1
|
Li X, Deng J, Long Y, Ma Y, Wu Y, Hu Y, He X, Yu S, Li D, Li N, He F. Focus on brain-lung crosstalk: Preventing or treating the pathological vicious circle between the brain and the lung. Neurochem Int 2024; 178:105768. [PMID: 38768685 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2024.105768] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Recently, there has been increasing attention to bidirectional information exchange between the brain and lungs. Typical physiological data is communicated by channels like the circulation and sympathetic nervous system. However, communication between the brain and lungs can also occur in pathological conditions. Studies have shown that severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and other brain diseases can lead to lung damage. Conversely, severe lung diseases such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pneumonia, and respiratory failure can exacerbate neuroinflammatory responses, aggravate brain damage, deteriorate neurological function, and result in poor prognosis. A brain or lung injury can have adverse effects on another organ through various pathways, including inflammation, immunity, oxidative stress, neurosecretory factors, microbiome and oxygen. Researchers have increasingly concentrated on possible links between the brain and lungs. However, there has been little attention given to how the interaction between the brain and lungs affects the development of brain or lung disorders, which can lead to clinical states that are susceptible to alterations and can directly affect treatment results. This review described the relationships between the brain and lung in both physiological and pathological conditions, detailing the various pathways of communication such as neurological, inflammatory, immunological, endocrine, and microbiological pathways. Meanwhile, this review provides a comprehensive summary of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for diseases related to the brain and lungs. It aims to support clinical endeavors in preventing and treating such ailments and serve as a reference for the development of relevant medications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqiu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
| | - Jie Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
| | - Yu Long
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
| | - Yin Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
| | - Yuanyuan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
| | - Yue Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
| | - Xiaofang He
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
| | - Shuang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
| | - Dan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
| | - Nan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
| | - Fei He
- Department of Geratology, Yongchuan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University(the Fifth Clinical College of Chongqing Medical University), Chongqing, 402160, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mohamed SH, Vanhoffelen E, Shun Fu M, Hei Lau P, Hain S, Seldeslachts L, Cosway E, Anderson G, McCulloch L, Vande Velde G, Drummond RA. CSF1R inhibition by PLX5622 reduces pulmonary fungal infection by depleting MHCII hi interstitial lung macrophages. Mucosal Immunol 2024:S1933-0219(24)00088-6. [PMID: 39168451 DOI: 10.1016/j.mucimm.2024.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
PLX5622 is a small molecular inhibitor of the CSF1 receptor (CSF1R) and is widely used to deplete macrophages within the central nervous system (CNS). We investigated the impact of PLX5622 treatment in wild-type C57BL/6 mice and discovered that one-week treatment with PLX5622 was sufficient to deplete interstitial macrophages in the lung and brain-infiltrating Ly6Clow patrolling monocytes, in addition to CNS-resident macrophages. These cell types were previously indicated to act as infection reservoirs for the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. We found that PLX5622-treated mice had significantly reduced fungal lung infection and reduced extrapulmonary dissemination to the CNS but not to the spleen or liver. Fungal lung infection mapped to MHCIIhi interstitial lung macrophages, which underwent significant expansion during infection following monocyte replenishment and not local division. Although PLX5622 depleted CNS infiltrating patrolling monocytes, these cells did not accumulate in the fungal-infected CNS following pulmonary infection. In addition, Nr4a1-deficient mice, which lack patrolling monocytes, had similar control and dissemination of C. neoformans infection to wild-type controls. PLX5622 did not directly affect CD4 T-cell responses, or significantly affect production of antibody in the lung during infection. However, we found that mice lacking lymphocytes had reduced numbers of MHCIIhi interstitial macrophages in the lung, which correlated with reduced infection load. Accordingly, PLX5622 treatment did not alter fungal burdens in the lungs of lymphocyte-deficient mice. Our data demonstrate that PLX5622 may help reduce lung burden of pathogenic fungi that utilise CSF1R-dependent myeloid cells as infection reservoirs, an effect which is dependent on the presence of lymphocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sally H Mohamed
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Eliane Vanhoffelen
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI/MoSAIC, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Man Shun Fu
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Pui Hei Lau
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Sofia Hain
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Laura Seldeslachts
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI/MoSAIC, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Emilie Cosway
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Graham Anderson
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Laura McCulloch
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Greetje Vande Velde
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI/MoSAIC, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rebecca A Drummond
