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Koehler A, Scroferneker ML, de Souza NMP, de Moraes PC, Pereira BAS, de Souza Cavalcante R, Mendes RP, Corbellini VA. Rapid Classification of Serum from Patients with Paracoccidioidomycosis Using Infrared Spectroscopy, Univariate Statistics, and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:147. [PMID: 38392819 PMCID: PMC10890592 DOI: 10.3390/jof10020147] [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: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis that is diagnosed by visualizing the fungus in clinical samples or by other methods, like serological techniques. However, all PCM diagnostic methods have limitations. The aim of this study was to develop a diagnostic tool for PCM based on Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A total of 224 serum samples were included: 132 from PCM patients and 92 constituting the control group (50 from healthy blood donors and 42 from patients with other systemic mycoses). Samples were analyzed by attenuated total reflection (ATR) and a t-test was performed to find differences in the spectra of the two groups. The wavenumbers that had p < 0.05 had their diagnostic potential evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The spectral region with the lowest p value was used for variable selection through principal component analysis (PCA). The selected variables were used in a linear discriminant analysis (LDA). In univariate analysis, the ROC curves with the best performance were obtained in the region 1551-1095 cm-1. The wavenumber that had the highest AUC value was 1264 cm-1, achieving a sensitivity of 97.73%, specificity of 76.01%, and accuracy of 94.22%. The total separation of groups was obtained in the PCA performed with a spectral range of 1551-1095 cm-1. LDA performed with the eight wavenumbers with the greatest weight from the group discrimination in the PCA obtained 100% accuracy. The methodology proposed here is simple, fast, and highly accurate, proving its potential to be applied in the diagnosis of PCM. The proposed method is more accurate than the currently known diagnostic methods, which is particularly relevant for a neglected tropical mycosis such as paracoccidioidomycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Koehler
- Postgraduate Program of Medicine: Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul-UFRGS, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Maria Lúcia Scroferneker
- Postgraduate Program of Medicine: Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul-UFRGS, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, ICBS, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul-UFRGS, Porto Alegre 90050-170, Brazil
| | | | - Paulo Cezar de Moraes
- Postgraduate Program of Medicine: Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul-UFRGS, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
| | | | - Ricardo de Souza Cavalcante
- Tropical Diseases Area, School of Medicine, Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Rinaldo Pôncio Mendes
- Tropical Diseases Area, School of Medicine, Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Valeriano Antonio Corbellini
- Department of Sciences, Humanities and Education, Postgraduate Program in Health Promotion, Postgraduate Program in Environmental Technology, Universidade de Santa Cruz do Sul-UNISC, Santa Cruz do Sul 96815-900, Brazil
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Peláez-Jaramillo CA, Jiménez-Alzate MDP, Araque-Marin P, Hung CY, Castro-Lopez N, Cole GT. Lipid Secretion by Parasitic Cells of Coccidioides Contributes to Disseminated Disease. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:592826. [PMID: 34055661 PMCID: PMC8155295 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.592826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Coccidioides is a soil-borne fungal pathogen and causative agent of a human respiratory disease (coccidioidomycosis) endemic to semi-desert regions of southwestern United States, Mexico, Central and South America. Aerosolized arthroconidia inhaled by the mammalian host first undergo conversion to large parasitic cells (spherules, 80-100 μm diameter) followed by endosporulation, a process by which the contents of spherules give rise to multiple endospores. The latter are released upon rupture of the maternal spherules and establish new foci of lung infection. A novel feature of spherule maturation prior to endosporulation is the secretion of a lipid-rich, membranous cell surface layer shed in vivo during growth of the parasitic cells and secretion into liquid culture medium during in vitro growth. Chemical analysis of the culture derived spherule outer wall (SOW) fraction showed that it is composed largely of phospholipids and is enriched with saturated fatty acids, including myristic, palmitic, elaidic, oleic, and stearic acid. NMR revealed the presence of monosaccharide- and disaccharide-linked acylglycerols and sphingolipids. The major sphingolipid components are sphingosine and ceramide. Primary neutrophils derived from healthy C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice incubated with SOW lipids revealed a significant reduction in fungicidal activity against viable Coccidioides arthroconidia compared to incubation of neutrophils with arthroconidia alone. Host cell exposure to SOW lipids had no effect on neutrophil viability. Furthermore, C57BL/6 mice that were challenged subcutaneously with Coccidioides arthroconidia in the presence of the isolated SOW fraction developed disseminated disease, while control mice challenged with arthroconidia alone by the same route showed no dissemination of infection. We hypothesize that SOW lipids contribute to suppression of inflammatory response to Coccidioides infection. Studies are underway to characterize the immunosuppressive mechanism(s) of SOW lipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Alberto Peláez-Jaramillo
