1
|
Bras G, Satala D, Juszczak M, Kulig K, Wronowska E, Bednarek A, Zawrotniak M, Rapala-Kozik M, Karkowska-Kuleta J. Secreted Aspartic Proteinases: Key Factors in Candida Infections and Host-Pathogen Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4775. [PMID: 38731993 PMCID: PMC11084781 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094775] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular proteases are key factors contributing to the virulence of pathogenic fungi from the genus Candida. Their proteolytic activities are crucial for extracting nutrients from the external environment, degrading host defenses, and destabilizing the internal balance of the human organism. Currently, the enzymes most frequently described in this context are secreted aspartic proteases (Saps). This review comprehensively explores the multifaceted roles of Saps, highlighting their importance in biofilm formation, tissue invasion through the degradation of extracellular matrix proteins and components of the coagulation cascade, modulation of host immune responses via impairment of neutrophil and monocyte/macrophage functions, and their contribution to antifungal resistance. Additionally, the diagnostic challenges associated with Candida infections and the potential of Saps as biomarkers were discussed. Furthermore, we examined the prospects of developing vaccines based on Saps and the use of protease inhibitors as adjunctive therapies for candidiasis. Given the complex biology of Saps and their central role in Candida pathogenicity, a multidisciplinary approach may pave the way for innovative diagnostic strategies and open new opportunities for innovative clinical interventions against candidiasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grazyna Bras
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland (M.Z.); (J.K.-K.)
| | - Dorota Satala
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland (M.Z.); (J.K.-K.)
| | - Magdalena Juszczak
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland (M.Z.); (J.K.-K.)
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Kamila Kulig
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland (M.Z.); (J.K.-K.)
| | - Ewelina Wronowska
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland (M.Z.); (J.K.-K.)
| | - Aneta Bednarek
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland (M.Z.); (J.K.-K.)
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Marcin Zawrotniak
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland (M.Z.); (J.K.-K.)
| | - Maria Rapala-Kozik
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland (M.Z.); (J.K.-K.)
| | - Justyna Karkowska-Kuleta
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland (M.Z.); (J.K.-K.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Satala D, Bras G, Kozik A, Rapala-Kozik M, Karkowska-Kuleta J. More than Just Protein Degradation: The Regulatory Roles and Moonlighting Functions of Extracellular Proteases Produced by Fungi Pathogenic for Humans. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9010121. [PMID: 36675942 PMCID: PMC9865821 DOI: 10.3390/jof9010121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular proteases belong to the main virulence factors of pathogenic fungi. Their proteolytic activities plays a crucial role in the acquisition of nutrients from the external environment, destroying host barriers and defenses, and disrupting homeostasis in the human body, e.g., by affecting the functions of plasma proteolytic cascades, and playing sophisticated regulatory roles in various processes. Interestingly, some proteases belong to the group of moonlighting proteins, i.e., they have additional functions that contribute to successful host colonization and infection development, but they are not directly related to proteolysis. In this review, we describe examples of such multitasking of extracellular proteases that have been reported for medically important pathogenic fungi of the Candida, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cryptococcus, Rhizopus, and Pneumocystis genera, as well as dermatophytes and selected endemic species. Additional functions of proteinases include supporting binding to host proteins, and adhesion to host cells. They also mediate self-aggregation and biofilm formation. In addition, fungal proteases affect the host immune cells and allergenicity, understood as the ability to stimulate a non-standard immune response. Finally, they play a role in the proper maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Knowledge about the multifunctionality of proteases, in addition to their canonical roles, greatly contributes to an understanding of the mechanisms of fungal pathogenicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Satala
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Grazyna Bras
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Andrzej Kozik
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Maria Rapala-Kozik
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Justyna Karkowska-Kuleta
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Allert S, Schulz D, Kämmer P, Großmann P, Wolf T, Schäuble S, Panagiotou G, Brunke S, Hube B. From environmental adaptation to host survival: Attributes that mediate pathogenicity of Candida auris. Virulence 2022; 13:191-214. [PMID: 35142597 PMCID: PMC8837256 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2022.2026037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida species are a major cause of invasive fungal infections. While Candida albicans, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis are the most dominant species causing life-threatening candidiasis, C. auris recently emerged as a new species causing invasive infections with high rates of clinical treatment failures. To mimic initial phases of systemic Candida infections with dissemination via the bloodstream and to elucidate the pathogenic potential of C. auris, we used an ex vivo whole blood infection model. Similar to other clinically relevant Candida spp., C. auris is efficiently killed in human blood, but showed characteristic patterns of immune cell association, survival rates, and cytokine induction. Dual-species transcriptional profiling of C. auris-infected blood revealed a unique C. auris gene expression program during infection, while the host response proofed similar and conserved compared to other Candida species. C. auris-specific responses included adaptation and survival strategies, such as counteracting oxidative burst of immune cells, but also expression of potential virulence factors, (drug) transporters, and cell surface-associated genes. Despite comparable pathogenicity to other Candida species in our model, C. auris-specific transcriptional adaptations as well as its increased stress resistance and long-term environmental survival, likely contribute to the high risk of contamination and distribution in a nosocomial setting. Moreover, infections of neutrophils with pre-starved C. auris cells suggest that environmental preconditioning can have modulatory effects on the early host interaction. In summary, we present novel insights into C. auris pathogenicity, revealing adaptations to human blood and environmental niches distinctive from other Candida species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Allert
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Daniela Schulz
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Philipp Kämmer
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Peter Großmann
- Systems Biology and Bioinformatics Unit, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Wolf
- Systems Biology and Bioinformatics Unit, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Sascha Schäuble
- Systems Biology and Bioinformatics Unit, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Gianni Panagiotou
- Systems Biology and Bioinformatics Unit, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany.,Department of Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Fungi—A Component of the Oral Microbiome Involved in Periodontal Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1373:113-138. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-96881-6_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
5
|
Hassan MIA, Keller M, Hillger M, Binder U, Reuter S, Herold K, Telagathoti A, Dahse HM, Wicht S, Trinks N, Nietzsche S, Deckert-Gaudig T, Deckert V, Mrowka R, Terpitz U, Peter Saluz H, Voigt K. The impact of episporic modification of Lichtheimia corymbifera on virulence and interaction with phagocytes. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:880-896. [PMID: 33598103 PMCID: PMC7851798 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections caused by the ancient lineage Mucorales are emerging and increasingly reported in humans. Comprehensive surveys on promising attributes from a multitude of possible virulence factors are limited and so far, focused on Mucor and Rhizopus. This study addresses a systematic approach to monitor phagocytosis after physical and enzymatic modification of the outer spore wall of Lichtheimia corymbifera, one of the major causative agents of mucormycosis. Episporic modifications were performed and their consequences on phagocytosis, intracellular survival and virulence by murine alveolar macrophages and in an invertebrate infection model were elucidated. While depletion of lipids did not affect the phagocytosis of both strains, delipidation led to attenuation of LCA strain but appears to be dispensable for infection with LCV strain in the settings used in this study. Combined glucano-proteolytic treatment was necessary to achieve a significant decrease of virulence of the LCV strain in Galleria mellonella during maintenance of the full potential for spore germination as shown by a novel automated germination assay. Proteolytic and glucanolytic treatments largely increased phagocytosis compared to alive resting and swollen spores. Whilst resting spores barely (1–2%) fuse to lysosomes after invagination in to phagosomes, spore trypsinization led to a 10-fold increase of phagolysosomal fusion as measured by intracellular acidification. This is the first report of a polyphasic measurement of the consequences of episporic modification of a mucormycotic pathogen in spore germination, spore surface ultrastructure, phagocytosis, stimulation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), phagolysosomal fusion and intracellular acidification, apoptosis, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and virulence.
