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He L, Zhu Z, Qi C. β-Glucan-A promising immunocyte-targeting drug delivery vehicle: Superiority, applications and future prospects. Carbohydr Polym 2024; 339:122252. [PMID: 38823919 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Drug delivery technologies that could convert promising therapeutics into successful therapies have been under broad research for many years. Recently, β-glucans, natural-occurring polysaccharides extracted from many organism species such as yeast, fungi and bacteria, have attracted increasing attention to serve as drug delivery carriers. With their unique structure and innate immunocompetence, β-glucans are considered as promising carriers for targeting delivery especially when applied in the vaccine construction and oral administration of therapeutic agents. In this review, we focus on three types of β-glucans applied in the drug delivery system including yeast β-glucan, Schizophyllan and curdlan, highlighting the benefits of β-glucan based delivery system. We summarize how β-glucans as delivery vehicles have aided various therapeutics ranging from macromolecules including proteins, peptides and nucleic acids to small molecular drugs to reach desired cells or organs in terms of loading strategies. We also outline the challenges and future directions for developing the next generation of β-glucan based delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuyang He
- The Affiliated Changzhou Second People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou Medical Center, Changzhou 213003, China
| | - Zhichao Zhu
- The Affiliated Changzhou Second People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou Medical Center, Changzhou 213003, China
| | - Chunjian Qi
- The Affiliated Changzhou Second People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou Medical Center, Changzhou 213003, China.
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2
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Ding M, Nielsen K. Inbred Mouse Models in Cryptococcus neoformans Research. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:426. [PMID: 38921412 DOI: 10.3390/jof10060426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Animal models are frequently used as surrogates to understand human disease. In the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus species complex, several variations of a mouse model of disease were developed that recapitulate different aspects of human disease. These mouse models have been implemented using various inbred and outbred mouse backgrounds, many of which have genetic differences that can influence host response and disease outcome. In this review, we will discuss the most commonly used inbred mouse backgrounds in C. neoformans infection models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minna Ding
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Kirsten Nielsen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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3
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Li Y, Chadwick B, Pham T, Xie X, Lin X. Aspartyl peptidase May1 induces host inflammatory response by altering cell wall composition in the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. mBio 2024; 15:e0092024. [PMID: 38742885 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00920-24] [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: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans causes cryptococcal meningoencephalitis, a disease that kills more than 180,000 people annually. Contributing to its success as a fungal pathogen is its cell wall surrounded by a capsule. When the cryptococcal cell wall is compromised, exposed pathogen-associated molecular pattern molecules (PAMPs) could trigger host recognition and initiate attack against this fungus. Thus, cell wall composition and structure are tightly regulated. The cryptococcal cell wall is unusual in that chitosan, the acetylated form of chitin, is predominant over chitin and is essential for virulence. Recently, it was shown that acidic pH weakens the cell wall and increases exposure of PAMPs partly due to decreased chitosan levels. However, the molecular mechanism responsible for the cell wall remodeling in acidic pH is unknown. In this study, by screening for genes involved in cryptococcal tolerance to high levels of CO2, we serendipitously discovered that the aspartyl peptidase May1 contributes to cryptococcal sensitivity to high levels of CO2 due to acidification of unbuffered media. Overexpression of MAY1 increases the cryptococcal cell size and elevates PAMP exposure, causing a hyper-inflammatory response in the host while MAY1 deletion does the opposite. We discovered that May1 weakens the cell wall and reduces the chitosan level, partly due to its involvement in the degradation of Chs3, the sole chitin synthase that supplies chitin to be converted to chitosan. Consistently, overexpression of CHS3 largely rescues the phenotype of MAY1oe in acidic media. Collectively, we demonstrate that May1 remodels the cryptococcal cell wall in acidic pH by reducing chitosan levels through its influence on Chs3. IMPORTANCE The fungal cell wall is a dynamic structure, monitoring and responding to internal and external stimuli. It provides a formidable armor to the fungus. However, in a weakened state, the cell wall also triggers host immune attack when PAMPs, including glucan, chitin, and mannoproteins, are exposed. In this work, we found that the aspartyl peptidase May1 impairs the cell wall of Cryptococcus neoformans and increases the exposure of PAMPs in the acidic environment by reducing the chitosan level. Under acidic conditions, May1 is involved in the degradation of the chitin synthase Chs3, which supplies chitin to be deacetylated to chitosan. Consistently, the severe deficiency of chitosan in acidic pH can be rescued by overexpressing CHS3. These findings improve our understanding of cell wall remodeling and reveal a potential target to compromise the cell wall integrity in this important fungal pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeqi Li
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Benjamin Chadwick
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Tuyetnhu Pham
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Xiaofeng Xie
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Xiaorong Lin
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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4
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Whelan AO, Flick-Smith HC, Walker NJ, Abraham A, Levitz SM, Ostroff GR, Oyston PCF. A glucan-particle based tularemia subunit vaccine induces T-cell immunity and affords partial protection in an inhalation rat infection model. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0294998. [PMID: 38713688 PMCID: PMC11075878 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Tularemia is a zoonotic disease caused by the facultative intracellular gram-negative bacterium Francisella tularensis. F. tularensis has a very low infection dose by the aerosol route which can result in an acute, and potentially lethal, infection in humans. Consequently, it is classified as a Category A bioterrorism agent by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and is a pathogen of concern for the International Biodefence community. There are currently no licenced tularemia vaccines. In this study we report on the continued assessment of a tularemia subunit vaccine utilising β-glucan particles (GPs) as a vaccine delivery platform for immunogenic F. tularensis antigens. Using a Fischer 344 rat infection model, we demonstrate that a GP based vaccine comprising the F. tularensis lipopolysaccharide antigen together with the protein antigen FTT0814 provided partial protection of F344 rats against an aerosol challenge with a high virulence strain of F. tularensis, SCHU S4. Inclusion of imiquimod as an adjuvant failed to enhance protective efficacy. Moreover, the level of protection afforded was dependant on the challenge dose. Immunological characterisation of this vaccine demonstrated that it induced strong antibody immunoglobulin responses to both polysaccharide and protein antigens. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the FTT0814 component of the GP vaccine primed CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells from immunised F344 rats to express interferon-γ, and CD4+ cells to express interleukin-17, in an antigen specific manner. These data demonstrate the development potential of this tularemia subunit vaccine and builds on a body of work highlighting GPs as a promising vaccine platform for difficult to treat pathogens including those of concern to the bio-defence community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam O. Whelan
- CBR Division, Dstl Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Ambily Abraham
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Stuart M. Levitz
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Gary R. Ostroff
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
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5
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Wang R, Oliveira LVN, Hester MM, Carlson D, Christensen D, Specht CA, Levitz SM. Protection against experimental cryptococcosis elicited by Cationic Adjuvant Formulation 01-adjuvanted subunit vaccines. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.24.591045. [PMID: 38712080 PMCID: PMC11071535 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.24.591045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
The fungal infection, cryptococcosis, is responsible for >100,000 deaths annually. No licensed vaccines are available. We explored the efficacy and immune responses of subunit cryptococcal vaccines adjuvanted with Cationic Adjuvant Formulation 01 (CAF01). CAF01 promotes humoral and T helper (Th) 1 and Th17 immune responses and has been safely used in human vaccine trials. Four subcutaneous vaccines, each containing single recombinant Cryptococcus neoformans protein antigens, partially protected mice from experimental cryptococcosis. Protection increased, up to 100%, in mice that received bivalent and quadrivalent vaccine formulations. Vaccinated mice that received a pulmonary challenge with C. neoformans had an influx of leukocytes into the lung including robust numbers of polyfunctional CD4+ T cells which produced Interferon gamma (IFNγ), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and interleukin (IL)-17 upon ex vivo antigenic stimulation. Cytokine-producing lung CD8+ T cells were also found, albeit in lesser numbers. A significant, durable IFNγ response was observed in the lungs, spleen, and blood. Moreover, IFNγ secretion following ex vivo stimulation directly correlated with fungal clearance in the lungs. Thus, we have developed multivalent cryptococcal vaccines which protect mice from experimental cryptococcosis using an adjuvant which has been safely tested in humans. These preclinical studies suggest a path towards human cryptococcal vaccine trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiying Wang
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Lorena V. N. Oliveira
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Maureen M. Hester
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Diana Carlson
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Dennis Christensen
- Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Present address: Croda Pharma, Diplomvej 381, Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Charles A. Specht
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Stuart M. Levitz
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
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6
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Puumala E, Fallah S, Robbins N, Cowen LE. Advancements and challenges in antifungal therapeutic development. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0014223. [PMID: 38294218 PMCID: PMC10938895 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00142-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Over recent decades, the global burden of fungal disease has expanded dramatically. It is estimated that fungal disease kills approximately 1.5 million individuals annually; however, the true worldwide burden of fungal infection is thought to be higher due to existing gaps in diagnostics and clinical understanding of mycotic disease. The development of resistance to antifungals across diverse pathogenic fungal genera is an increasingly common and devastating phenomenon due to the dearth of available antifungal classes. These factors necessitate a coordinated response by researchers, clinicians, public health agencies, and the pharmaceutical industry to develop new antifungal strategies, as the burden of fungal disease continues to grow. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the new antifungal therapeutics currently in clinical trials, highlighting their spectra of activity and progress toward clinical implementation. We also profile up-and-coming intracellular proteins and pathways primed for the development of novel antifungals targeting their activity. Ultimately, we aim to emphasize the importance of increased investment into antifungal therapeutics in the current continually evolving landscape of infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Puumala
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sara Fallah
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Leah E. Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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7
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Pham T, Li Y, Watford W, Lin X. Vaccination with a ZNF2oe Strain of Cryptococcus Provides Long-Lasting Protection against Cryptococcosis and Is Effective in Immunocompromised Hosts. Infect Immun 2023:e0019823. [PMID: 37338404 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00198-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic cryptococcosis is fatal without treatment. Even with the current antifungal therapies, this disease kills 180,000 of 225,000 infected people annually. Exposure to the causative environmental fungus Cryptococcus neoformans is universal. Either reactivation of a latent infection or an acute infection after high exposure to cryptococcal cells can result in cryptococcosis. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent cryptococcosis. Previously, we discovered that Znf2, a transcription factor that directs Cryptococcus yeast-to-hypha transition, profoundly affects cryptococcal interaction with the host. Overexpression of ZNF2 drives filamentous growth, attenuates cryptococcal virulence, and elicits protective host immune responses. Importantly, immunization with cryptococcal cells overexpressing ZNF2, in either live or heat-inactivated form, offers significant protection to the host from a subsequent challenge by the otherwise lethal clinical isolate H99. In this study, we found that the heat-inactivated ZNF2oe vaccine offered long-lasting protection with no relapse upon challenge with the wild-type H99. Vaccination with heat-inactivated ZNF2oe cells provides partial protection in hosts with preexisting asymptomatic cryptococcal infection. Importantly, once animals have been vaccinated with heat-inactivated or live short-lived ZNF2oe cells, they are protected against cryptococcosis even when their CD4+ T cells are depleted at the time of fungal challenge. Remarkably, vaccination with live, short-lived ZNF2oe cells in CD4-depleted hosts still provides strong protection to these hosts with preexisting immunodeficiency at the time of vaccination. This work raises hope for developing effective vaccines with long-lasting protection for individuals who are immunocompromised or could become immunocompromised later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuyetnhu Pham
