1
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Multi-omics analysis of biomarkers and molecular mechanism of rheumatoid arthritis with bone destruction. Joint Bone Spine 2022; 89:105438. [PMID: 35820599 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2022.105438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Our study aimed to elucidate the role of metabolites, bacteria, and fungi in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with bone destruction (BD(+)) and identify some biomarkers to predicate bone progression of RA. METHODS Plasma metabolites of the 127 RA patients and 69 healthy controls were conducted by using nontargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The gut bacteria and fungi were assessed by 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS). RESULTS Compared with RA patients without bone destruction (BD(-)), some metabolites, bacteria, and fungi were altered in BD(+). Seven metabolites were selected as key metabolites for classifying the BD(+) and BD(-) groups with moderate accuracy (AUC=0.71). Metabolites-groups, metabolites-metabolites, and metabolites-clinical factors had a certain correlation, and 7 metabolites were enriched in glycerophospholipid metabolism and L-arginine and proline metabolism pathways. The bacteria and fungi of the BD(+) group showed significant differences in composition and function compared with BD(-) group. The changed 4 bacteria and 12 fungi yielded accuracy (AUC=0.74 and AUC=0.87, respectively) for the two groups. Taking 7 metabolites, 4 bacteria, and 12 fungi as a panel for AUC analysis, an improved AUC of 0.99 significantly discriminated the two groups. The changed metabolites, gut bacteria, and fungi may affect the pathway related to L-arginine. CONCLUSIONS Our nontargeted LC-MS, 16S rRNA, and ITS highlighted a novel link among the metabolites, bacteria, fungi, and pathology of BD(+), which could contribute to our understanding of the role of metabolites, bacteria, and fungi in BD(+) etiology and offered some novel biomarkers to predict the bone progression of RA.
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2
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Pruksaphon K, Nosanchuk JD, Thammasit P, Pongpom M, Youngchim S. Interaction of Talaromyces marneffei with free living soil amoeba as a model of fungal pathogenesis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1023067. [PMID: 36262181 PMCID: PMC9574045 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1023067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Talaromyces (Penicillium) marneffei is an important dimorphic mycosis endemic in Southeast Asia and Southern China, but the origin and maintenance of virulence traits in this organism remains obscure. Several pathogenic fungi, including Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Sporothrix schenckii, Histoplasma capsulatum and Paracoccidioides spp. interact with free living soil amoebae and data suggests that fungal pathogenic strategies may emerge from environmental interactions of these fungi with ubiquitous phagocytic microorganisms. In this study, we examined the interactions of T. marneffei with the soil amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii. T. marneffei was rapidly ingested by A. castellanii and phagocytosis of fungal cells resulted in amoeba death after 24 h of contact. Co-culture also resulted in a rapid transition for conidia to the fission-yeast form. In addition, well-established virulence factors such as melanin and a yeast specific mannoprotein of T. marneffei were expressed during interaction with A. castellanii at 37°C. Our findings support the assumption that soil amoebae environmental predators play a role in the selection and maintenance of particular features in T. marneffei that impart virulence to this clinically important dimorphic fungus in mammalian hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritsada Pruksaphon
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Joshua D. Nosanchuk
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology and Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Patcharin Thammasit
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Monsicha Pongpom
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Sirida Youngchim
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- *Correspondence: Sirida Youngchim,
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3
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El-Kamand S, Steiner M, Ramirez C, Halliday C, Chen SCA, Papanicolaou A, Morton CO. Assessing Differences between Clinical Isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus from Cases of Proven Invasive Aspergillosis and Colonizing Isolates with Respect to Phenotype (Virulence in Tenebrio molitor Larvae) and Genotype. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11040428. [PMID: 35456102 PMCID: PMC9029132 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11040428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, the cause of invasive aspergillosis (IA), is a serious risk to transplant patients and those with respiratory diseases. Host immune suppression is considered the most important factor for the development of IA. Less is known about the importance of fungal virulence in the development of IA including the significance of variation between isolates. In this study, isolates of A. fumigatus from cases diagnosed as having proven IA or colonisation (no evidence of IA) were compared in assays to measure isolate virulence. These assays included the measurement of radial growth and protease production on agar, sensitivity to UV light and oxidative stressors, and virulence in Tenebrio molitor (mealworm) larvae. These assays did not reveal obvious differences in virulence between the two groups of isolates; this provided the impetus to conduct genomic analysis. Whole genome sequencing and analysis did not allow grouping into coloniser or IA isolates. However, focused analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms revealed variation in three putative genes: AFUA_5G09420 (ccg-8), AFUA_4G00330, and AFUA_4G00350. These are known to be responsive to azole exposure, and ccg-8 deletion leads to azole hypersensitivity in other fungi. A. fumigatus virulence is challenging, but the findings of this study indicate that further research into the response to oxidative stress and azole exposure are required to understand the development of IA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam El-Kamand
- Western Sydney University, School of Science, Campbelltown Campus, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia; (S.E.-K.); (M.S.); (C.R.)