Collapse
Key Words
- AFM, Atomic Force Microscopy
- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
- CD14, Cluster of differentiation 14
- CFW, Calcofluor white
- Galleria mellonella
- HEK, human embryonic kidney
- HSI, Hyperspectral imaging
- Hyperspectral imaging (HIS)
- IPS, Insect physiological saline
- Intracellular survival
- LCA, Lichtheimia corymbifera attenuated
- LCV, Lichtheimia corymbifera virulent
- MD-2, Myeloid Differentiation factor 2
- MH-S, Murine alveolar macrophages
- MM6, Acute monocytic leukemia derived human monocyte Mono-Mac-6
- Monocytes
- NF-κB, Nuclear factor 'kappa-light-chain-enhancer' of activated B-cells
- PBS, Phosphate buffer saline solution
- PI, Phagocytosis index
- ROS, Reactive oxygen species
- TEM, Transmission Electron Microscopy
- TLRs, Toll like receptors
- Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed I Abdelwahab Hassan
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.,Pests & Plant Protection Department, National Research Centre, 33rd El Buhouth St. (Postal code: 12622) Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Monique Keller
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Michael Hillger
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Ulrike Binder
- Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Public Health, Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Schöpfstrasse 41/2, 6020 Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria
| | - Stefanie Reuter
- Experimental Nephrology Group, KIM III, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Jena, Germany.,ThIMEDOP-Thüringer Innovationszentrum für Medizintechnik-Lösungen, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Kristina Herold
- Experimental Nephrology Group, KIM III, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Anusha Telagathoti
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Hans-Martin Dahse
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Saiedeh Wicht
- Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Biocenter - Am Hubland, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nora Trinks
- Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Biocenter - Am Hubland, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sandor Nietzsche
- Elektronenmikroskopisches Zentrum, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Tanja Deckert-Gaudig
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT), Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Volker Deckert
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT), Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, 07745 Jena, Germany.,Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich-Schiller University, Helmholtzweg 4, 07743 Jena, Germany.,Institute of Quantum Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4242, USA
| | - Ralf Mrowka
- Experimental Nephrology Group, KIM III, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Jena, Germany.,ThIMEDOP-Thüringer Innovationszentrum für Medizintechnik-Lösungen, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Ulrich Terpitz
- Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Biocenter - Am Hubland, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hans Peter Saluz
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Kerstin Voigt
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Valand N, Girija UV. Candida Pathogenicity and Interplay with the Immune System. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1313:241-272. [PMID: 34661898 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-67452-6_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Candida species are opportunistic fungal pathogens that are part of the normal skin and mucosal microflora. Overgrowth of Candida can cause infections such as thrush or life-threatening invasive candidiasis in immunocompromised patients. Though Candida albicans is highly prevalent, several non-albicans species are also isolated from nosocomial infections. Candida sp. are over presented in the gut of people with Crohn's disease and certain types of neurological disorders, with hyphal form and biofilms being the most virulent states. In addition, Candida uses several secreted and cell surface molecules such as pH related antigen 1, High affinity glucose transporter, Phosphoglycerate mutase 1 and lipases to establish pathogenicity. A strong innate immune response is elicited against Candida via dendritic cells, neutrophils and macrophages. All three complement pathways are also activated. Production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-12 signal differentiation of CD4+ cells into Th1 and Th2 cells, whereas IL-6, IL-17 and IL-23 induce Th17 cells. Importance of T-lymphocytes is reflected in depleted T-cell count patients being more prone to Candidiasis. Anti- Candida antibodies also play a role against candidiasis using various mechanisms such as targeting virulent enzymes and exhibiting direct candidacidal activity. However, the significance of antibody response during infection remains controversial. Furthermore, some of the Candida strains have evolved molecular strategies to evade the sophisticated host attack by proteolysis of components of immune system and interfering with immune signalling pathways. Emergence of several non-albicans species that are resistant to current antifungal agents makes treatment more difficult. Therefore, deeper insight into interactions between Candida and the host immune system is required for discovery of novel therapeutic options.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Valand
- Leicester School of Allied Health and Life sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK
| | - Umakhanth Venkatraman Girija
- Leicester School of Allied Health and Life sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lohse MB, Brenes LR, Ziv N, Winter MB, Craik CS, Johnson AD. An Opaque Cell-Specific Expression Program of Secreted Proteases and Transporters Allows Cell-Type Cooperation in Candida albicans. Genetics 2020; 216:409-429. [PMID: 32839241 PMCID: PMC7536846 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.120.303613] [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: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
An unusual feature of the opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans is its ability to switch stochastically between two distinct, heritable cell types called white and opaque. Here, we show that only opaque cells, in response to environmental signals, massively upregulate a specific group of secreted proteases and peptide transporters, allowing exceptionally efficient use of proteins as sources of nitrogen. We identify the specific proteases [members of the secreted aspartyl protease (SAP) family] needed for opaque cells to proliferate under these conditions, and we identify four transcriptional regulators of this specialized proteolysis and uptake program. We also show that, in mixed cultures, opaque cells enable white cells to also proliferate efficiently when proteins are the sole nitrogen source. Based on these observations, we suggest that one role of white-opaque switching is to create mixed populations where the different phenotypes derived from a single genome are shared between two distinct cell types.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew B Lohse
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Lucas R Brenes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Naomi Ziv
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Michael B Winter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Charles S Craik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Alexander D Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wang Z, Yang K, Chen L, Yan R, Qu S, Li YX, Liu M, Zeng H, Tian J. Activities of Nerol, a natural plant active ingredient, against Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:5039-5052. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10559-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
9
|