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Yeqi Li
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Wendy Watford
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Xiaorong Lin
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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8
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Soto ER, Specht CA, Lee CK, Levitz SM, Ostroff GR. One Step Purification-Vaccine Delivery System. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051390. [PMID: 37242632 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucan particles (GPs) are hollow, porous 3-5 µm microspheres derived from the cell walls of Baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Their 1,3-β-glucan outer shell allows for receptor-mediated uptake by macrophages and other phagocytic innate immune cells expressing β-glucan receptors. GPs have been used for the targeted delivery of a wide range of payloads, including vaccines and nanoparticles, encapsulated inside the hollow cavity of GPs. In this paper, we describe the methods to prepare GP-encapsulated nickel nanoparticles (GP-Ni) for the binding of histidine (His)-tagged proteins. His-tagged Cda2 cryptococcal antigens were used as payloads to demonstrate the efficacy of this new GP vaccine encapsulation approach. The GP-Ni-Cda2 vaccine was shown to be comparable to our previous approach utilizing mouse serum albumin (MSA) and yeast RNA trapping of Cda2 in GPs in a mouse infection model. This novel GP-Ni approach allows for the one-step binding of His-tagged vaccine antigens and encapsulation in an effective delivery vehicle to target vaccines to antigen-presenting cells (APCs), antigen discovery, and vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernesto R Soto
- Program in Molecular Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Charles A Specht
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Chrono K Lee
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Stuart M Levitz
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Gary R Ostroff
- Program in Molecular Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
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9
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Martins-Santana L, Rezende CP, Rossi A, Martinez-Rossi NM, Almeida F. Addressing Microbial Resistance Worldwide: Challenges over Controlling Life-Threatening Fungal Infections. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020293. [PMID: 36839565 PMCID: PMC9961291 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are a serious global concern because of their ability to spread and colonize host tissues in immunocompromised individuals. Such infections have been frequently reported worldwide and are currently gaining clinical research relevance owing to their resistant character, representing a bottleneck in treating affected people. Resistant fungi are an emergent public health threat. The upsurge of such pathogens has led to new research toward unraveling the destructive potential evoked by these species. Some fungi-grouped into Candida, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcus-are causative agents of severe and systemic infections. They are associated with high mortality rates and have recently been described as sources of coinfection in COVID-hospitalized patients. Despite the efforts to elucidate the challenges of colonization, dissemination, and infection severity, the immunopathogenesis of fungal diseases remains a pivotal characteristic in fungal burden elimination. The struggle between the host immune system and the physiological strategies of the fungi to maintain cellular viability is complex. In this brief review, we highlight the relevance of drug resistance phenotypes in fungi of clinical significance, taking into consideration their physiopathology and how the scientific community could orchestrate their efforts to avoid fungal infection dissemination and deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Martins-Santana
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Caroline Patini Rezende
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Antonio Rossi
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Nilce Maria Martinez-Rossi
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Fausto Almeida
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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de Campos GY, Oliveira-Brito PKM, Guimarães JG, da Costa LS, Lazo Chica JE, da Silva TA. Adjuvant Pam3CSk4 does not improve the immunization against Cryptococcus gattii infection in C57BL/6 mice. PeerJ 2023; 11:e14778. [PMID: 36743957 PMCID: PMC9897066 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14778] [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: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cryptococcosis is a relevant invasive fungal infection that affects immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals when caused by Cryptococcus gattii. Host innate and adaptive immune responses can be subverted by C. gattii, that blocks the differentiation of T helper (Th) 1 and Th17 cells, which are involved in the protection against cryptococcosis. Moreover, the macrophage polarization is modulated by C. gattii infection that requires a balance in the macrophage subsets to control the C. gattii infection. Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 agonists are important immunomodulators favoring a pro-inflammatory response with potential fungicidal activity, and TLR2 agonists have been used as adjuvants in vaccines against infections caused by bacteria or viruses. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of the tripalmitoyl lipopeptide S-glycerol cysteine (Pam3CSK4 or P3C4), a TLR2 agonist, as an adjuvant in the vaccination against C. gattii infection. Methods and Results C57BL/6 mice were immunized with 2 × 107 inactivated yeasts of C. gattii via intranasal route on day 1, 14 and 28 (Immunized group). Immunization was associated with 1µg or 10µg of adjuvant P3C4 (Immunized+P3C4-1µg or Immunized+P3C4-10 µg), followed by C. gattii infection on day 42 after the immunization protocol. Immunized+P3C4-1 µg group had reduced levels of IgG1, IgG2a and IgA and no significant difference in the IgG and IgM anti-GXM antibody titer was detected, compared to the Immunized group. High levels of IL-17 and IL-1β in lung tissue of mice from the Immunized+P3C4-1µg group did not promote a predominance of Th17 cells, in contrast, the frequency of TLR2+ cells was increased in immunized mice that received 1 µg of P3C4. The reduction in the relative expression of T-bet and high levels of Foxp3 detected in the lungs of the Immunized+P3C4-1µg group suggest a prevalence of regulatory T cells in the tissue, which did not contribute to the control of C. gattii infection. The immunization protocol associated with 10 µg of adjuvant P3C4 induced high levels of IL-17 in the lung tissue, whereas the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were downregulated. To evaluate the effect of adjuvant P3C4 in the control of C. gattii infection, quantification of the fungal burden in the lungs was performed by the CFU assay, and the groups with adjuvant P3C4 showed a pulmonary C. gattii burden that was not significantly altered when compared with the immunized group. The mice that received 1 µg of adjuvant P3C4 had a lower percentage of inflammatory infiltrate in the lungs. Conclusion The immunomodulatory effect of P3C4, associated with the immunization protocol, plays an imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory response in the lungs that did not favor a protection against C. gattii infection, which is related to the immune response characterized by a suppressive/regulatory profile in the pulmonary microenvironment after C. gattii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Yamazaki de Campos
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Júlia Garcia Guimarães
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Letícia Serafim da Costa
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Javier Emílio Lazo Chica
- Institute of Natural and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thiago Aparecido da Silva
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Wang Y, Wang K, Rivera A, Xue C. Development of a Heat-Killed fbp1 Mutant Strain as a Therapeutic Agent To Treat Invasive Cryptococcus Infection. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0495522. [PMID: 36719231 PMCID: PMC10101017 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04955-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In previous studies, we determined that the F-box protein Fbp1, a subunit of the SCF(Fbp1) E3 ligase in Cryptococcus neoformans, is essential for fungal pathogenesis. Heat-killed fbp1Δ cells (HK-fbp1) can confer vaccine-induced immunity against lethal challenge with clinically important invasive fungal pathogens, e.g., C. neoformans, C. gattii, and Aspergillus fumigatus. In this study, we found that either CD4+ T cells or CD8+ T cells were sufficient to confer protection against lethal challenge by C. neoformans in HK-fbp1-induced immunity. Given the potent effect of HK-fbp1 as a preventative vaccine, we further tested the potential efficacy of administering HK-fbp1 cells as a therapeutic agent for treating animals after infection. Remarkably, administration of HK-fbp1 provided robust host protection against preexisting C. neoformans infection. The mice infected with wild-type H99 cells and then treated with HK-fbp1 showed significant reduction of fungal burden in the infected lung and no dissemination of fungal cells to the brain and spleen. We find that early treatment is critical for the effective use of HK-fbp1 as a therapeutic agent. Immune analysis revealed that early treatment with HK-fbp1 cells elicited Th1-biased protective immune responses that help block fungal dissemination and promote better host protection. Our data thus suggest that HK-fbp1 is both an effective prophylactic vaccine candidate against C. neoformans infection in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised populations and a potential novel therapeutic strategy to treat early-stage cryptococcosis. IMPORTANCE Invasive fungal infections, e.g., cryptococcosis, are often life threatening and difficult to treat with very limited therapeutic options. There is no vaccine available in clinical use to prevent or treat fungal infections. Our previous studies demonstrated that heat-killed fbp1Δ cells (HK-fbp1) in Cryptococcus neoformans can be harnessed to confer protection against a challenge by the virulent parental strain, even in immunocompromised animals, such as ones lacking CD4+ T cells. In this study, we further determined that T cells are required for vaccine-induced protection against homologous challenge and that either CD4+ or CD8+ cells are sufficient. This finding is particularly important for the potential utility of this vaccine candidate in the context of HIV/AIDS-induced immune deficiency, the main risk factor for cryptococcosis in humans. Furthermore, in addition to the utility of HK-fbp1 as a prophylactic vaccine, we found that HK-fbp1 administration can inhibit disease dissemination when animals are treated at an early stage during Cryptococcus infection. Our findings could significantly expand the utility of HK-fbp1 not only as a prophylactic vaccine but also as a novel therapy against cryptococcosis. In all, our studies showed that the HK-fbp1 strain can be used both preventively and therapeutically to elicit robust host protection against cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yina Wang
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Keyi Wang
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Amariliz Rivera
- Department of Pediatrics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- Center for Immunity and Inflammation, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Chaoyang Xue
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
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12
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Chen Q, Liu F, Wu Y, He Y, Kong Q, Sang H. Fungal melanin-induced metabolic reprogramming in macrophages is crucial for inflammation. J Mycol Med 2023; 33:101359. [PMID: 36701872 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2023.101359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The overuse of antifungal and immunosuppressant drugs and the higher frequency of organ transplantation has resulted in mycosis being increasingly intractable, and there is a great need for the development of new therapies. Melanin is an important virulence factor that can inhibit the inflammatory response in the host and facilitate fungal survival by several methods. However, a recent study showed that the Akt/mTOR/HIF1α axis in macrophages was activated after melanin-binding proteins recognised the DHN melanin of Aspergillus fumigatus, with a resulting metabolic shift towards glycolysis (i.e., metabolic reprogramming). As a result, antimicrobial compounds (e.g., inflammatory mediators and reactive oxygen species) were increased to fight the fungal invasion. Actually, DHN melanin from other fungi and DOPA melanin can induce inflammation and stimulate the production of melanin-binding antibodies. In addition, DOPA melanin contains conserved repeating units that are similar to those of DHN melanin. Therefore, we evaluated the associated evidence to propose an interesting and reasonable hypothesis that melanin promotes inflammation by metabolic reprogramming, which could provide a research direction for antifungal therapy. It suggests that regulating the metabolism of immune cells can guide the inflammatory response against fungi, despite the presence of immunosuppressant melanin. Since the biochemical molecules of glycolysis are clearly described, regulating glycolysis in macrophages may be easier than inventing new antifungal drugs. Further clarification of our hypothesis may strengthen the candidacy of melanin for future antifungal vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiying Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510080, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210002, China
| | - Yifan Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210002, China
| | - Yifan He
- Department of Dermatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210002, China
| | - Qingtao Kong
- Department of Dermatology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210002, China.
| | - Hong Sang
- Department of Dermatology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510080, China; Department of Dermatology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210002, China.
