIV-1 Central Nervous System Compartmentalization and Cytokine Interplay in Non-Subtype B HIV-1 Infections in Nigeria and Malawi. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2020; 36:490-500. [PMID: 31914800 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2019.0245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 compartmentalization in the central nervous system (CNS) and its contribution to neurological disease have been well documented. Previous studies were conducted among people infected with subtypes B or C where CNS compartmentalization has been observed when comparing viral sequences in the blood to virus in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). However, little is known about CNS compartmentalization in other HIV-1 subtypes. Using a deep sequencing approach with Primer ID, we conducted a cross-sectional study among Nigerian and Malawian HIV-1 cohorts with or without fungal Cryptococcus infection diagnosed as cryptococcal meningitis (CM) to determine the extent of CSF/CNS compartmentalization with CM. Paired plasma and CSF samples from 45 participants were also analyzed for cytokine/chemokine levels. Viral populations comparing virus in the blood and the CSF ranged from compartmentalized to equilibrated, including minor or partial compartmentalization or clonal amplification of a single viral sequence. The frequency of compartmentalized viral populations in the blood and CSF was similar between the CM- and CM+ participants. We confirmed the potential to see compartmentalization with subtype C infection and have also documented CNS compartmentalization of an HIV-1 subtype G infection. Cytokine profiles indicated a proinflammatory environment, especially within the CSF/CNS. However, sCD163 was suppressed in the CSF in the presence of CM, perhaps due to elevated levels of IL-4, which were also a feature of the cytokine profile, showing a distinct cytokine profile with CM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olubusuyi Moses Adewumi
- Department of Virology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Infectious Disease Institute, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Elena Dukhovlinova
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Nathan Y. Shehu
- Department of Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
| | - Shuntai Zhou
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Olivia D. Council
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Maxwell O. Akanbi
- Department of Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
- Health Sciences Integrated PhD Program, Center for Education in Health Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Babafemi Taiwo
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Adesola Ogunniyi
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Kevin Robertson
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Cecilia Kanyama
- UNC Project-Malawi, Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Mina C. Hosseinipour
- UNC Project-Malawi, Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ronald Swanstrom
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Xu J, Neal LM, Ganguly A, Kolbe JL, Hargarten JC, Elsegeiny W, Hollingsworth C, He X, Ivey M, Lopez R, Zhao J, Segal B, Williamson PR, Olszewski MA. Chemokine receptor CXCR3 is required for lethal brain pathology but not pathogen clearance during cryptococcal meningoencephalitis. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaba2502. [PMID: 32596454 PMCID: PMC7299622 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aba2502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (CM) is the major cause of infection-related neurological death, typically seen in immunocompromised patients. However, T cell-driven inflammatory response has been increasingly implicated in lethal central nervous system (CNS) immunopathology in human patients and murine models. Here, we report marked up-regulation of the chemokine receptor CXCR3 axis in human patients and mice with CM. CXCR3 deletion in mice improves survival, diminishes neurological deficits, and limits neuronal damage without suppressing fungal clearance. CD4+ T cell accumulation and TH1 skewing are reduced in the CNS but not spleens of infected CXCR3-/- mice. Adoptive transfer of WT, but not CXCR3-/- CD4+ T cells, into CXCR3-/- mice phenocopies the pathology of infected WT mice. Collectively, we found that CXCR3+CD4+ T cells drive lethal CNS pathology but are not required for fungal clearance during CM. The CXCR3 pathway shows potential as a therapeutic target or for biomarker discovery to limit CNS inflammatory damages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jintao Xu
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Research Service, Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Lori M. Neal
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Research Service, Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Anutosh Ganguly
- Research Service, Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jessica L. Kolbe
- Research Service, Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jessica C. Hargarten
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Waleed Elsegeiny
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christopher Hollingsworth
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Xiumiao He
- School of Marine Sciences and Biotechnology, Guangxi University for Nationalities, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Mike Ivey
- Research Service, Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rafael Lopez
- Research Service, Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jessica Zhao
- Research Service, Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Benjamin Segal
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Institute, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Peter R. Williamson
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michal A. Olszewski
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Research Service, Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Coelho C, Farrer RA. Pathogen and host genetics underpinning cryptococcal disease. ADVANCES IN GENETICS 2020; 105:1-66. [PMID: 32560785 DOI: 10.1016/bs.adgen.2020.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a severe fungal disease causing 220,000 cases of cryptococcal meningitis yearly. The etiological agents of cryptococcosis are taxonomically grouped into at least two species complexes belonging to the genus Cryptococcus. All of these yeasts are environmentally ubiquitous fungi (often found in soil, leaves and decaying wood, tree hollows, and associated with bird feces especially pigeon guano). Infection in a range of animals including humans begins following inhalation of spores or aerosolized yeasts. Recent advances provide fundamental insights into the factors from both the pathogen and its hosts which influence pathogenesis and disease. The complex interactions leading to disease in mammalian hosts have also updated from the availability of better genomic tools and datasets. In this review, we discuss recent genetic research on Cryptococcus, covering the epidemiology, ecology, and evolution of Cryptococcus pathogenic species. We also discuss the insights into the host immune response obtained from the latest genetic modified host models as well as insights from monogenic disorders in humans. Finally we highlight outstanding questions that can be answered in the near future using bioinformatics and genomic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Coelho
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Rhys A Farrer
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.