| | - Martina Steiner
- Western Sydney University, School of Science, Campbelltown Campus, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia; (S.E.-K.); (M.S.); (C.R.)
| | - Carl Ramirez
- Western Sydney University, School of Science, Campbelltown Campus, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia; (S.E.-K.); (M.S.); (C.R.)
| | - Catriona Halliday
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; (C.H.); (S.C.-A.C.)
| | - Sharon C.-A. Chen
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; (C.H.); (S.C.-A.C.)
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Alexie Papanicolaou
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Campus, NSW 2753, Australia
- Correspondence: (A.P.); (C.O.M.); Tel.: +61-2-4570-1385 (A.P.); +61-2-4620-3446 (C.O.M.)
| | - Charles Oliver Morton
- Western Sydney University, School of Science, Campbelltown Campus, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia; (S.E.-K.); (M.S.); (C.R.)
- Correspondence: (A.P.); (C.O.M.); Tel.: +61-2-4570-1385 (A.P.); +61-2-4620-3446 (C.O.M.)
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4
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Palmieri F, Koutsokera A, Bernasconi E, Junier P, von Garnier C, Ubags N. Recent Advances in Fungal Infections: From Lung Ecology to Therapeutic Strategies With a Focus on Aspergillus spp. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:832510. [PMID: 35386908 PMCID: PMC8977413 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.832510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are estimated to be the main cause of death for more than 1.5 million people worldwide annually. However, fungal pathogenicity has been largely neglected. This is notably the case for pulmonary fungal infections, which are difficult to diagnose and to treat. We are currently facing a global emergence of antifungal resistance, which decreases the chances of survival for affected patients. New therapeutic approaches are therefore needed to face these life-threatening fungal infections. In this review, we will provide a general overview on respiratory fungal infections, with a focus on fungi of the genus Aspergillus. Next, the immunological and microbiological mechanisms of fungal pathogenesis will be discussed. The role of the respiratory mycobiota and its interactions with the bacterial microbiota on lung fungal infections will be presented from an ecological perspective. Finally, we will focus on existing and future innovative approaches for the treatment of respiratory fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Palmieri
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Fabio Palmieri,
| | - Angela Koutsokera
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Service de Pneumologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eric Bernasconi
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Service de Pneumologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pilar Junier
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Christophe von Garnier
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Service de Pneumologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Niki Ubags
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Service de Pneumologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Niki Ubags,
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5
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Single-phagosome imaging reveals that homotypic fusion impairs phagosome degradative function. Biophys J 2022; 121:459-469. [PMID: 34968424 PMCID: PMC8822610 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune cells degrade internalized pathogens in vesicle compartments called phagosomes. Many intracellular bacteria induce homotypic phagosome fusion to survive in host cells, but the fusion interaction between phagosomes and its consequence for phagosome function have scarcely been studied. Here, we characterize homotypic fusion between phagosomes in macrophages and identify how such interactions impact the degradative capacity of phagosomes. By developing a series of particle sensors for measuring biochemical changes of single phagosomes, we show that phagosomes undergo stable fusion, transient "kiss-and-run" fusion, or both in succession. Super-resolution three-dimensional fluorescence microscopy revealed that stably fused phagosomes are connected by membrane "necks" with submicron-sized fusion pores. Furthermore, we demonstrate that, after stable fusion, phagosomes have leaky membranes and thereby impaired degradative functions. Our findings, based on phagosomes that contain synthetic particles, illustrate that homotypic fusion is not exclusive to phagosomes that encapsulate pathogens, as previously believed. The physical process of homotypic fusion is alone sufficient to perturb the degradative functions of phagosomes.
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6
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Drummond RA, Obar JJ. Editorial overview: Niche-specific and species-specific host-fungal interactions - how do they impact human health? Curr Opin Microbiol 2021; 64:162-165. [PMID: 34696987 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Drummond
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, Institute of Microbiology & Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
| | - Joshua J Obar
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Lebanon, NH 03756, United States.