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13
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Hester MM, Oliveira LVN, Wang R, Mou Z, Lourenco D, Ostroff GR, Specht CA, Levitz SM. Cross-reactivity between vaccine antigens from the chitin deacetylase protein family improves survival in a mouse model of cryptococcosis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1015586. [PMID: 36248898 PMCID: PMC9554598 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1015586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Meningitis due to the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans is estimated to cause nearly 200,000 deaths annually, mostly in resource-limited regions. We previously identified cryptococcal protein antigens which, when delivered in glucan particles, afford vaccine-mediated protection against an otherwise lethal infection. Many of these proteins exhibit significant homology to other similar cryptococcal proteins leading us to hypothesize that protection may be augmented by immunologic cross-reactivity to multiple members of a protein family. To examine the significance of protein cross-reactivity in vaccination, we utilized strains of Cryptococcus that are genetically deficient in select antigens, yet are still lethal in mice. Vaccination with a protein without homologs (e.g., Mep1 and Lhc1) protected against challenge with wild-type Cryptococcus, but not against a deletion strain lacking that protein. Contrastingly, vaccination with a single chitin deacetylase (Cda) protein protected against the corresponding deletion strain, presumably due to host recognition of one or more other family members still expressed in this strain. Vaccination with a single Cda protein induced cross-reactive antibody and interferon-gamma (IFNγ) immune responses to other Cda protein family members. Paradoxically, we saw no evidence of cross-protection within the carboxypeptidase family of proteins. Factors such as in vivo protein expression and the degree of homology across the family could inform the extent to which vaccine-mediated immunity is amplified. Together, these data suggest a role for prioritizing protein families in fungal vaccine design: increasing the number of immune targets generated by a single antigen may improve efficacy while diminishing the risk of vaccine-resistant strains arising from gene mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen M. Hester
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Lorena V. N. Oliveira
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Ruiying Wang
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Zhongming Mou
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Diana Lourenco
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Gary R. Ostroff
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Charles A. Specht
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Stuart M. Levitz
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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14
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Abstract
Invasive fungal infections are emerging diseases that kill over 1.5 million people per year worldwide. With the increase of immunocompromised populations, the incidence of invasive fungal infections is expected to continue to rise. Vaccines for viral and bacterial infectious diseases have had a transformative impact on human health worldwide. However, no fungal vaccines are currently in clinical use. Recently, interest in fungal vaccines has grown significantly. One Candida vaccine has completed phase 2 clinical trials, and research on vaccines against coccidioidomycosis continues to advance. Additionally, multiple groups have discovered various Cryptococcus mutant strains that promote protective responses to subsequent challenge in mouse models. There has also been progress in antibody-mediated fungal vaccines. In this review, we highlight recent fungal vaccine research progress, outline the wealth of data generated, and summarize current research for both fungal biology and immunology studies relevant to fungal vaccine development. We also review technological advancements in vaccine development and highlight the future prospects of a human vaccine against invasive fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amariliz Rivera
- Department of Pediatrics and Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey, USA;
| | - Jennifer Lodge
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Current affiliation: Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA;
| | - Chaoyang Xue
- Public Health Research Institute and Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey, USA;
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15
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Normile TG, Del Poeta M. Three Models of Vaccination Strategies Against Cryptococcosis in Immunocompromised Hosts Using Heat-Killed Cryptococcus neoformans Δ sgl1. Front Immunol 2022; 13:868523. [PMID: 35615354 PMCID: PMC9124966 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.868523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are one of the greatest medical accomplishments to date, yet no fungal vaccines are currently available in humans mainly because opportunistic mycoses generally occur during immunodeficiencies necessary for vaccine protection. In previous studies, a live, attenuated Cryptococcus neoformans Δsgl1 mutant accumulating sterylglucosides was found to be avirulent and protected mice from a subsequent lethal infection even in absence of CD4+ T cells, a condition most associated with cryptococcosis (e.g., HIV). Here, we tested three strategies of vaccination against cryptococcosis. First, in our preventative model, protection was achieved even after a 3-fold increase of the vaccination window. Second, because live C. neoformans Δsgl1-vaccinated mice challenged more than once with WT strain had a significant decrease in lung fungal burden, we tested C. neoformans Δsgl1 as an immunotherapeutic. We found that therapeutic administrations of HK C. neoformans Δsgl1 post WT challenge significantly improves the lung fungal burden. Similarly, therapeutic administration of HK C. neoformans Δsgl1 post WT challenge resulted in 100% or 70% survival depending on the time of vaccine administration, suggesting that HK Δsgl1 is a robust immunotherapeutic option. Third, we investigated a novel model of vaccination in preventing reactivation from lung granuloma using C. neoformans Δgcs1. Remarkably, we show that administration of HK Δsgl1 prevents mice from reactivating Δgcs1 upon inducing immunosuppression with corticosteroids or by depleting CD4+ T cells. Our results suggest that HK Δsgl1 represents a clinically relevant, efficacious vaccine that confers robust host protection in three models of vaccination against cryptococcosis even during CD4-deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler G. Normile
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Maurizio Del Poeta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States,Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States,Veterans Administration Medical Center, Northport, NY, United States,*Correspondence: Maurizio Del Poeta,
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16
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Tan Y, Chen L, Li K, Lou B, Liu Y, Liu Z. Yeast as carrier for drug delivery and vaccine construction. J Control Release 2022; 346:358-379. [PMID: 35483637 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Yeast has been employed as an effective derived drug carrier as a unicellular microorganism. Many research works have been devoted to the encapsulation of nucleic acid compounds, insoluble small molecule drugs, small molecules, liposomes, polymers, and various nanoparticles in yeast for the treatment of disease. Recombinant yeast-based vaccine carriers (WYV) have played a major role in the development of vaccines. Herein, the latest reports on the application of yeast carriers and the development of related research are summarized, a conceptual description of gastrointestinal absorption of yeast carriers, as well as the various package forms of different drug molecules and nanoparticles in yeast carriers are introduced. In addition, the advantages and development of recombinant yeast vaccine carriers for the disease, veterinary and aquaculture applications are discussed. Moreover, the current challenges and future directions of yeast carriers are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifu Tan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Liwei Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Ke Li
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Beibei Lou
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Yanfei Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, Hunan Province, PR China.
| | - Zhenbao Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, PR China; Molecular Imaging Research Center of Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, PR China.
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17
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Oliveira-Brito PKM, de Campos GY, Guimarães JG, Serafim da Costa L, Silva de Moura E, Lazo-Chica JE, Roque-Barreira MC, da Silva TA. Adjuvant Curdlan Contributes to Immunization against Cryptococcus gattii Infection in a Mouse Strain-Specific Manner. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10040620. [PMID: 35455369 PMCID: PMC9030172 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10040620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The low efficacy and side effects associated with antifungal agents have highlighted the importance of developing immunotherapeutic approaches to treat Cryptococcus gattii infection. We developed an immunization strategy that uses selective Dectin-1 agonist as an adjuvant. BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice received curdlan or β-glucan peptide (BGP) before immunization with heat-killed C. gattii, and the mice were infected with viable C. gattii on day 14 post immunization and euthanized 14 days after infection. Adjuvant curdlan restored pulmonary tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) levels, as induced by immunization with heat-killed C. gattii. The average area and relative frequency of C. gattii titan cells in the lungs of curdlan-treated BALB/c mice were reduced. However, this did not reduce the pulmonary fungal burden or decrease the i0,nflammatory infiltrate in the pulmonary parenchyma of BALB/c mice. Conversely, adjuvant curdlan induced high levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL)-10 and decreased the C. gattii burden in the lungs of C57BL/6 mice, which was not replicated in β-glucan peptide-treated mice. The adjuvant curdlan favors the control of C. gattii infection depending on the immune response profile of the mouse strain. This study will have implications for developing new immunotherapeutic approaches to treat C. gattii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Kellen Martins Oliveira-Brito
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (P.K.M.O.-B.); (G.Y.d.C.); (J.G.G.); (E.S.d.M.); (M.C.R.-B.)
| | - Gabriela Yamazaki de Campos
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (P.K.M.O.-B.); (G.Y.d.C.); (J.G.G.); (E.S.d.M.); (M.C.R.-B.)
| | - Júlia Garcia Guimarães
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (P.K.M.O.-B.); (G.Y.d.C.); (J.G.G.); (E.S.d.M.); (M.C.R.-B.)
| | - Letícia Serafim da Costa
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 14049-900, SP, Brazil;
| | - Edanielle Silva de Moura
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (P.K.M.O.-B.); (G.Y.d.C.); (J.G.G.); (E.S.d.M.); (M.C.R.-B.)
| | - Javier Emílio Lazo-Chica
- Institute of Natural and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38025-189, MG, Brazil;
| | - Maria Cristina Roque-Barreira
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (P.K.M.O.-B.); (G.Y.d.C.); (J.G.G.); (E.S.d.M.); (M.C.R.-B.)
| | - Thiago Aparecido da Silva
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (P.K.M.O.-B.); (G.Y.d.C.); (J.G.G.); (E.S.d.M.); (M.C.R.-B.)
- Thiago Aparecido da Silva, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +55-16-3315-3049
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18
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Wang Y, Pawar S, Dutta O, Wang K, Rivera A, Xue C. Macrophage Mediated Immunomodulation During Cryptococcus Pulmonary Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:859049. [PMID: 35402316 PMCID: PMC8987709 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.859049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are key cellular components of innate immunity, acting as the first line of defense against pathogens to modulate homeostatic and inflammatory responses. They help clear pathogens and shape the T-cell response through the production of cytokines and chemokines. The facultative intracellular fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans has developed a unique ability to interact with and manipulate host macrophages. These interactions dictate how Cryptococcus infection can remain latent or how dissemination within the host is achieved. In addition, differences in the activities of macrophages have been correlated with differential susceptibilities of hosts to Cryptococcus infection, highlighting the importance of macrophages in determining disease outcomes. There is now abundant information on the interaction between Cryptococcus and macrophages. In this review we discuss recent advances regarding macrophage origin, polarization, activation, and effector functions during Cryptococcus infection. The importance of these strategies in pathogenesis and the potential of immunotherapy for cryptococcosis treatment is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology , Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Siddhi Pawar
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Orchi Dutta
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Keyi Wang
- Center for Immunity and Inflammation, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Amariliz Rivera
- Center for Immunity and Inflammation, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Chaoyang Xue
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
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19
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Abstract
Systemic cryptococcosis is fatal without treatment. Globally, this disease kills 180,000 of the 225,000 infected people each year, even with the use of antifungal therapies. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent cryptococcosis. Previously, we discovered that Znf2, a morphogenesis regulator that directs Cryptococcus yeast-to-hyphal transition, profoundly affects cryptococcal interaction with the host-overexpression of ZNF2 drives filamentous growth, attenuates cryptococcal virulence, and elicits protective host immune responses. Importantly, immunization with cryptococcal cells overexpressing ZNF2, either in live or heat-inactivated form, offers significant protection to the host from a subsequent challenge by the otherwise lethal wild-type H99 strain. We hypothesize that cellular components enriched in ZNF2oe cells are immunoprotective. Here, we discovered that serum from protected animals vaccinated with inactivated ZNF2oe cells recognizes cryptococcal antigens that reside within the capsule. Consistently, capsule is required for immunoprotection offered by ZNF2oe cells. Interestingly, the serum from protective animals recognizes antigens in both wild-type yeast cells and ZNF2oe cells, with higher abundance in the latter. Consequently, even the heat-inactivated wild-type cells become immunoprotective with an increased vaccination dose. We also found that disruption of a chromatin remodeling factor Brf1, which is important for initiation of filamentation by Znf2, reduces the antigen level in ZNF2oe cells. Deletion of BRF1 drastically reduces the protective effect of ZNF2oe cells in both live and heat-killed forms even though the ZNF2oebrf1Δ strain itself is avirulent. Collectively, our findings underscore the importance of identifying the subset of cryptococcal surface factors that are beneficial in host protection. IMPORTANCE Cryptococcosis claims close to 200,000 lives annually. There is no vaccine clinically available for this fungal disease. Many avirulent mutant strains do not provide protection against cryptococcosis. We previously discovered that hyphal ZNF2oe strains elicit protective host immune responses both in the live and heat-inactivated forms. Here we seek to understand the mechanism underlying the host protection provided by ZNF2oe cells. We discovered increased accumulation of antigens located within the caspusle of ZNF2oe cells and consequently the requirement of the capsule for ZNF2oe strain-elicited host protection. Furthermore, genetically blocking the ability of ZNF2oe cells to grow in the hyphal form significantly reduces antigen accumulation and impairs the ability of ZNF2oe strain to provide host protection. Our findings highlight the importance of identifying the Znf2-regulated capsular surface factors that are fundamental in host protection.