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Okurut S, Meya DB, Bwanga F, Olobo J, Eller MA, Cham-Jallow F, Bohjanen PR, Pratap H, Palmer BE, Hullsiek KH, Manabe YC, Boulware DR, Janoff EN. B Cell Compartmentalization in Blood and Cerebrospinal Fluid of HIV-Infected Ugandans with Cryptococcal Meningitis. Infect Immun 2020; 88:e00779-19. [PMID: 31871098 PMCID: PMC7035924 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00779-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Activated B cells modulate infection by differentiating into pathogen-specific antibody-producing effector plasmablasts/plasma cells, memory cells, and immune regulatory B cells. In this context, the B cell phenotypes that infiltrate the central nervous system during human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and cryptococcal meningitis coinfection are ill defined. We characterized clinical parameters, mortality, and B cell phenotypes in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by flow cytometry in HIV-infected adults with cryptococcal (n = 31) and noncryptococcal (n = 12) meningitis and in heathy control subjects with neither infection (n = 10). Activation of circulating B cells (CD21low) was significantly higher in the blood of subjects with HIV infection than in that of healthy controls and greater yet in matched CSF B cells (P < 0.001). Among B cell subsets, elevated frequencies of memory and plasmablasts/plasma cells most clearly distinguished the CSF from blood compartments. With cryptococcal meningitis, lower frequencies of expression of the regulatory protein programmed death-1 (PD-1) on plasmablasts/plasma cells in blood (median, 7%) at presentation were associated with significantly decreased 28-day survival (29% [4/14 subjects]), whereas higher PD-1 expression (median, 46%) characterized subjects with higher survival (88% [14/16 subjects]). With HIV infection, B cell differentiation and regulatory markers are discrete elements of the circulating and CSF compartments with clinical implications for cryptococcal disease outcome, potentially due to their effects on the fungus and other local immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Okurut
- Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Laboratory Department, Makerere University Walter Reed Project, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David B Meya
- Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Freddie Bwanga
- Department of Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joseph Olobo
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Michael A Eller
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Fatim Cham-Jallow
- Laboratory Department, Makerere University Walter Reed Project, Kampala, Uganda
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Paul R Bohjanen
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Harsh Pratap
- Mucosal and Vaccine Research Program Colorado, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Brent E Palmer
- Mucosal and Vaccine Research Program Colorado, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Katharine H Hullsiek
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Yukari C Manabe
- Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - David R Boulware
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Edward N Janoff
- Mucosal and Vaccine Research Program Colorado, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, Colorado, USA
