1
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Wang Z, Shao J. Fungal vaccines and adjuvants: a tool to reveal the interaction between host and fungi. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:293. [PMID: 38850421 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-04010-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Fungal infections are incurring high risks in a range from superficial mucosal discomforts (such as oropharyngeal candidiasis and vulvovaginal candidiasis) to disseminated life-threatening diseases (such as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and cryptococcal meningitis) and becoming a global health problem in especially immunodeficient population. The major obstacle to conquer fungal harassment lies in the presence of increasing resistance to conventional antifungal agents used in newly clinically isolated strains. Although recombinant cytokines and mono-/poly-clonal antibodies are added into antifungal armamentarium, more effective antimycotic drugs are exceedingly demanded. It is comforting that the development of fungal vaccines and adjuvants opens up a window to brighten the prospective way in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of fungal assaults. In this review, we focus on the progression of several major fungal vaccines devised for the control of Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., Cryptococcus spp., Coccidioides spp., Paracoccidioides spp., Blastomyces spp., Histoplasma spp., Pneumocystis spp. as well as the adjuvants adopted. We then expound the interaction between fungal vaccines/adjuvants and host innate (macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils), humoral (IgG, IgM and IgA) and cellular (Th1, Th2, Th17 and Tc17) immune responses which generally experience immune recognition of pattern recognition receptors, activation of immune cells, and clearance of invaded fungi. Furthermore, we anticipate an in-depth understanding of immunomodulatory properties of univalent and multivalent vaccines against diverse opportunistic fungi, providing helpful information in the design of novel fungal vaccines and adjuvants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixu Wang
- Laboratory of Anti-Infection and Immunity, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (College of Life Science), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Zhijing Building, 350 Longzihu Road, Xinzhan District, Hefei, 230012, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Shao
- Laboratory of Anti-Infection and Immunity, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (College of Life Science), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Zhijing Building, 350 Longzihu Road, Xinzhan District, Hefei, 230012, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Zhijing Building, 350 Longzihu Road, Xinzhan District, Hefei, 230012, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
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2
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Brauer VS, Querobino SM, Matos GS, Dasilva D, Del Poeta M. Vaccine Strategies for Cryptococcus neoformans. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2775:411-422. [PMID: 38758334 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3722-7_28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans infections are a major worldwide concern as current treatment strategies are becoming less effective in alleviating the infection. The most extreme and fatal cases are those of immunocompromised individuals. Clinical treatments for cryptococcosis are limited to a few classes of approved drugs, and due to a rise in drug resistance, these drugs are becoming less effective. Therefore, it is essential to develop innovative ways to control this infection. Vaccinations have emerged as a safe, viable, and cost-effective solution to treat a number of diseases over the years. Currently, there are no clinically available vaccines to treat cryptococcal infections, but a number of studies have shown promising results in animal models. Here, we present step-by-step experimental protocols using live-attenuated or heat-killed C. neoformans cells as a vaccination strategy in a preventive or in a therapeutic murine model of cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gabriel Soares Matos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Deveney Dasilva
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Maurizio Del Poeta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery (ICB&DD), Stony Brook, NY, USA.
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
- Veterans Administration Medical Center, Northport, NY, USA.
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3
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Li C, Meng Y, Li H, Du W, Gao X, Suo C, Gao Y, Ni Y, Sun T, Yang S, Lan T, Xin M, Ding C. Immunization with a heat-killed prm1 deletion strain protects the host from Cryptococcus neoformans infection. Emerg Microbes Infect 2023; 12:2244087. [PMID: 37526401 PMCID: PMC10431737 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2244087] [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] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Systemic infection with Cryptococcus neoformans, a dangerous and contagious pathogen found throughout the world, frequently results in lethal cryptococcal pneumonia and meningoencephalitis, and no effective treatments and vaccination of cryptococcosis are available. Here, we describe Prm1, a novel regulator of C. neoformans virulence. C. neoformans prm1Δ cells exhibit extreme sensitivity to various environmental stress conditions. Furthermore, prm1Δ cells show deficiencies in the biosynthesis of chitosan and mannoprotein, which in turn result in impairment of cell wall integrity. Treatment of mice with heat-killed prm1Δ cells was found to facilitate the host immunological defence against infection with wild-type C. neoformans. Further investigation demonstrated that prm1Δ cells strongly promote pulmonary production of interferon-γ, leading to activation of macrophage M1 differentiation and inhibition of M2 polarization. Therefore, our findings suggest that C. neoformans Prm1 may be a viable target for the development of anti-cryptococcosis medications and, cells lacking Prm1 represent a promising candidate for a vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Li
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yang Meng
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hailong Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Du
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xindi Gao
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chenhao Suo
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yiru Gao
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue Ni
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tianshu Sun
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Scientific Research, Central Laboratory, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Sheng Yang
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tian Lan
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Meiling Xin
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chen Ding
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China
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4
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Kumar R, Srivastava V. Application of anti-fungal vaccines as a tool against emerging anti-fungal resistance. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2023; 4:1241539. [PMID: 37746132 PMCID: PMC10512234 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2023.1241539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
After viruses and bacteria, fungal infections remain a serious threat to the survival and well-being of society. The continuous emergence of resistance against commonly used anti-fungal drugs is a serious concern. The eukaryotic nature of fungal cells makes the identification of novel anti-fungal agents slow and difficult. Increasing global temperature and a humid environment conducive to fungal growth may lead to a fungal endemic or a pandemic. The continuous increase in the population of immunocompromised individuals and falling immunity forced pharmaceutical companies to look for alternative strategies for better managing the global fungal burden. Prevention of infectious diseases by vaccines can be the right choice. Recent success and safe application of mRNA-based vaccines can play a crucial role in our quest to overcome anti-fungal resistance. Expressing fungal cell surface proteins in human subjects using mRNA technology may be sufficient to raise immune response to protect against future fungal infection. The success of mRNA-based anti-fungal vaccines will heavily depend on the identification of fungal surface proteins which are highly immunogenic and have no or least side effects in human subjects. The present review discusses why it is essential to look for anti-fungal vaccines and how vaccines, in general, and mRNA-based vaccines, in particular, can be the right choice in tackling the problem of rising anti-fungal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravinder Kumar
- Department of Pathology, Collage of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Vartika Srivastava
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
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5
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Pham T, Li Y, Watford W, Lin X. Vaccination with a ZNF2oe Strain of Cryptococcus Provides Long-Lasting Protection against Cryptococcosis and Is Effective in Immunocompromised Hosts. Infect Immun 2023:e0019823. [PMID: 37338404 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00198-23] [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: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic cryptococcosis is fatal without treatment. Even with the current antifungal therapies, this disease kills 180,000 of 225,000 infected people annually. Exposure to the causative environmental fungus Cryptococcus neoformans is universal. Either reactivation of a latent infection or an acute infection after high exposure to cryptococcal cells can result in cryptococcosis. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent cryptococcosis. Previously, we discovered that Znf2, a transcription factor that directs Cryptococcus yeast-to-hypha transition, profoundly affects cryptococcal interaction with the host. Overexpression of ZNF2 drives filamentous growth, attenuates cryptococcal virulence, and elicits protective host immune responses. Importantly, immunization with cryptococcal cells overexpressing ZNF2, in either live or heat-inactivated form, offers significant protection to the host from a subsequent challenge by the otherwise lethal clinical isolate H99. In this study, we found that the heat-inactivated ZNF2oe vaccine offered long-lasting protection with no relapse upon challenge with the wild-type H99. Vaccination with heat-inactivated ZNF2oe cells provides partial protection in hosts with preexisting asymptomatic cryptococcal infection. Importantly, once animals have been vaccinated with heat-inactivated or live short-lived ZNF2oe cells, they are protected against cryptococcosis even when their CD4+ T cells are depleted at the time of fungal challenge. Remarkably, vaccination with live, short-lived ZNF2oe cells in CD4-depleted hosts still provides strong protection to these hosts with preexisting immunodeficiency at the time of vaccination. This work raises hope for developing effective vaccines with long-lasting protection for individuals who are immunocompromised or could become immunocompromised later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuyetnhu Pham