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20
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Midiri A, Mancuso G, Lentini G, Famà A, Galbo R, Zummo S, Giardina M, De Gaetano GV, Teti G, Beninati C, Biondo C. Characterization of an immunogenic cellulase secreted by Cryptococcus pathogens. Med Mycol 2021; 58:1138-1148. [PMID: 32246714 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myaa012] [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: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the C. neoformans/C. gattiii species complex are an important cause of serious humans infections, including meningoencephalitis. We describe here a 45 kDa extracellular cellulase purified from culture supernatants of C. neoformans var. neoformans. The N-terminal sequence obtained from the purified protein was used to isolate a clone containing the full-length coding sequence from a C. neoformans var. neoformans (strain B-3501A) cDNA library. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that this gene is present, with variable homology, in all sequenced genomes of the C. neoformans/C. gattii species complex. The cDNA clone was used to produce a recombinant 45 kDa protein in E. coli that displayed the ability to convert carboxymethyl cellulose and was therefore designated as NG-Case (standing for Neoformans Gattii Cellulase). To explore its potential use as a vaccine candidate, the recombinant protein was used to immunize mice and was found capable of inducing T helper type 1 responses and delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions, but not immune protection against a highly virulent C. neoformans var grubii strain. These data may be useful to better understand the mechanisms underlying the ability C. neoformans/C. gattii to colonize plant habitats and to interact with the human host during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina Midiri
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mancuso
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Germana Lentini
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Galbo
- Department of Chemical, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Sebastiana Zummo
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Miriam Giardina
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | | | - Concetta Beninati
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Scylla Biotech Srl, Messina, Italy
| | - Carmelo Biondo
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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21
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Chase Huizar C, Ji N, Reddick R, Ostroff GR, Forsthuber TG. Glucan particles as a novel adjuvant for the induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Cell Immunol 2021; 366:104383. [PMID: 34111646 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2021.104383] [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: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
For over 70 years experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) has been induced with myelin autoantigens emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) which has significant side effects such as pain, inflammation, and tissue necrosis at the injection site. β-1,3-d-glucan particles (GPs) are hollow microcapsules prepared from Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell walls that induce potent Th17 cell responses without causing strong injection site tissue reactions. We evaluated the potential of GPs complexed with neuroantigens to induce EAE while avoiding undesirable side effects. GPs loaded with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 (MOG35-55) or proteolipid protein 139-151 (PLP139-151) peptides effectively induced EAE in C57BL/6 mice and SJL mice. Disease severity, CNS pathology and immune responses were comparable between GP- and CFA-immunized mice. Importantly, injection with GPs resulted in significantly decreased inflammation compared with CFA. We posit that use of GPs provides an alternative means for inducing EAE that results in comparable disease, but less discomfort to animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Chase Huizar
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Niannian Ji
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Robert Reddick
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Gary R Ostroff
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Thomas G Forsthuber
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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22
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Lee Y, Puumala E, Robbins N, Cowen LE. Antifungal Drug Resistance: Molecular Mechanisms in Candida albicans and Beyond. Chem Rev 2021; 121:3390-3411. [PMID: 32441527 PMCID: PMC8519031 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c00199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 303] [Impact Index Per Article: 101.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Fungal infections are a major contributor to infectious disease-related deaths across the globe. Candida species are among the most common causes of invasive mycotic disease, with Candida albicans reigning as the leading cause of invasive candidiasis. Given that fungi are eukaryotes like their human host, the number of unique molecular targets that can be exploited for antifungal development remains limited. Currently, there are only three major classes of drugs approved for the treatment of invasive mycoses, and the efficacy of these agents is compromised by the development of drug resistance in pathogen populations. Notably, the emergence of additional drug-resistant species, such as Candida auris and Candida glabrata, further threatens the limited armamentarium of antifungals available to treat these serious infections. Here, we describe our current arsenal of antifungals and elaborate on the resistance mechanisms Candida species possess that render them recalcitrant to therapeutic intervention. Finally, we highlight some of the most promising therapeutic strategies that may help combat antifungal resistance, including combination therapy, targeting fungal-virulence traits, and modulating host immunity. Overall, a thorough understanding of the mechanistic principles governing antifungal drug resistance is fundamental for the development of novel therapeutics to combat current and emerging fungal threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunjin Lee
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 661 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Emily Puumala
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 661 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 661 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 661 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada
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23
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Oliveira LVN, Wang R, Specht CA, Levitz SM. Vaccines for human fungal diseases: close but still a long way to go. NPJ Vaccines 2021; 6:33. [PMID: 33658522 PMCID: PMC7930017 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-021-00294-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the substantial global burden of human fungal infections, there are no approved fungal vaccines to protect at risk individuals. Here, we review the progress that has been made and the challenges that lie ahead in the quest towards efficacious fungal vaccines. In mouse studies, protection has been achieved with vaccines directed against fungal pathogens, including species of Candida, Cryptococcus, and Aspergillus, that most commonly cause life-threatening human disease. Encouraging results have been obtained with vaccines composed of live-attenuated and killed fungi, crude extracts, recombinant subunit formulations, and nucleic acid vaccines. Novel adjuvants that instruct the immune system to mount the types of protective responses needed to fight mycotic infections are under development. Candidate vaccines include those that target common antigens expressed on multiple genera of fungi thereby protecting against a broad range of mycoses. Encouragingly, three vaccines have reached human clinical trials. Still, formidable obstacles must be overcome before we will have fungal vaccines licensed for human use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena V N Oliveira
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ruiying Wang
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Charles A Specht
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Stuart M Levitz
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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24
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Specht CA, Homan EJ, Lee CK, Mou Z, Gomez CL, Hester MM, Abraham A, Rus F, Ostroff GR, Levitz SM. Protection of Mice against Experimental Cryptococcosis by Synthesized Peptides Delivered in Glucan Particles. mBio 2021; 13:e0336721. [PMID: 35089095 PMCID: PMC8725579 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03367-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The high global burden of cryptococcosis has made development of a protective vaccine a public health priority. We previously demonstrated that a vaccine composed of recombinant Cryptococcus neoformans chitin deacetylase 2 (Cda2) delivered in glucan particles (GPs) protects BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice from an otherwise lethal challenge with a highly virulent C. neoformans strain. An immunoinformatic analysis of Cda2 revealed a peptide sequence predicted to have strong binding to the major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) H2-IAd allele found in BALB/c mice. BALB/c mice vaccinated with GPs containing a 32-amino-acid peptide (Cda2-Pep1) that included this strong binding region were protected from cryptococcosis. Protection was lost with GP-based vaccines containing versions of recombinant Cda2 protein and Cda2-Pep1 with mutations predicted to greatly diminish MHC II binding. Cda2 has homology to the three other C. neoformans chitin deacetylases, Cda1, Cda3, and Fpd1, in the high-MHC II-binding region. GPs loaded with homologous peptides of Cda1, Cda3, and Fpd1 protected BALB/c mice from experimental cryptococcosis, albeit not as robustly as the Cda2-Pep1 vaccine. Finally, seven other peptides were synthesized based on regions in Cda2 predicted to contain promising CD4+ T cell epitopes in BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice. While five peptide vaccines significantly protected BALB/c mice, only one protected C57BL/6 mice. Thus, GP-based vaccines containing a single peptide can protect mice against cryptococcosis. However, given the diversity of human MHC II alleles, a peptide-based Cryptococcus vaccine for use in humans would be challenging and likely need to contain multiple peptide sequences. IMPORTANCE Cryptococcosis, due to infection by fungi of the Cryptococcus neoformans species complex, is responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised persons, particularly those with AIDS. Cryptococcal vaccines are a public health priority yet are not available for human use. We previously demonstrated mice could be protected from experimental cryptococcosis with vaccines composed of recombinant cryptococcal proteins encased in hollow highly purified yeast cell walls (glucan particles). In this study, we examined one such protective protein, Cda2, and using bioinformatics, we identified a region predicted to stimulate strong T cell responses. A peptide containing this region formulated in glucan particle-based vaccines protected mice as well as the recombinant protein. Other peptide vaccines also protected, including peptides containing sequences from proteins homologous to Cda2. These preclinical mouse studies provide a proof of principle that peptides can be effective as vaccines to protect against cryptococcosis and that bioinformatic approaches can guide peptide selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles A. Specht
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Chrono K. Lee
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zhongming Mou
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christina L. Gomez
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maureen M. Hester
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ambily Abraham
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Florentina Rus
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gary R. Ostroff
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stuart M. Levitz
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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25
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Ueno K, Yanagihara N, Shimizu K, Miyazaki Y. Vaccines and Protective Immune Memory against Cryptococcosis. Biol Pharm Bull 2020; 43:230-239. [PMID: 32009111 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b19-00841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a potentially lethal disease caused by fungal pathogens including Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii species complex. These fungal pathogens live in the environment and are associated with certain tree species and bird droppings. This infectious disease is not contagious, and healthy individuals may contract cryptococcal infections by inhaling the airborne pathogens from the environment. Although cleaning a contaminated environment is a feasible approach to control environmental fungal pathogens, prophylactic immunization is also considered a promising method to regulate cryptococcal infections. We review the history of the development of cryptococcal vaccines, vaccine components, and the various forms of immune memory induced by cryptococcal vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keigo Ueno
- Department of Chemotherapy and Mycoses, National Institute of Infectious Diseases
| | - Nao Yanagihara
- Department of Chemotherapy and Mycoses, National Institute of Infectious Diseases.,Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science
| | - Kiminori Shimizu
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science
| | - Yoshitsugu Miyazaki
- Department of Chemotherapy and Mycoses, National Institute of Infectious Diseases
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26