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, UK; Institute of Microbiology & Infection, University of Birmingham, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Al-Huthaifi AM, Radman BA, Al-Alawi AA, Mahmood F, Liu TB. Mechanisms and Virulence Factors of Cryptococcus neoformans Dissemination to the Central Nervous System. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:586. [PMID: 39194911 DOI: 10.3390/jof10080586] [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: 07/09/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a prevalent fungal infection of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, a yeast with a polysaccharide capsule in the basidiomycete group. Normally, C. neoformans infects the respiratory tract and then breaches the blood-brain barrier (BBB), leading to meningitis or meningoencephalitis, which leads to hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. Although the mechanism by which C. neoformans infiltrates the BBB to invade the brain has yet to be fully understood, research has revealed that C. neoformans can cross the BBB using transcellular penetration, paracellular traversal, and infected phagocytes (the "Trojan horse" mechanism). The secretion of multiple virulence factors by C. neoformans is crucial in facilitating the spread of infection after breaching the BBB and causing brain infections. Extensive research has shown that various virulence factors play a significant role in the dissemination of infection beyond the lungs. This review explores the mechanisms of C. neoformans entering the CNS and explains how it bypasses the BBB. Additionally, it aims to understand the interplay between the regulatory mechanisms and virulence factors of C. neoformans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Bakeel A Radman
- Cancer Center, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510315, China
| | | | - Fawad Mahmood
- Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Tong-Bao Liu
- Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing 401329, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Davis JM. A deep cut into early cryptococcal pathogenesis. mBio 2024; 15:e0065724. [PMID: 38975784 PMCID: PMC11323497 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00657-24] [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] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Dissemination from one organ system to another is common to many pathogens and often the key process separating simple illness from fatal infection. The pathogenic Cryptococcus species offer a prime example. Cryptococcal infection is thought to begin in the lungs, as a mild or asymptomatic pneumonia. However, bloodborne dissemination from the lungs to the brain is responsible for the most devastating forms of infection. As with other disseminating infections, the transition likely depends on rare but crucial events, such as the crossing of a tissue barrier. By their nature, these events are difficult to study. Francis et al. (mBio 15:e03078-23, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.03078-23) have addressed this difficulty by developing a powerful imaging pipeline to scan through unprecedented volumes of tissue from mice infected with Cryptococcus at multiple stages of infection. Their observations challenge some of our basic assumptions about cryptococcal pathogenesis, including when and how the organism reaches the bloodstream and the central nervous system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J. Muse Davis
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dornelas JCM, Paixão VM, Carmo PHF, Costa MC, Gomes ECQ, de Resende-Stoianoff MA, Santos DA. Influence of the agrochemical benomyl on Cryptococcus gattii-plant interaction in vitro and in vivo. Braz J Microbiol 2024:10.1007/s42770-024-01440-9. [PMID: 38963475 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-024-01440-9] [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: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus gattii, an environmental fungus, is one of the agents of cryptococcosis. The influence of agrochemicals on fungal resistance to antifungals is widely discussed. However, the effects of benomyl (BEN) on fungal interaction with different hosts is still to be understood. Here we studied the influence of adaptation to BEN in the interaction with a plant model, phagocytes and with Tenebrio molitor. First, the strain C. gattii L24/01 non-adapted (NA), adapted (A) to BEN, and adapted with further culture on drug-free media (10p) interact with Nicotiana benthamiana, with a peak in the yeast burden on the 7th day post-inoculation. C. gattii L24/01 A and 10p provided lower fungal burden, but these strains increased cell diameter and capsular thickness after the interaction, together with decreased fungal growth. The strains NA and A showed reduced ergosterol levels, while 10p exhibited increased activity of laccase and urease. L24/01 A recovered from N. benthamiana was less engulfed by murine macrophages, with lower production of reactive oxygen species. This phenotype was accompanied by increased ability of this strain to grow inside macrophages. Otherwise, L24/01 A showed reduced virulence in the T. molitor larvae model. Here, we demonstrate that the exposure to BEN, and interaction with plants interfere in the morphophysiology and virulence of the C. gattii.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João C M Dornelas
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Vivian M Paixão
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Paulo H F Carmo
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Marliete C Costa
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Eldon C Q Gomes
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Maria Aparecida de Resende-Stoianoff
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Daniel A Santos
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 31270-901, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Naik B, Sasikumar J, Das SP. From Skin and Gut to the Brain: The Infectious Journey of the Human Commensal Fungus Malassezia and Its Neurological Consequences. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04270-w. [PMID: 38871941 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04270-w] [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: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