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Yeqi Li
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Wendy Watford
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Xiaorong Lin
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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6
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Inácio MM, Moreira ALE, Cruz-Leite VRM, Mattos K, Silva LOS, Venturini J, Ruiz OH, Ribeiro-Dias F, Weber SS, Soares CMDA, Borges CL. Fungal Vaccine Development: State of the Art and Perspectives Using Immunoinformatics. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:633. [PMID: 37367569 DOI: 10.3390/jof9060633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections represent a serious global health problem, causing damage to health and the economy on the scale of millions. Although vaccines are the most effective therapeutic approach used to combat infectious agents, at the moment, no fungal vaccine has been approved for use in humans. However, the scientific community has been working hard to overcome this challenge. In this sense, we aim to describe here an update on the development of fungal vaccines and the progress of methodological and experimental immunotherapies against fungal infections. In addition, advances in immunoinformatic tools are described as an important aid by which to overcome the difficulty of achieving success in fungal vaccine development. In silico approaches are great options for the most important and difficult questions regarding the attainment of an efficient fungal vaccine. Here, we suggest how bioinformatic tools could contribute, considering the main challenges, to an effective fungal vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés Morais Inácio
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-170, Brazil
- Estácio de Goiás University Center, Goiânia 74063-010, Brazil
| | - André Luís Elias Moreira
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-170, Brazil
| | | | - Karine Mattos
- Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Lana O'Hara Souza Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-170, Brazil
| | - James Venturini
- Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Orville Hernandez Ruiz
- MICROBA Research Group-Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit-CIB, School of Microbiology, University of Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia
| | - Fátima Ribeiro-Dias
- Laboratório de Imunidade Natural (LIN), Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74001-970, Brazil
| | - Simone Schneider Weber
- Bioscience Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Célia Maria de Almeida Soares
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-170, Brazil
| | - Clayton Luiz Borges
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-170, Brazil
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7
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Rabaan AA, Alfaraj AH, Alshengeti A, Alawfi A, Alwarthan S, Alhajri M, Al-Najjar AH, Al Fares MA, Najim MA, Almuthree SA, AlShurbaji ST, Alofi FS, AlShehail BM, AlYuosof B, Alynbiawi A, Alzayer SA, Al Kaabi N, Abduljabbar WA, Bukhary ZA, Bueid AS. Antibodies to Combat Fungal Infections: Development Strategies and Progress. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11030671. [PMID: 36985244 PMCID: PMC10051215 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The finding that some mAbs are antifungal suggests that antibody immunity may play a key role in the defense of the host against mycotic infections. The discovery of antibodies that guard against fungi is a significant advancement because it gives rise to the possibility of developing vaccinations that trigger protective antibody immunity. These vaccines might work by inducing antibody opsonins that improve the function of non-specific (such as neutrophils, macrophages, and NK cells) and specific (such as lymphocyte) cell-mediated immunity and stop or aid in eradicating fungus infections. The ability of antibodies to defend against fungi has been demonstrated by using monoclonal antibody technology to reconsider the function of antibody immunity. The next step is to develop vaccines that induce protective antibody immunity and to comprehend the mechanisms through which antibodies mediate protective effects against fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali A. Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22610, Pakistan
- Correspondence:
| | - Amal H. Alfaraj
- Pediatric Department, Abqaiq General Hospital, First Eastern Health Cluster, Abqaiq 33261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amer Alshengeti
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Taibah University, Al-Madinah 41491, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Hospital, National Guard Health Affairs, Al-Madinah 41491, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulsalam Alawfi
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Taibah University, Al-Madinah 41491, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sara Alwarthan
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 34212, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mashael Alhajri
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 34212, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amal H. Al-Najjar
- Drug & Poison Information Center, Pharmacy Department, Security Forces Hospital Program, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mona A. Al Fares
- Department of Internal Medicine, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mustafa A. Najim
- Department of Medical Laboratories Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah 41411, Saudi Arabia
| | - Souad A. Almuthree
- Department of Infectious Disease, King Abdullah Medical City, Makkah 43442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sultan T. AlShurbaji
- Outpatient Pharmacy, Dr. Sulaiman Alhabib Medical Group, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh 91877, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fadwa S. Alofi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King Fahad Hospital, Madinah 42351, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bashayer M. AlShehail
- Pharmacy Practice Department, College of Clinical Pharmacy, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Buthina AlYuosof
- Directorate of Public Health, Dammam Network, Eastern Health Cluster, Dammam 31444, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahlam Alynbiawi
- Infectious Diseases Section, Medical Specialties Department, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh 12231, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suha A. Alzayer
- Parasitology Laboratory Department, Qatif Comprehensive Inspection Center, Qatif 31911, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nawal Al Kaabi
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi 51900, United Arab Emirates
| | - Wesam A. Abduljabbar
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Fakeeh College for Medical Science, Jeddah 21134, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zakiyah A. Bukhary
- Department of Internal Medicine, King Fahad General Hospital, Jeddah 23325, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed S. Bueid
- Microbiology Laboratory, King Faisal General Hospital, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
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8
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Wang Y, Wang K, Rivera A, Xue C. Development of a Heat-Killed fbp1 Mutant Strain as a Therapeutic Agent To Treat Invasive Cryptococcus Infection. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0495522. [PMID: 36719231 PMCID: PMC10101017 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04955-22] [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: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In previous studies, we determined that the F-box protein Fbp1, a subunit of the SCF(Fbp1) E3 ligase in Cryptococcus neoformans, is essential for fungal pathogenesis. Heat-killed fbp1Δ cells (HK-fbp1) can confer vaccine-induced immunity against lethal challenge with clinically important invasive fungal pathogens, e.g., C. neoformans, C. gattii, and Aspergillus fumigatus. In this study, we found that either CD4+ T cells or CD8+ T cells were sufficient to confer protection against lethal challenge by C. neoformans in HK-fbp1-induced immunity. Given the potent effect of HK-fbp1 as a preventative vaccine, we further tested the potential efficacy of administering HK-fbp1 cells as a therapeutic agent for treating animals after infection. Remarkably, administration of HK-fbp1 provided robust host protection against preexisting C. neoformans infection. The mice infected with wild-type H99 cells and then treated with HK-fbp1 showed significant reduction of fungal burden in the infected lung and no dissemination of fungal cells to the brain and spleen. We find that early treatment is critical for the effective use of HK-fbp1 as a therapeutic agent. Immune analysis revealed that early treatment with HK-fbp1 cells elicited Th1-biased protective immune responses that help block fungal dissemination and promote better host protection. Our data thus suggest that HK-fbp1 is both an effective prophylactic vaccine candidate against C. neoformans infection in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised populations and a potential novel therapeutic strategy to treat early-stage cryptococcosis. IMPORTANCE Invasive fungal infections, e.g., cryptococcosis, are often life threatening and difficult to treat with very limited therapeutic options. There is no vaccine available in clinical use to prevent or treat fungal infections. Our previous studies demonstrated that heat-killed fbp1Δ cells (HK-fbp1) in Cryptococcus neoformans can be harnessed to confer protection against a challenge by the virulent parental strain, even in immunocompromised animals, such as ones lacking CD4+ T cells. In this study, we further determined that T cells are required for vaccine-induced protection against homologous challenge and that either CD4+ or CD8+ cells are sufficient. This finding is particularly important for the potential utility of this vaccine candidate in the context of HIV/AIDS-induced immune deficiency, the main risk factor for cryptococcosis in humans. Furthermore, in addition to the utility of HK-fbp1 as a prophylactic vaccine, we found that HK-fbp1 administration can inhibit disease dissemination when animals are treated at an early stage during Cryptococcus infection. Our findings could significantly expand the utility of HK-fbp1 not only as a prophylactic vaccine but also as a novel therapy against cryptococcosis. In all, our studies showed that the HK-fbp1 strain can be used both preventively and therapeutically to elicit robust host protection against cryptococcosis.