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Basso AMM, De Castro RJA, de Castro TB, Guimarães HI, Polez VLP, Carbonero ER, Pomin VH, Hoffmann C, Grossi-de-Sa MF, Tavares AH, Bocca AL. Immunomodulatory activity of β-glucan-containing exopolysaccharides from Auricularia auricular in phagocytes and mice infected with Cryptococcus neoformans. Med Mycol 2020; 58:227-239. [PMID: 31095342 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myz042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Current antifungal drugs present poor effectiveness and there is no available vaccine for fungal infections. Thus, novel strategies to treat or prevent invasive mycosis, such as cryptococcosis, are highly desirable. One strategy is the use of immunomodulators of polysaccharide nature isolated from mushrooms. The purpose of the present work was to evaluate the immunostimulatory activity of β-(1,3)-glucan-containing exopolysaccharides (EPS) from the edible mushrooms Auricularia auricula in phagocytes and mice infected with Cryptococcus neoformans. EPS triggered macrophages and dendritic cell activation upon binding to Dectin-1, a pattern recognition receptor of the C-type lectin receptor family. Engagement of Dectin-1 culminated in pro-inflammatory cytokine production and cell maturation via its canonical Syk-dependent pathway signaling. Furthermore, upon EPS treatment, M2-like phenotype macrophages, known to support intracellular survival and replication of C. neoformans, repolarize to M1 macrophage pattern associated with enhanced production of the microbicidal molecule nitric oxide that results in efficient killing of C. neoformans. Treatment with EPS also upregulated transcript levels of genes encoding products associated with host protection against C. neoformans and Dectin-1 mediated signaling in macrophages. Finally, orally administrated β-glucan-containing EPS from A. auricular enhanced the survival of mice infected with C. neoformans. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that EPS from A. auricula exert immunostimulatory activity in phagocytes and induce host protection against C. neoformans, suggesting that polysaccharides from this mushroom may be promising as an adjuvant for vaccines or antifungal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M M Basso
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, UnB, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - R J A De Castro
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, UnB, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - T B de Castro
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, UnB, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - H I Guimarães
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, Brazil
| | - V L P Polez
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, Brazil
| | - E R Carbonero
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Goiás, Campus Catalão, GO, Brazil
| | - V H Pomin
- Program of Glicobiology, Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University Federal of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Department of BioMolecular Sciences, Division of Pharmacognosy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, the University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS 38677-1848, USA
| | - C Hoffmann
- Department of Food Sciences and Experimental Nutrition, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M F Grossi-de-Sa
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, Brazil.,Graduated Program in Genomic Science and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - A H Tavares
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, UnB, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - A L Bocca
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, UnB, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
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27
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Paterson MJ, Caldera JR, Nguyen C, Sharma P, Castro AM, Kolar SL, Tsai CM, Limon JJ, Becker CA, Martins GA, Liu GY, Underhill DM. Harnessing antifungal immunity in pursuit of a Staphylococcus aureus vaccine strategy. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008733. [PMID: 32817694 PMCID: PMC7446838 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of the most common bacterial infections worldwide, and antibiotic resistant strains such as Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus (MRSA) are a major threat and burden to public health. MRSA not only infects immunocompromised patients but also healthy individuals and has rapidly spread from the healthcare setting to the outside community. However, all vaccines tested in clinical trials to date have failed. Immunocompromised individuals such as patients with HIV or decreased levels of CD4+ T cells are highly susceptible to S. aureus infections, and they are also at increased risk of developing fungal infections. We therefore wondered whether stimulation of antifungal immunity might promote the type of immune responses needed for effective host defense against S. aureus. Here we show that vaccination of mice with a fungal β-glucan particle (GP) loaded with S. aureus antigens provides protective immunity to S. aureus. We generated glucan particles loaded with the four S. aureus proteins ClfA, IsdA, MntC, and SdrE, creating the 4X-SA-GP vaccine. Vaccination of mice with three doses of 4X-SA-GP promoted protection in a systemic model of S. aureus infection with a significant reduction in the bacterial burden in the spleen and kidneys. 4X-SA-GP vaccination induced antigen-specific Th1 and Th17 CD4+ T cell and antibody responses and provided long-term protection. This work suggests that the GP vaccine system has potential as a novel approach to developing vaccines for S. aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa J. Paterson
- F. Widjaja Foundation Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, and the Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - JR Caldera
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Research Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatics, UCSD, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Christopher Nguyen
- F. Widjaja Foundation Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, and the Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Purnima Sharma
- F. Widjaja Foundation Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, and the Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Anthony M. Castro
- F. Widjaja Foundation Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, and the Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Stacey L. Kolar
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Research Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Chih-Ming Tsai
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Research Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatics, UCSD, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Jose J. Limon
- F. Widjaja Foundation Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, and the Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Courtney A. Becker
- F. Widjaja Foundation Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, and the Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Gislâine A. Martins
- F. Widjaja Foundation Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, and the Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - George Y. Liu
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Research Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatics, UCSD, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - David M. Underhill
- F. Widjaja Foundation Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, and the Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
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28
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Normile TG, McEvoy K, Del Poeta M. Steryl Glycosides in Fungal Pathogenesis: An Understudied Immunomodulatory Adjuvant. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:E25. [PMID: 32102324 PMCID: PMC7151148 DOI: 10.3390/jof6010025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections pose an increasing threat to human hosts, especially in immunocompromised individuals. In response to the increasing morbidity and mortality of fungal infections, numerous groups have shown great strides in uncovering novel treatment options and potential efficacious vaccine candidates for this increasing threat due to the increase in current antifungal resistance. Steryl glycosides are lipid compounds produced by a wide range of organisms, and are largely understudied in the field of pathogenicity, especially to fungal infections. Published works over the years have shown these compounds positively modulating the host immune response. Recent advances, most notably from our lab, have strongly indicated that steryl glycosides have high efficacy in protecting the host against lethal Cryptococcal infection through acting as an immunoadjuvant. This review will summarize the keystone studies on the role of steryl glycosides in the host immune response, as well as elucidate the remaining unknown characteristics and future perspectives of these compounds for the host-fungal interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler G. Normile
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA; (T.G.N.); (K.M.)
| | - Kyle McEvoy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA; (T.G.N.); (K.M.)
| | - Maurizio Del Poeta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA; (T.G.N.); (K.M.)
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
- Veterans Administration Medical Center, Northport, New York, NY 11768, USA
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29
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Ueno K, Yanagihara N, Otani Y, Shimizu K, Kinjo Y, Miyazaki Y. Neutrophil-mediated antifungal activity against highly virulent Cryptococcus gattii strain R265. Med Mycol 2020; 57:1046-1054. [PMID: 30668754 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myy153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccine-induced immune responses, including neutrophil, macrophage, and T-cell responses, ameliorate cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus gattii. However, whether neutrophils can exert fungicidal activity against C. gattii remains to be elucidated. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the neutrophil-mediated fungicidal effect against C. gattii R265 in vitro and compared it to the related fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans standard strain H99. We found that neutrophils recognized, phagocytosed, and killed C. gattii R265 in the presence of fresh mouse serum. This antifungal effect required phagocytosis and serine protease activity but not nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity. We also demonstrated that C. gattii R265 was more resistant to oxidative and nitrosative stress than C. neoformans H99. Together, these findings indicate that neutrophils can exert fungicidal activity against highly virulent C. gattii, at least under in vitro conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keigo Ueno
- Department of Chemotherapy and Mycoses, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Nao Yanagihara
- Department of Chemotherapy and Mycoses, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan.,Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 6-3-1 Niijuku, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo 125-8585, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Otani
- Department of Chemotherapy and Mycoses, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan.,Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 6-3-1 Niijuku, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo 125-8585, Japan
| | - Kiminori Shimizu
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 6-3-1 Niijuku, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo 125-8585, Japan
| | - Yuki Kinjo
- Department of Chemotherapy and Mycoses, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan.,Department of Bacteriology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan.,Jikei Center for Biofilm Science and Technology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
| | - Yoshitsugu Miyazaki
- Department of Chemotherapy and Mycoses, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
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30
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Cryptococcosis-Associated Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome Is Associated With Dysregulation of IL-7/IL-7 Receptor Signaling Pathway in T Cells and Monocyte Activation. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2019; 80:596-604. [PMID: 30649031 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systemic levels of interleukin (IL)-7 at antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation have previously been shown to be predictive of HIV-linked paradoxical cryptococcosis-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (C-IRIS). We therefore explored IL-7/IL-7 receptor (IL-7/IL-7R) signaling pathway dysfunction, with related alterations in immune function, as a mechanism underlying C-IRIS. METHOD HIV-infected patients with cryptococcal meningitis who experienced C-IRIS (n = 27) were compared with CD4 T-cell count-matched counterparts without C-IRIS (n = 27), after antifungal therapy and pre-ART initiation. Flow cytometry was used to assess T-cell and monocyte phenotypes and functions. RESULTS Proportions of IL-7R+ CD4 or CD8 T cells correlated positively with CD4 T-cell counts and proportions of central memory and naive CD4 and CD8 T-cell pre-ART (all r > 0.50 and P < 0.05); however, the former negatively correlated with CD4 T-cell counts fold-increase on ART in non-C-IRIS but not C-IRIS patients. Higher frequencies of activated monocytes (CD14CD86 or CD14+HLA-DR+; P ≤ 0.038) were also observed in C-IRIS compared with non-C-IRIS patients, and those who failed to clear cryptococci from cerebrospinal fluid before ART had higher levels of activated monocytes (CD14+HLA-DR+, P = 0.017) compared with those who cleared. In multivariate regression, CD14+HLA-DR+ monocytes were independently associated with C-IRIS [hazard ratio = 1.055 (1.013-1.098); P = 0.009]. CONCLUSION In contrast to non-C-IRIS patients, C-IRIS patients displayed a lack of association between proportions of IL-7R+ T cells and several markers of T-cell homeostasis. They also exhibited higher monocyte activation linked to cerebrospinal fluid cryptococcal culture positivity before ART. These data suggest a role for IL-7/IL-7R signaling pathway dysregulation in the pathogenesis of C-IRIS, possibly linked to monocyte activation and residual pathogen burden before ART.