- The Biology Department and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.,Grupo Interdisciplinario de Estudios Moleculares, Chemistry Institute, Faculty of Natural and Exact Sciencess, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia.,Grupo Micología Médica, Microbiology and Parasitology Department, School of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Maria Del Pilar Jiménez-Alzate
- The Biology Department and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.,Grupo Interdisciplinario de Estudios Moleculares, Chemistry Institute, Faculty of Natural and Exact Sciencess, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Pedronel Araque-Marin
- School of Life Sciences, EIA University (Universidad Escuela de Ingenieros de Antioquia), Envigado, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Chiung-Yu Hung
- The Biology Department and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Natalia Castro-Lopez
- The Biology Department and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Garry T Cole
- The Biology Department and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
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Lima EDO, Navarro LC, Morishita KN, Kamikawa CM, Rodrigues RGM, Dabaja MZ, de Oliveira DN, Delafiori J, Dias-Audibert FL, Ribeiro MDS, Vicentini AP, Rocha A, Catharino RR. Metabolomics and Machine Learning Approaches Combined in Pursuit for More Accurate Paracoccidioidomycosis Diagnoses. mSystems 2020; 5:e00258-20. [PMID: 32606026 PMCID: PMC7329323 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00258-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Brazil and many other Latin American countries are areas of endemicity for different neglected diseases, and the fungal infection paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is one of them. Among the clinical manifestations, pneumopathy associated with skin and mucosal lesions is the most frequent. PCM definitive diagnosis depends on yeast microscopic visualization and immunological tests, but both present ambiguous results and difficulty in differentiating PCM from other fungal infections. This research has employed metabolomics analysis through high-resolution mass spectrometry to identify PCM biomarkers in serum samples in order to improve diagnosis for this debilitating disease. To upgrade the biomarker selection, machine learning approaches, using Random Forest classifiers, were combined with metabolomics data analysis. The proposed combination of these two analytical methods resulted in the identification of a set of 19 PCM biomarkers that show accuracy of 97.1%, specificity of 100%, and sensitivity of 94.1%. The obtained results are promising and present great potential to improve PCM definitive diagnosis and adequate pharmacological treatment, reducing the incidence of PCM sequelae and resulting in a better quality of life.IMPORTANCE Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a fungal infection typically found in Latin American countries, especially in Brazil. The identification of this disease is based on techniques that may fail sometimes. Intending to improve PCM detection in patient samples, this study used the combination of two of the newest technologies, artificial intelligence and metabolomics. This combination allowed PCM detection, independently of disease form, through identification of a set of molecules present in patients' blood. The great difference in this research was the ability to detect disease with better confidence than the routine methods employed today. Another important point is that among the molecules, it was possible to identify some indicators of contamination and other infection that might worsen patients' condition. Thus, the present work shows a great potential to improve PCM diagnosis and even disease management, considering the possibility to identify concomitant harmful factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estela de Oliveira Lima
- Department of Internal Medicine, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
- Innovare Biomarkers Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz Claudio Navarro
- RECOD Laboratory, Institute of Computing, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Karen Noda Morishita
- Innovare Biomarkers Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Camila Mika Kamikawa
- Laboratory of Mycosis Immunodiagnosis-Immunology Section, Adolfo Lutz Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Mohamed Ziad Dabaja
- Innovare Biomarkers Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Diogo Noin de Oliveira
- Innovare Biomarkers Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Jeany Delafiori
- Innovare Biomarkers Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Flávia Luísa Dias-Audibert
- Innovare Biomarkers Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Marta da Silva Ribeiro
- Innovare Biomarkers Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriana Pardini Vicentini
- Laboratory of Mycosis Immunodiagnosis-Immunology Section, Adolfo Lutz Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Anderson Rocha
- RECOD Laboratory, Institute of Computing, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Ramos Catharino
- Innovare Biomarkers Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
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Abstract
Invasive fungal infections have significantly increased in the last few decades. Three classes of drugs are commonly used to treat these infections: polyenes, azoles and echinocandins. Unfortunately each of these drugs has drawbacks; polyenes are toxic, resistance against azoles is emerging and echinocandins have narrow spectrum of activity. Thus, the development of new antifungals is urgently needed. In this context, fungal sphingolipids have emerged as a potential target for new antifungals, because their biosynthesis in fungi is structurally different than in mammals. Besides, some fungal sphingolipids play an important role in the regulation of virulence in a variety of fungi. This review aims to highlight the diverse strategies that could be used to block the synthesis or/and function of fungal sphingolipids.
