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Eneva R, Engibarov S, Abrashev R, Krumova E, Angelova M. Sialic acids, sialoconjugates and enzymes of their metabolism in fungi. BIOTECHNOL BIOTEC EQ 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/13102818.2021.1879678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rumyana Eneva
- Department of General Microbiology, The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Stephan Engibarov
- Department of General Microbiology, The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Radoslav Abrashev
- Department of Mycology, The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Ekaterina Krumova
- Department of Mycology, The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Maria Angelova
- Department of Mycology, The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
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Lee DJ, O'Donnell H, Routier FH, Tiralongo J, Haselhorst T. Glycobiology of Human Fungal Pathogens: New Avenues for Drug Development. Cells 2019; 8:cells8111348. [PMID: 31671548 PMCID: PMC6912366 DOI: 10.3390/cells8111348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are an increasing threat to the developing world, with fungal spores being ubiquitous and inhaled every day. Some fungal species are commensal organisms that are part of the normal human microbiota, and, as such, do not pose a threat to the immune system. However, when the natural balance of this association is disturbed or the host's immune system is compromised, these fungal pathogens overtake the organism, and cause IFI. To understand the invasiveness of these pathogens and to address the growing problem of IFI, it is essential to identify the cellular processes of the invading organism and their virulence. In this review, we will discuss the prevalence and current options available to treat IFI, including recent reports of drug resistance. Nevertheless, the main focus of this review is to describe the glycobiology of human fungal pathogens and how various components of the fungal cell wall, particularly cell wall polysaccharides and glycoconjugates, are involved in fungal pathogenicity, their biosynthesis and how they can be potentially exploited to develop novel antifungal treatment options. We will specifically describe the nucleotide sugar transporters (NSTs) that are important in fungal survival and suggest that the inhibition of fungal NSTs may potentially be useful to prevent the establishment of fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle J Lee
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, 4222, Australia; Member of Fraunhofer International Consortium for Anti-Infective Research (iCAIR), Nikolai-Fuchs Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Holly O'Donnell
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, 4222, Australia; Member of Fraunhofer International Consortium for Anti-Infective Research (iCAIR), Nikolai-Fuchs Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Françoise H Routier
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry OE4340, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Member of Fraunhofer International Consortium for Anti-Infective Research (iCAIR), Nikolai-Fuchs Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Joe Tiralongo
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, 4222, Australia; Member of Fraunhofer International Consortium for Anti-Infective Research (iCAIR), Nikolai-Fuchs Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Thomas Haselhorst
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, 4222, Australia; Member of Fraunhofer International Consortium for Anti-Infective Research (iCAIR), Nikolai-Fuchs Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
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Feldman MB, Vyas JM, Mansour MK. It takes a village: Phagocytes play a central role in fungal immunity. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2018; 89:16-23. [PMID: 29727727 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2018.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Phagocytosis is an essential step in the innate immune response to invasive fungal infections. This process is carried out by a proverbial "village" of professional phagocytic cells, which have evolved efficient machinery to recognize and ingest pathogens, namely macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells. These innate immune cells drive early cytokine production, fungicidal activity, antigen presentation and activation of the adaptive immune system. Despite the development of antifungal agents with potent activity, the biological activity of professional phagocytic innate immune cells has proven indispensable in protecting a host from invasive fungal infections. Additionally, an emerging body of evidence suggests non-professional phagocytes, such as airway epithelial cells, carry out phagocytosis and may play a critical role in the elimination of fungal pathogens. Here, we review recent advances of phagocytosis by both professional and non-professional phagocytes in response to fungal pathogens, with a focus on invasive aspergillosis as a model disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael B Feldman
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jatin M Vyas
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michael K Mansour
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Croft CA, Culibrk L, Moore MM, Tebbutt SJ. Interactions of Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia with Airway Epithelial Cells: A Critical Review. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:472. [PMID: 27092126 PMCID: PMC4823921 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is an environmental filamentous fungus that also acts as an opportunistic pathogen able to cause a variety of symptoms, from an allergic response to a life-threatening disseminated fungal infection. The infectious agents are inhaled conidia whose first point of contact is most likely to be an airway epithelial cell (AEC). The interaction between epithelial cells and conidia is multifaceted and complex, and has implications for later steps in pathogenesis. Increasing evidence has demonstrated a key role for the airway epithelium in the response to respiratory pathogens, particularly at early stages of infection; therefore, elucidating the early stages of interaction of conidia with AECs is essential to understand the establishment of infection in cohorts of at-risk patients. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the early interactions between A. fumigatus and AECs, including bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells. We describe mechanisms of adhesion, internalization of conidia by AECs, the immune response of AECs, as well as the role of fungal virulence factors, and patterns of fungal gene expression characteristic of early infection. A clear understanding of the mechanisms involved in the early establishment of infection by A. fumigatus could point to novel targets for therapy and prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carys A Croft