The human mycobiome encompasses diverse communities of fungal organisms residing within the body and has emerged as a critical player in shaping health and disease. While extensive research has focused on the skin and gut mycobiome, recent investigations have pointed toward the potential role of fungal organisms in neurological disorders. Among those fungal organisms, the presence of the commensal fungus Malassezia in the brain has created curiosity because of its commensal nature and primary association with the human skin and gut. This budding yeast is responsible for several diseases, such as Seborrheic dermatitis, Atopic dermatitis, Pityriasis versicolor, Malassezia folliculitis, dandruff, and others. However recent findings surprisingly show the presence of Malassezia DNA in the brain and have been linked to diseases like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Multiple sclerosis, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The exact role of Malassezia in these disorders is unknown, but its ability to infect human cells, travel through the bloodstream, cross the blood-brain barrier, and reside along with the lipid-rich neuronal cells are potential mechanisms responsible for pathogenesis. This also includes the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, disruption of the blood-brain barrier, gut-microbe interaction, and accumulation of metabolic changes in the brain environment. In this review, we discuss these key findings from studies linking Malassezia to neurological disorders, emphasizing the complex and multifaceted nature of these cases. Furthermore, we discuss potential mechanisms through which Malassezia might contribute to the development of neurological conditions. Future investigations will open up new avenues for our understanding of the fungal gut-brain axis and how it influences human behavior. Collaborative research efforts among microbiologists, neuroscientists, immunologists, and clinicians hold promise for unraveling the enigmatic connections between human commensal Malassezia and neurological disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bharati Naik
- Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, 575018, India
| | - Jayaprakash Sasikumar
- Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, 575018, India
| | - Shankar Prasad Das
- Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, 575018, India.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Okurut S, Boulware DR, Manabe YC, Tugume L, Skipper CP, Ssebambulidde K, Rhein J, Musubire AK, Akampurira A, Okafor E, Olobo JO, Janoff EN, Meya DB. Impact of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leukocyte Infiltration and Neuroimmmune Mediators on Survival with HIV-Associated Cryptococcal Meningitis. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.05.29.24308130. [PMID: 38854002 PMCID: PMC11160828 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.29.24308130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Cryptococcal meningitis remains a prominent cause of death in persons with advanced HIV disease. CSF leukocyte infiltration predicts survival at 18 weeks; however, how CSF immune response relates to CSF leukocyte infiltration is unknown. Methods We enrolled 401 adults with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis in Uganda who received amphotericin and fluconazole induction therapy. We assessed the association of CSF leukocytes, chemokine, and cytokine responses with 18-week survival. Results Participants with CSF leukocytes ≥50/μL, had higher probability 68% (52/77) of 18-week survival compared with 52% (151/292) 18-week survival in those with ≤50 cells/μL (Hazard Ratio=1.63, 95% confidence intervals 1.14-2.23; p=0.008). Survival was also associated with higher expression of T helper (Th)-1, Th17 cytokines, and immune regulatory elements. CSF levels of Programmed Death-1 Ligand, CXCL10, and Interleukin (IL)-2 independently predicted survival. In multivariate analysis, CSF leukocytes were inversely associated with CSF fungal burden and positively associated with CSF protein, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), IL-17A, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells expression. Conclusion 18-week survival after diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis was associated with higher CSF leukocytes at baseline with greater T helper 1 (IFN-γ, IL-2 and TNF-α cytokines), T helper 17 (IL-17A cytokine) and CXCR3+ T cell (CXCL10 chemokine) responses. These results highlight the interdependent contribution of soluble and cellular immune responses in predicting survival with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Okurut
- Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David R. Boulware
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Yukari C. Manabe
- Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, MD, USA
| | - Lillian Tugume
- Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Caleb P. Skipper
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kenneth Ssebambulidde
- Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joshua Rhein
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Abdu K. Musubire
- Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Andrew Akampurira
- Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Elizabeth Okafor
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Joseph O. Olobo
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Edward N. Janoff
- Mucosal and Vaccine Research Program Colorado, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, CO. USA
- Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora CO, USA
| | - David B. Meya
- Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Loza L, Doering TL. A fungal protein organizes both glycogen and cell wall glucans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2319707121. [PMID: 38743622 PMCID: PMC11126952 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2319707121] [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: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Glycogen is a glucose storage molecule composed of branched α-1,4-glucan chains, best known as an energy reserve that can be broken down to fuel central metabolism. Because fungal cells have a specialized need for glucose in building cell wall glucans, we investigated whether glycogen is used for this process. For these studies, we focused on the pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans, which causes ~150,000 deaths per year worldwide. We identified two proteins that influence formation of both glycogen and the cell wall: glycogenin (Glg1), which initiates glycogen synthesis, and a protein that we call Glucan organizing enzyme 1 (Goe1). We found that cells missing Glg1 lack α-1,4-glucan in their walls, indicating that this material is derived from glycogen. Without Goe1, glycogen rosettes are mislocalized and β-1,3-glucan in the cell wall is reduced. Altogether, our results provide mechanisms for a close association between glycogen and cell wall.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liza Loza