Payne M, Weerasinghe H, Tedja I, Andrianopoulos A. A unique aspartyl protease gene expansion in Talaromyces marneffei plays a role in growth inside host phagocytes. Virulence 2019; 10:277-291. [PMID: 30880596 PMCID: PMC6527018 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2019.1593776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspartyl proteases are a widely represented class of proteolytic enzymes found in eukaryotes and retroviruses. They have been associated with pathogenicity in a range of disease-causing microorganisms. The dimorphic human-pathogenic fungus Talaromyces marneffei has a large expansion of these proteases identified through genomic analyses. Here we characterize the expansion of these genes (pop - paralogue of pep) and their role in T. marneffei using computational and molecular approaches. Many of the genes in this monophyletic family show copy number variation and positive selection despite the preservation of functional regions and possible redundancy. We show that the expression profile of these genes differs and some are expressed during intracellular growth in the host. Several of these proteins have distinctive localization as well as both additive and epistatic effects on the formation of yeast cells during macrophage infections. The data suggest that this is a recently evolved aspartyl protease gene family which affects intracellular growth and contributes to the pathogenicity of T. marneffei.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Payne
- Genetics, Genomics and Systems Biology, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Harshini Weerasinghe
- Genetics, Genomics and Systems Biology, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Irma Tedja
- Genetics, Genomics and Systems Biology, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alex Andrianopoulos
- Genetics, Genomics and Systems Biology, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Yang H, Tsang PCS, Pow EHN, Lam OLT, Tsang PWK. Potential role of Candida albicans secreted aspartic protease 9 in serum induced-hyphal formation and interaction with oral epithelial cells. Microb Pathog 2019; 139:103896. [PMID: 31794816 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Candida albicans possesses the ability to switch rapidly between yeast to hyphal forms. Hyphal formation is a remarkable pathogenic characteristic, which allows C. albicans to invade into host cells. OBJECTIVES This study was to investigate the role of the C. albicans SAP9 gene in hyphal formation and invasion ability. METHODS The morphology of fungal cells in the hyphal-inducing liquid media (YPD+10% fetal bovine serum) was observed by the microscopy. And the morphology of the colony on solid agar plates of YPD+10% fetal bovine serum was photographed by the digital camera. The mRNA expressions of hypha-associated genes in serum medium were also analyzed by real time PCR. Then for the interaction between C. albicans and oral epithelial cells, endocytosis essay, invasion essay and damage assay were performed to compare the differences between the sap9Δ/Δ mutant strain and wild type strain. RESULTS Compared with the wild type strain, the sap9Δ/Δ mutant strain exhibited a deficient yeast-to-hyphal morphological transition under serum hyphal-inducing conditions. Furthermore, the SAP9 knockout strain revealed a significant down-regulation of the expression of EFG1 (~40%), which is a transcription factor gene that mediates hyphae formation in C. albicans. Compared with the wild type strain, a 70% reduction in the endocytosis of the sap9Δ/Δ mutant strain by host cells was observed, as well as a 25% attenuation of active penetration and a 40% attenuation of host cell damage (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our data strongly suggests that C. albicans Sap9 is a potential hyphal-associated factor that responds to serum hyphal-inducing stimuli via a cAMP-protein kinase A pathway mediated by EFG1, and contributes to the process of invasion of Candida into the epithelial cells, leading to host cell damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haiping Yang
- The Affiliated Stomatology Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China; Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Univerisity School of Stomatology, China
| | - Peter Chiu Shun Tsang
- Department of Operative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Edmond Ho Nang Pow
- Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Otto Lok Tao Lam
- Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Al-Zaben N, Medyukhina A, Dietrich S, Marolda A, Hünniger K, Kurzai O, Figge MT. Automated tracking of label-free cells with enhanced recognition of whole tracks. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3317. [PMID: 30824740 PMCID: PMC6397148 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39725-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Migration and interactions of immune cells are routinely studied by time-lapse microscopy of in vitro migration and confrontation assays. To objectively quantify the dynamic behavior of cells, software tools for automated cell tracking can be applied. However, many existing tracking algorithms recognize only rather short fragments of a whole cell track and rely on cell staining to enhance cell segmentation. While our previously developed segmentation approach enables tracking of label-free cells, it still suffers from frequently recognizing only short track fragments. In this study, we identify sources of track fragmentation and provide solutions to obtain longer cell tracks. This is achieved by improving the detection of low-contrast cells and by optimizing the value of the gap size parameter, which defines the number of missing cell positions between track fragments that is accepted for still connecting them into one track. We find that the enhanced track recognition increases the average length of cell tracks up to 2.2-fold. Recognizing cell tracks as a whole will enable studying and quantifying more complex patterns of cell behavior, e.g. switches in migration mode or dependence of the phagocytosis efficiency on the number and type of preceding interactions. Such quantitative analyses will improve our understanding of how immune cells interact and function in health and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naim Al-Zaben
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Anna Medyukhina
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Stefanie Dietrich
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Alessandra Marolda
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.,Fungal Septomics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Kerstin Hünniger
- Fungal Septomics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Kurzai
- Fungal Septomics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Marc Thilo Figge
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany. .,Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany. .,Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Sheehan G, Kavanagh K. Proteomic Analysis of the Responses of Candida albicans during Infection of Galleria mellonella Larvae. J Fungi (Basel) 2019; 5:jof5010007. [PMID: 30641883 PMCID: PMC6463115 DOI: 10.3390/jof5010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This study assessed the development of disseminated candidiasis within Galleria mellonella larvae and characterized the proteomic responses of Candida albicans to larval hemolymph. Infection of larvae with an inoculum of 1 × 10⁶ yeast cells reduced larval viability 24 (53.33 ± 3.33%), 48 (33.33 ± 3.33%) and 72 (6.66 ± 3.33%) h post infection. C. albicans infection quickly disseminated from the site of inoculation and the presence of yeast and hyphal forms were found in nodules extracted from infected larvae at 6 and 24 h. A range of proteins secreted during infection of G. mellonella by C. albicans were detected in larval hemolymph and these were enriched for biological processes such as interaction with host and pathogenesis. The candicidal activity of hemolymph after immediate incubation of yeast cells resulted in a decrease in yeast cell viability (0.23 ± 0.03 × 10⁶ yeast cells/mL), p < 0.05) as compared to control (0.99 ± 0.01 × 10⁶ yeast cells/mL). C. albicans responded to incubation in hemolymph ex vivo by the induction of an oxidative stress response, a decrease in proteins associated with protein synthesis and an increase in glycolytic proteins. The results presented here indicate that C. albicans can overcome the fungicidal activity of hemolymph by altering protein synthesis and cellular respiration, and commence invasion and dissemination throughout the host.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Sheehan
- Medical Mycology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, W23F2H6 Co. Kildare, Ireland.