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Bueno RA, Thomaz L, Muñoz JE, da Silva CJ, Nosanchuk JD, Pinto MR, Travassos LR, Taborda CP. Antibodies Against Glycolipids Enhance Antifungal Activity of Macrophages and Reduce Fungal Burden After Infection with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:74. [PMID: 26870028 PMCID: PMC4737878 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioidomycosis is a fungal disease endemic in Latin America. Polyclonal antibodies to acidic glycosphingolipids (GSLs) from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis opsonized yeast forms in vitro increasing phagocytosis and reduced the fungal burden of infected animals. Antibodies to GSL were active in both prophylactic and therapeutic protocols using a murine intratracheal infection model. Pathological examination of the lungs of animals treated with antibodies to GSL showed well-organized granulomas and minimally damaged parenchyma compared to the untreated control. Murine peritoneal macrophages activated by IFN-γ and incubated with antibodies against acidic GSLs more effectively phagocytosed and killed P. brasiliensis yeast cells as well as produced more nitric oxide compared to controls. The present work discloses a novel target of protective antibodies against P. brasiliensis adding to other well-studied mediators of the immune response to this fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata A Bueno
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Medical Mycology IMTSP- LIM53, University of São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luciana Thomaz
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Julian E Muñoz
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cássia J da Silva
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joshua D Nosanchuk
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New YorkNY, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New YorkNY, USA
| | | | - Luiz R Travassos
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos P Taborda
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Medical Mycology IMTSP- LIM53, University of São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil
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Zambuzzi-Carvalho PF, Fernandes AG, Valadares MC, Tavares PDM, Nosanchuk JD, de Almeida Soares CM, Pereira M. Transcriptional profile of the human pathogenic fungus Paracoccidioides lutzii in response to sulfamethoxazole. Med Mycol 2015; 53:477-92. [DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myv011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
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Morais EA, Martins EMDN, Boelone JN, Gomes DA, Goes AM. Immunization with Recombinant Pb27 Protein Reduces the Levels of Pulmonary Fibrosis Caused by the Inflammatory Response Against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Mycopathologia 2014; 179:31-43. [DOI: 10.1007/s11046-014-9815-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2014] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Guimarães LL, Toledo MS, Ferreira FAS, Straus AH, Takahashi HK. Structural diversity and biological significance of glycosphingolipids in pathogenic and opportunistic fungi. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2014; 4:138. [PMID: 25309884 PMCID: PMC4174763 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2014.00138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2014] [Accepted: 09/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are ubiquitous membrane components and have key roles in biological systems, acting as second messengers or modulators of signal transduction by affecting several events, ranging from cell adhesion, cell growth, cell motility, regulation of apoptosis and cell cycle. Over the last 20 years our laboratory and other research groups determined the glycan and ceramide structures of more than 20 GSLs from several pathogenic/opportunistic fungi, using a combination of gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance as well as other immunochemical and biochemical techniques. Fungal GSLs can be divided in two major classes: neutral GSLs, galactosyl- and glucosylceramide (GlcCer), and acidic GSLs, the glycosylinositol-phosphorylceramides (GIPCs). Glycosyl structures in fungal GIPCs exhibited significant structural diversity and distinct composition when compared to mammalian GSLs, e.g., the expression of inositol-mannose and inositol-glucosamine cores and the terminal residue of β-D-galactofuranose which are absent in mammalian cells. Studies performed by our group demonstrated that GIPC (Galfβ 6[Manα3]Manα2InsPCer) elicited in patients with paracoccidioidomycosis an immune response with production of antibodies directed to the terminal residue of β-D-galactofuranose. Further studies also showed that inhibition of GlcCer biosynthetic pathways affects fungal colony formation, spore germination and hyphal growth, indicating that enzymes involved in GlcCer biosynthesis may represent promising targets for the therapy of fungal infections. Recently, it was shown that GlcCer and GIPCs are preferentially localized in membrane microdomains and monoclonal antibodies directed to these GSLs interfere in several fungal biological processes such as growth and morphological transition. This review focuses on glycan structures carried on sphingolipids of pathogenic/opportunistic fungi, and aspects of their biological significance are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana L Guimarães
- Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Immunochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil ; Laboratory of Natural Products, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Santa Cecilia Santos, Brazil
| | - Marcos S Toledo
- Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Immunochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Felipe A S Ferreira
- Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Immunochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anita H Straus
- Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Immunochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Helio K Takahashi
- Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Immunochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
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Mansano ESB, de Morais GR, Moratto EM, Sato F, Medina Neto A, Svidzinski TIE, Baesso ML, Hernandes L. Correlation between histopathological and FT-Raman spectroscopy analysis of the liver of Swiss mice infected with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. PLoS One 2014; 9:e106256. [PMID: 25181524 PMCID: PMC4152158 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0106256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2014] [Accepted: 08/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioidomycosis is the most important systemic mycosis in Latin America. The main entrance of the fungus is the airway. It primarily occurs in the lung, but in its disseminated form may affect any organ. The liver is one of the organs afflicted by this disease and its homeostasis may be impaired. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the evolution of paracoccidioidomycosis in the liver of Swiss mice and correlate morphological factors with the expression of gp43 and with physicochemical analysis via FT-Raman of the infected organ. According to colony forming unit (CFU) and granuloma counting, the first and second weeks were the periods when infection was most severe. Tissue response was characterized by the development of organized granulomas and widespread infection, with yeasts located within the macrophages and isolated hepatocytes. The gp43 molecule was distributed throughout the hepatic parenchyma, and immunostaining was constant in all observed periods. The main physicochemical changes of the infected liver were observed in the spectral ranges between 1700-1530 cm(-1) and 1370-1290 cm(-1), a peak shifting center attributed to phenylalanine and area variation of -CH2 and -CH3 compounds associated to collagen, respectively. Over time, there was a direct proportional relationship between the number of CFUs, the number of granulomas and the physicochemical changes in the liver of mice infected with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. The expression of gp43 was similar in all observed periods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Francielle Sato
- Department of Physics, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Antonio Medina Neto
- Department of Physics, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | - Mauro Luciano Baesso
- Department of Physics, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Luzmarina Hernandes
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
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Batista VG, Toledo MS, Straus AH, Mendes-Giannini MJS, Duarte AJS, Takahashi HK, Benard G. Glycolipid sensing and innate immunity in paracoccidioidomycosis. Mycopathologia 2014; 178:153-62. [PMID: 25026908 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-014-9783-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2014] [Accepted: 06/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Distinct glycolipid profiles are described in microorganisms, which have been shown to modulate the innate immune system. We tested the hypothesis that glycosphingolipids from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis have immunomodulatory properties on monocytes and dendritic cells of two groups of healthy individuals, one cured of paracoccidioidomycosis in the past (CUR-I) and the other nonexposed to P. brasiliensis (HNE-I). Two classes of glycosphingolipids purified from yeast cells were evaluated: a neutral glycosphingolipid, monohexosylceramide (CMH), and acidic glycosylinositolphosphorylceramides (GIPCs). Both glycosphingolipids affected the functioning of innate immunity cells, interfering with the antigen presenting process: P. brasiliensis yeast cells phagocytosis, IL-10 secretion, and costimulatory molecules and recognition receptors expression by monocytes were altered, while dendritic cell antigen presentation to autologous T cells was markedly down-modulated as shown by reduced T-cell proliferative responses. The mechanisms by which CMH and GIPCs exert their effects differ since the target cells did not always respond similarly to the challenge with the glycosphingolipids. Moreover, CUR-I and HNE-I presented different responses to the glycosphingolipids. Differences not only in the glycosphingolipid structure (such as the polar head group or the ceramide moiety), but also in the innate immunity properties of CUR-I and HNE-I, may underlie these differences and contribute to individual's susceptibility or resistance to develop paracoccidioidomycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa G Batista
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation Unit 56, Division of Clinical Dermatology, Medical School, University of São Paulo, Av Dr. Eneas de Carvalho Aguiar 470, São Paulo, CEP 05403-000, Brazil
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Del Poeta M, Nimrichter L, Rodrigues ML, Luberto C. Synthesis and biological properties of fungal glucosylceramide. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1003832. [PMID: 24415933 PMCID: PMC3887071 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Del Poeta
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MD); (CL)
| | - Leonardo Nimrichter
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcio L. Rodrigues
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz – Fiocruz, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde (CDTS), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Chiara Luberto
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MD); (CL)