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
| | - Tamara L. Doering
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zhu F, Zhou Z, Ma S, Xu Y, Tan C, Yang H, Zhang P, Qin R, Luo Y, Pan P, Chen J. Design of a cryptococcus neoformans vaccine by subtractive proteomics combined with immunoinformatics. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 135:112242. [PMID: 38772296 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112242] [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: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of Cryptococcus neoformans has posed an undeniable burden to many regions worldwide, with its strains mainly entering the lungs through the respiratory tract and spreading throughout the body. Limitations of drug regimens, such as high costs and limited options, have directed our attention toward the promising field of vaccine development. In this study, the subtractive proteomics approach was employed to select target proteins from databases that can accurately cover serotypes A and D of the Cryptococcus neoformans. Further, two multi-epitope vaccines consisting of T and B cell epitopes were demonstrated that they have good structural stability and could bind with immune receptor to induce desired immune responses in silico. After further evaluation, these vaccines show the potential for large-scale production and applicability to the majority of the population of the world. In summary, these two vaccines have been theoretically proven to combat Cryptococcus neoformans infections, awaiting further experimental validation of their actual protective effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fei Zhu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; FuRong Laboratory, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Ziyou Zhou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; FuRong Laboratory, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Shiyang Ma
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; FuRong Laboratory, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Yizhong Xu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; FuRong Laboratory, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Caixia Tan
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; Department of Infection Control Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hang Yang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; FuRong Laboratory, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Peipei Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; FuRong Laboratory, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Rongliu Qin
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; FuRong Laboratory, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Yuying Luo
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; FuRong Laboratory, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Pinhua Pan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; FuRong Laboratory, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China.
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; FuRong Laboratory, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
LaRocque-de-Freitas IF, da Silva-Junior EB, Gemieski LP, da Silva Dias Lima B, Diniz-Lima I, de Carvalho Vivarini A, Lopes UG, Freire-de-Lima L, Morrot A, Previato JO, Mendonça-Previato L, Pinto-da-Silva LH, Freire-de-Lima CG, Decote-Ricardo D. Inhibition of Microbicidal Activity of Canine Macrophages DH82 Cell Line by Capsular Polysaccharides from Cryptococcus neoformans. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:339. [PMID: 38786693 PMCID: PMC11122219 DOI: 10.3390/jof10050339] [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: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a lethal fungus that primarily affects the respiratory system and the central nervous system. One of the main virulence factors is the capsule, constituted by the polysaccharides glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) and glucuronoxylomanogalactan (GXMGal). Polysaccharides are immunomodulators. One of the target cell populations for modulation are macrophages, which are part of the first line of defense and important for innate and adaptive immunity. It has been reported that macrophages can be modulated to act as a "Trojan horse," taking phagocytosed yeasts to strategic sites or having their machinery activation compromised. The scarcity of information on canine cryptococcosis led us to assess whether the purified capsular polysaccharides from C. neoformans would be able to modulate the microbicidal action of macrophages. In the present study, we observed that the capsular polysaccharides, GXM, GXMGal, or capsule total did not induce apoptosis in the DH82 macrophage cell line. However, it was possible to demonstrate that the phagocytic activity was decreased after treatment with polysaccharides. In addition, recovered yeasts from macrophages treated with polysaccharides after phagocytosis could be cultured, showing that their viability was not altered. The polysaccharides led to a reduction in ROS production and the mRNA expression of IL-12 and IL-6. We observed that GXMGal inhibits MHC class II expression and GXM reduces ERK phosphorylation. In contrast, GXMGal and GXM were able to increase the PPAR-γ expression. Furthermore, our data suggest that capsular polysaccharides can reduce the microbicidal activity of canine macrophages DH82.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel F. LaRocque-de-Freitas
- Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica 23890-900, Brazil; (I.F.L.-d.-F.); (L.P.G.); (B.d.S.D.L.); (L.H.P.-d.-S.)
| | - Elias Barbosa da Silva-Junior
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil; (E.B.d.S.-J.); (I.D.-L.); (U.G.L.); (L.F.-d.-L.); (J.O.P.); (L.M.-P.)
| | - Leticia Paixão Gemieski
- Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica 23890-900, Brazil; (I.F.L.-d.-F.); (L.P.G.); (B.d.S.D.L.); (L.H.P.-d.-S.)
| | - Beatriz da Silva Dias Lima
- Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica 23890-900, Brazil; (I.F.L.-d.-F.); (L.P.G.); (B.d.S.D.L.); (L.H.P.-d.-S.)