| | - Kevin Kavanagh
- Medical Mycology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, W23F2H6 Co. Kildare, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Rapala-Kozik M, Bochenska O, Zajac D, Karkowska-Kuleta J, Gogol M, Zawrotniak M, Kozik A. Extracellular proteinases of Candida species pathogenic yeasts. Mol Oral Microbiol 2018; 33:113-124. [PMID: 29139623 DOI: 10.1111/omi.12206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The increased incidence of severe disseminated infections caused by the opportunistic yeast-like fungi Candida spp. highlights the urgent need for research into the major virulence factors of these pathogens-extracellular aspartic proteinases of the candidapepsin and yapsin families. Classically, these enzymes were considered to be generally destructive factors that damage host tissues and provide nutrients for pathogen propagation. However, in recent decades, novel and more specific functions have been suggested for extracellular candidal proteinases. These include contributions to cell wall maintenance and remodeling, the formation of polymicrobial biofilms, adhesion to external protective barriers of the host, the deregulation of host proteolytic cascades (such as the complement system, blood coagulation and the kallikrein-kinin system), a dysregulated host proteinase-inhibitor balance, the inactivation of host antimicrobial peptides, evasion of immune responses and the induction of inflammatory mediator release from host cells. Only a few of these activities recognized in Candida albicans candidapepsins have been also confirmed in other Candida species, and characterization of Candida glabrata yapsins remains limited.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Rapala-Kozik
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - O Bochenska
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - D Zajac
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - J Karkowska-Kuleta
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - M Gogol
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.,Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - M Zawrotniak
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - A Kozik
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Roselletti E, Perito S, Gabrielli E, Mencacci A, Pericolini E, Sabbatini S, Cassone A, Vecchiarelli A. NLRP3 inflammasome is a key player in human vulvovaginal disease caused by Candida albicans. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17877. [PMID: 29259175 PMCID: PMC5736597 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17649-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression of host inflammatory and Candida albicans putative virulence factors was studied in women with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC; twenty) or colonized by the fungus but asymptomatic (carriers; fifteen) or non-colonized asymptomatic (ten subjects). Overexpression of genes encoding NLRP3 and caspase-1 inflammasome components sharply differentiated VVC patients from asymptomatic colonized or non-colonized women. Inflammasome expression was coupled with neutrophils recruitment in the vagina of VVC women and IL-1β and IL-8 production. Both cytokines were present, though to a lower concentration, also in the vaginal fluid of colonized and non-colonized women. Secretory aspartyl proteinases (SAPs) and hyphae associated genes HWP1 and ECE1 were upregulated in VVC but with some differences among infected women. The most overexpressed SAP gene was SAP2, that correlated with neutrophils accumulation. Our data provide clinical evidence that the intracytoplasmic activation of NLRP3 inflammasome complex plays a critical, pathogenesis-relevant role in human VVC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Roselletti
- Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, 06132, Sant'Andrea delle Fratte, Perugia, Italy
| | - Stefano Perito
- Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, 06132, Sant'Andrea delle Fratte, Perugia, Italy
| | - Elena Gabrielli
- Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, 06132, Sant'Andrea delle Fratte, Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonella Mencacci
- Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, 06132, Sant'Andrea delle Fratte, Perugia, Italy
| | - Eva Pericolini
- Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, 06132, Sant'Andrea delle Fratte, Perugia, Italy.,Department of Diagnostic Medicine, Clinical and Health Public, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Samuele Sabbatini
- Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, 06132, Sant'Andrea delle Fratte, Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonio Cassone
- Polo d'Innovazione di Genomica, Genetica e Biologia, University of Perugia, 06132, Sant'Andrea delle Fratte, Perugia, Italy
| | - Anna Vecchiarelli
- Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, 06132, Sant'Andrea delle Fratte, Perugia, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Zawrotniak M, Bochenska O, Karkowska-Kuleta J, Seweryn-Ozog K, Aoki W, Ueda M, Kozik A, Rapala-Kozik M. Aspartic Proteases and Major Cell Wall Components in Candida albicans Trigger the Release of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:414. [PMID: 28983472 PMCID: PMC5613151 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neutrophils use different mechanisms to cope with pathogens that invade the host organism. The most intriguing of these responses is a release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) composed of decondensed chromatin and granular proteins with antimicrobial activity. An important potential target of NETs is Candida albicans-an opportunistic fungal pathogen that employs morphological and phenotype switches and biofilm formation during contact with neutrophils, accompanied by changes in epitope exposition that mask the pathogen from host recognition. These processes differ depending on infection conditions and are thus influenced by the surrounding environment. In the current study, we compared the NET release by neutrophils upon contact with purified main candidal cell surface components. We show here for the first time that in addition to the main cell wall-building polysaccharides (mannans and β-glucans), secreted aspartic proteases (Saps) trigger NETs with variable intensities. The most efficient NET-releasing response is with Sap4 and Sap6, which are known to be secreted by fungal hyphae. This involves mixed, ROS-dependent and ROS-independent signaling pathways, mainly through interactions with the CD11b receptor. In comparison, upon contact with the cell wall-bound Sap9 and Sap10, neutrophils responded via a ROS-dependent mechanism using CD16 and CD18 receptors for protease recognition. In addition to the Saps tested, the actuation of selected mediating kinases (Src, Syk, PI3K, and ERK) was also investigated. β-Glucans were found to trigger a ROS-dependent process of NET production with engagement of Dectin-1 as well as CD11b and CD18 receptors. Mannans were observed to be recognized by TLRs, CD14, and Dectin-1 receptors and triggered NET release mainly via a ROS-independent pathway. Our results thus strongly suggest that neutrophils activate NET production in response to different candidal components that are presented locally at low concentrations at the initial stages of infection. However, NET release seemed to be blocked by increasing numbers of fungal cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Zawrotniak
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian UniversityKrakow, Poland
| | - Oliwia Bochenska
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian UniversityKrakow, Poland
| | - Justyna Karkowska-Kuleta
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian UniversityKrakow, Poland
| | - Karolina Seweryn-Ozog
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian UniversityKrakow, Poland
| | - Wataru Aoki
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto UniversityKyoto, Japan
| | - Mitsuyoshi Ueda
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto UniversityKyoto, Japan
| | - Andrzej Kozik
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian UniversityKrakow, Poland
| | - Maria Rapala-Kozik
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian UniversityKrakow, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
The Extracellular Matrix of Candida albicans Biofilms Impairs Formation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005884. [PMID: 27622514 PMCID: PMC5021349 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Neutrophils release extracellular traps (NETs) in response to planktonic C. albicans. These complexes composed of DNA, histones, and proteins inhibit Candida growth and dissemination. Considering the resilience of Candida biofilms to host defenses, we examined the neutrophil response to C. albicans during biofilm growth. In contrast to planktonic C. albicans, biofilms triggered negligible release of NETs. Time lapse imaging confirmed the impairment in NET release and revealed neutrophils adhering to hyphae and migrating on the biofilm. NET inhibition depended on an intact extracellular biofilm matrix as physical or genetic disruption of this component resulted in NET release. Biofilm inhibition of NETosis could not be overcome by protein kinase C activation via phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and was associated with suppression of neutrophil reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The degree of impaired NET release correlated with resistance to neutrophil attack. The clinical relevance of the role for extracellular matrix in diminishing NET production was corroborated in vivo using a rat catheter model. The C. albicans pmr1Δ/Δ, defective in production of matrix mannan, appeared to elicit a greater abundance of NETs by scanning electron microscopy imaging, which correlated with a decreased fungal burden. Together, these findings show that C. albicans biofilms impair neutrophil response through an inhibitory pathway induced by the extracellular matrix.