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Chemokine and Cytokine Cascade Caused by Skewing of the Th1-Th2 Balance Is Associated with High Intracranial Pressure in HIV-Associated Cryptococcal Meningitis. Mediators Inflamm 2019; 2019:2053958. [PMID: 32082071 PMCID: PMC7012228 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2053958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Serum cytokines/chemokines play important roles in cryptococcal meningitis, but it is unclear whether cytokines/chemokines in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contribute to high intracranial pressure (HICP) in HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis (HCM). Methods CSF cytokines/chemokines were assayed in 17 HIV-uninfected patients, 26 HIV-infected patients without CNS infection, and 39 HCM patients at admission. Principal component analysis and correlation and logistic regression analyses were used to assess the relationships between these parameters. Results The CSF Th1, Th2, and macrophage cytokines showed an obvious increase in HCM patients as compared to the HIV-uninfected patients and HIV-infected patients without CNS infection. CSF IL-6, GM-CSF, and IL-8 were positively correlated with CSF fungal burden. Serum CD4 count, CSF Th1 cytokines (TNF-α, TNF-β, IL-12, IL-1β, IL-12, IL-1α, TNF-α, TNF-β, IL-12, IL-1γ, and IL-12) and Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) contribute to HICP. Conclusion Overall, the present findings indicated that both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines of Th1, Th2, and macrophage origin contributed to the development of HCM. Specifically, the chemokine and cytokine cascade caused by skewing of the Th1-Th2 balance and reduced CD4 count were found to be important contributors to HICP. Summary. Our research suggested that chemokine and cytokine cascade caused by skewing of the Th1-Th2 balance in HIV-infected patients played more important role than Cryptococcus numbers and size in CSF on the development of high intracranial pressure in HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis, providing a new understanding of mechanisms of HCM.
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Cryptococcosis-Associated Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome Is Associated With Dysregulation of IL-7/IL-7 Receptor Signaling Pathway in T Cells and Monocyte Activation. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2019; 80:596-604. [PMID: 30649031 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systemic levels of interleukin (IL)-7 at antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation have previously been shown to be predictive of HIV-linked paradoxical cryptococcosis-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (C-IRIS). We therefore explored IL-7/IL-7 receptor (IL-7/IL-7R) signaling pathway dysfunction, with related alterations in immune function, as a mechanism underlying C-IRIS. METHOD HIV-infected patients with cryptococcal meningitis who experienced C-IRIS (n = 27) were compared with CD4 T-cell count-matched counterparts without C-IRIS (n = 27), after antifungal therapy and pre-ART initiation. Flow cytometry was used to assess T-cell and monocyte phenotypes and functions. RESULTS Proportions of IL-7R+ CD4 or CD8 T cells correlated positively with CD4 T-cell counts and proportions of central memory and naive CD4 and CD8 T-cell pre-ART (all r > 0.50 and P < 0.05); however, the former negatively correlated with CD4 T-cell counts fold-increase on ART in non-C-IRIS but not C-IRIS patients. Higher frequencies of activated monocytes (CD14CD86 or CD14+HLA-DR+; P ≤ 0.038) were also observed in C-IRIS compared with non-C-IRIS patients, and those who failed to clear cryptococci from cerebrospinal fluid before ART had higher levels of activated monocytes (CD14+HLA-DR+, P = 0.017) compared with those who cleared. In multivariate regression, CD14+HLA-DR+ monocytes were independently associated with C-IRIS [hazard ratio = 1.055 (1.013-1.098); P = 0.009]. CONCLUSION In contrast to non-C-IRIS patients, C-IRIS patients displayed a lack of association between proportions of IL-7R+ T cells and several markers of T-cell homeostasis. They also exhibited higher monocyte activation linked to cerebrospinal fluid cryptococcal culture positivity before ART. These data suggest a role for IL-7/IL-7R signaling pathway dysregulation in the pathogenesis of C-IRIS, possibly linked to monocyte activation and residual pathogen burden before ART.