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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
| | - Amariliz Rivera
- Department of Pediatrics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- 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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9
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Hamed MF, Enriquez V, Munzen ME, Charles-Niño CL, Mihu MR, Khoshbouei H, Alviña K, Martinez LR. Clinical and pathological characterization of Central Nervous System cryptococcosis in an experimental mouse model of stereotaxic intracerebral infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011068. [PMID: 36656900 PMCID: PMC9888703 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection of the Central Nervous System (CNS) by the encapsulated fungus Cryptococcus neoformans can lead to high mortality meningitis, most commonly in immunocompromised patients. While the mechanisms by which the fungus crosses the blood-brain barrier to initiate infection in the CNS are well recognized, there are still substantial unanswered questions about the disease progression once the fungus is established in the brain. C. neoformans is characterized by a glucuronoxylomannan (GXM)-rich polysaccharide capsule which has been implicated in immune evasion, but its role during the host CNS infection needs further elucidation. Therefore, the present study aims to examine these key questions about the mechanisms underlying cryptococcal meningitis progression and the impact of fungal GXM release by using an intracerebral rodent infection model via stereotaxic surgery. After developing brain infection, we analyzed distinct brain regions and found that while fungal load and brain weight were comparable one-week post-infection, there were region-specific histopathological (with and without brain parenchyma involvement) and disease manifestations. Moreover, we also observed a region-specific correlation between GXM accumulation and glial cell recruitment. Furthermore, mortality was associated with the presence of subarachnoid hemorrhaging and GXM deposition in the meningeal blood vessels and meninges in all regions infected. Our results show that using the present infection model can facilitate clinical and neuropathological observations during the progression of neurocryptococcosis. Importantly, this mouse model can be used to further investigate disease progression as it develops in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed F. Hamed
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Vanessa Enriquez
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Melissa E. Munzen
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Claudia L. Charles-Niño
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Pathology, University Health Sciences Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Mircea Radu Mihu
- Advanced Critical Care, Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute, Advanced Cardiac Care and 24/7 Shock Service, Integris Baptist Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America
- Department of Medicine/Cardiology, Oklahoma State University Health Science Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Habibeh Khoshbouei
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States of America
| | - Karina Alviña
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States of America
| | - Luis R. Martinez
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States of America
- Center for Immunology and Transplantation, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States of America
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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10
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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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11
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Abstract
Invasive fungal infections are emerging diseases that kill over 1.5 million people per year worldwide. With the increase of immunocompromised populations, the incidence of invasive fungal infections is expected to continue to rise. Vaccines for viral and bacterial infectious diseases have had a transformative impact on human health worldwide. However, no fungal vaccines are currently in clinical use. Recently, interest in fungal vaccines has grown significantly. One Candida vaccine has completed phase 2 clinical trials, and research on vaccines against coccidioidomycosis continues to advance. Additionally, multiple groups have discovered various Cryptococcus mutant strains that promote protective responses to subsequent challenge in mouse models. There has also been progress in antibody-mediated fungal vaccines. In this review, we highlight recent fungal vaccine research progress, outline the wealth of data generated, and summarize current research for both fungal biology and immunology studies relevant to fungal vaccine development. We also review technological advancements in vaccine development and highlight the future prospects of a human vaccine against invasive fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amariliz Rivera
- Department of Pediatrics and Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey, USA;
| | - Jennifer Lodge
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Current affiliation: Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA;
| | - Chaoyang Xue
- Public Health Research Institute and Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey, USA;
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12
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Mohamed SH, Nyazika TK, Ssebambulidde K, Lionakis MS, Meya DB, Drummond RA. Fungal CNS Infections in Africa: The Neuroimmunology of Cryptococcal Meningitis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:804674. [PMID: 35432326 PMCID: PMC9010970 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.804674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is the leading cause of central nervous system (CNS) fungal infections in humans, with the majority of cases reported from the African continent. This is partly due to the high burden of HIV infection in the region and reduced access to standard-of-care including optimal sterilising antifungal drug treatments. As such, CM is responsible for 10-15% of all HIV-related mortality, with a large proportion being preventable. Immunity to the causative agent of CM, Cryptococcus neoformans, is only partially understood. IFNγ producing CD4+ T-cells are required for the activation of myeloid cells, especially macrophages, to enable fungal killing and clearance. However, macrophages may also act as a reservoir of the fungal yeast cells, shielding them from host immune detection thus promoting latent infection or persistent chronic inflammation. In this chapter, we review the epidemiology and pathogenesis of CNS fungal infections in Africa, with a major focus on CM, and the antifungal immune pathways operating to protect against C. neoformans infection. We also highlight the areas of research and policy that require prioritisation to help reduce the burden of CNS fungal diseases in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally H Mohamed
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Tinashe K Nyazika
- Department of Clinical Science, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Kenneth Ssebambulidde
- College of Health Sciences, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Michail S Lionakis
- Fungal Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology & Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - David B Meya
- College of Health Sciences, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rebecca A Drummond
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,Institute of Microbiology & Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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13
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Luberto L, Neroni B, Gandini O, Fiscarelli EV, Salvatori G, Roscilli G, Marra E. Genetic Vaccination as a Flexible Tool to Overcome the Immunological Complexity of Invasive Fungal Infections. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:789774. [PMID: 34975811 PMCID: PMC8715041 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.789774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted genetic vaccination as a powerful and cost-effective tool to counteract infectious diseases. Invasive fungal infections (IFI) remain a major challenge among immune compromised patients, particularly those undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic bone marrow transplantation (HSCT) or solid organ transplant (SOT) both presenting high morbidity and mortality rates. Candidiasis and Aspergillosis are the major fungal infections among these patients and the failure of current antifungal therapies call for new therapeutic aids. Vaccination represents a valid alternative, and proof of concept of the efficacy of this approach has been provided at clinical level. This review will analyze current understanding of antifungal immunology, with a particular focus on genetic vaccination as a suitable strategy to counteract these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Luberto
- Takis s.r.l., Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Laura Luberto,
| | - Bruna Neroni
- Cystic Fibrosis Diagnostic Section, U.O. Microbiology and Immunology Diagnostic, Department of Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Children’s Hospital Bambino Gesù Organization IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Orietta Gandini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ersilia Vita Fiscarelli
- Cystic Fibrosis Diagnostic Section, U.O. Microbiology and Immunology Diagnostic, Department of Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Children’s Hospital Bambino Gesù Organization IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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14
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Goughenour KD, Zhao J, Xu J, Zhao ZP, Ganguly A, Freeman CM, Olszewski MA. Murine Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression Is Essential for Antifungal Defenses in Kidneys during Disseminated Cryptococcus deneoformans Infection. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 207:2096-2106. [PMID: 34479942 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Disseminated cryptococcosis has a nearly 70% mortality, mostly attributed to CNS infection, with lesser-known effects on other organs. Immune protection against Cryptococcus relies on Th1 immunity with M1 polarization, rendering macrophages fungicidal. The importance of M1-upregulated inducible NO synthase (iNOS) has been documented in pulmonary anticryptococcal defenses, whereas its role in disseminated cryptococcosis remains controversial. Here we examined the effect of iNOS deletion in disseminated (i.v.) C. deneoformans 52D infection, comparing wild-type (C57BL/6J) and iNOS-/- mice. iNOS-/- mice had significantly reduced survival and nearly 100-fold increase of the kidney fungal burden, without increases in the lungs, spleen, or brain. Histology revealed extensive lesions and almost complete destruction of the kidney cortical area with a loss of kidney function. The lack of fungal control was not due to a failure to recruit immune cells because iNOS-/- mice had increased kidney leukocytes. iNOS-/- mice also showed no defect in T cell polarization. We conclude that iNOS is critically required for local anticryptococcal defenses in the kidneys, whereas it appears to be dispensable in other organs during disseminated infection. This study exemplifies a unique phenotype of local immune defenses in the kidneys and the organ-specific importance of a single fungicidal pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristie D Goughenour
- Research Service, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs Health System, Ann Arbor, MI.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI; and
| | - Jessica Zhao
- Research Service, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs Health System, Ann Arbor, MI.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI; and
| | - Jintao Xu
- Research Service, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs Health System, Ann Arbor, MI.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI; and
| | - Ziyin P Zhao
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI; and
| | - Anutosh Ganguly
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI; and.,Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Christine M Freeman
- Research Service, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs Health System, Ann Arbor, MI.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI; and
| | - Michal A Olszewski
- Research Service, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs Health System, Ann Arbor, MI; .,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI; and
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15
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Epitope-Based Immunoinformatic Approach on Heat Shock 70 kDa Protein Complex of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:9921620. [PMID: 34471644 PMCID: PMC8405342 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9921620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cryptococcosis is a ubiquitous opportunistic fungal disease caused by Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii. It has high global morbidity and mortality among HIV patients and non-HIV carriers with 99% and 95%, respectively. Furthermore, the increasing prevalence of undesired toxicity profile of antifungal, multidrug-resistant organisms and the scarcity of FDA-authorized vaccines were the hallmark in the present days. This study was undertaken to design a reliable epitope-based peptide vaccine through targeting highly conserved immunodominant heat shock 70 kDa protein of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii that covers a considerable digit of the world population through implementing a computational vaccinology approach. Materials and Methods A total of 38 sequences of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii's heat shock 70 kDa protein were retrieved from the NCBI protein database. Different prediction tools were used to analyze the aforementioned protein at the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB) to discriminate the most promising T-cell and B-cell epitopes. The proposed T-cell epitopes were subjected to the population coverage analysis tool to compute the global population's coverage. Finally, the T-cell projected epitopes were ranked based on their binding scores and modes using AutoDock Vina software. Results and Discussion. The epitopes (ANYVQASEK, QSEKPKNVNPVI, SEKPKNVNPVI, and EKPKNVNPVI) had shown very strong binding affinity and immunogenic properties to B-cell. (FTQLVAAYL, YVYDTRGKL) and (FFGGKVLNF, FINAQLVDV, and FDYALVQHF) exhibited a very strong binding affinity to MHC-I and MHC-II, respectively, with high population coverage for each, while FYRQGAFEL has shown promising results in terms of its binding profile to MHC-II and MHC-I alleles and good strength of binding when docked with HLA-C∗12:03. In addition, there is massive global population coverage in the three coverage modes. Accordingly, our in silico vaccine is expected to be the future epitope-based peptide vaccine against Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii that covers a significant figure of the entire world citizens.
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16
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Biswas PS. Vaccine-Induced Immunological Memory in Invasive Fungal Infections - A Dream so Close yet so Far. Front Immunol 2021; 12:671068. [PMID: 33968079 PMCID: PMC8096976 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.671068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are a major cause of mortality due to infectious disease worldwide. Majority of the IFIs are caused by opportunistic fungi including Candida, Aspergillus and Cryptococcus species. Lack of approved antifungal vaccines and the emergence of antifungal drug-resistant strains pose major constraints in controlling IFIs. A comprehensive understanding of the host immune response is required to develop novel fungal vaccines to prevent death from IFIs. In this review, we have discussed the challenges associated with the development of antifungal vaccines. We mentioned how host-pathogen interactions shape immunological memory and development of long-term protective immunity to IFIs. Furthermore, we underscored the contribution of long-lived innate and adaptive memory cells in protection against IFIs and summarized the current vaccine strategies.