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7
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Radosa S, Sprague JL, Lau SH, Tóth R, Linde J, Krüger T, Sprenger M, Kasper L, Westermann M, Kniemeyer O, Hube B, Brakhage AA, Gácser A, Hillmann F. The fungivorous amoeba Protostelium aurantium targets redox homeostasis and cell wall integrity during intracellular killing of Candida parapsilosis. Cell Microbiol 2021; 23:e13389. [PMID: 34460149 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Predatory interactions among microbes are major evolutionary driving forces for biodiversity. The fungivorous amoeba Protostelium aurantium has a wide fungal food spectrum including foremost pathogenic members of the genus Candida. Here we show that upon phagocytic ingestion by the amoeba, Candida parapsilosis is confronted with an oxidative burst and undergoes lysis within minutes of processing in acidified phagolysosomes. On the fungal side, a functional genomic approach identified copper and redox homeostasis as primary targets of amoeba predation, with the highly expressed copper exporter gene CRP1 and the peroxiredoxin gene PRX1 contributing to survival when encountered with P. aurantium. The fungicidal activity was largely retained in intracellular vesicles of the amoebae. Following their isolation, the content of these vesicles induced immediate killing and lysis of C. parapsilosis in vitro. Proteomic analysis identified 56 vesicular proteins from P. aurantium. Although completely unknown proteins were dominant, many of them could be categorised as hydrolytic enzymes targeting the fungal cell wall, indicating that fungal cell wall structures are under selection pressure by predatory phagocytes in natural environments. TAKE AWAY: The amoeba Protostelium aurantium feeds on fungi, such as Candida parapsilosis. Ingested yeast cells are exposed to reactive oxygen species. A copper exporter and a peroxiredoxin contribute to fungal defence. Yeast cells undergo intracellular lysis. Lysis occurs via a cocktail of hydrolytic enzymes from intracellular vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Radosa
- Junior Research Group Evolution of Microbial Interactions, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Jakob L Sprague
- Junior Research Group Evolution of Microbial Interactions, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.,Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Siu-Hin Lau
- Junior Research Group Evolution of Microbial Interactions, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Renáta Tóth
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Jörg Linde
- Research Group Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Krüger
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Marcel Sprenger
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.,Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Lydia Kasper
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | | | - Olaf Kniemeyer
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.,Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.,Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Attila Gácser
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Falk Hillmann
- Junior Research Group Evolution of Microbial Interactions, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
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8
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Amoebae as Targets for Toxins or Effectors Secreted by Mammalian Pathogens. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13080526. [PMID: 34437397 PMCID: PMC8402458 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13080526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous microorganisms, pathogenic for mammals, come from the environment where they encounter predators such as free-living amoebae (FLA). The selective pressure due to this interaction could have generated virulence traits that are deleterious for amoebae and represents a weapon against mammals. Toxins are one of these powerful tools that are essential for bacteria or fungi to survive. Which amoebae are used as a model to study the effects of toxins? What amoeba functions have been reported to be disrupted by toxins and bacterial secreted factors? Do bacteria and fungi effectors affect eukaryotic cells similarly? Here, we review some studies allowing to answer these questions, highlighting the necessity to extend investigations of microbial pathogenicity, from mammals to the environmental reservoir that are amoebae.