Collapse
|
17
|
Affiliation(s)
- Arielle M Bryan
- a Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology , Stony Brook University , Stony Brook , NY , USA
| | - Maurizio Del Poeta
- a Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology , Stony Brook University , Stony Brook , NY , USA.,b Veterans Administration Medical Center , Northport , NY , USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Gabrielli E, Sabbatini S, Roselletti E, Kasper L, Perito S, Hube B, Cassone A, Vecchiarelli A, Pericolini E. In vivo induction of neutrophil chemotaxis by secretory aspartyl proteinases of Candida albicans. Virulence 2016; 7:819-25. [PMID: 27127904 PMCID: PMC5029300 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2016.1184385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Secretory aspartyl proteinases (Saps) of Candida albicans are key virulence traits which cause inflammasome-dependent, aseptic inflammation in a mouse model of vaginitis. In this paper, neutrophil migration in response to Sap2, Sap6 and chemo-attractive products released from Sap-treated vaginal epithelium was measured in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. Our results show that Sap2 and Sap6 induce neutrophil migration and production of potent chemoattractive chemokines such as IL-8 and MIP-2 by vaginal epithelial cells. Our data suggest that at least part of MIP-2 production depends upon IL-1β activity. The vaginal fluid of Candida-infected mice contained a heat-labile inhibitor of neutrophil candidacidal activity that was absent from the vaginal fluid of Sap-treated mice. Overall, our data provide additional information on the capacity of C. albicans Saps to cause aseptic vaginal inflammation and highlight the potential role of some chemokines released from vaginal epithelial cells in this phenomenon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Gabrielli
- a Department of Experimental Medicine , University of Perugia , Perugia , Italy
| | - Samuele Sabbatini
- a Department of Experimental Medicine , University of Perugia , Perugia , Italy
| | - Elena Roselletti
- a Department of Experimental Medicine , University of Perugia , Perugia , Italy
| | - Lydia Kasper
- b Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms , Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute , Jena , Germany
| | - Stefano Perito
- a Department of Experimental Medicine , University of Perugia , Perugia , Italy
| | - Bernhard Hube
- b Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms , Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute , Jena , Germany.,c Friedrich Schiller University , Jena , Germany.,d Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC) , Jena , Germany
| | - Antonio Cassone
- a Department of Experimental Medicine , University of Perugia , Perugia , Italy
| | - Anna Vecchiarelli
- a Department of Experimental Medicine , University of Perugia , Perugia , Italy
| | - Eva Pericolini
- a Department of Experimental Medicine , University of Perugia , Perugia , Italy
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Kitahara N, Morisaka H, Aoki W, Takeda Y, Shibasaki S, Kuroda K, Ueda M. Description of the interaction between Candida albicans and macrophages by mixed and quantitative proteome analysis without isolation. AMB Express 2015; 5:127. [PMID: 26179440 PMCID: PMC4503712 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-015-0127-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that causes fatal diseases in immunocompromised hosts. Host resistance against C. albicans relies on ingestion of the pathogen by macrophages. Analysis of the escaping behavior of C. albicans from macrophages is required to understand the onset of systemic candidiasis. In this study, native interactions of C. albicans with macrophages were investigated by proteome analysis using high efficiency of long monolithic silica capillary column. Using this system, we developed a method of “mixed and quantitative proteome analysis” in which C. albicans and macrophages were simultaneously analyzed by nanoLC–MS/MS without the need to isolate the two individual living cells. Two hundred twenty-seven proteins from C. albicans and five proteins from macrophages were identified as candidate interaction-specific molecules. C. albicans seemed to produce glucose through a β-oxidation pathway, a glyoxylate cycle, and gluconeogenesis for escape from macrophages. Up-regulation of stress-related and candidate pathogenic proteins in C. albicans indicated how C. albicans endured the harsh environment inside the macrophages. Down-regulation of apoptosis-associated protein NOA1- and chaperone HSPA1A-syntheses in macrophage indicated that C. albicans was able to escape from macrophages in part by suppressing the production of these macrophage proteins.
Collapse
|
20
|
Lie Tobouti P, Casaroto AR, de Almeida RSC, de Paula Ramos S, Dionísio TJ, Porto VC, Santos CF, Lara VS. Expression of Secreted Aspartyl Proteinases in an Experimental Model of Candida albicans
-Associated Denture Stomatitis. J Prosthodont 2015; 25:127-34. [DOI: 10.1111/jopr.12285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Lie Tobouti
- Department of Stomatology (Oral Pathology), Bauru School of Dentistry; University of São Paulo; Bauru Brazil
| | - Ana Regina Casaroto
- Department of Stomatology (Oral Pathology), Bauru School of Dentistry; University of São Paulo; Bauru Brazil
| | | | | | - Thiago José Dionísio
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry; University of São Paulo; Bauru Brazil
| | - Vinicius Carvalho Porto
- Department of Prosthodontics, Bauru School of Dentistry; University of São Paulo; Bauru Brazil
| | - Carlos Ferreira Santos
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry; University of São Paulo; Bauru Brazil
| | - Vanessa Soares Lara
- Department of Stomatology (Oral Pathology), Bauru School of Dentistry; University of São Paulo; Bauru Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Brandes S, Mokhtari Z, Essig F, Hünniger K, Kurzai O, Figge MT. Automated segmentation and tracking of non-rigid objects in time-lapse microscopy videos of polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Med Image Anal 2015; 20:34-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.media.2014.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Revised: 09/28/2014] [Accepted: 10/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
22
|
Linde J, Duggan S, Weber M, Horn F, Sieber P, Hellwig D, Riege K, Marz M, Martin R, Guthke R, Kurzai O. Defining the transcriptomic landscape of Candida glabrata by RNA-Seq. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 43:1392-406. [PMID: 25586221 PMCID: PMC4330350 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku1357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida glabrata is the second most common pathogenic Candida species and has emerged as a leading cause of nosocomial fungal infections. Its reduced susceptibility to antifungal drugs and its close relationship to Saccharomyces cerevisiae make it an interesting research focus. Although its genome sequence was published in 2004, little is known about its transcriptional dynamics. Here, we provide a detailed RNA-Seq-based analysis of the transcriptomic landscape of C. glabrata in nutrient-rich media, as well as under nitrosative stress and during pH shift. Using RNA-Seq data together with state-of-the-art gene prediction tools, we refined the annotation of the C. glabrata genome and predicted 49 novel protein-coding genes. Of these novel genes, 14 have homologs in S. cerevisiae and six are shared with other Candida species. We experimentally validated four novel protein-coding genes of which two are differentially regulated during pH shift and interaction with human neutrophils, indicating a potential role in host–pathogen interaction. Furthermore, we identified 58 novel non-protein-coding genes, 38 new introns and condition-specific alternative splicing. Finally, our data suggest different patterns of adaptation to pH shift and nitrosative stress in C. glabrata, Candida albicans and S. cerevisiae and thus further underline a distinct evolution of virulence in yeast.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jörg Linde
- Research Group Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Seána Duggan