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Longo LVG, Nakayasu ES, Gazos-Lopes F, Vallejo MC, Matsuo AL, Almeida IC, Puccia R. Characterization of cell wall lipids from the pathogenic phase of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis cultivated in the presence or absence of human plasma. PLoS One 2013; 8:e63372. [PMID: 23691038 PMCID: PMC3656940 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2013] [Accepted: 04/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The fungal cell wall is a complex and dynamic outer structure. In pathogenic fungi its components interact with the host, determining the infection fate. The present work aimed to characterize cell wall lipids from P. brasiliensis grown in the presence and absence of human plasma. We compared the results from isolates Pb3 and Pb18, which represent different phylogenetic species that evoke distinct patterns of experimental paracoccidioidomycosis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We comparatively characterized cell wall phospholipids, fatty acids, sterols, and neutral glycolipids by using both electrospray ionization- and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of lipids extracted with organic solvents followed by fractionation in silica-gel-60. We detected 49 phospholipid species in Pb3 and 38 in Pb18, including phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidic acid. In both Pb3 and Pb18, PC and PE had the most numerous species. Among the fatty acids, C18:1 and C18:2 were the most abundant species in both isolates, although C18:2 was more abundant in Pb18. There was a different effect of plasma supplementation on fatty acids depending on the fungal isolate. The prevalent glycolipid species was Hex-C18:0-OH/d19:2-Cer, although other four minor species were also detected. The most abundant sterol in all samples was brassicasterol. Distinct profiles of cell wall and total yeast sterols suggested that the preparations were enriched for cell wall components. The presence of plasma in the culture medium specially increased cell wall brassicasterol abundance and also other lipids. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE We here report an original comparative lipidomic analysis of P. brasiliensis cell wall. Our results open doors to understanding the role of cell wall lipids in fungal biology, and interaction with anti-fungal drugs and the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa V. G. Longo
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina-Universidade Federal de São Paulo, EPM-UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ernesto S. Nakayasu
- Border Biomedical Research Center, Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Felipe Gazos-Lopes
- Border Biomedical Research Center, Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Milene C. Vallejo
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina-Universidade Federal de São Paulo, EPM-UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alisson L. Matsuo
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina-Universidade Federal de São Paulo, EPM-UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Igor C. Almeida
- Border Biomedical Research Center, Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Rosana Puccia
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina-Universidade Federal de São Paulo, EPM-UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
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Albuquerque PC, Cordero RJB, Fonseca FL, Peres da Silva R, Ramos CL, Miranda KR, Casadevall A, Puccia R, Nosanchuk JD, Nimrichter L, Guimaraes AJ, Rodrigues ML. A Paracoccidioides brasiliensis glycan shares serologic and functional properties with cryptococcal glucuronoxylomannan. Fungal Genet Biol 2012; 49:943-54. [PMID: 23010152 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2012.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2012] [Revised: 08/30/2012] [Accepted: 09/05/2012] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The cell wall of the yeast form of the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is enriched with α1,3-glucans. In Cryptococcus neoformans, α1,3-glucans interact with glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), a heteropolysaccharide that is essential for fungal virulence. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of P. brasiliensis glycans sharing properties with cryptococcal GXM. Protein database searches in P. brasiliensis revealed the presence of sequences homologous to those coding for enzymes involved in the synthesis of GXM and capsular architecture in C. neoformans. In addition, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised to cryptococcal GXM bound to P. brasiliensis cells. Using protocols that were previously established for extraction and analysis of C. neoformans GXM, we recovered a P. brasiliensis glycan fraction composed of mannose and galactose, in addition to small amounts of glucose, xylose and rhamnose. In comparison with the C. neoformans GXM, the P. brasiliensis glycan fraction components had smaller molecular dimensions. The P. brasiliensis components, nevertheless, reacted with different GXM-binding mAbs. Extracellular vesicle fractions of P. brasiliensis also reacted with a GXM-binding mAb, suggesting that the polysaccharide-like molecule is exported to the extracellular space in secretory vesicles. An acapsular mutant of C. neoformans incorporated molecules from the P. brasiliensis extract onto the cell wall, resulting in the formation of surface networks that resembled the cryptococcal capsule. Coating the C. neoformans acapsular mutant with the P. brasiliensis glycan fraction resulted in protection against phagocytosis by murine macrophages. These results suggest that P. brasiliensis and C. neoformans share metabolic pathways required for the synthesis of similar polysaccharides and that P. brasiliensis yeast cell walls have molecules that mimic certain aspects of C. neoformans GXM. These findings are important because they provide additional evidence for the sharing of antigenically similar components across phylogenetically distant fungal species. Since GXM has been shown to be important for the pathogenesis of C. neoformans and to elicit protective antibodies, the finding of similar molecules in P. brasiliensis raises the possibility that these glycans play similar functions in paracoccidiomycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila C Albuquerque
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
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14