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9
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Boysen JM, Saeed N, Hillmann F. Natural products in the predatory defence of the filamentous fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. Beilstein J Org Chem 2021; 17:1814-1827. [PMID: 34394757 PMCID: PMC8336654 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.17.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The kingdom of fungi comprises a large and highly diverse group of organisms that thrive in diverse natural environments. One factor to successfully confront challenges in their natural habitats is the capability to synthesize defensive secondary metabolites. The genetic potential for the production of secondary metabolites in fungi is high and numerous potential secondary metabolite gene clusters have been identified in sequenced fungal genomes. Their production may well be regulated by specific ecological conditions, such as the presence of microbial competitors, symbionts or predators. Here we exemplarily summarize our current knowledge on identified secondary metabolites of the pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus and their defensive function against (microbial) predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana M Boysen
- Junior Research Group Evolution of Microbial Interactions, Leibniz-Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Nauman Saeed
- Junior Research Group Evolution of Microbial Interactions, Leibniz-Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Falk Hillmann
- Junior Research Group Evolution of Microbial Interactions, Leibniz-Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
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10
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Keizer EM, Valdes ID, Forn-Cuni G, Klijn E, Meijer AH, Hillman F, Wösten HAB, de Cock H. Variation of virulence of five Aspergillus fumigatus isolates in four different infection models. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252948. [PMID: 34242260 PMCID: PMC8270121 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Conidia of Aspergillus fumigatus are inhaled by humans on daily basis. As a consequence, these conidia can cause infections that differ in severity ranging from allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis to invasive aspergillosis. In this study we compared virulence of five A. fumigatus isolates in four different infection models to address the predictive value of different model systems. Two of the A. fumigatus strains were isolated from dogs with a non-invasive sino-nasal aspergillosis (DTO271-B5 and DTO303-F3), while three strains were isolated from human patients with invasive aspergillosis (Af293, ATCC46645 and CEA10). Infection models used encompassed cultured type II A549 lung epithelial cells, Protostelium aurantium amoeba, Galleria melonella larvae and zebrafish embryos. No major differences in virulence between these five strains were observed in the lung epithelial cell model. In contrast, strain ATCC46645 was most virulent in the amoeba and zebrafish model, whereas it was much less virulent in the Galleria infection model. DTO303-F3 was most virulent in the latter model. In general, reference strain Af293 was less virulent as compared to the other strains. Genome sequence analysis showed that this latter strain differed from the other four strains in 136 SNPs in virulence-related genes. Together, our results show that virulence of individual A. fumigatus strains show significant differences between infection models. We conclude that the predictive value of different model systems varies since the relative virulence across fungal strains does not hold up across different infection model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. M. Keizer
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - I. D. Valdes
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - G. Forn-Cuni
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - E. Klijn
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - A. H. Meijer
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - F. Hillman
- Junior Research Group Evolution of Microbial Interactions, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - H. A. B. Wösten
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - H. de Cock
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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11
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Characterisation of Aspergillus fumigatus Endocytic Trafficking within Airway Epithelial Cells Using High-Resolution Automated Quantitative Confocal Microscopy. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7060454. [PMID: 34200399 PMCID: PMC8229978 DOI: 10.3390/jof7060454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The precise characterization of the mechanisms modulating Aspergillus fumigatus survival within airway epithelial cells has been impaired by the lack of live-cell imaging technologies and user-friendly quantification approaches. Here we described the use of an automated image analysis pipeline to estimate the proportion of A. fumigatus spores taken up by airway epithelial cells, those contained within phagolysosomes or acidified phagosomes, along with the fungal factors contributing to these processes. Coupling the use of fluorescent A. fumigatus strains and fluorescent epithelial probes targeting lysosomes, acidified compartments and cell membrane, we found that both the efficacy of lysosome recruitment to phagosomes and phagosome acidification determines the capacity of airway epithelial cells to contain A. fumigatus growth. Overall, the capability of the airway epithelium to prevent A. fumigatus survival was higher in bronchial epithelial than alveolar epithelial cells. Certain A. fumigatus cell wall mutants influenced phagosome maturation in airway epithelial cells. Taken together, this live-cell 4D imaging approach allows observation and measurement of the very early processes of A. fumigatus interaction within live airway epithelial monolayers.
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12
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Host-pathogen interactions: lessons from phagocytic predation on fungi. Curr Opin Microbiol 2021; 62:38-44. [PMID: 34051610 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2021.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Free living amoebae share striking similarities with innate immune cells in terms of cell morphology, motility and phagocytic processing of microbes. Their abilities to find, ingest and kill bacteria and fungi in their natural habitats have fostered the hypothesis that amoebae could have served as a training ground for environmentally acquired pathogens. What may have been more obvious for intracellular bacteria, becomes increasingly clear also for several fungal pathogens: a number of virulence determinants of human pathogenic fungi such as Cryptococcus neoformans or Aspergillus fumigatus are equally relevant to resist innate immune cells and environmental phagocytic predators. Here, we summarize the most recent experimental examples underlining the concept of amoeba models to study fungal pathogens.