- Septomics Research Center, Fungal Septomics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Michael Weber
- Septomics Research Center, Fungal Septomics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Fabian Horn
- Research Group Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Patricia Sieber
- Research Group Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany Department of Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology and Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Daniela Hellwig
- Septomics Research Center, Fungal Septomics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Konstantin Riege
- Research Group Bioinformatics and High Throughput Analysis, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Manja Marz
- Research Group Bioinformatics and High Throughput Analysis, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Ronny Martin
- Septomics Research Center, Fungal Septomics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Reinhard Guthke
- Research Group Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Oliver Kurzai
- Septomics Research Center, Fungal Septomics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany National Reference Center for Invasive Mycoses, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Hünniger K, Lehnert T, Bieber K, Martin R, Figge MT, Kurzai O. A virtual infection model quantifies innate effector mechanisms and Candida albicans immune escape in human blood. PLoS Comput Biol 2014; 10:e1003479. [PMID: 24586131 PMCID: PMC3930496 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans bloodstream infection is increasingly frequent and can result in disseminated candidiasis associated with high mortality rates. To analyze the innate immune response against C. albicans, fungal cells were added to human whole-blood samples. After inoculation, C. albicans started to filament and predominantly associate with neutrophils, whereas only a minority of fungal cells became attached to monocytes. While many parameters of host-pathogen interaction were accessible to direct experimental quantification in the whole-blood infection assay, others were not. To overcome these limitations, we generated a virtual infection model that allowed detailed and quantitative predictions on the dynamics of host-pathogen interaction. Experimental time-resolved data were simulated using a state-based modeling approach combined with the Monte Carlo method of simulated annealing to obtain quantitative predictions on a priori unknown transition rates and to identify the main axis of antifungal immunity. Results clearly demonstrated a predominant role of neutrophils, mediated by phagocytosis and intracellular killing as well as the release of antifungal effector molecules upon activation, resulting in extracellular fungicidal activity. Both mechanisms together account for almost of C. albicans killing, clearly proving that beside being present in larger numbers than other leukocytes, neutrophils functionally dominate the immune response against C. albicans in human blood. A fraction of C. albicans cells escaped phagocytosis and remained extracellular and viable for up to four hours. This immune escape was independent of filamentation and fungal activity and not linked to exhaustion or inactivation of innate immune cells. The occurrence of C. albicans cells being resistant against phagocytosis may account for the high proportion of dissemination in C. albicans bloodstream infection. Taken together, iterative experiment–model–experiment cycles allowed quantitative analyses of the interplay between host and pathogen in a complex environment like human blood. Candida albicans is the most important fungal pathogen in nosocomial bloodstream infections. So far little is known about the interplay of different cellular and non-cellular immune mechanisms mediating the protective response against C. albicans in blood. The in vivo scenario of C. albicans infection can be mimicked by human whole-blood infection assays to analyze the innate immune response against this pathogen. These experiments reveal the time-evolution of certain mechanisms while leaving the values of other quantities in the dark. To shed light on quantities that are not experimentally accessible, we exploited the descriptive and predictive power of mathematical models to estimate these parameters. The combination of experiment and theory enabled us to identify and quantify the main course of the immune response against C. albicans in human blood. We quantified the central role of neutrophils in the defence against this fungal pathogen, both directly by phagocytosis and indirectly by secreting antimicrobial factors inducing extracellular killing. Other findings include the distribution of C. albicans cells in neutrophils and monocytes as well as the immune escape of C. albicans cells in the course of infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Hünniger
- Septomics Research Center, Friedrich Schiller University and Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Teresa Lehnert
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Kristin Bieber
- Septomics Research Center, Friedrich Schiller University and Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Ronny Martin
- Septomics Research Center, Friedrich Schiller University and Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Marc Thilo Figge
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
- * E-mail: (MTF); (OK)
| | - Oliver Kurzai
- Septomics Research Center, Friedrich Schiller University and Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
- * E-mail: (MTF); (OK)
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Buu LM, Chen YC. Sap6, a secreted aspartyl proteinase, participates in maintenance the cell surface integrity of Candida albicans. J Biomed Sci 2013; 20:101. [PMID: 24378182 PMCID: PMC3890532 DOI: 10.1186/1423-0127-20-101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2013] [Accepted: 12/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The polymorphic species Candida albicans is the major cause of candidiasis in humans. The secreted aspartyl proteinases (Saps) of C. albicans, encoded by a family of 10 SAP genes, have been investigated as the virulent factors during candidiasis. However, the biological functions of most Sap proteins are still uncertain. In this study, we applied co-culture system of C. albicans and THP-1 human monocytes to explore the pathogenic roles and biological functions of Sap proteinases. Results After 1 hr of co-culture of C. albicans strains and THP-1 human monocytes at 37°C, more than 60% of the THP-1-engulfed wild type and Δsap5 Candida cells were developing long hyphae. However, about 50% of THP-1-engulfed Δsap6 Candida cells were generating short hyphae, and more dead Candida cells were found in Δsap6 strain that was ingested by THP-1 cells (about 15% in Δsap6 strain vs. 2 ~ 2.5% in SC5314 and Δsap5 strains). The immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that the Sap6 is the major hyphal tip located Sap protein under THP-1 phagocytosis. The sap6-deleted strains (Δsap6, Δsap4/6, and Δsap5/6) appeared slower growth on Congo red containing solid medium at 25°C, and the growth defect was exacerbated when cultured at 37°C in Congo red or SDS containing medium. In addition, more proteins were secreted from Δsap6 strain and the β-mercaptoethanol (β-ME) extractable surface proteins from Δsap6 mutant were more abundant than that of extracted from wild type strain, which included the plasma membrane protein (Pma1p), the ER-chaperone protein (Kar2p), the protein transport-related protein (Arf1p), the cytoskeleton protein (Act1), and the mitochondrial outer membrane protein (porin 1). Moreover, the cell surface accessibility was increased in sap6-deleted strains. Conclusion From these results, we speculated that the cell surface constitution of C. albicans Δsap6 strain was defect. This may cause the more accessible of β-ME to disulfide-bridged cell surface components and may weaken the resistance of Δsap6 strain encountering phagocytosis of THP-1 cells. Sap6 protein displays a significant function involving in maintenance the cell surface integrity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leh-Miauh Buu
- Department of Biotechnology, National Kaohsiung Normal University, No, 62, Shenzhong Rd,, Yanchao District, Kaohsiung City 82444, Taiwan.
| | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Luo S, Skerka C, Kurzai O, Zipfel PF. Complement and innate immune evasion strategies of the human pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. Mol Immunol 2013; 56:161-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2013.05.218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2013] [Accepted: 05/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
|
26
|
Ran Y, Iwabuchi K, Yamazaki M, Tsuboi R, Ogawa H. Secreted aspartic proteinase from Candida albicans acts as a chemoattractant for peripheral neutrophils. J Dermatol Sci 2013; 72:191-3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2013.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2013] [Revised: 05/31/2013] [Accepted: 06/11/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
27
|
Silva NC, Nery JM, Dias ALT. Aspartic proteinases of Candida spp.: role in pathogenicity and antifungal resistance. Mycoses 2013; 57:1-11. [PMID: 23735296 DOI: 10.1111/myc.12095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2013] [Revised: 05/03/2013] [Accepted: 05/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Fungal infections represent a serious health risk as they are particularly prevalent in immunocompromised individuals. Candida spp. pathogenicity depends on several factors and secreted aspartic proteinases (Sap) are considered one of the most critical factors as they are associated with adhesion, invasion and tissue damage. The production of proteinases is encoded by a family of 10 genes known as SAP, which are distributed differently among the species. The expression of these genes may be influenced by environmental conditions, which generally result in a higher fungal invasive potential. Non-pathogenic Candida spp. usually have fewer SAP genes, which are not necessarily expressed in the genome. Exposure to subinhibitory concentrations of antifungal agents promotes the development of resistant strains with an increased expression of SAP genes. In general, Candida spp. isolates that are resistant to antifungals show a higher secretion of Sap than the susceptible isolates. The relationship between Sap secretion and the susceptibility profile of the isolates is of great interest, although the role of SAPs in the development of resistance to antifungal agents remains still unclear. This review is the first one to address these issues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naiara C Silva
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Wagener J, Weindl G, de Groot PWJ, de Boer AD, Kaesler S, Thavaraj S, Bader O, Mailänder-Sanchez D, Borelli C, Weig M, Biedermann T, Naglik JR, Korting HC, Schaller M. Glycosylation of Candida albicans cell wall proteins is critical for induction of innate immune responses and apoptosis of epithelial cells. PLoS One 2012; 7:e50518. [PMID: 23226301 PMCID: PMC3511564 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0050518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2012] [Accepted: 10/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
C. albicans is one of the most common fungal pathogen of humans, causing local and superficial mucosal infections in immunocompromised individuals. Given that the key structure mediating host-C. albicans interactions is the fungal cell wall, we aimed to identify features of the cell wall inducing epithelial responses and be associated with fungal pathogenesis. We demonstrate here the importance of cell wall protein glycosylation in epithelial immune activation with a predominant role for the highly branched N-glycosylation residues. Moreover, these glycan moieties induce growth arrest and apoptosis of epithelial cells. Using an in vitro model of oral candidosis we demonstrate, that apoptosis induction by C. albicans wild-type occurs in early stage of infection and strongly depends on intact cell wall protein glycosylation. These novel findings demonstrate that glycosylation of the C. albicans cell wall proteins appears essential for modulation of epithelial immunity and apoptosis induction, both of which may promote fungal pathogenesis in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeanette Wagener
- Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Günther Weindl
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Piet W. J. de Groot
- Regional Center for Biomedical Research, Albacete Science & Technology Park, University of Castilla – La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | - Albert D. de Boer
- Regional Center for Biomedical Research, Albacete Science & Technology Park, University of Castilla – La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
- Department of Medical Microbiology and National Reference Center for Systemic Mycoses, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Susanne Kaesler
- Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Selvam Thavaraj
- Department of Oral Immunology, King’s College London Dental Institute, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver Bader
- Department of Medical Microbiology and National Reference Center for Systemic Mycoses, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Claudia Borelli
- Department of Dermatology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, München, Germany
| | - Michael Weig
- Department of Medical Microbiology and National Reference Center for Systemic Mycoses, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tilo Biedermann
- Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Julian R. Naglik
- Department of Oral Immunology, King’s College London Dental Institute, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Martin Schaller
- Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Ene IV, Heilmann CJ, Sorgo AG, Walker LA, de Koster CG, Munro CA, Klis FM, Brown AJP. Carbon source-induced reprogramming of the cell wall proteome and secretome modulates the adherence and drug resistance of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Proteomics 2012; 12:3164-79. [PMID: 22997008 PMCID: PMC3569869 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201200228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2012] [Accepted: 09/19/2012] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The major fungal pathogen Candida albicans can occupy diverse microenvironments in its human host. During colonization of the gastrointestinal or urogenital tracts, mucosal surfaces, bloodstream, and internal organs, C. albicans thrives in niches that differ with respect to available nutrients and local environmental stresses. Although most studies are performed on glucose-grown cells, changes in carbon source dramatically affect cell wall architecture, stress responses, and drug resistance. We show that growth on the physiologically relevant carboxylic acid, lactate, has a significant impact on the C. albicans cell wall proteome and secretome. The regulation of cell wall structural proteins (e.g. Cht1, Phr1, Phr2, Pir1) correlated with extensive cell wall remodeling in lactate-grown cells and with their increased resistance to stresses and antifungal drugs, compared with glucose-grown cells. Moreover, changes in other proteins (e.g. Als2, Gca1, Phr1, Sap9) correlated with the increased adherence and biofilm formation of lactate-grown cells. We identified mating and pheromone-regulated proteins that were exclusive to lactate-grown cells (e.g. Op4, Pga31, Pry1, Scw4, Yps7) as well as mucosa-specific and other niche-specific factors such as Lip4, Pga4, Plb5, and Sap7. The analysis of the corresponding null mutants confirmed that many of these proteins contribute to C. albicans adherence, stress, and antifungal drug resistance. Therefore, the cell wall proteome and secretome display considerable plasticity in response to carbon source. This plasticity influences important fitness and virulence attributes known to modulate the behavior of C. albicans in different host microenvironments during infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iuliana V Ene
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Flávio V Loures