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31
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Wang Y, Wang K, Masso-Silva JA, Rivera A, Xue C. A Heat-Killed Cryptococcus Mutant Strain Induces Host Protection against Multiple Invasive Mycoses in a Murine Vaccine Model. mBio 2019; 10:e02145-19. [PMID: 31772051 PMCID: PMC6879717 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02145-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen that infects the lungs and then often disseminates to the central nervous system, causing meningitis. How Cryptococcus is able to suppress host immunity and escape the antifungal activity of macrophages remains incompletely understood. We reported that the F-box protein Fbp1, a subunit of the SCF(Fbp1) E3 ligase, promotes Cryptococcus virulence by regulating host-Cryptococcus interactions. Our recent studies demonstrated that the fbp1Δ mutant elicited superior protective Th1 host immunity in the lungs and that the enhanced immunogenicity of heat-killed fbp1Δ yeast cells can be harnessed to confer protection against a subsequent infection with the virulent parental strain. We therefore examined the use of heat-killed fbp1Δ cells in several vaccination strategies. Interestingly, the vaccine protection remains effective even in mice depleted of CD4+ T cells. This finding is particularly important in the context of HIV/AIDS-induced immune deficiency. Moreover, we observed that vaccinating mice with heat-killed fbp1Δ induces significant cross-protection against challenge with diverse invasive fungal pathogens, including C. neoformans, C. gattii, and Aspergillus fumigatus, as well as partial protection against Candida albicans Thus, our data suggest that the heat-killed fbp1Δ strain has the potential to be a suitable vaccine candidate against cryptococcosis and other invasive fungal infections in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised populations.IMPORTANCE Invasive fungal infections kill more than 1.5 million people each year, with limited treatment options. There is no vaccine available in clinical use to prevent and control fungal infections. Our recent studies showed that a mutant of the F-box protein Fbp1, a subunit of the SCF(Fbp1) E3 ligase in Cryptococcus neoformans, elicited superior protective Th1 host immunity. Here, we demonstrate that the heat-killed fbp1Δ cells (HK-fbp1) can be harnessed to confer protection against a challenge by the virulent parental strain, even in animals depleted of CD4+ T cells. This finding is particularly important in the context of HIV/AIDS-induced immune deficiency. Moreover, we observed that HK-fbp1 vaccination induces significant cross-protection against challenge with diverse invasive fungal pathogens. Thus, our data suggest that HK-fbp1 has the potential to be a broad-spectrum vaccine candidate against invasive fungal infections in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yina Wang
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Keyi Wang
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jorge A Masso-Silva
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Amariliz Rivera
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Pediatrics and Center for Immunity and Inflammation, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Chaoyang Xue
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
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32
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Abstract
The release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) by fungi is a fundamental cellular process. EVs carry several biomolecules, including pigments, proteins, enzymes, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates, and are involved in physiological and pathological processes. EVs may play a pivotal role in the establishment of fungal infections, as they can interact with the host immune system to elicit multiple outcomes. The release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) by fungi is a fundamental cellular process. EVs carry several biomolecules, including pigments, proteins, enzymes, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates, and are involved in physiological and pathological processes. EVs may play a pivotal role in the establishment of fungal infections, as they can interact with the host immune system to elicit multiple outcomes. It has been observed that, depending on the fungal pathogen, EVs can exacerbate or attenuate fungal infections. The study of the interaction between fungal EVs and the host immune system and understanding of the mechanisms that regulate those interactions might be useful for the development of new adjuvants as well as the improvement of protective immune responses against infectious or noninfectious diseases. In this review, we describe the immunomodulatory properties of EVs produced by pathogenic fungi and discuss their potential as adjuvants for prophylactic or therapeutic strategies.
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33
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Hester MM, Lee CK, Abraham A, Khoshkenar P, Ostroff GR, Levitz SM, Specht CA. Protection of mice against experimental cryptococcosis using glucan particle-based vaccines containing novel recombinant antigens. Vaccine 2019; 38:620-626. [PMID: 31699504 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.10.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Meningitis due to Cryptococcus neoformans is responsible for upwards of 180,000 deaths worldwide annually, mostly in immunocompromised individuals. Currently there are no licensed fungal vaccines, and even with anti-fungal drug treatment, cryptococcal meningitis is often fatal. Our lab previously demonstrated vaccination with recombinant cryptococcal proteins delivered in glucan particles (GPs) protects mice against an otherwise lethal infection. The aim of the present study was to discover additional cryptococcal antigens affording vaccine-mediated protection. Sixteen proteins, each with evidence of extracellularity, were selected for in vivo testing based on their abundance in protective alkaline extracts of an acapsular C. neoformans strain, their known immunogenicity, and/or their high transcript level during human infection. Candidate antigens were recombinantly expressed in E. coli, purified and loaded into GPs. BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice received three subcutaneous injections of GP-based vaccine, and survival was assessed for 84 days following a lethal orotracheal challenge with strain KN99. As with our six published GP-vaccines, we saw differences in overall protection between mouse strains such that BALB/c mice typically demonstrated better survival than C57BL/6 mice. From these studies, we identified seven new proteins which, when administered as GP-vaccines, protect BALB/c and/or C57BL/6 mice against cryptococcal infection. With these results, we expand the pool of novel protective antigens to eleven proteins and demonstrate the potential for selection of highly transcribed extracellular proteins as vaccine targets. These screens highlight the efficacy of GP-subunit vaccines and identify promising antigens for further testing in anti-cryptococcal, multi-epitope vaccine formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen M Hester
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Chrono K Lee
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Ambily Abraham
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Payam Khoshkenar
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Gary R Ostroff
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Stuart M Levitz
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
| | - Charles A Specht
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
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Soto ER, Kim HC, Yagita H, De Jesus M, Ostroff GR. Polydopamine Coating of Glucan Particles Increases Uptake into Peyer's Patches. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2019; 2:3748-3754. [PMID: 35021348 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.9b00379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Glucan particles (GPs) are hollow, porous 3-4 μm microspheres derived from the cell walls of Baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The β-1,3-D glucan outer shell of GPs provides for receptor-mediated uptake by phagocytic cells expressing β-glucan receptors. GPs have been used for efficient encapsulation of different types of payloads (DNA, siRNA, proteins, antigens, small molecules), and these payloads have been delivered in vivo by a variety of routes including oral delivery. It is known that GPs are transported across the intestinal epithelium by Peyer's patch M-cells and accumulate in a subset of CD11c+Langerin-positive dendritic cells (DC) in the subepithelial dome (SED). An increase in GP uptake in the intestinal epithelium is needed to improve our efforts to develop GPs for oral delivery of therapeutics and vaccines. In this Article, we report that polydopamine coating of GPs (PDA-GPs) increases transepithelial uptake. Synthesis of PDA-GPs was optimized to allow for encapsulation of payloads inside the hollow cavity of GPs. PDA-GPs and GP controls were orally administered to mice, and PDA-GPs showed a 42% increased uptake in SED phagocytes. PDA-GP uptake by SED phagocytes in control and M-cell-depleted mice demonstrated both M-cell-dependent and -independent mechanisms. In future studies, we will evaluate PDA-GPs for oral vaccine delivery and the use of PDA-functional groups for secondary surface derivatization to generate particles with ligands targeting other intestinal epithelium cell-surface receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernesto R Soto
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester Massachusetts 01605, United States
| | - Heather C Kim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York 12201, United States.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, School of Public Health, Albany, New York 12222, United States
| | - Hideo Yagita
- Department of Immunology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Magdia De Jesus
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York 12201, United States.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, School of Public Health, Albany, New York 12222, United States
| | - Gary R Ostroff
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester Massachusetts 01605, United States
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Abraham A, Ostroff G, Levitz SM, Oyston PCF. A novel vaccine platform using glucan particles for induction of protective responses against Francisella tularensis and other pathogens. Clin Exp Immunol 2019; 198:143-152. [PMID: 31400225 PMCID: PMC6797901 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are considered the bedrock of preventive medicine. However, for many pathogens, it has been challenging to develop vaccines that stimulate protective, long-lasting immunity. We have developed a novel approach using β-1,3-D-glucans (BGs), natural polysaccharides abundantly present in fungal cell walls, as a biomaterial platform for vaccine delivery. BGs simultaneously provide for receptor-targeted antigen delivery to specialized antigen-presenting cells together with adjuvant properties to stimulate antigen-specific and trained non-specific immune responses. This review focuses on various approaches of using BG particles (GPs) to develop bacterial and fungal vaccine candidates. A special case history for the development of an effective GP tularaemia vaccine candidate is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Abraham
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - G Ostroff
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - S M Levitz
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - P C F Oyston
- CBR Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
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36
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Setianingrum F, Rautemaa-Richardson R, Denning DW. Pulmonary cryptococcosis: A review of pathobiology and clinical aspects. Med Mycol 2019; 57:133-150. [PMID: 30329097 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myy086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary cryptococcosis is an important opportunistic invasive mycosis in immunocompromised patients, but it is also increasingly seen in immunocompetent patients. The main human pathogens are Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii, which have a worldwide distribution. In contrast to cryptococcal meningitis, pulmonary cryptococcosis is still underdiagnosed because of limitations in diagnostic tools. It can mimic lung cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis, bacterial pneumonia, and other pulmonary mycoses both clinically and radiologically. Pulmonary nodules are the most common radiological feature, but these are not specific to pulmonary cryptococcosis. The sensitivity of culture of respiratory samples for Cryptococcus is poor and a positive result may also reflect colonisation. Cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) with lateral flow device is a fast and sensitive test and widely used on serum and cerebrospinal fluid, but sera from patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis are rarely positive in the absence of disseminated disease. Detection of CrAg from respiratory specimens might assist the diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis but there are very few data. Molecular detection techniques such as multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) could also provide better sensitivity but these still require validation for respiratory specimens. The first line of treatment for pulmonary cryptococcosis is fluconazole, or amphotericin B and flucytosine for those with central nervous system involvement. Pulmonary cryptococcosis worsens the prognosis of cryptococcal meningitis. In this review, we summarize the biological aspects of Cryptococcus and provide an update on the diagnosis and management of pulmonary cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Findra Setianingrum
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, UK
- Parasitology Department, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Riina Rautemaa-Richardson
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, UK
- Mycology Reference Centre Manchester, ECMM Centre of Excellence in Clinical and Laboratory Mycology and Clinical Studies, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Wythenshawe Hospital Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - David W Denning
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, UK
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Wythenshawe Hospital Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
- National Aspergillosis Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
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37
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Soares E, Groothuismink ZMA, Boonstra A, Borges O. Glucan Particles Are a Powerful Adjuvant for the HBsAg, Favoring Antiviral Immunity. Mol Pharm 2019; 16:1971-1981. [PMID: 30964694 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.8b01322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The lack of vaccine adjuvants that are able to induce robust T cell responses fosters the search for more powerful options. Pathogen-like particles are a promising approach. The adjuvant activity of pathogen-like particles is highly influenced by size and surface composition. This study aimed to evaluate the adjuvant potential of two different β-glucan-based particles, blend chitosan/β-glucan particles (ChiGluPs), which are positively charged and have mean size of 1276 nm, and neutral yeast-derived glucan particles (GPs), with a mean size of 3 μm. Additionally, chitosan particles (ChiPs) were used to understand the effect of β-glucan addition (ChiGluPs). Mouse spleen cells responded through the production of either TNF-α or RANTES, following in vitro stimulation with particles containing either β-glucan (ChiGluPs and GPs) or chitosan (ChiGluPs and ChiPs). Human monocytes responded to all particles through TNF-α secretion. Subcutaneous vaccination of mice with the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) showed increased serum IgG for all particles compared to HBsAg alone (435-, 4500-, or 2500-fold increase for either ChiPs, ChiGluPs, or GPs). Interestingly, only GPs elicited the secretion of HBsAg-specific Th1, Th2, Th9, Th17, Th22, and Treg-related cytokines. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that GPs can have a significant role against the hepatitis B virus by favoring antiviral immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edna Soares
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology , University of Coimbra , 3004-517 Coimbra , Portugal.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde Azinhaga de Santa Comba , University of Coimbra , 3000-548 Coimbra , Portugal
| | - Zwier M A Groothuismink
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , Erasmus University Medical Center , 3015 GD Rotterdam , The Netherlands
| | - André Boonstra
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , Erasmus University Medical Center , 3015 GD Rotterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Olga Borges
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology , University of Coimbra , 3004-517 Coimbra , Portugal.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde Azinhaga de Santa Comba , University of Coimbra , 3000-548 Coimbra , Portugal
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Cryptococcus neoformans Glucuronoxylomannan and Sterylglucoside Are Required for Host Protection in an Animal Vaccination Model. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.02909-18. [PMID: 30940711 PMCID: PMC6445945 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02909-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of deaths from cryptococcal meningitis is around 180,000 per year. The disease is the second leading cause of mortality among individuals with AIDS. Antifungal treatment is costly and associated with adverse effects and resistance, evidencing the urgency of development of both therapeutic and prophylactic tools. Here we demonstrate the key roles of polysaccharide- and glycolipid-containing structures in a vaccination model to prevent cryptococcosis. Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated fungal pathogen that causes meningoencephalitis. There are no prophylactic tools for cryptococcosis. Previously, our group showed that a C. neoformans mutant lacking the gene encoding sterylglucosidase (Δsgl1) induced protection in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised murine models of cryptococcosis. Since sterylglucosidase catalyzes degradation of sterylglucosides (SGs), accumulation of this glycolipid could be responsible for protective immunity. In this study, we analyzed whether the activity of SGs is sufficient for the protective effect induced by the Δsgl1 strain. We observed that the accumulation of SGs impacted several properties of the main polysaccharide that composes the fungal capsule, glucuronoxylomannan (GXM). We therefore used genetic manipulation to delete the SGL1 gene in the acapsular mutant Δcap59 to generate a double mutant (strain Δcap59/Δsgl1) that was shown to be nonpathogenic and cleared from the lung of mice within 7 days post-intranasal infection. The inflammatory immune response triggered by the Δcap59/Δsgl1 mutant in the lung differed from the response seen with the other strains. The double mutant did not induce protection in a vaccination model, suggesting that SG-related protection requires the main capsular polysaccharide. Finally, GXM-containing extracellular vesicles (EVs) enriched in SGs delayed the acute lethality of Galleria mellonella against C. neoformans infection. These studies highlighted a key role for GXM and SGs in inducing protection against a secondary cryptococcal infection, and, since EVs notoriously contain GXM, these results suggest the potential use of Δsgl1 EVs as a vaccination strategy for cryptococcosis.