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17
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Treatment strategies for cryptococcal infection: challenges, advances and future outlook. Nat Rev Microbiol 2021; 19:454-466. [PMID: 33558691 PMCID: PMC7868659 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-021-00511-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcus spp., in particular Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii, have an enormous impact on human health worldwide. The global burden of cryptococcal meningitis is almost a quarter of a million cases and 181,000 deaths annually, with mortality rates of 100% if infections remain untreated. Despite these alarming statistics, treatment options for cryptococcosis remain limited, with only three major classes of drugs approved for clinical use. Exacerbating the public health burden is the fact that the only new class of antifungal drugs developed in decades, the echinocandins, displays negligible antifungal activity against Cryptococcus spp., and the efficacy of the remaining therapeutics is hampered by host toxicity and pathogen resistance. Here, we describe the current arsenal of antifungal agents and the treatment strategies employed to manage cryptococcal disease. We further elaborate on the recent advances in our understanding of the intrinsic and adaptive resistance mechanisms that are utilized by Cryptococcus spp. to evade therapeutic treatments. Finally, we review potential therapeutic strategies, including combination therapy, the targeting of virulence traits, impairing stress response pathways and modulating host immunity, to effectively treat infections caused by Cryptococcus spp. Overall, understanding of the mechanisms that regulate anti-cryptococcal drug resistance, coupled with advances in genomics technologies and high-throughput screening methodologies, will catalyse innovation and accelerate antifungal drug discovery.
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18
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Ueno K, Yanagihara N, Shimizu K, Miyazaki Y. Vaccines and Protective Immune Memory against Cryptococcosis. Biol Pharm Bull 2020; 43:230-239. [PMID: 32009111 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b19-00841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a potentially lethal disease caused by fungal pathogens including Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii species complex. These fungal pathogens live in the environment and are associated with certain tree species and bird droppings. This infectious disease is not contagious, and healthy individuals may contract cryptococcal infections by inhaling the airborne pathogens from the environment. Although cleaning a contaminated environment is a feasible approach to control environmental fungal pathogens, prophylactic immunization is also considered a promising method to regulate cryptococcal infections. We review the history of the development of cryptococcal vaccines, vaccine components, and the various forms of immune memory induced by cryptococcal vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keigo Ueno
- Department of Chemotherapy and Mycoses, National Institute of Infectious Diseases
| | - Nao Yanagihara
- Department of Chemotherapy and Mycoses, National Institute of Infectious Diseases.,Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science
| | - Kiminori Shimizu
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science
| | - Yoshitsugu Miyazaki
- Department of Chemotherapy and Mycoses, National Institute of Infectious Diseases
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19
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Williams TJ, Harvey S, Armstrong-James D. Immunotherapeutic approaches for fungal infections. Curr Opin Microbiol 2020; 58:130-137. [PMID: 33147544 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2020.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Despite the availability of antifungal treatments, fungal infections are still causing morbidity all around the globe with unacceptably high mortality rates. A major driver for the rising incidence of serious fungal infections is due to a substantial increase in immunocompromised individuals with autoimmune diseases, cancers and transplants. Because of growing resistance in fungus to frontline triazole antifungals and the association of fungal disease with the immunocompromised host, adjunctive host-directed therapy is seen as a promising choice to improve patient outcomes. Immunotherapeutic treatments being explored as adjunct therapies to existing antifungal treatments include cytokine therapy, monoclonal antibodies and cellular immunotherapy. In this review, we give a brief overview of potential immunotherapies and recent developments in the field, which are needed to tackle the growing problem of fungal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Williams
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, 14 Armstrong Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD, United Kingdom
| | - Sunshine Harvey
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, 14 Armstrong Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD, United Kingdom
| | - Darius Armstrong-James
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, 14 Armstrong Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD, United Kingdom.
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20
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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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Sk Md OF, Hazra I, Datta A, Mondal S, Moitra S, Chaudhuri S, Das PK, Basu AK, Mishra R, Chaudhuri S. Regulation of key molecules of immunological synapse by T11TS immunotherapy abrogates Cryptococcus neoformans infection in rats. Mol Immunol 2020; 122:207-221. [PMID: 32388483 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2020.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans infects and disseminates in hosts with diminished T cell responses. The immunomodulator T11TS (T11 target structure) had profound potential in glioma as well as C. neoformans infected model for disease amelioration. It is been established by our group that T11TS potentiates Calcineurin-NFAT pathway in T cells of C. neoformans infected rats. We investigated the upstream Immunological Synapse (IS) molecules that are vital for the foundation of initial signals for downstream signaling, differentiation and proliferation in T cells. Improved RANTES level in the T11TS treated groups suggests potential recruitment of T cells. Down-regulation of TCRαβ, CD3ζ, CD2, CD45 and CD28 molecules by cryptococcus were boosted after T11TS therapy. Heightened expression of inhibitory molecule CTLA-4 in cryptococcosis was dampened by T11TS. The decline of MHC I, MHC II and CD80 expression on macrophages by C. neoformans were enhanced by T11TS. The dampening of positive regulators and upsurge of negative regulators of the IS during cryptococcosis was reversed with T11TS therapy resulting in enhanced clearance of fungus from the lungs as envisaged by our histological studies. This preclinical study with T11TS opens a new prospect for potential immunotherapeutic intervention against the devastating C. neoformans infection with positive aspect for the long-term solution and a safer immunotherapeutic regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Faruk Sk Md
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tropical Medicine, 108, C. R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India; Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, 92 A.P.C. Road, Kolkata 700009, India
| | - Iman Hazra
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tropical Medicine, 108, C. R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Ankur Datta
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tropical Medicine, 108, C. R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Somnath Mondal
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tropical Medicine, 108, C. R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Saibal Moitra
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tropical Medicine, 108, C. R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Suhnrita Chaudhuri
- Centre for Tumor Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, ECIM 6BQ, UK
| | - Prasanta Kumar Das
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tropical Medicine, 108, C. R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Anjan Kumar Basu
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Biotechnology, School of Tropical Medicine, 108, C. R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Roshnara Mishra
- Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, 92 A.P.C. Road, Kolkata 700009, India
| | - Swapna Chaudhuri
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tropical Medicine, 108, C. R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India.
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22
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Induction of memory-like dendritic cell responses in vivo. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2955. [PMID: 31273203 PMCID: PMC6609631 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10486-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs), a vital component of the innate immune system, are considered to lack antigen specificity and be devoid of immunological memory. Strategies that can induce memory-like responses from innate cells can be utilized to elicit protective immunity in immune deficient persons. Here we utilize an experimental immunization strategy to modulate DC inflammatory and memory-like responses against an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes significant disease in immunocompromised individuals. Our results show that DCs isolated from protectively immunized mice exhibit enhanced transcriptional activation of interferon and immune signaling pathways. We also show long-term memory-like cytokine responses upon subsequent challenge with the fungal pathogen that are abrogated with inhibitors of specific histone modifications. Altogether, our study demonstrates that immunization strategies can be designed to elicit memory-like DC responses against infectious disease. Wormley and colleagues present data showing that vaccine strategies can be devised to prime dendritic cells to respond in a memory-like fashion upon subsequent exposure to a pathogen.
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23
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Cryptococcus neoformans Glucuronoxylomannan and Sterylglucoside Are Required for Host Protection in an Animal Vaccination Model. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.02909-18. [PMID: 30940711 PMCID: PMC6445945 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02909-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of deaths from cryptococcal meningitis is around 180,000 per year. The disease is the second leading cause of mortality among individuals with AIDS. Antifungal treatment is costly and associated with adverse effects and resistance, evidencing the urgency of development of both therapeutic and prophylactic tools. Here we demonstrate the key roles of polysaccharide- and glycolipid-containing structures in a vaccination model to prevent cryptococcosis. Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated fungal pathogen that causes meningoencephalitis. There are no prophylactic tools for cryptococcosis. Previously, our group showed that a C. neoformans mutant lacking the gene encoding sterylglucosidase (Δsgl1) induced protection in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised murine models of cryptococcosis. Since sterylglucosidase catalyzes degradation of sterylglucosides (SGs), accumulation of this glycolipid could be responsible for protective immunity. In this study, we analyzed whether the activity of SGs is sufficient for the protective effect induced by the Δsgl1 strain. We observed that the accumulation of SGs impacted several properties of the main polysaccharide that composes the fungal capsule, glucuronoxylomannan (GXM). We therefore used genetic manipulation to delete the SGL1 gene in the acapsular mutant Δcap59 to generate a double mutant (strain Δcap59/Δsgl1) that was shown to be nonpathogenic and cleared from the lung of mice within 7 days post-intranasal infection. The inflammatory immune response triggered by the Δcap59/Δsgl1 mutant in the lung differed from the response seen with the other strains. The double mutant did not induce protection in a vaccination model, suggesting that SG-related protection requires the main capsular polysaccharide. Finally, GXM-containing extracellular vesicles (EVs) enriched in SGs delayed the acute lethality of Galleria mellonella against C. neoformans infection. These studies highlighted a key role for GXM and SGs in inducing protection against a secondary cryptococcal infection, and, since EVs notoriously contain GXM, these results suggest the potential use of Δsgl1 EVs as a vaccination strategy for cryptococcosis.