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13
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Mead ME, Steenwyk JL, Silva LP, de Castro PA, Saeed N, Hillmann F, Goldman GH, Rokas A. An evolutionary genomic approach reveals both conserved and species-specific genetic elements related to human disease in closely related Aspergillus fungi. Genetics 2021; 218:6263860. [PMID: 33944921 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyab066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillosis is an important opportunistic human disease caused by filamentous fungi in the genus Aspergillus. Roughly 70% of infections are caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, with the rest stemming from approximately a dozen other Aspergillus species. Several of these pathogens are closely related to A. fumigatus and belong in the same taxonomic section, section Fumigati. Pathogenic species are frequently most closely related to nonpathogenic ones, suggesting Aspergillus pathogenicity evolved multiple times independently. To understand the repeated evolution of Aspergillus pathogenicity, we performed comparative genomic analyses on 18 strains from 13 species, including 8 species in section Fumigati, which aimed to identify genes, both ones previously connected to virulence as well as ones never before implicated, whose evolution differs between pathogens and nonpathogens. We found that most genes were present in all species, including approximately half of those previously connected to virulence, but a few genes were section- or species-specific. Evolutionary rate analyses identified over 1700 genes whose evolutionary rate differed between pathogens and nonpathogens and dozens of genes whose rates differed between specific pathogens and the rest of the taxa. Functional testing of deletion mutants of 17 transcription factor-encoding genes whose evolution differed between pathogens and nonpathogens identified eight genes that affect either fungal survival in a model of phagocytic killing, host survival in an animal model of fungal disease, or both. These results suggest that the evolution of pathogenicity in Aspergillus involved both conserved and species-specific genetic elements, illustrating how an evolutionary genomic approach informs the study of fungal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E Mead
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Jacob L Steenwyk
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Lilian P Silva
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Patrícia A de Castro
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Nauman Saeed
- Junior Research Group Evolution of Microbial Interactions, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Falk Hillmann
- Junior Research Group Evolution of Microbial Interactions, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Gustavo H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Antonis Rokas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
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14
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Understanding the fundamental role of virulence determinants to combat Aspergillus fumigatus infections: exploring beyond cell wall. Mycol Prog 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11557-021-01677-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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15
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Rocha MC, Fabri JHTM, Silva LP, Angolini CFF, Bertolini MC, da Cunha AF, Valiante V, Goldman GH, Fill TP, Malavazi I. Transcriptional Control of the Production of Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia-Borne Secondary Metabolite Fumiquinazoline C Important for Phagocytosis Protection. Genetics 2021; 218:6168429. [PMID: 33705521 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyab036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus produces diverse secondary metabolites whose biological functions and regulation remain to be understood. Despite the importance of the conidia for this fungus, the role of the conidia-born metabolite fumiquinazoline C (FqC) is unclear. Here, we describe a dual function of the cell-wall integrity pathway in regulating FqC biosynthesis dictated by the MAPK kinase MpkA, which phosphorylates one of the nonribosomal peptide synthetases enzymes of the cluster (FmqC), and the transcription factor RlmA, which directly regulates the expression of fmq genes. Another level of crosstalk between the FqC regulation and the cell physiology is described since the deletion of the stress-responsive transcription factor sebA provokes derepression of the fmq cluster and overproduction of FqC. Thus, we describe a mechanism by which A. fumigatus controls FqC biosynthesis orchestrated by MpkA-RlmA and SebA and hence enabling survival and adaptation to the environmental niche, given that FqC is a deterrent of ameba predation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Campos Rocha
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - João Henrique Tadini Marilhano Fabri
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lilian Pereira Silva
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Célia Bertolini
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Tecnologia, Instituto de Química de Araraquara, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anderson Ferreira da Cunha
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vito Valiante
- Leibniz Research Group Biobricks of Microbial Natural Product Syntheses, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Gustavo Henrique Goldman
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Taicia Pacheco Fill
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
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16
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Gu X, Hua YH, Zhang YD, Bao DI, Lv J, Hu HF. The Pathogenesis of Aspergillus fumigatus, Host Defense Mechanisms, and the Development of AFMP4 Antigen as a Vaccine. Pol J Microbiol 2021; 70:3-11. [PMID: 33815522 PMCID: PMC8008755 DOI: 10.33073/pjm-2021-003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is one of the ubiquitous fungi with airborne conidia, which accounts for most aspergillosis cases. In immunocompetent hosts, the inhaled conidia are rapidly eliminated. However, immunocompromised or immunodeficient hosts are particularly vulnerable to most Aspergillus infections and invasive aspergillosis (IA), with mortality from 50% to 95%. Despite the improvement of antifungal drugs over the last few decades, the therapeutic effect for IA patients is still limited and does not provide significant survival benefits. The drawbacks of antifungal drugs such as side effects, antifungal drug resistance, and the high cost of antifungal drugs highlight the importance of finding novel therapeutic and preventive approaches to fight against IA. In this article, we systemically addressed the pathogenic mechanisms, defense mechanisms against A. fumigatus, the immune response, molecular aspects of host evasion, and vaccines' current development against aspergillosis, particularly those based on AFMP4 protein, which might be a promising antigen for the development of anti-A. fumigatus vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Gu