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Beta Glucan: Supplement or Drug? From Laboratory to Clinical Trials. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24071251. [PMID: 30935016 PMCID: PMC6479769 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24071251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucans are part of a group of biologically active natural molecules and are steadily gaining strong attention not only as an important food supplement, but also as an immunostimulant and potential drug. This paper represents an up-to-date review of glucans (β-1,3-glucans) and their role in various immune reactions and the treatment of cancer. With more than 80 clinical trials evaluating their biological effects, the question is not if glucans will move from food supplement to widely accepted drug, but how soon.
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40
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Nicola AM, Albuquerque P, Paes HC, Fernandes L, Costa FF, Kioshima ES, Abadio AKR, Bocca AL, Felipe MS. Antifungal drugs: New insights in research & development. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 195:21-38. [PMID: 30347212 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The need for better antifungal therapy is commonly accepted in view of the high mortality rates associated with systemic infections, the low number of available antifungal classes, their associated toxicity and the increasing number of infections caused by strains with natural or acquired resistance. The urgency to expand the range of therapeutic options for the treatment of fungal infections has led researchers in recent decades to seek alternative antifungal targets when compared to the conventional ones currently used. Although new potential targets are reported, translating the discoveries from bench to bedside is a long process and most of these drugs fail to reach the patients. In this review, we discuss the development of antifungal drugs focusing on the approach of drug repurposing and the search for novel drugs for classical targets, the most recently described gene targets for drug development, the possibilities of immunotherapy using antibodies, cytokines, therapeutic vaccines and antimicrobial peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrícia Albuquerque
- Faculty of Ceilândia, University of Brasília, Brazil; Graduate Programme in Microbial Biology, University of Brasília, Brazil
| | - Hugo Costa Paes
- Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Brasília Medical School, Brazil
| | - Larissa Fernandes
- Faculty of Ceilândia, University of Brasília, Brazil; Graduate Programme in Microbial Biology, University of Brasília, Brazil
| | - Fabricio F Costa
- Graduate Programme in Genomic Science and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasília, Brazil; MATTER, Chicago, IL, USA; Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Ann & Robert Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center, Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Erika Seki Kioshima
- Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Ana Karina Rodrigues Abadio
- School for Applied Social and Agricultural Sciences, State University of Mato Grosso, Nova Mutum Campus, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Sueli Felipe
- Graduate Programme in Genomic Science and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasília, Brazil; Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brazil.
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41
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Leopold Wager CM, Hole CR, Campuzano A, Castro-Lopez N, Cai H, Caballero Van Dyke MC, Wozniak KL, Wang Y, Wormley FL. IFN-γ immune priming of macrophages in vivo induces prolonged STAT1 binding and protection against Cryptococcus neoformans. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007358. [PMID: 30304063 PMCID: PMC6197699 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of vaccines against opportunistic infections is difficult as patients most at risk of developing disease are deficient in aspects of the adaptive immune system. Here, we utilized an experimental immunization strategy to induce innate memory in macrophages in vivo. Unlike current trained immunity models, we present an innate memory-like phenotype in macrophages that is maintained for at least 70 days post-immunization and results in complete protection against secondary challenge in the absence of adaptive immune cells. RNA-seq analysis of in vivo IFN-γ primed macrophages revealed a rapid up-regulation of IFN-γ and STAT1 signaling pathways following secondary challenge. The enhanced cytokine recall responses appeared to be pathogen-specific, dependent on changes in histone methylation and acetylation, and correlated with increased STAT1 binding to promoter regions of genes associated with protective anti-fungal immunity. Thus, we demonstrate an alternative mechanism to induce macrophage innate memory in vivo that facilitates pathogen-specific vaccine-mediated immune responses. Fungal infections are a significant global health problem that can affect anyone, however, individuals with a weakened immune system are most at risk. Cryptococcus neoformans infections can progress to meningitis in immune compromised individuals accounting for nearly 220,000 new cases annually, resulting in 181,000 deaths. Vaccine strategies tend to target CD4+ T cells for the generation of protective memory responses. However, immune compromised individuals have decreased numbers of these adaptive cells, providing a challenge for anti-fungal vaccine design. Here, we define a cellular mechanism by which macrophages, an innate cell population, generate protective immune responses against C. neoformans following initial exposure to a C. neoformans strain that secretes IFN-γ. We determined that the macrophages primed in vivo have heightened proinflammatory cytokine responses upon secondary exposure to C. neoformans in a manner that is mTOR-independent, yet dependent on histone modification dynamics. We show that IFN-γ primed macrophages can maintain STAT1 binding to the promoter regions of key proinflammatory genes long after the initial exposure. Remarkably, our studies show long-lived, cryptococcal-specific protective immunity in vivo. The results presented herein demonstrate that innate cell populations, namely macrophages, can be utilized as vaccine targets to protect against cryptococcal infections in immune compromised populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrissy M. Leopold Wager
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
- The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Camaron R. Hole
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
- The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Althea Campuzano
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
- The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Natalia Castro-Lopez
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
- The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Hong Cai
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
- The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Marley C. Caballero Van Dyke
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
- The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Karen L. Wozniak
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
- The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Yufeng Wang
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
- The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Floyd L. Wormley
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
- The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Whelan AO, Flick-Smith HC, Homan J, Shen ZT, Carpenter Z, Khoshkenar P, Abraham A, Walker NJ, Levitz SM, Ostroff GR, Oyston PCF. Protection induced by a Francisella tularensis subunit vaccine delivered by glucan particles. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200213. [PMID: 30296254 PMCID: PMC6175290 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Francisella tularensis is an intracellular pathogen causing the disease tularemia, and an organism of concern to biodefence. There is no licensed vaccine available. Subunit approaches have failed to induce protection, which requires both humoral and cellular immune memory responses, and have been hampered by a lack of understanding as to which antigens are immunoprotective. We undertook a preliminary in silico analysis to identify candidate protein antigens. These antigens were then recombinantly expressed and encapsulated into glucan particles (GPs), purified Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell walls composed primarily of β-1,3-glucans. Immunological profiling in the mouse was used to down-selection to seven lead antigens: FTT1043 (Mip), IglC, FTT0814, FTT0438, FTT0071 (GltA), FTT0289, FTT0890 (PilA) prior to transitioning their evaluation to a Fischer 344 rat model for efficacy evaluation. F344 rats were vaccinated with the GP protein antigens co-delivered with GP-loaded with Francisella LPS. Measurement of cell mediated immune responses and computational epitope analysis allowed down-selection to three promising candidates: FTT0438, FTT1043 and FTT0814. Of these, a GP vaccine delivering Francisella LPS and the FTT0814 protein was able to induce protection in rats against an aerosol challenge of F. tularensis SchuS4, and reduced organ colonisation and clinical signs below that which immunisation with a GP-LPS alone vaccine provided. This is the first report of a protein supplementing protection induced by LPS in a Francisella vaccine. This paves the way for developing an effective, safe subunit vaccine for the prevention of inhalational tularemia, and validates the GP platform for vaccine delivery where complex immune responses are required for prevention of infections by intracellular pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam O. Whelan
- CBR Division, Dstl Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jane Homan
- ioGenetics LLC, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Zu T. Shen
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Zoe Carpenter
- CBR Division, Dstl Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Payam Khoshkenar
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ambily Abraham
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | - Stuart M. Levitz
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Gary R. Ostroff
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Khalil I, Omer I, Farh IZA, Mohamed HA, Elsharif HA, Mohamed AAH, Awad-elkareem MA, Salih MA. Design of an epitope-based peptide vaccine against Cryptococcus neoformans.. [DOI: 10.1101/434779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
AbstractIntroductionThis study aimed to design an immunogenic epitope for Cryptococcus neoformans the etiological agent of cryptococcosis using in silico simulations, for epitope prediction, we selected the mannoprotein antigen MP88 which it’s known to induce protective immunity.Material & methodA total of 39 sequences of MP88 protein with length 378 amino acids were retrieved from the National Center for Biotechnology Information database (NCBI) in the FASTA format were used to predict antigenic B-cell and T cell epitopes via different bioinformatics tools at Immune Epitope Database and Analysis Resource (IEDB). The tertiary structure prediction of MP88 was created in RaptorX, and visualized by UCSF Chimera software.ResultA Conserved B-cell epitopesAYSTPA, AYSTPAS, PASSNCK, and DSAYPPhave displayed the most promising B cell epitopes. While theYMAADQFCL, VSYEEWMNYandFQQRYTGTFthey represent the best candidates T-cell conserved epitopes, the 9-mer epitopeYMAADQFCLdisplay the greater interact with 9 MHC-I alleles and HLA-A*02:01 alleles have the best interaction with an epitope. TheVSYEEWMNYandFQQRYTGTFthey are non-allergen whileYMAADQFCLwas an allergen. For MHC class II peptide binding prediction, theYARLLSLNA, ISYGTAMAVandINQTSYARLrepresent the most Three highly binding affinity core epitopes. The core epitopeINQTSYARLwas found to interact with 14 MHC-II. The allergenicity prediction revealsISYGTAMAV, INQTSYARLwere non-allergen andYARLLSLNAwas an allergen. Regarding population coverage theYMAADQFCLexhibit, a higher percentage among the world (69.75%) and the average population coverage was93.01%.In MHC-II,ISYGTAMAVepitope reveal a higher percentage (74.39%) and the average population coverage was (81.94%). This successfully designed a peptide vaccine against Cryptococcus neoformans open up a new horizon in Cryptococcus neoformans research; the results require validation by in vitro and in vivo experiments.