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Loures FV, Stroeder H, Almeida I, Calich VLG. Paracoccidioides brasiliensis lipids modulate macrophage activity via Toll-dependent or independent mechanisms. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 66:58-70. [PMID: 22574780 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2012.00986.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2012] [Revised: 05/04/2012] [Accepted: 05/04/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The macrophages are the first host cells that interact with the fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, but the main mechanisms that regulate this interaction are not well understood. Because the role played by P. brasiliensis lipids in macrophage activation was not previously investigated, we aimed to assess the influence of diverse lipid fractions from P. brasiliensis yeasts in this process. The possible participation of TLR2 and TLR4 signaling was also evaluated using TLR2- and TLR4-defective macrophages. Four lipid-rich fractions were studied as follows: F1, composed by membrane phospholipids and neutral lipids, F2 by glycolipids of short chain, F3a by membrane glycoproteins anchored by glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) groups, and F3b by glycolipids of long chain. All assayed lipid fractions were able to activate peritoneal macrophages and induce nitric oxide (NO) production. Importantly, the F1 and F3a fractions exerted opposite effects in the control of P. brasiliensis uptake and killing, but both fractions inhibited cytokines production. Furthermore, the increased NO production and expression of costimulatory molecules induced by F3a was shown to be TLR2 dependent although F1 used Toll-independent mechanisms. In conclusion, our work suggests that lipid components may play a role in the innate immunity against P. brasiliensis infection using Toll-dependent and independent mechanisms to control macrophage activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flávio V Loures
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
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15
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Santos LDS, Fernandes VC, Cruz SGD, Siqueira WC, Goes AM, Pedroso ÊRP. Profile of total IgG, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 levels in sera of patients with paracoccidioidomycosis: treatment follow-up using Mexo and rPb27 as antigens in an ELISA. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2012; 107:1-10. [DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762012000100001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2010] [Accepted: 11/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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16
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Puccia R, Vallejo MC, Matsuo AL, Longo LVG. The paracoccidioides cell wall: past and present layers toward understanding interaction with the host. Front Microbiol 2011; 2:257. [PMID: 22194733 PMCID: PMC3243086 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2011.00257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2011] [Accepted: 12/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell wall of pathogenic fungi plays import roles in the interaction with the host, so that its composition and structure may determine the course of infection. Here we present an overview of the current and past knowledge on the cell wall constituents of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and P. lutzii. These are temperature-dependent dimorphic fungi that cause paracoccidioidomycosis, a systemic granulomatous, and debilitating disease. Focus is given on cell wall carbohydrate and protein contents, their immune-stimulatory features, adhesion properties, drug target characteristics, and morphological phase specificity. We offer a journey toward the future understanding of the dynamic nature of the cell wall and of the changes that may occur when the fungus infects the human host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosana Puccia
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina São Paulo, Brazil
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Cell-free antigens from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis drive IL-4 production and increase the severity of paracoccidioidomycosis. PLoS One 2011; 6:e21423. [PMID: 21731741 PMCID: PMC3120880 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2011] [Accepted: 05/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The thermally dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb) is the causative agent of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), one of the most frequent systemic mycosis that affects the rural population in Latin America. PCM is characterized by a chronic inflammatory granulomatous reaction, which is consequence of a Th1-mediated adaptive immune response. In the present study we investigated the mechanisms involved in the immunoregulation triggered after a prior contact with cell-free antigens (CFA) during a murine model of PCM. The results showed that the inoculation of CFA prior to the infection resulted in disorganized granulomatous lesions and increased fungal replication in the lungs, liver and spleen, that paralleled with the higher levels of IL-4 when compared with the control group. The role of IL-4 in facilitating the fungal growth was demonstrated in IL-4-deficient- and neutralizing anti-IL-4 mAb-treated mice. The injection of CFA did not affect the fungal growth in these mice, which, in fact, exhibited a significant diminished amount of fungus in the tissues and smaller granulomas. Considering that in vivo anti-IL-4-application started one week after the CFA-inoculum, it implicates that IL-4-CFA-induced is responsible by the mediation of the observed unresponsiveness. Further, the characterization of CFA indicated that a proteic fraction is required for triggering the immunosuppressive mechanisms, while glycosylation or glycosphingolipids moieties are not. Taken together, our data suggest that the prior contact with soluble Pb antigens leads to severe PCM in an IL-4 dependent manner.