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24
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Nami S, Mohammadi R, Vakili M, Khezripour K, Mirzaei H, Morovati H. Fungal vaccines, mechanism of actions and immunology: A comprehensive review. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 109:333-344. [PMID: 30399567 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.10.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections include a wide range of opportunistic and invasive diseases. Two of four major fatal diseases in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are related to the fungal infections, cryptococcosis, and pneumocystosis. Disseminated candidiasis and different clinical forms of aspergillosis annually impose expensive medical costs to governments and hospitalized patients and ultimately lead to high mortality rates. Therefore, urgent implementations are necessary to prevent the expansion of these diseases. Designing an effective vaccine is one of the most important approaches in this field. So far, numerous efforts have been carried out in developing an effective vaccine against fungal infections. Some of these challenges engaged in different stages of clinical trials but none of them could be approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Here, in addition to have a comprehensive overview on the data from studied vaccine programs, we will discuss the immunology response against fungal infections. Moreover, it will be attempted to clarify the underlying immune mechanisms of vaccines targeting different fungal infections that are crucial for designing an effective vaccination strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanam Nami
- Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Rasoul Mohammadi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine/Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mahshid Vakili
- Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology/Invasive Fungi Research Center (IFRC), School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Kimia Khezripour
- Department of Pharmacotherapy, School of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hamed Mirzaei
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Hamid Morovati
- Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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25
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Leopold Wager CM, Hole CR, Campuzano A, Castro-Lopez N, Cai H, Caballero Van Dyke MC, Wozniak KL, Wang Y, Wormley FL. IFN-γ immune priming of macrophages in vivo induces prolonged STAT1 binding and protection against Cryptococcus neoformans. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007358. [PMID: 30304063 PMCID: PMC6197699 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of vaccines against opportunistic infections is difficult as patients most at risk of developing disease are deficient in aspects of the adaptive immune system. Here, we utilized an experimental immunization strategy to induce innate memory in macrophages in vivo. Unlike current trained immunity models, we present an innate memory-like phenotype in macrophages that is maintained for at least 70 days post-immunization and results in complete protection against secondary challenge in the absence of adaptive immune cells. RNA-seq analysis of in vivo IFN-γ primed macrophages revealed a rapid up-regulation of IFN-γ and STAT1 signaling pathways following secondary challenge. The enhanced cytokine recall responses appeared to be pathogen-specific, dependent on changes in histone methylation and acetylation, and correlated with increased STAT1 binding to promoter regions of genes associated with protective anti-fungal immunity. Thus, we demonstrate an alternative mechanism to induce macrophage innate memory in vivo that facilitates pathogen-specific vaccine-mediated immune responses. Fungal infections are a significant global health problem that can affect anyone, however, individuals with a weakened immune system are most at risk. Cryptococcus neoformans infections can progress to meningitis in immune compromised individuals accounting for nearly 220,000 new cases annually, resulting in 181,000 deaths. Vaccine strategies tend to target CD4+ T cells for the generation of protective memory responses. However, immune compromised individuals have decreased numbers of these adaptive cells, providing a challenge for anti-fungal vaccine design. Here, we define a cellular mechanism by which macrophages, an innate cell population, generate protective immune responses against C. neoformans following initial exposure to a C. neoformans strain that secretes IFN-γ. We determined that the macrophages primed in vivo have heightened proinflammatory cytokine responses upon secondary exposure to C. neoformans in a manner that is mTOR-independent, yet dependent on histone modification dynamics. We show that IFN-γ primed macrophages can maintain STAT1 binding to the promoter regions of key proinflammatory genes long after the initial exposure. Remarkably, our studies show long-lived, cryptococcal-specific protective immunity in vivo. The results presented herein demonstrate that innate cell populations, namely macrophages, can be utilized as vaccine targets to protect against cryptococcal infections in immune compromised populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrissy M. Leopold Wager
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
- The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Camaron R. Hole
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
- The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Althea Campuzano
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
- The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Natalia Castro-Lopez
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
- The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Hong Cai
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
- The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Marley C. Caballero Van Dyke
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
- The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Karen L. Wozniak
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
- The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Yufeng Wang
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
- The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Floyd L. Wormley
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
- The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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26
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García-Carnero LC, Pérez-García LA, Martínez-Álvarez JA, Reyes-Martínez JE, Mora-Montes HM. Current trends to control fungal pathogens: exploiting our knowledge in the host-pathogen interaction. Infect Drug Resist 2018; 11:903-913. [PMID: 30013373 PMCID: PMC6037146 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s170337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human fungal infections remain a major challenge in medicine. Only a limited number of antifungal drugs are available, which are often related to severe adverse effects. In addition, there is an increased emergence related to resistant strains, which makes imperative to understand the host-pathogen interactions as well as to develop alternative treatments. Host innate and adaptive immunity play a crucial role controlling fungal infections; therefore, vaccines are a viable tool to prevent and treat fungal pathogens. Innate immunity is triggered by the interaction between the cell surface pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and the pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Such an initial immunological response is yet little understood in fungal infections, in part due to the complexity and plasticity of the fungal cell walls. Described host cell-fungus interactions and antigenic molecules are addressed in this paper. Furthermore, antigens found in the cell wall and capsule, including peptides, glycoproteins, glycolipids, and glycans, have been used to trigger specific immune responses, and an increased production of antibodies has been observed when attached to immunogenic molecules. The recent biotechnological advances have allowed the development of vaccines against viral and bacterial pathogens with positive results; therefore, this technology has been applied to develop anti-fungal vaccines. Passive immunization has also emerged as an appealing alternative to treat disseminated mycosis, especially in immunocompromised patients. Those approaches have a long way to be seen in clinical cases. However, all studies discussed here open the possibility to have access to new therapies to be applied alone or in combination with current antifungal drugs. Herein, the state of the art of fungal vaccine developments is discussed in this review, highlighting new advances against Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cryptococcus neoformans, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, and Sporothrix spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C García-Carnero
- Department of Biology, Division of Exact and Natural Sciences, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato,
| | - Luis A Pérez-García
- Multidisciplinay Academic Unit, Zona Huasteca, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Ciudad Valles, México
| | - José A Martínez-Álvarez
- Department of Biology, Division of Exact and Natural Sciences, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato,
| | - Juana E Reyes-Martínez
- Department of Biology, Division of Exact and Natural Sciences, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato,
| | - Héctor M Mora-Montes
- Department of Biology, Division of Exact and Natural Sciences, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato,
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Caballero Van Dyke MC, Wormley FL. A Call to Arms: Quest for a Cryptococcal Vaccine. Trends Microbiol 2018; 26:436-446. [PMID: 29103990 PMCID: PMC5910246 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcosis remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality world-wide, particularly among AIDS patients. Yet, to date, there are no licensed vaccines clinically available to treat or prevent cryptococcosis. In this review, we provide a rationale to support continued investment in Cryptococcus vaccine research, potential challenges that must be overcome along the way, and a literature review of the current progress underway towards developing a vaccine to prevent cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marley C Caballero Van Dyke
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; The 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; The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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28
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Abstract
Fungi have emerged as premier opportunistic microbes of the 21st century, having a considerable impact on human morbidity and mortality. The huge increase in incidence of these diseases is largely due to the HIV pandemic and use of immunosuppressive therapies, underscoring the importance of the immune system in defense against fungi. This article will address how the mammalian immune system recognizes and mounts a defense against medically relevant fungal species.
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29
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CD4 + T Cells Orchestrate Lethal Immune Pathology despite Fungal Clearance during Cryptococcus neoformans Meningoencephalitis. mBio 2017; 8:mBio.01415-17. [PMID: 29162707 PMCID: PMC5698549 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01415-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a major fungal pathogen that disseminates to the central nervous system (CNS) to cause fatal meningoencephalitis, but little is known about immune responses within this immune-privileged site. CD4+ T cells have demonstrated roles in anticryptococcal defenses, but increasing evidence suggests that they may contribute to clinical deterioration and pathology in both HIV-positive (HIV+) and non-HIV patients who develop immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) and post-infectious inflammatory response syndrome (PIIRS), respectively. Here we report a novel murine model of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis and a potential damaging role of T cells in disseminated cryptococcal CNS infection. In this model, fungal burdens plateaued in the infected brain by day 7 postinfection, but activation of microglia and accumulation of CD45hi leukocytes was significantly delayed relative to fungal growth and did not peak until day 21. The inflammatory leukocyte infiltrate consisted predominantly of gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-producing CD4+ T cells, conventionally believed to promote fungal clearance and recovery. However, more than 50% of mice succumbed to infection and neurological dysfunction between days 21 and 35 despite a 100-fold reduction in fungal burdens. Depletion of CD4+ cells significantly impaired IFN-γ production, CD8+ T cell and myeloid cell accumulation, and fungal clearance from the CNS but prevented the development of clinical symptoms and mortality. These findings conclusively demonstrate that although CD4+ T cells are necessary to control fungal growth, they can also promote significant immunopathology and mortality during CNS infection. The results from this model may provide important guidance for development and use of anti-inflammatory therapies to minimize CNS injury in patients with severe cryptococcal infections. CNS infection with the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans often results in debilitating brain injury and has a high mortality rate despite antifungal treatment. Treatment is complicated by the fact that immune responses needed to eliminate infection are also thought to drive CNS damage in a subset of both HIV+ and non-HIV patients. Thus, physicians need to balance efforts to enhance patients’ immune responses and promote microbiological control with anti-inflammatory therapy to protect the CNS. Here we report a novel model of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis demonstrating that fungal growth within the CNS does not immediately cause symptomatic disease. Rather, accumulation of antifungal immune cells critically mediates CNS injury and mortality. This model demonstrates that antifungal immune responses in the CNS can cause detrimental pathology and addresses the urgent need for animal models to investigate the specific cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying cryptococcal disease in order to better treat patients with CNS infections.