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Wang Y, Wang K, Masso-Silva JA, Rivera A, Xue C. A Heat-Killed Cryptococcus Mutant Strain Induces Host Protection against Multiple Invasive Mycoses in a Murine Vaccine Model. mBio 2019; 10:e02145-19. [PMID: 31772051 PMCID: PMC6879717 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02145-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen that infects the lungs and then often disseminates to the central nervous system, causing meningitis. How Cryptococcus is able to suppress host immunity and escape the antifungal activity of macrophages remains incompletely understood. We reported that the F-box protein Fbp1, a subunit of the SCF(Fbp1) E3 ligase, promotes Cryptococcus virulence by regulating host-Cryptococcus interactions. Our recent studies demonstrated that the fbp1Δ mutant elicited superior protective Th1 host immunity in the lungs and that the enhanced immunogenicity of heat-killed fbp1Δ yeast cells can be harnessed to confer protection against a subsequent infection with the virulent parental strain. We therefore examined the use of heat-killed fbp1Δ cells in several vaccination strategies. Interestingly, the vaccine protection remains effective even in mice depleted of CD4+ T cells. This finding is particularly important in the context of HIV/AIDS-induced immune deficiency. Moreover, we observed that vaccinating mice with heat-killed fbp1Δ induces significant cross-protection against challenge with diverse invasive fungal pathogens, including C. neoformans, C. gattii, and Aspergillus fumigatus, as well as partial protection against Candida albicans Thus, our data suggest that the heat-killed fbp1Δ strain has the potential to be a suitable vaccine candidate against cryptococcosis and other invasive fungal infections in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised populations.IMPORTANCE Invasive fungal infections kill more than 1.5 million people each year, with limited treatment options. There is no vaccine available in clinical use to prevent and control fungal infections. Our recent studies showed that a mutant of the F-box protein Fbp1, a subunit of the SCF(Fbp1) E3 ligase in Cryptococcus neoformans, elicited superior protective Th1 host immunity. Here, we demonstrate that the heat-killed fbp1Δ cells (HK-fbp1) can be harnessed to confer protection against a challenge by the virulent parental strain, even in animals depleted of CD4+ T cells. This finding is particularly important in the context of HIV/AIDS-induced immune deficiency. Moreover, we observed that HK-fbp1 vaccination induces significant cross-protection against challenge with diverse invasive fungal pathogens. Thus, our data suggest that HK-fbp1 has the potential to be a broad-spectrum vaccine candidate against invasive fungal infections in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yina Wang
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Keyi Wang
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jorge A Masso-Silva
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Amariliz Rivera
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Pediatrics and Center for Immunity and Inflammation, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Chaoyang Xue
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
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Guess TE, Rosen J, Castro-Lopez N, Wormley FL, McClelland EE. An inherent T cell deficit in healthy males to C. neoformans infection may begin to explain the sex susceptibility in incidence of cryptococcosis. Biol Sex Differ 2019; 10:44. [PMID: 31477151 PMCID: PMC6720413 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-019-0258-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cryptococcus neoformans, the causative agent of cryptococcosis, causes ~ 181,000 deaths annually, with males having a higher incidence of disease than females (7M:3F). The reason for this sex bias remains unclear. We hypothesized that this disparity was due to biological differences between the male and female immune response. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors were isolated and infected with C. neoformans ± exogenous testosterone or 17-β-estradiol. C. neoformans, B, T, and NK cell proliferation was quantified by flow cytometry. Cytokine analysis was conducted via protein array or ELISA. Serological testing was conducted to determine previous exposure to C. neoformans. Results C. neoformans proliferated more in male PBMCs. T cell percentages in both sexes were lower in infected versus uninfected cells. Male PBMCs had lower CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells percentages during infection compared to females. Cytokine profiles showed differences in uninfected male and female PBMCs, which subsided during infection. Only one donor was sero-negative for prior C. neoformans exposure. There was an effect of estrogen in one dataset. Conclusions These results suggest that males show an inherent deficit in T cell response during infection, which may contribute to the increased incidence of disease in males. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13293-019-0258-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany E Guess
- Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, USA
| | - Joseph Rosen
- Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, USA
| | - Natalia Castro-Lopez
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.,South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Floyd L Wormley
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.,South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Erin E McClelland
- Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, USA.