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San-Blas G, Burger E. Experimental medical mycological research in Latin America - a 2000-2009 overview. Rev Iberoam Micol 2010; 28:1-25. [PMID: 21167301 DOI: 10.1016/j.riam.2010.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2010] [Revised: 11/24/2010] [Accepted: 11/24/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
An overview of current trends in Latin American Experimental Medical Mycological research since the beginning of the 21(st) century is done (search from January 2000 to December 2009). Using the PubMed and LILACS databases, the authors have chosen publications on medically important fungi which, according to our opinion, are the most relevant because of their novelty, interest, and international impact, based on research made entirely in the Latin American region or as part of collaborative efforts with laboratories elsewhere. In this way, the following areas are discussed: 1) molecular identification of fungal pathogens; 2) molecular and clinical epidemiology on fungal pathogens of prevalence in the region; 3) cell biology; 4) transcriptome, genome, molecular taxonomy and phylogeny; 5) immunology; 6) vaccines; 7) new and experimental antifungals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gioconda San-Blas
- Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Caracas, Venezuela.
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19
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Takahashi HK, Toledo MS, Suzuki E, Tagliari L, Straus AH. Current relevance of fungal and trypanosomatid glycolipids and sphingolipids: studies defining structures conspicuously absent in mammals. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2010; 81:477-88. [PMID: 19722017 DOI: 10.1590/s0001-37652009000300012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2008] [Accepted: 02/20/2009] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, glycosphingolipids have been attracting attention due to their role on biological systems as second messengers or modulators of signal transduction, affecting several events, which range from apoptosis to regulation of the cell cycle. In pathogenic fungi, glycolipids are expressed in two classes: neutral monohexosylceramides (glucosyl-or galactosylceramide) and acidic glycosylinositol phosphorylceramides (the latter class carries longer glycan chains). It is worth to mention that monohexosylceramides exhibit significant structural differences in their lipid moieties compared to their mammalian counterparts, whereas the glycosylinositol phosphorylceramides exhibit remarkable structural differences in their carbohydrate moieties in comparison to mammal glycosphingolipids counterpart. We observed that glycosylinositol phosphorylceramides are capable of promoting immune response in infected humans. In addition, inhibiting fungal glycosphingolipid biosynthetic pathways leads to an inhibition of colony formation, spore germination, cell cycle, dimorphism and hyphal growth. Other pathogens, such as trypanosomatids, also present unique glycolipids, which may have an important role for the parasite development and/or disease establishment. Regarding host-pathogen interaction, cell membrane rafts, which are enriched in sphingolipids and sterols, participate in parasite/fungal infection. In this review, it is discussed the different biological roles of (glyco) (sphingo)lipids of pathogenic/opportunistic fungi and trypanosomatids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helio K Takahashi
- Setor de Imunoquímica de Glicoconjugados, Departamento de Bioquímica, Ed. J.L. Prado, Rua Botucatu, 862, 04023-900 São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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20
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Toledo MS, Tagliari L, Suzuki E, Silva CM, Straus AH, Takahashi HK. Effect of anti-glycosphingolipid monoclonal antibodies in pathogenic fungal growth and differentiation. Characterization of monoclonal antibody MEST-3 directed to Manpalpha1-->3Manpalpha1-->2IPC. BMC Microbiol 2010; 10:47. [PMID: 20156351 PMCID: PMC2831884 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-10-47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2009] [Accepted: 02/15/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Studies carried out during the 1990's demonstrated the presence of fungal glycoinositol phosphorylceramides (GIPCs) with unique structures, some of them showed reactivity with sera of patients with histoplasmosis, paracoccidioidomycosis or aspergillosis. It was also observed that fungal GIPCs were able to inhibit T lymphocyte proliferation "in vitro", and studies regarding the importance of these molecules to fungal survival showed that many species of fungi are vulnerable to inhibitors of sphingolipid biosynthesis. Results In this paper, we describe a detailed characterization of an IgG2a monoclonal antibody (mAb), termed MEST-3, directed to the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis glycolipid antigen Pb-2 (Manpα1→3Manpα1→2IPC). mAb MEST-3 also recognizes GIPCs bearing the same structure in other fungi. Studies performed on fungal cultures clearly showed the strong inhibitory activity of MEST-3 on differentiation and colony formation of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Histoplasma capsulatum and Sporothrix schenckii. Similar inhibitory results were observed when these fungi where incubated with a different mAb, which recognizes GIPCs bearing terminal residues of β-D-galactofuranose linked to mannose (mAb MEST-1). On the other hand, mAb MEST-2 specifically directed to fungal glucosylceramide (GlcCer) was able to promote only a weak inhibition on fungal differentiation and colony formation. Conclusions These results strongly suggest that mAbs directed to specific glycosphingolipids are able to interfere on fungal growth and differentiation. Thus, studies on surface distribution of GIPCs in yeast and mycelium forms of fungi may yield valuable information regarding the relevance of glycosphingolipids in processes of fungal growth, morphological transition and infectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos S Toledo