- College of Law and Political Science, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, China.,The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yan-Hong Hua
- The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yang-Dong Zhang
- The PLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - D I Bao
- The PLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Lv
- The PLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - Hong-Fang Hu
- The PLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center, Beijing, China
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17
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Regulatory effects of nitric oxide on reproduction and melanin biosynthesis in onion pathogenic fungus Stemphylium eturmiunum. Fungal Biol 2021; 125:519-531. [PMID: 34140148 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2021.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The formation of propagules is the critical stage for transmission of the pathogenic fungus Stemphylium eturmiunum. However, how the development of these propagules is regulated remains to be fully understood. Here, we show that nitric oxide (NO) is necessary for reproduction in S. eturmiunum.Application of NO scavenger carboxy-CPTIO (cPTIO) or soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitor NS-2028 abolishes propagules formation, which was increased by a supplement of sodium nitroprusside (SNP). SNP supplement also triggered increased biosynthesis of melanin, which can be inhibited upon the addition of arbutin or tricyclazole, the specific inhibitors for DOPA and DHN synthetic pathway, respectively. Intriguingly, enhanced melanin biosynthesis corelates with an increased propagules formation; The SNP-induced increment propagules formation can be also compromised upon the supplement of cPTIO or NS-2028. RT-PCR analysis showed that SNP promoted transcription of brlA, abA and wetA at 0.2 mmol/L, but inhibited at 2 mmol/L. In contrast, SNP increased transcription of mat1, and mat2, and the synthetic genes for DHN and DOPA melanins at 2 mmol/L. However, the increased transcription of these genes is down-regulated upon the supplement of cPTIO or NS-2028. Thus, NO regulates reproduction and melanin synthesis in S. eturmiunum possibly through the NO-sGC-GMP signaling pathway.
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18
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Benelli JL, Poester VR, Munhoz LS, Melo AM, Trápaga MR, Stevens DA, Xavier MO. Ebselen and diphenyl diselenide against fungal pathogens: A systematic review. Med Mycol 2021; 59:409-421. [PMID: 33421963 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myaa115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are one of the most prevalent diseases in the world and there is a lack of new antifungal drug development for these diseases. We conducted a systematic review of the literature regarding the in vitro antifungal activity of the organoselenium compounds ebselen (Eb) and diphenyl diselenide [(PhSe)2]. A systematic review was carried out based on the search for articles with data concerning Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values, indexed in international databases and published until August 2020. A total of 2337 articles were found, and, according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria used, 22 articles were included in the study. Inhibitory activity against 96% (200/208) and 95% (312/328) of the pathogenic fungi tested was described for Eb and [(PhSe)2], respectively. Including in these 536 fungal isolates tested, organoselenium activity was highlighted against Candida spp., Cryptococcus ssp., Trichosporon spp., Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., Pythium spp., and Sporothrix spp., with MIC values lower than 64 μg/mL. In conclusion, Eb and [(PhSe)2] have a broad spectrum of in vitro inhibitory antifungal activity. These data added with other pharmacological properties of these organoselenium compounds suggest that both compounds are potential future antifungal drugs. Whether MICs toward the upper end of the ranges described here are compatible with efficacious therapy, and whether they may achieve such end as a result of the favorable non-antimicrobial effects of selenium on the host, requires more in vivo testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Louise Benelli
- Mycology Laboratory, College of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil.,Health Science Post-graduation program, College of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Vanice Rodrigues Poester
- Mycology Laboratory, College of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil.,Health Science Post-graduation program, College of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Lívia Silveira Munhoz
- Mycology Laboratory, College of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil.,Health Science Post-graduation program, College of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Aryse Martins Melo
- Mycology Laboratory, College of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil.,Microbiology and Parasitology Post-graduation program, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | | | - David A Stevens
- California Institute for Medical Research, San Jose, California, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Melissa Orzechowski Xavier
- Mycology Laboratory, College of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil.,Health Science Post-graduation program, College of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil.,Microbiology and Parasitology Post-graduation program, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
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19
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“Feast-Fit-Fist-Feat”: Overview of Free-living Amoeba Interactions with Fungi and Virulence as a Foundation for Success in Battle. CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s40475-020-00220-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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