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Salek-Ardakani S, Bell T, Jagger CP, Snelgrove RJ, Hussell T. CD200R1 regulates eosinophilia during pulmonary fungal infection in mice. Eur J Immunol 2019; 49:1380-1390. [PMID: 31365119 PMCID: PMC6773205 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201847861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
CD200 receptor 1(CD200R1) signalling limits myeloid cell responses and reduces autoimmunity, alloimmunity and viral‐mediated immunopathology, but has never been examined in the context of eosinophilic inflammation. Susceptibility to lung fungal infection is associated with T‐helper 2 (Th2) cytokine dominated responses and strong eosinophilic pathology. Blockade of CD200R1 enhances type I cytokine responses in many infectious and non‐infectious settings and so may promote a more protective response to fungal infection. By contrast, we demonstrate that, rather than promoting type I cytokine responses, CD200R1 blockade enhanced eosinophilia in a mouse model of Cryptococcus neoformans infection, whereas CD200R1 agonism reduced lung eosinophilia – with neither strategy completely altering fungal burden. Thus, we reveal a surprising disconnect between pulmonary eosinophilia and cryptococcal burden and dissemination. This research has 2 important implications. Firstly, a lack of CD200R1 signalling enhances immune responses regardless of cytokine polarisation, and secondly reducing eosinophils does not allow protective immunity to develop in susceptible fungal system. Therefore, agonists of CD200R1 may be beneficial for eosinophilic pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Salek-Ardakani
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Department of Inflammation, Development & Repair, Imperial College London, UK.,Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research (MCCIR), Manchester, UK
| | - Thomas Bell
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Department of Inflammation, Development & Repair, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Christopher P Jagger
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research (MCCIR), Manchester, UK
| | - Robert J Snelgrove
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Department of Inflammation, Development & Repair, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Tracy Hussell
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research (MCCIR), Manchester, UK
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Skipper C, Abassi M, Boulware DR. Diagnosis and Management of Central Nervous System Cryptococcal Infections in HIV-Infected Adults. J Fungi (Basel) 2019; 5:jof5030065. [PMID: 31330959 PMCID: PMC6787675 DOI: 10.3390/jof5030065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcal meningitis persists as a significant source of morbidity and mortality in persons with HIV/AIDS, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite increasing access to antiretrovirals, persons presenting with advanced HIV disease remains common, and Cryptococcus remains the most frequent etiology of adult meningitis. We performed a literature review and herein present the most up-to-date information on the diagnosis and management of cryptococcosis. Recent advances have dramatically improved the accessibility of timely and affordable diagnostics. The optimal initial antifungal management has been newly updated after the completion of a landmark clinical trial. Beyond antifungals, the control of intracranial pressure and mitigation of toxicities remain hallmarks of effective treatment. Cryptococcal meningitis continues to present challenging complications and continued research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb Skipper
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Mahsa Abassi
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - David R Boulware
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Longitudinal Changes in Cd4 +, Cd8 + T Cell Phenotype and Activation Marker Expression Following Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation among Patients with Cryptococcal Meningitis. J Fungi (Basel) 2019; 5:jof5030063. [PMID: 31319498 PMCID: PMC6787641 DOI: 10.3390/jof5030063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite improvement in the prognosis of HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome) patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART), cryptococcal meningitis (CM) still causes 10–15% mortality among HIV-infected patients. The immunological impact of ART on the CD4+ and CD8+ T cell repertoire during cryptococcal co-infection is unclear. We determined longitudinal phenotypic changes in T cell subsets among patients with CM after they initiated ART. We hypothesized that ART alters the clonotypic phenotype and structural composition of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells during CM co-infection. For this substudy, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated at four time points from CM patients following ART initiation during the parent study (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01075152). Phenotypic characterization of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was done using T cell surface marker monoclonal antibodies by flow cytometry. There was variation in the expression of immunophenotypic markers defining central memory (CD27+CD45R0+), effector memory (CD45R0+CD27–), immune activation (CD38+ and Human Leucocyte Antigen DR (HLA-DR+), and exhaustion (Programmed cell death protein one (PD-1) in the CD4+ T cell subset. In comparison to the CD4+ T cell population, the CD8+ central memory subset declined gradually with minimal increase in the effector memory subset. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell immune exhaustion and activation markers remained elevated over 12 weeks. The relative surge and decline in the expression of T cell surface markers outlines a variation in the differentiation of CD4+ T cells during ART treatment during CM co-infection.
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Low-cerebrospinal fluid white cell counts and mortality in HIV-associated pneumococcal meningitis. AIDS 2019; 33:1539-1541. [PMID: 31259771 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000002241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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