- Division of Glycoconjugate Immunochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina, Rua Botucatu 862, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Nimrichter L, Rodrigues ML, Barreto-Bergter E, Travassos LR. Sophisticated Functions for a Simple Molecule: The Role of Glucosylceramides in Fungal Cells. Lipid Insights 2008. [DOI: 10.4137/lpi.s1014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well known that mammalian glycosphingolipids (GSL) play key roles in different physiological and pathophysiological processes. The simplest GSL, glucosylceramide (GlcCer), is formed through the enzymatic transfer of glucose to a ceramide moiety. In mammalian cells this molecule is the building block for the synthesis of lactosylceramides and many other complex GSLs. In fungal cells GlcCer is a major neutral GSL that has been considered during decades merely as a structural component of cell membranes. The recent literature, however, describes the participation of fungal GlcCer in vital processes such as secretion, cell wall assembly, recognition by the immune system and regulation of virulence. In this review we discuss the most recent information regarding fungal GlcCer, including (i) new aspects of GlcCer metabolism, (ii) the involvement of these molecules in virulence mechanisms, (iii) their role as targets of new antifungal drugs and immunotherapeutic agents and, finally, (v) their potential participation on cellular signaling in response to different stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Nimrichter
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-590, Brazil
| | - Marcio L. Rodrigues
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-590, Brazil
| | - Eliana Barreto-Bergter
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-590, Brazil
| | - Luiz R. Travassos
- Unidade de Oncologia Experimental and Disciplina de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal de São Paulo; São Paulo, SP 04023-062, Brazil
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Pinto MR, Barreto-Bergter E, Taborda CP. Glycoconjugates and polysaccharides of fungal cell wall and activation of immune system. Braz J Microbiol 2008; 39:195-208. [PMID: 24031202 PMCID: PMC3768395 DOI: 10.1590/s1517-83822008000200001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2007] [Accepted: 02/24/2008] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycoproteins, glycosphingolipids and polysaccharides exposed at the most external layers of the wall are involved in several types of interactions of fungal cells with the exocellular environment. These molecules are fundamental building blocks of organisms, contributing to the structure, integrity, cell growth, differentiation and signaling. Several of them are immunologically active compounds with potential as regulators of pathogenesis and the immune response of the host. Some of these structures can be specifically recognized by antibodies from patients’ sera, suggesting that they can be also useful in the diagnosis of fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Pinto
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade de São Paulo , São Paulo, SP , Brasil
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23
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Trypanosomatid and fungal glycolipids and sphingolipids as infectivity factors and potential targets for development of new therapeutic strategies. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2007; 1780:362-9. [PMID: 17976917 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2007.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2007] [Revised: 09/12/2007] [Accepted: 09/12/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Several (glyco)(sphingo)lipids from different human pathogens have been characterized, and frequently many of these molecules are participating in host-pathogen interaction. In Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis, for example, amastigotes present on their surface glycosphingolipids (GSLs) with the structure Galbeta1-3Galalpha, which is recognized by 30 kDa receptor of macrophages. Furthermore, other Leishmania species, such as Leishmania (Leishmania) major and Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis present glycosylinositolphospholipids (GIPLs) which are involved in Leishmania-macrophage interaction. It is worth to mention that these antigens are not expressed in mammalian cells. Leishmania promastigotes also present inositol phosphorylceramide (IPC), a unique sphingolipid characteristic of fungi and plants. It was observed that IPC synthesis is essential for parasite division, since Aureobasidin A, an inhibitor of IPC synthase, inhibited significantly promastigote and amastigote growths. Recently, it was also demonstrated that GIPLs, IPC and sterols are preferentially present in the parasite membrane microdomains resistant to Triton X-100 at 4 degrees C. The disruption of these microdomains by incubating parasites with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin inhibited significantly macrophage infectivity by Leishmania. Other pathogens, such as fungi, also present unique glycolipids which may have an important role for the fungal development and/or disease establishment. Taking together these results, this review will discuss different biological roles for (glyco)(sphingo)lipids of different pathogens.
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Rhome R, McQuiston T, Kechichian T, Bielawska A, Hennig M, Drago M, Morace G, Luberto C, Del Poeta M. Biosynthesis and immunogenicity of glucosylceramide in Cryptococcus neoformans and other human pathogens. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2007; 6:1715-26. [PMID: 17693597 PMCID: PMC2043385 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00208-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Rhome
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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