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44
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García-Carnero LC, Pérez-García LA, Martínez-Álvarez JA, Reyes-Martínez JE, Mora-Montes HM. Current trends to control fungal pathogens: exploiting our knowledge in the host-pathogen interaction. Infect Drug Resist 2018; 11:903-913. [PMID: 30013373 PMCID: PMC6037146 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s170337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human fungal infections remain a major challenge in medicine. Only a limited number of antifungal drugs are available, which are often related to severe adverse effects. In addition, there is an increased emergence related to resistant strains, which makes imperative to understand the host-pathogen interactions as well as to develop alternative treatments. Host innate and adaptive immunity play a crucial role controlling fungal infections; therefore, vaccines are a viable tool to prevent and treat fungal pathogens. Innate immunity is triggered by the interaction between the cell surface pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and the pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Such an initial immunological response is yet little understood in fungal infections, in part due to the complexity and plasticity of the fungal cell walls. Described host cell-fungus interactions and antigenic molecules are addressed in this paper. Furthermore, antigens found in the cell wall and capsule, including peptides, glycoproteins, glycolipids, and glycans, have been used to trigger specific immune responses, and an increased production of antibodies has been observed when attached to immunogenic molecules. The recent biotechnological advances have allowed the development of vaccines against viral and bacterial pathogens with positive results; therefore, this technology has been applied to develop anti-fungal vaccines. Passive immunization has also emerged as an appealing alternative to treat disseminated mycosis, especially in immunocompromised patients. Those approaches have a long way to be seen in clinical cases. However, all studies discussed here open the possibility to have access to new therapies to be applied alone or in combination with current antifungal drugs. Herein, the state of the art of fungal vaccine developments is discussed in this review, highlighting new advances against Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cryptococcus neoformans, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, and Sporothrix spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C García-Carnero
- Department of Biology, Division of Exact and Natural Sciences, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato,
| | - Luis A Pérez-García
- Multidisciplinay Academic Unit, Zona Huasteca, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Ciudad Valles, México
| | - José A Martínez-Álvarez
- Department of Biology, Division of Exact and Natural Sciences, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato,
| | - Juana E Reyes-Martínez
- Department of Biology, Division of Exact and Natural Sciences, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato,
| | - Héctor M Mora-Montes
- Department of Biology, Division of Exact and Natural Sciences, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato,
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McDermott AJ, Klein BS. Helper T-cell responses and pulmonary fungal infections. Immunology 2018; 155:155-163. [PMID: 29781185 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The mucosal surface of the respiratory tract encounters microbes, such as fungal particles, with every inhaled breath. When pathogenic fungi breach the physical barrier and innate immune system within the lung to establish an infection, adaptive immunity is engaged, often in the form of helper CD4 T-cell responses. Type 1 responses, characterized by interferon-γ production from CD4 cells, promote clearance of Histoplasma capsulatum and Cryptococcus neoformans infection. Likewise, interleukin-17A (IL-17A) production from Th17 cells promotes immunity to Blastomyces dermatitidis and Coccidioides species infection by recruiting neutrophils. In contrast the development of T helper type 2 responses, characterized by IL-5 production from T cells and eosinophil influx into the lungs, drives allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and poor outcomes during C. neoformans infection. Experimental vaccines against several endemic mycoses, including Histoplasma capsulatum, Coccidioides, Cryptococcus and Blastomyces dermatitidis, induce protective T-cell responses and foreshadow the development of vaccines against pulmonary fungal infections for use in humans. Additionally, recent work using antifungal T cells as immunotherapy to protect immune-compromised patients from opportunist fungal infections also shows great promise. This review covers the role of T-cell responses in driving protection and pathology in response to pulmonary fungal infections, and highlights promising therapeutic applications of antifungal T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J McDermott
- Departments of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Bruce S Klein
- Departments of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.,Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.,Internal Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
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Esher SK, Ost KS, Kohlbrenner MA, Pianalto KM, Telzrow CL, Campuzano A, Nichols CB, Munro C, Wormley FL, Alspaugh JA. Defects in intracellular trafficking of fungal cell wall synthases lead to aberrant host immune recognition. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007126. [PMID: 29864141 PMCID: PMC6002136 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The human fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans, dramatically alters its cell wall, both in size and composition, upon entering the host. This cell wall remodeling is essential for host immune avoidance by this pathogen. In a genetic screen for mutants with changes in their cell wall, we identified a novel protein, Mar1, that controls cell wall organization and immune evasion. Through phenotypic studies of a loss-of-function strain, we have demonstrated that the mar1Δ mutant has an aberrant cell surface and a defect in polysaccharide capsule attachment, resulting in attenuated virulence. Furthermore, the mar1Δ mutant displays increased staining for exposed cell wall chitin and chitosan when the cells are grown in host-like tissue culture conditions. However, HPLC analysis of whole cell walls and RT-PCR analysis of cell wall synthase genes demonstrated that this increased chitin exposure is likely due to decreased levels of glucans and mannans in the outer cell wall layers. We observed that the Mar1 protein differentially localizes to cellular membranes in a condition dependent manner, and we have further shown that the mar1Δ mutant displays defects in intracellular trafficking, resulting in a mislocalization of the β-glucan synthase catalytic subunit, Fks1. These cell surface changes influence the host-pathogen interaction, resulting in increased macrophage activation to microbial challenge in vitro. We established that several host innate immune signaling proteins are required for the observed macrophage activation, including the Card9 and MyD88 adaptor proteins, as well as the Dectin-1 and TLR2 pattern recognition receptors. These studies explore novel mechanisms by which a microbial pathogen regulates its cell surface in response to the host, as well as how dysregulation of this adaptive response leads to defective immune avoidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon K. Esher
- Departments of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology/Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Kyla S. Ost
- Departments of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology/Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Maria A. Kohlbrenner
- Departments of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology/Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Kaila M. Pianalto
- Departments of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology/Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Calla L. Telzrow
- Departments of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology/Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Althea Campuzano
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Connie B. Nichols
- Departments of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology/Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Carol Munro
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Floyd L. Wormley
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - J. Andrew Alspaugh
- Departments of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology/Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
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Salazar F, Brown GD. Antifungal Innate Immunity: A Perspective from the Last 10 Years. J Innate Immun 2018; 10:373-397. [PMID: 29768268 DOI: 10.1159/000488539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal pathogens can rarely cause diseases in immunocompetent individuals. However, commensal and normally nonpathogenic environmental fungi can cause life-threatening infections in immunocompromised individuals. Over the last few decades, there has been a huge increase in the incidence of invasive opportunistic fungal infections along with a worrying increase in antifungal drug resistance. As a consequence, research focused on understanding the molecular and cellular basis of antifungal immunity has expanded tremendously in the last few years. This review will provide an overview of the most exciting recent advances in innate antifungal immunity, discoveries that are helping to pave the way for the development of new strategies that are desperately needed to combat these devastating diseases.
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Deepe GS, Buesing WR, Ostroff GR, Abraham A, Specht CA, Huang H, Levitz SM. Vaccination with an alkaline extract of Histoplasma capsulatum packaged in glucan particles confers protective immunity in mice. Vaccine 2018; 36:3359-3367. [PMID: 29729993 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.04.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Infection with the dimorphic fungus, Histoplasma capsulatum, occurs world-wide, but North and South America are regions of high endemicity. Interventions to mitigate exposure and consequent disease are limited to remediating a habitat harboring the fungus. The development of a vaccine to prevent infection or lessen its severity is an important advance in disease prevention. Accordingly, we prepared an alkaline extract from the yeast phase of Histoplasma and encased it in glucan particles that act as an adjuvant and delivery vehicle. Immunization of C57BL/6 mice with this encapsulated extract decreased the number of CFUs in lungs and spleens at days 7 and 14 following intranasal infection. Moreover, this vaccine conferred protection against a lethal challenge with the fungus. Cytokine assessment in lungs at a time when the CFUs were similar between controls and vaccinated groups revealed increased quantities of interferon-γ and interleukin-17 in vaccine recipients. This finding was supported by increased generation of both Th1 and Th17 cells in lungs and draining lymph nodes of vaccinated mice compared to controls. Neutralization of interferon-γ or interleukin-17 blunted the effectiveness of vaccination. To identify the proteins comprising this extract, liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was performed. Thus, an H. capsulatum alkaline extract packaged in glucan particles confers protection in an interferon-γ and interleukin-17-dependent manner. Discovery of a single protein or a few proteins in this admixture that mediate protective immunity would represent significant progress in efforts to prevent histoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- George S Deepe
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, United States; Veterans Affairs Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45220, United States.
| | - William R Buesing
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, United States
| | - Gary R Ostroff
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, United States
| | - Ambily Abraham
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, United States
| | - Charles A Specht
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, United States
| | - Haibin Huang
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, United States
| | - Stuart M Levitz
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, United States
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Caballero Van Dyke MC, Wormley FL. A Call to Arms: Quest for a Cryptococcal Vaccine. Trends Microbiol 2018; 26:436-446. [PMID: 29103990 PMCID: PMC5910246 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcosis remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality world-wide, particularly among AIDS patients. Yet, to date, there are no licensed vaccines clinically available to treat or prevent cryptococcosis. In this review, we provide a rationale to support continued investment in Cryptococcus vaccine research, potential challenges that must be overcome along the way, and a literature review of the current progress underway towards developing a vaccine to prevent cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marley C Caballero Van Dyke
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Floyd L Wormley
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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50
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Desjardins CA, Giamberardino C, Sykes SM, Yu CH, Tenor JL, Chen Y, Yang T, Jones AM, Sun S, Haverkamp MR, Heitman J, Litvintseva AP, Perfect JR, Cuomo CA. Population genomics and the evolution of virulence in the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Genome Res 2018; 27:1207-1219. [PMID: 28611159 PMCID: PMC5495072 DOI: 10.1101/gr.218727.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes approximately 625,000 deaths per year from nervous system infections. Here, we leveraged a unique, genetically diverse population of C. neoformans from sub-Saharan Africa, commonly isolated from mopane trees, to determine how selective pressures in the environment coincidentally adapted C. neoformans for human virulence. Genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 387 isolates, representing the global VNI and African VNB lineages, highlighted a deep, nonrecombining split in VNB (herein, VNBI and VNBII). VNBII was enriched for clinical samples relative to VNBI, while phenotypic profiling of 183 isolates demonstrated that VNBI isolates were significantly more resistant to oxidative stress and more heavily melanized than VNBII isolates. Lack of melanization in both lineages was associated with loss-of-function mutations in the BZP4 transcription factor. A genome-wide association study across all VNB isolates revealed sequence differences between clinical and environmental isolates in virulence factors and stress response genes. Inositol transporters and catabolism genes, which process sugars present in plants and the human nervous system, were identified as targets of selection in all three lineages. Further phylogenetic and population genomic analyses revealed extensive loss of genetic diversity in VNBI, suggestive of a history of population bottlenecks, along with unique evolutionary trajectories for mating type loci. These data highlight the complex evolutionary interplay between adaptation to natural environments and opportunistic infections, and that selection on specific pathways may predispose isolates to human virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Charles Giamberardino
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | - Sean M Sykes
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Chen-Hsin Yu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | - Jennifer L Tenor
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | - Yuan Chen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | - Timothy Yang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | - Alexander M Jones
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | - Sheng Sun
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | - Miriam R Haverkamp
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | - Anastasia P Litvintseva
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30329, USA
| | - John R Perfect
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | - Christina A Cuomo
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
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