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, Canada
| | - Luka Culibrk
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, Canada
| | - Margo M Moore
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby BC, Canada
| | - Scott J Tebbutt
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, VancouverBC, Canada; Prevention of Organ Failure Centre of Excellence, VancouverBC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Division of Respiratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, VancouverBC, Canada
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Escobar N, Ordonez SR, Wösten HAB, Haas PJA, de Cock H, Haagsman HP. Hide, Keep Quiet, and Keep Low: Properties That Make Aspergillus fumigatus a Successful Lung Pathogen. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:438. [PMID: 27092115 PMCID: PMC4821987 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Representatives of the genus Aspergillus are opportunistic fungal pathogens. Their conidia can reach the alveoli by inhalation and can give rise to infections in immunocompromised individuals. Aspergillus fumigatus is the causal agent of invasive aspergillosis in nearly 90% of the cases. It is not yet well-established what makes this fungus more pathogenic than other aspergilli such as A. niger. Here, we show that A. fumigatus and A. niger conidia adhere with similar efficiency to lung epithelial A549 cells but A. fumigatus conidia internalized 17% more efficiently. Conidia of both aspergilli were taken up in phagolysosomes 8 h after the challenge. These organelles only acidified in the case of A. niger, which is probably due to the type of melanin coating of the conidia. Viability of both types of conidia was not affected after uptake in the phagolysosomes. Germination of A. fumigatus and A. niger conidia in the presence of epithelial cells was delayed when compared to conidia in the medium. However, germination of A. niger conidia was still higher than that of A. fumigatus 10 h after exposure to A549 cells. Remarkably, A. fumigatus hyphae grew mainly parallel to the epithelium, while growth direction of A. niger hyphae was predominantly perpendicular to the plane of the cells. Neutrophils reduced germination and hyphal growth of A. niger, but not of A fumigatus, in presence of epithelial cells. Taken together, efficient internalization, delayed germination, and hyphal growth parallel to the epithelium gives a new insight into what could be the causes for the success of A. fumigatus compared to A. niger as an opportunistic pathogen in the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Escobar
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands
| | - Soledad R. Ordonez
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Division Molecular Host Defence, Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands
| | - Han A. B. Wösten
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands
| | - Pieter-Jan A. Haas
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrecht, Netherlands
| | - Hans de Cock
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands
| | - Henk P. Haagsman
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Division Molecular Host Defence, Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands
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Houser J, Komarek J, Cioci G, Varrot A, Imberty A, Wimmerova M. Structural insights into Aspergillus fumigatus lectin specificity: AFL binding sites are functionally non-equivalent. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 71:442-53. [PMID: 25760594 DOI: 10.1107/s1399004714026595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The Aspergillus fumigatus lectin AFL was recently described as a new member of the AAL lectin family. As a lectin from an opportunistic pathogen, it might play an important role in the interaction of the pathogen with the human host. A detailed study of structures of AFL complexed with several monosaccharides and oligosaccharides, including blood-group epitopes, was combined with affinity data from SPR and discussed in the context of previous findings. Its six binding sites are non-equivalent, and owing to minor differences in amino-acid composition they exhibit a marked difference in specific ligand recognition. AFL displays a high affinity in the micromolar range towards oligosaccharides which were detected in plants and also those bound on the human epithelia. All of these results indicate AFL to be a complex member of the lectin family and a challenging target for future medical research and, owing to its binding properties, a potentially useful tool in specific biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Houser
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Komarek
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Gianluca Cioci
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Biologiques et des Procédés, Institut National des Sciences Appliquées, 31077 Toulouse CEDEX, France
| | - Annabelle Varrot
- CERMAV-CNRS, UPR5301, affiliated with Université de Grenoble and ICMG, BP53, 38041 Grenoble CEDEX 9, France
| | - Anne Imberty
- CERMAV-CNRS, UPR5301, affiliated with Université de Grenoble and ICMG, BP53, 38041 Grenoble CEDEX 9, France
| | - Michaela Wimmerova
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
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Yeung JHF, Telford JC, Shidmoossavee FS, Bennet AJ, Taylor GL, Moore MM. Kinetic and Structural Evaluation of Selected Active Site Mutants of the Aspergillus fumigatus KDNase (Sialidase). Biochemistry 2013; 52:9177-86. [DOI: 10.1021/bi401166f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Garry L. Taylor
- BSRC, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST, U.K
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Acute Aspergillus pneumonia associated with mouldy tree bark-chippings, complicated by anti-glomerular basement membrane disease causing permanent renal failure. Med Mycol Case Rep 2013; 2:125-7. [PMID: 24432235 PMCID: PMC3885955 DOI: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2013.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2012] [Revised: 06/10/2013] [Accepted: 06/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A non-immunocompromised man developed acute Aspergillus pneumonia after spreading mouldy tree bark mulch. Despite normal renal function at presentation, he developed rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis with acute kidney injury due to anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies (anti-GBM) 4 weeks later. He remained dialysis dependent and died of sepsis 10 months later. We hypothesise that he contracted invasive pulmonary Aspergillosis from heavy exposure to fungal spores, leading to epitope exposure in the alveoli with subsequent development of GBM auto-antibodies.