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30
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Van Dyke MCC, Chaturvedi AK, Hardison SE, Leopold Wager CM, Castro-Lopez N, Hole CR, Wozniak KL, Wormley FL. Induction of Broad-Spectrum Protective Immunity against Disparate Cryptococcus Serotypes. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1359. [PMID: 29163469 PMCID: PMC5670106 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease caused by multiple Cryptococcus serotypes; particularly C. neoformans (serotypes A and D) and C. gattii (serotypes B and C). To date, there is no clinically available vaccine to prevent cryptococcosis. Mice given an experimental pulmonary vaccination with a C. neoformans serotype A strain engineered to produce interferon-γ, denoted H99γ, are protected against a subsequent otherwise lethal experimental infection with C. neoformans serotype A. Thus, we determined the efficacy of immunization with C. neoformans strain H99γ to elicit broad-spectrum protection in BALB/c mice against multiple disparate Cryptococcus serotypes. We observed significantly increased survival rates and significantly decreased pulmonary fungal burden in H99γ immunized mice challenged with Cryptococcus serotypes A, B, or D compared to heat-killed H99γ (HKH99γ) immunized mice. Results indicated that prolonged protection against Cryptococcus serotypes B or D in H99γ immunized mice was CD4+ T cell dependent and associated with the induction of predominantly Th1-type cytokine responses. Interestingly, immunization with H99γ did not elicit greater protection against challenge with the Cryptococcus serotype C tested either due to low overall virulence of this strain or enhanced capacity of this strain to evade host immunity. Altogether, these studies provide “proof-of-concept” for the development of a cryptococcal vaccine that provides cross-protection against multiple disparate serotypes of Cryptococcus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marley C Caballero Van Dyke
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.,The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Ashok K Chaturvedi
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.,The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Sarah E Hardison
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.,The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Chrissy M Leopold Wager
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.,The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Natalia Castro-Lopez
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.,The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Camaron R Hole
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.,The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Karen L Wozniak
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.,The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Floyd L Wormley
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.,The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
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31
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Armstrong-James D, Brown GD, Netea MG, Zelante T, Gresnigt MS, van de Veerdonk FL, Levitz SM. Immunotherapeutic approaches to treatment of fungal diseases. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2017; 17:e393-e402. [PMID: 28774700 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(17)30442-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2016] [Revised: 11/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Fungal infections cause morbidity worldwide and are associated with an unacceptably high mortality despite the availability of antifungal drugs. The incidence of mycoses is rising because of the HIV pandemic and because immunomodulatory drugs are increasingly used to treat autoimmune diseases and cancer. New classes of antifungal drugs have only been partly successful in improving the prognosis for patients with fungal infection. Adjunctive host-directed therapy is therefore believed to be the only option to further improve patient outcomes. Recent advances in the understanding of complex interactions between fungi and host have led to the design and exploration of novel therapeutic strategies in cytokine therapy, vaccines, and cellular immunotherapy, each of which might become viable adjuncts to existing antifungal regimens. In this report, we discuss immunotherapeutic approaches-the rationale behind their design, the challenges in their use, and the progress that is so urgently needed to overcome the devastating effect of fungal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darius Armstrong-James
- Fungal Pathogens Laboratory, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, UK.
| | - Gordon D Brown
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Mihai G Netea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands; Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Teresa Zelante
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Mark S Gresnigt
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands; Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Frank L van de Veerdonk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands; Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Stuart M Levitz
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
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32
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Scorzoni L, de Paula E Silva ACA, Marcos CM, Assato PA, de Melo WCMA, de Oliveira HC, Costa-Orlandi CB, Mendes-Giannini MJS, Fusco-Almeida AM. Antifungal Therapy: New Advances in the Understanding and Treatment of Mycosis. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:36. [PMID: 28167935 PMCID: PMC5253656 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 243] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The high rates of morbidity and mortality caused by fungal infections are associated with the current limited antifungal arsenal and the high toxicity of the compounds. Additionally, identifying novel drug targets is challenging because there are many similarities between fungal and human cells. The most common antifungal targets include fungal RNA synthesis and cell wall and membrane components, though new antifungal targets are being investigated. Nonetheless, fungi have developed resistance mechanisms, such as overexpression of efflux pump proteins and biofilm formation, emphasizing the importance of understanding these mechanisms. To address these problems, different approaches to preventing and treating fungal diseases are described in this review, with a focus on the resistance mechanisms of fungi, with the goal of developing efficient strategies to overcoming and preventing resistance as well as new advances in antifungal therapy. Due to the limited antifungal arsenal, researchers have sought to improve treatment via different approaches, and the synergistic effect obtained by the combination of antifungals contributes to reducing toxicity and could be an alternative for treatment. Another important issue is the development of new formulations for antifungal agents, and interest in nanoparticles as new types of carriers of antifungal drugs has increased. In addition, modifications to the chemical structures of traditional antifungals have improved their activity and pharmacokinetic parameters. Moreover, a different approach to preventing and treating fungal diseases is immunotherapy, which involves different mechanisms, such as vaccines, activation of the immune response and inducing the production of host antimicrobial molecules. Finally, the use of a mini-host has been encouraging for in vivo testing because these animal models demonstrate a good correlation with the mammalian model; they also increase the speediness of as well as facilitate the preliminary testing of new antifungal agents. In general, many years are required from discovery of a new antifungal to clinical use. However, the development of new antifungal strategies will reduce the therapeutic time and/or increase the quality of life of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Scorzoni
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Araraquara, Brasil
| | - Ana C A de Paula E Silva
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Araraquara, Brasil
| | - Caroline M Marcos
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Araraquara, Brasil
| | - Patrícia A Assato
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Araraquara, Brasil
| | - Wanessa C M A de Melo
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Araraquara, Brasil
| | - Haroldo C de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Araraquara, Brasil
| | - Caroline B Costa-Orlandi
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Araraquara, Brasil
| | - Maria J S Mendes-Giannini
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Araraquara, Brasil
| | - Ana M Fusco-Almeida
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Araraquara, Brasil
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33
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Ding Y, Li P, He Q, Wei H, Wu T, Xia D, Tan M, Shi Y, Su X. The CD4 + T-lymphocyte count is an important predictor for the prognosis of cryptococcosis. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2016; 36:897-904. [PMID: 28035481 PMCID: PMC5395594 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-016-2880-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
There is great heterogeneity of immunity among patients with cryptococcosis, and severe immunodeficiency can lead to negative clinical outcomes. Underlying disease is a poor surrogate for immune status and inferior in predicting an individual’s prognosis. This study was intended to determine whether T-lymphocyte subgroups would be more suitable indicators regarding the severity of infection and clinical outcomes of such patients. We retrieved clinical data on 101 patients with cryptococcosis and compared the validity of multiple parameters (underlying disease and T-lymphocyte subgroups) in predicting the severity of infection and clinical outcome in these patients. For patients with CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts lower than 400/μL, the odds ratio of disseminated cryptococcosis was 23.3 (P = 0.005). There was a moderate negative correlation between CD4+ T-cell count and Apache II score (−0.609, P < 0.001). Mortality among patients with low levels of CD4+ T lymphocytes was significantly higher than among those with normal levels (23.8% vs 5.3%, P = 0.016). However, the difference was not significant if the patients were grouped by underlying disease (P = 0.067). The CD4+ T-lymphocyte count in peripheral blood is a simple and more accurate biomarker for predicting severity of infection and clinical outcome in patients with cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Ding
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China, 210002
| | - P Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China, 210002
| | - Q He
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China, 210002
| | - H Wei
- Department of Infectious Disease, Nanjing Second Hospital, Nanjing, China, 210002
| | - T Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China, 210002
| | - D Xia
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China, 210002
| | - M Tan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China, 210002
| | - Y Shi
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China, 210002
| | - X Su
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China, 210002.
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34
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Antifungal Activity of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells against Cryptococcus neoformans In Vitro Requires Expression of Dectin-3 (CLEC4D) and Reactive Oxygen Species. Infect Immun 2016; 84:2493-504. [PMID: 27324480 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00103-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) are critical for protection against pulmonary infection with the opportunistic fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans; however, the role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) is unknown. We show for the first time that murine pDCs have direct activity against C. neoformans via reactive oxygen species (ROS), a mechanism different from that employed to control Aspergillus fumigatus infections. The anticryptococcal activity of murine pDCs is independent of opsonization but appears to require the C-type lectin receptor Dectin-3, a receptor not previously evaluated during cryptococcal infections. Human pDCs can also inhibit cryptococcal growth by a mechanism similar to that of murine pDCs. Experimental pulmonary infection of mice with a C. neoformans strain that induces protective immunity demonstrated that recruitment of pDCs to the lungs is CXCR3 dependent. Taken together, our results show that pDCs inhibit C. neoformans growth in vitro via the production of ROS and that Dectin-3 is required for optimal growth-inhibitory activity.