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Aoki W, Kitahara N, Miura N, Morisaka H, Yamamoto Y, Kuroda K, Ueda M. Candida albicans possesses Sap7 as a pepstatin A-insensitive secreted aspartic protease. PLoS One 2012; 7:e32513. [PMID: 22384266 PMCID: PMC3287985 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0032513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2011] [Accepted: 01/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Candida albicans, a commensal organism, is a part of the normal flora of healthy individuals. However, once the host immunity is compromised, C. albicans opportunistically causes recurrent superficial or fatal systemic candidiasis. Secreted aspartic proteases (Sap), encoded by 10 types of SAP genes, have been suggested to contribute to various virulence processes. Thus, it is important to elucidate their biochemical properties for better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that how Sap isozymes damage host tissues. Methodology/Principal Findings The SAP7 gene was cloned from C. albicans SC5314 and heterogeneously produced by Pichia pastoris. Measurement of Sap7 proteolytic activity using the FRETS-25Ala library showed that Sap7 was a pepstatin A-insensitive protease. To understand why Sap7 was insensitive to pepstatin A, alanine substitution mutants of Sap7 were constructed. We found that M242A and T467A mutants had normal proteolytic activity and sensitivity to pepstatin A. M242 and T467 were located in close proximity to the entrance to an active site, and alanine substitution at these positions widened the entrance. Our results suggest that this alteration might allow increased accessibility of pepstatin A to the active site. This inference was supported by the observation that the T467A mutant has stronger proteolytic activity than the wild type. Conclusions/Significance We found that Sap7 was a pepstatin A-insensitive protease, and that M242 and T467 restricted the accessibility of pepstatin A to the active site. This finding will lead to the development of a novel protease inhibitor beyond pepstatin A. Such a novel inhibitor will be an important research tool as well as pharmaceutical agent for patients suffering from candidiasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wataru Aoki
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Nao Kitahara
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Natsuko Miura
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hironobu Morisaka
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Yamamoto
- Industrial Technology Center, Kyoto Municipal Institute of Industrial Technology and Culture, Simogyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kouichi Kuroda
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mitsuyoshi Ueda
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Abstract
Fungal diseases have emerged as significant causes of morbidity and mortality, particularly in immune-compromised individuals, prompting greater interest in understanding the mechanisms of host resistance to these pathogens. Consequently, the past few decades have seen a tremendous increase in our knowledge of the innate and adaptive components underlying the protective (and nonprotective) mechanisms of antifungal immunity. What has emerged from these studies is that phagocytic cells are essential for protection and that defects in these cells compromise the host's ability to resist fungal infection. This review covers the functions of phagocytes in innate antifungal immunity, along with selected examples of the strategies that are used by fungal pathogens to subvert these defenses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gordon D Brown
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Section of Immunology and Infection, Division of Applied Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Aoki W, Kitahara N, Miura N, Morisaka H, Yamamoto Y, Kuroda K, Ueda M. Comprehensive characterization of secreted aspartic proteases encoded by a virulence gene family in Candida albicans. J Biochem 2011; 150:431-8. [PMID: 21646240 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvr073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a commensal organism, but causes life-threatening infections in immunocompromised patients. Certain factors such as yeast-hyphae transition and hydrolytic enzymes are suggested as virulence attributes of C. albicans. Among them, 10 types of secreted aspartic protease (SAP) genes have received particular attention as a major virulence gene family. However, their full functional repertoire, including its biochemical properties, remains to be elucidated. Hence, we purified all Sap isozymes using Pichia pastoris and comprehensively determined and compared their biochemical properties. While optimum pH of Sap7 was 6.5 and that of Sap8 was 2.5, presence of other Sap isozymes functioning within a broad range of optimum pH could allow C. albicans to survive and cause infections in various tissues. The substrate specificities of Sap isozymes were analysed by using FRETS-25Xaa libraries. Sap7 and Sap10 showed high substrate specificity, while other Sap isozymes had broad substrate specificities. Principal component analysis revealed that the 10 Sap isozymes were clustered into 3 distinct groups in terms of their substrate specificities. Interestingly, Sap4-6, which are coproduced in the hyphal form, were clustered as the same group, indicating that they may target similar host proteins. These results will lead to further understanding of C. albicans pathogenicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wataru Aoki
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Proteolytic cleavage of covalently linked cell wall proteins by Candida albicans Sap9 and Sap10. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2010; 10:98-109. [PMID: 21097664 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00210-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The cell wall of the human-pathogenic fungus Candida albicans is a robust but also dynamic structure which mediates adaptation to changing environmental conditions during infection. Sap9 and Sap10 are cell surface-associated proteases which function in C. albicans cell wall integrity and interaction with human epithelial cells and neutrophils. In this study, we have analyzed the enzymatic properties of Sap9 and Sap10 and investigated whether these proteases cleave proteins on the fungal cell surface. We show that Sap9 and Sap10, in contrast to other aspartic proteases, exhibit a near-neutral pH optimum of proteolytic activity and prefer the processing of peptides containing basic or dibasic residues. However, both proteases also cleaved at nonbasic sites, and not all tested peptides with dibasic residues were processed. By digesting isolated cell walls with Sap9 or Sap10, we identified the covalently linked cell wall proteins (CWPs) Cht2, Ywp1, Als2, Rhd3, Rbt5, Ecm33, and Pga4 as in vitro protease substrates. Proteolytic cleavage of the chitinase Cht2 and the glucan-cross-linking protein Pir1 by Sap9 was verified using hemagglutinin (HA) epitope-tagged versions of both proteins. Deletion of the SAP9 and SAP10 genes resulted in a reduction of cell-associated chitinase activity similar to that upon deletion of CHT2, suggesting a direct influence of Sap9 and Sap10 on Cht2 function. In contrast, cell surface changes elicited by SAP9 and SAP10 deletion had no major impact on the phagocytosis and killing of C. albicans by human macrophages. We propose that Sap9 and Sap10 influence distinct cell wall functions by proteolytic cleavage of covalently linked cell wall proteins.
Collapse
|
35
|
The Inflammatory response induced by aspartic proteases of Candida albicans is independent of proteolytic activity. Infect Immun 2010; 78:4754-62. [PMID: 20713630 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00789-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The secretion of aspartic proteases (Saps) has long been recognized as a virulence-associated trait of the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans. In this study, we report that different recombinant Saps, including Sap1, Sap2, Sap3, and Sap6, have differing abilities to induce secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by human monocytes. In particular Sap1, Sap2, and Sap6 significantly induced interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and IL-6 production. Sap3 was able to stimulate the secretion of IL-1β and TNF-α. All Saps tested were able to induce Ca(2+) influx in monocytes. Treatment of these Saps with pepstatin A did not have any effect on cytokine secretion, indicating that their stimulatory potential was independent from their proteolytic activity. The capacity of Saps to induce inflammatory cytokine production was also independent from protease-activated receptor (PAR) activation and from the optimal pH for individual Sap activity. The interaction of Saps with monocytes induced Akt activation and phosphorylation of IκBα, which mediates translocation of NF-κB into the nucleus. Overall, these results suggest that individual Sap proteins can induce an inflammatory response and that this phenomenon is independent from the pH of a specific host niche and from Sap enzymatic activity. The inflammatory response is partially dependent on Sap denaturation and is triggered by the Akt/NF-κB activation pathway. Our data suggest a novel, activity-independent aspect of Saps during interactions of C. albicans with the host.
Collapse
|
36
|
Current awareness on yeast. Yeast 2010. [DOI: 10.1002/yea.1717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
|