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Maggioni A, Meier J, Routier F, Haselhorst T, Tiralongo J. Direct investigation of the Aspergillus GDP-mannose transporter by STD NMR spectroscopy. Chembiochem 2011; 12:2421-5. [PMID: 21953835 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201100483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2011] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Maggioni
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
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Telford JC, Yeung JHF, Xu G, Kiefel MJ, Watts AG, Hader S, Chan J, Bennet AJ, Moore MM, Taylor GL. The Aspergillus fumigatus sialidase is a 3-deoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulosonic acid hydrolase (KDNase): structural and mechanistic insights. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:10783-92. [PMID: 21247893 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.207043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a filamentous fungus that can cause severe respiratory disease in immunocompromised individuals. A putative sialidase from A. fumigatus was recently cloned and shown to be relatively poor in cleaving N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) in comparison with bacterial sialidases. Here we present the first crystal structure of a fungal sialidase. When the apo structure was compared with bacterial sialidase structures, the active site of the Aspergillus enzyme suggested that Neu5Ac would be a poor substrate because of a smaller pocket that normally accommodates the acetamido group of Neu5Ac in sialidases. A sialic acid with a hydroxyl in place of an acetamido group is 2-keto-3-deoxynononic acid (KDN). We show that KDN is the preferred substrate for the A. fumigatus sialidase and that A. fumigatus can utilize KDN as a sole carbon source. A 1.45-Å resolution crystal structure of the enzyme in complex with KDN reveals KDN in the active site in a boat conformation and nearby a second binding site occupied by KDN in a chair conformation, suggesting that polyKDN may be a natural substrate. The enzyme is not inhibited by the sialidase transition state analog 2-deoxy-2,3-dehydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac2en) but is inhibited by the related 2,3-didehydro-2,3-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-nonulosonic acid that we show bound to the enzyme in a 1.84-Å resolution crystal structure. Using a fluorinated KDN substrate, we present a 1.5-Å resolution structure of a covalently bound catalytic intermediate. The A. fumigatus sialidase is therefore a KDNase with a similar catalytic mechanism to Neu5Ac exosialidases, and this study represents the first structure of a KDNase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith C Telford
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST, United Kingdom
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Cloning and characterization of a sialidase from the filamentous fungus, Aspergillus fumigatus. Glycoconj J 2010; 27:533-48. [PMID: 20652740 DOI: 10.1007/s10719-010-9299-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2010] [Revised: 06/22/2010] [Accepted: 06/25/2010] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
A gene encoding a putative sialidase was identified in the genome of the opportunistic fungal pathogen, Aspergillus fumigatus. Computational analysis showed that this protein has Asp box and FRIP domains, it was predicted to have an extracellular localization, and a mass of 42 kDa, all of which are characteristics of sialidases. Structural modeling predicted a canonical 6-bladed beta-propeller structure with the model's highly conserved catalytic residues aligning well with those of an experimentally determined sialidase structure. The gene encoding the putative Af sialidase was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Enzymatic characterization found that the enzyme was able to cleave the synthetic sialic acid substrate, 4-methylumbelliferyl alpha-D-N-acetylneuraminic acid (MUN), and had a pH optimum of 3.5. Further kinetic characterization using 4-methylumbelliferyl alpha-D-N-acetylneuraminylgalactopyranoside revealed that Af sialidase preferred alpha2-3-linked sialic acids over the alpha2-6 isomers. No trans-sialidase activity was detected. qPCR studies showed that exposure to MEM plus human serum induced expression. Purified Af sialidase released sialic acid from diverse substrates such as mucin, fetuin, epithelial cell glycans and colominic acid, though A. fumigatus was unable to use either sialic acid or colominic acid as a sole source of carbon. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the fungal sialidases were more closely related to those of bacteria than to sialidases from other eukaryotes.
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