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Abstract
Vaccines for neuroinfectious diseases are becoming an ever-increasing global health priority, as neurologic manifestations and sequelae from existing and emerging central nervous system infections account for significant worldwide morbidity and mortality. The prevention of neurotropic infections can be achieved through globally coordinated vaccination campaigns, which have successfully eradicated nonzoonotic agents such as the variola viruses and, hopefully soon, poliovirus. This review discusses vaccines that are currently available or under development for zoonotic flaviviruses and alphaviruses, including Japanese and tick-borne encephalitis, yellow fever, West Nile, dengue, Zika, encephalitic equine viruses, and chikungunya. Also discussed are nonzoonotic agents, including measles and human herpesviruses, as well as select bacterial, fungal, and protozoal pathogens. While therapeutic vaccines will be required to treat a multitude of ongoing infections of the nervous system, the ideal vaccination strategy is pre-exposure vaccination, with the ultimate goals of minimizing disease associated with zoonotic viruses and the total eradication of nonzoonotic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Leibovitch
- Viral Immunology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Steven Jacobson
- Viral Immunology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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Induction of Protective Immunity to Cryptococcal Infection in Mice by a Heat-Killed, Chitosan-Deficient Strain of Cryptococcus neoformans. mBio 2016; 7:mBio.00547-16. [PMID: 27165801 PMCID: PMC4959652 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00547-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a major opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes fatal meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised individuals and is responsible for a large proportion of AIDS-related deaths. The fungal cell wall is an essential organelle which undergoes constant modification during various stages of growth and is critical for fungal pathogenesis. One critical component of the fungal cell wall is chitin, which in C. neoformans is predominantly deacetylated to chitosan. We previously reported that three chitin deacetylase (CDA) genes have to be deleted to generate a chitosan-deficient C. neoformans strain. This cda1Δ2Δ3Δ strain was avirulent in mice, as it was rapidly cleared from the lungs of infected mice. Here, we report that clearance of the cda1Δ2Δ3Δ strain was associated with sharply spiked concentrations of proinflammatory molecules that are known to be critical mediators of the orchestration of a protective Th1-type adaptive immune response. This was followed by the selective enrichment of the Th1-type T cell population in the cda1Δ2Δ3Δ strain-infected mouse lung. Importantly, this response resulted in the development of robust protective immunity to a subsequent lethal challenge with a virulent wild-type C. neoformans strain. Moreover, protective immunity was also induced in mice vaccinated with heat-killed cda1Δ2Δ3Δ cells and was effective in multiple mouse strains. The results presented here provide a strong framework to develop the cda1Δ2Δ3Δ strain as a potential vaccine candidate for C. neoformans infection. The most commonly used anticryptococcal therapies include amphotericin B, 5-fluorocytosine, and fluconazole alone or in combination. Major drawbacks of these treatment options are their limited efficacy, poor availability in limited resource areas, and potential toxicity. The development of antifungal vaccines and immune-based therapeutic interventions is promising and an attractive alternative to chemotherapeutics. Currently, there are no fungal vaccines in clinical use. This is the first report of a C. neoformans deletion strain with an avirulent phenotype in mice exhibiting protective immunity when used as a vaccine after heat inactivation, although other strains that overexpress fungal or murine proteins have recently been shown to induce a protective response. The data presented here demonstrate the potential for developing the avirulent cda1Δ2Δ3Δ strain into a vaccine-based therapy to treat C. neoformans infection.
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Leopold Wager CM, Hole CR, Wozniak KL, Wormley FL. Cryptococcus and Phagocytes: Complex Interactions that Influence Disease Outcome. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:105. [PMID: 26903984 PMCID: PMC4746234 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii are fungal pathogens that cause life-threatening disease. These fungi commonly enter their host via inhalation into the lungs where they encounter resident phagocytes, including macrophages and dendritic cells, whose response has a pronounced impact on the outcome of disease. Cryptococcus has complex interactions with the resident and infiltrating innate immune cells that, ideally, result in destruction of the yeast. These phagocytic cells have pattern recognition receptors that allow recognition of specific cryptococcal cell wall and capsule components. However, Cryptococcus possesses several virulence factors including a polysaccharide capsule, melanin production and secretion of various enzymes that aid in evasion of the immune system or enhance its ability to thrive within the phagocyte. This review focuses on the intricate interactions between the cryptococci and innate phagocytic cells including discussion of manipulation and evasion strategies used by Cryptococcus, anti-cryptococcal responses by the phagocytes and approaches for targeting phagocytes for the development of novel immunotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrissy M Leopold Wager
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX, USA; The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Camaron R Hole
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX, USA; The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Karen L Wozniak
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX, USA; The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Floyd L Wormley
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX, USA; The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX, USA
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Medici NP, Del Poeta M. New insights on the development of fungal vaccines: from immunity to recent challenges. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2015; 110:966-73. [PMID: 26602871 PMCID: PMC4708015 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760150335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are emerging as a major problem in part due to high mortality associated with systemic infections, especially in the case of immunocompromised patients. With the development of new treatments for diseases such as cancer and the acquired immune deficiency syndrome pandemic, the number of immunosuppressed patients has increased and, as a consequence, also the number of invasive fungal infections has increased. Several studies have proposed new strategies for the development of effective fungal vaccines. In addition, better understanding of how the immune system works against fungal pathogens has improved the further development of these new vaccination strategies. As a result, some fungal vaccines have advanced through clinical trials. However, there are still many challenges that prevent the clinical development of fungal vaccines that can efficiently immunise subjects at risk of developing invasive fungal infections. In this review, we will discuss these new vaccination strategies and the challenges that they present. In the future with proper investments, fungal vaccines may soon become a reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha P Medici
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Maurizio Del Poeta
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
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Rella A, Mor V, Farnoud AM, Singh A, Shamseddine AA, Ivanova E, Carpino N, Montagna MT, Luberto C, Del Poeta M. Role of Sterylglucosidase 1 (Sgl1) on the pathogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformans: potential applications for vaccine development. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:836. [PMID: 26322039 PMCID: PMC4531891 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii affects a large population and is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality. Despite its public health burden, there are currently no vaccines against cryptococcosis and new strategies against such infections are needed. In this study, we demonstrate that C. neoformans has the biochemical ability to metabolize sterylglucosides (SGs), a class of immunomodulatory glycolipids. Genetic manipulations that eliminate cryptococccal sterylglucosidase lead to the accumulation of SGs and generate a mutant strain (Δsgl1) that is non-pathogenic in the mouse models of cryptococcosis. Interestingly, this mutant strain acts as a vaccine strain and protects mice against cryptococcosis following infection with C. neoformans or C. gattii. The immunity induced by the Δsgl1 strain is not CD4+ T-cells dependent. Immunocompromised mice, which lack CD4+ T-cells, are able to control the infection by Δsgl1 and acquire immunity against the challenge by wild-type C. neoformans following vaccination with the Δsgl1 strain. These findings are particularly important in the context of HIV/AIDS immune deficiency and suggest that the Δsgl1 strain might provide a potential vaccination strategy against cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Rella
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook NY, USA
| | - Visesato Mor
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook NY, USA
| | - Amir M Farnoud
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook NY, USA
| | - Ashutosh Singh
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook NY, USA
| | | | - Elitza Ivanova
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook NY, USA
| | - Nicholas Carpino
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook NY, USA
| | - Maria T Montagna
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Hygiene Section, University of Bari Bari, Italy
| | - Chiara Luberto
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook NY, USA
| | - Maurizio Del Poeta
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook NY, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrissy M. Leopold Wager
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
- The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Floyd L. Wormley
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
- The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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41
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Abstract
Concomitant with the increased prevalence of immunocompromised persons, invasive fungal infections have become considerably more frequent in the last 50 years. High mortality rates caused by invasive mycoses and high morbidity because of intractable mucosal infections have created an unmet need for innovative prophylactic and therapeutic strategies against fungal pathogens. Several immunotherapeutics and vaccines are in development to address this need, although one has yet to reach the clinic. This review focuses on past and current immunotherapeutic and vaccine strategies being tested to either prevent or treat fungal infections, as well as the challenges associated with their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Santos
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
| | - Stuart M Levitz
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
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42
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Leopold Wager CM, Hole CR, Wozniak KL, Olszewski MA, Wormley FL. STAT1 signaling is essential for protection against Cryptococcus neoformans infection in mice. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 193:4060-71. [PMID: 25200956 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1400318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Nonprotective immune responses to highly virulent Cryptococcus neoformans strains, such as H99, are associated with Th2-type cytokine production, alternatively activated macrophages, and inability of the host to clear the fungus. In contrast, experimental studies show that protective immune responses against cryptococcosis are associated with Th1-type cytokine production and classical macrophage activation. The protective response induced during C. neoformans strain H99γ (C. neoformans strain H99 engineered to produce murine IFN-γ) infection correlates with enhanced phosphorylation of the transcription factor STAT1 in macrophages; however, the role of STAT1 in protective immunity to C. neoformans is unknown. The current studies examined the effect of STAT1 deletion in murine models of protective immunity to C. neoformans. Survival and fungal burden were evaluated in wild-type and STAT1 knockout (KO) mice infected with either strain H99γ or C. neoformans strain 52D (unmodified clinical isolate). Both strains H99γ and 52D were rapidly cleared from the lungs, did not disseminate to the CNS, or cause mortality in the wild-type mice. Conversely, STAT1 KO mice infected with H99γ or 52D had significantly increased pulmonary fungal burden, CNS dissemination, and 90-100% mortality. STAT1 deletion resulted in a shift from Th1 to Th2 cytokine bias, pronounced lung inflammation, and defective classical macrophage activation. Pulmonary macrophages from STAT1 KO mice exhibited defects in NO production correlating with inefficient inhibition of fungal proliferation. These studies demonstrate that STAT1 signaling is essential not only for regulation of immune polarization but also for the classical activation of macrophages that occurs during protective anticryptococcal immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrissy M Leopold Wager
- Department of Biology, University of Texas, San Antonio, TX 78249; South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas, San Antonio, TX 78249
| | - Camaron R Hole
- Department of Biology, University of Texas, San Antonio, TX 78249; South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas, San Antonio, TX 78249
| | - Karen L Wozniak
- Department of Biology, University of Texas, San Antonio, TX 78249; South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas, San Antonio, TX 78249
| | - Michal A Olszewski
- Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Health System, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI 48109; and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Floyd L Wormley
- Department of Biology, University of Texas, San Antonio, TX 78249; South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas, San Antonio, TX 78249;
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Chaturvedi AK, Weintraub ST, Lopez-Ribot JL, Wormley FL. Identification and characterization of Cryptococcus neoformans protein fractions that induce protective immune responses. Proteomics 2014; 13:3429-41. [PMID: 24170628 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201300213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Revised: 09/19/2013] [Accepted: 10/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans, the main causative agent of cryptococcosis, is a fungal pathogen that causes life-threatening meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised patients. To date, there is no vaccine or immunotherapy approved to treat cryptococcosis. Cell- and antibody-mediated immune responses collaborate to mediate optimal protection against C. neoformans infections. Accordingly, we identified cryptococcal protein fractions capable of stimulating cell- and antibody-mediated immune responses and determined their efficacy to elicit protection against cryptococcosis. Proteins were extracted from C. neoformans and fractionated based on molecular mass. The fractions were then evaluated by immunoblot analysis for reactivity to serum extracted from protectively immunized mice and in cytokine recall assays for their efficacy to induce pro-inflammatory and Th1-type cytokine responses associated with protection. MS analysis revealed a number of proteins with roles in stress response, signal transduction, carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid synthesis, and protein synthesis. Immunization with select protein fractions containing immunodominant antigens induced significantly prolonged survival against experimental pulmonary cryptococcosis. Our studies support using the combination of immunological and proteomic approaches to identify proteins that elicit antigen-specific antibody and Th1-type cytokine responses. The immunodominant antigens that were discovered represent attractive candidates for the development of novel subunit vaccines for treatment and/or prevention of cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok K Chaturvedi
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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Chaturvedi AK, Wormley FL. Cryptococcus antigens and immune responses: implications for a vaccine. Expert Rev Vaccines 2014; 12:1261-72. [PMID: 24156284 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2013.840094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease primarily occurring in immunocompromised individuals, such as AIDS patients, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, cryptococcosis can occur within immunocompetent populations as observed during an outbreak in Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, the Pacific Northwest and other regions of the USA and in Mediterranean Europe. Mortality rates due to cryptococcosis have significantly declined in economically developed countries since the widespread implementation of highly active antiretroviral therapy. However, the incidence and mortality of this disease remains high in economically undeveloped areas in Africa and Asia where HIV infections are high and availability of HAART is limited. The continuing AIDS epidemic coupled with the increased usage of immunosuppressive drugs to prevent organ transplant rejection or to treat autoimmune diseases has resulted in an increase in individuals at risk for developing cryptococcosis. The purpose of this review is to discuss the need, challenges and potential for developing vaccines against cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok K Chaturvedi
- Department of Biology and The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas, San Antonio, TX, USA
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45
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Nanjappa SG, Klein BS. Vaccine immunity against fungal infections. Curr Opin Immunol 2014; 28:27-33. [PMID: 24583636 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2014.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2014] [Accepted: 01/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Som G Nanjappa
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, United States.
| | - Bruce S Klein
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, United States; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, United States; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, United States.
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46
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Coelho C, Bocca AL, Casadevall A. The intracellular life of Cryptococcus neoformans. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY-MECHANISMS OF DISEASE 2013; 9:219-38. [PMID: 24050625 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathol-012513-104653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen with worldwide distribution. Serological studies of human populations show a high prevalence of human infection, which rarely progresses to disease in immunocompetent hosts. However, decreased host immunity places individuals at high risk for cryptococcal disease. The disease can result from acute infection or reactivation of latent infection, in which yeasts within granulomas and host macrophages emerge to cause disease. In this review, we summarize what is known about the cellular recognition, ingestion, and killing of C. neoformans and discuss the unique and remarkable features of its intracellular life, including the proposed mechanisms for fungal persistence and killing in phagocytic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Coelho
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York 10461;
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47
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Depletion of neutrophils in a protective model of pulmonary cryptococcosis results in increased IL-17A production by γδ T cells. BMC Immunol 2012; 13:65. [PMID: 23216912 PMCID: PMC3538069 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2172-13-65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2012] [Accepted: 11/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Protective responses in mice immunized with an interferon-gamma producing strain of Cryptococcus neoformans, H99γ, are associated with IL-17A production by neutrophils. Neutrophil depletion in H99γ-immunized mice did not affect pulmonary fungal burden, indicating that neutrophils are not required for clearance. However, we observed an increase in IL-17A in the lungs of neutrophil-depleted H99γ infected mice, which corresponded to an increase in IL-17A+ γδ+ T cells. Moreover, we observed increased IL-17A+/ CD3+ cells and IL-17A+/γδ+ cells, but decreased IL-17A+/Ly6G+ neutrophils in the lungs of IL-17 receptor (R)A deficient mice compared to wild-type mice. Increased production of IL-17A in neutropenic mice coincided with increased IL-6 and CXCL1, but not Th17 inducing cytokines TGF-β, IL-21 and IL-23. Concurrent depletion of neutrophils and γδ+ T cells reduced IL-17A levels. Our results suggest that γδ+ T cells mediate significant IL-17A production in neutropenic mice during the protective response to C. neoformans infection.
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48
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Hole CR, Wormley FL. Vaccine and immunotherapeutic approaches for the prevention of cryptococcosis: lessons learned from animal models. Front Microbiol 2012; 3:291. [PMID: 22973262 PMCID: PMC3428735 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2012.00291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2012] [Accepted: 07/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii, the predominant etiological agents of cryptococcosis, can cause life-threatening infections of the central nervous system in immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis is the most common disseminated fungal infection in AIDS patients, and C. neoformans remains the third most common invasive fungal infection among organ transplant recipients. Current anti-fungal drug therapies are oftentimes rendered ineffective due to drug toxicity, the emergence of drug resistant organisms, and/or the inability of the host's immune defenses to assist in eradication of the yeast. Therefore, there remains an urgent need for the development of immune-based therapies and/or vaccines to combat cryptococcosis. Studies in animal models have demonstrated the efficacy of various vaccination strategies and immune therapies to induce protection against cryptococcosis. This review will summarize the lessons learned from animal models supporting the feasibility of developing immunotherapeutics and vaccines to prevent cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camaron R Hole
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX, USA
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49
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Hamad M. Universal fungal vaccines: could there be light at the end of the tunnel? Hum Vaccin Immunother 2012; 8:1758-63. [PMID: 22922769 DOI: 10.4161/hv.21838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The complex nature of fungal pathogens, the intricate host-pathogen relationship and the health status of subjects in need of antifungal vaccination continue to hamper efforts to develop fungal vaccines for clinical use. That said, the rise of the universal vaccine concept is hoped to revive fungal vaccine research by expanding the pool of vaccine candidates worthy of clinical evaluation. It can do so through antigenic commonality-based screening for vaccine candidates from a wide range of pathogens and by reassessing the sizable collection of already available experimental and approved vaccines. Development of experimental vaccines protective against multiple fungal pathogens is evidence of the utility of this concept in fungal vaccine research. However, universal fungal vaccines are not without difficulties; for instance, development of vaccines with differential effectiveness is an issue that should be addressed. Additionally, rationalizing the development of universal fungal vaccines on health or economic basis could be contentious. Herein, universal fungal vaccines are discussed in terms of their potential usefulness and possible drawbacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mawieh Hamad
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
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50
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New Insights in the Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Cryptococcal Meningitis. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2012; 9:267-77. [DOI: 10.1007/s11904-012-0127-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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