| | - Israel Diniz-Lima
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil; (E.B.d.S.-J.); (I.D.-L.); (U.G.L.); (L.F.-d.-L.); (J.O.P.); (L.M.-P.)
| | | | - Ulisses G. Lopes
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil; (E.B.d.S.-J.); (I.D.-L.); (U.G.L.); (L.F.-d.-L.); (J.O.P.); (L.M.-P.)
| | - Leonardo Freire-de-Lima
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil; (E.B.d.S.-J.); (I.D.-L.); (U.G.L.); (L.F.-d.-L.); (J.O.P.); (L.M.-P.)
| | - Alexandre Morrot
- Instituto Oswaldo, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21045-900, Brazil;
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-900, Brazil
| | - José Osvaldo Previato
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil; (E.B.d.S.-J.); (I.D.-L.); (U.G.L.); (L.F.-d.-L.); (J.O.P.); (L.M.-P.)
| | - Lucia Mendonça-Previato
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil; (E.B.d.S.-J.); (I.D.-L.); (U.G.L.); (L.F.-d.-L.); (J.O.P.); (L.M.-P.)
| | - Lucia Helena Pinto-da-Silva
- Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica 23890-900, Brazil; (I.F.L.-d.-F.); (L.P.G.); (B.d.S.D.L.); (L.H.P.-d.-S.)
| | - Celio G. Freire-de-Lima
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil; (E.B.d.S.-J.); (I.D.-L.); (U.G.L.); (L.F.-d.-L.); (J.O.P.); (L.M.-P.)
| | - Debora Decote-Ricardo
- Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica 23890-900, Brazil; (I.F.L.-d.-F.); (L.P.G.); (B.d.S.D.L.); (L.H.P.-d.-S.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Kwon S, Choi Y, Kim ES, Lee KT, Bahn YS, Jung KW. Pleiotropic roles of LAMMER kinase, Lkh1 in stress responses and virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1369301. [PMID: 38774630 PMCID: PMC11106425 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1369301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Dual-specificity LAMMER kinases are highly evolutionarily conserved in eukaryotes and play pivotal roles in diverse physiological processes, such as growth, differentiation, and stress responses. Although the functions of LAMMER kinase in fungal pathogens in pathogenicity and stress responses have been characterized, its role in Cryptococcus neoformans, a human fungal pathogen and a model yeast of basidiomycetes, remains elusive. In this study, we identified a LKH1 homologous gene and constructed a strain with a deleted LKH1 and a complemented strain. Similar to other fungi, the lkh1Δ mutant showed intrinsic growth defects. We observed that C. neoformans Lkh1 was involved in diverse stress responses, including oxidative stress and cell wall stress. Particularly, Lkh1 regulates DNA damage responses in Rad53-dependent and -independent manners. Furthermore, the absence of LKH1 reduced basidiospore formation. Our observations indicate that Lkh1 becomes hyperphosphorylated upon treatment with rapamycin, a TOR protein inhibitor. Notably, LKH1 deletion led to defects in melanin synthesis and capsule formation. Furthermore, we found that the deletion of LKH1 led to the avirulence of C. neoformans in a systemic cryptococcosis murine model. Taken together, Lkh1 is required for the stress response, sexual differentiation, and virulence of C. neoformans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sunhak Kwon
- Advanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeongeup, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeseul Choi
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eui-Seong Kim
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Tae Lee
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Sun Bahn
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang-Woo Jung
- Advanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeongeup, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Francis VI, Liddle C, Camacho E, Kulkarni M, Junior SRS, Harvey JA, Ballou ER, Thomson DD, Brown GD, Hardwick JM, Casadevall A, Witton J, Coelho C. Cryptococcus neoformans rapidly invades the murine brain by sequential breaching of airway and endothelial tissues barriers, followed by engulfment by microglia. mBio 2024; 15:e0307823. [PMID: 38511961 PMCID: PMC11005363 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03078-23] [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] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans causes lethal meningitis and accounts for approximately 10%-15% of AIDS-associated deaths worldwide. There are major gaps in our understanding of how this fungus invades the mammalian brain. To investigate the dynamics of C. neoformans tissue invasion, we mapped fungal localization and host cell interactions in infected brain, lung, and upper airways using mouse models of systemic and airway infection. To enable this, we developed an in situ imaging pipeline capable of measuring large volumes of tissue while preserving anatomical and cellular information by combining thick tissue sections, tissue clarification, and confocal imaging. We confirm high fungal burden in mouse upper airway after nasal inoculation. Yeast in turbinates were frequently titan cells, with faster kinetics than reported in mouse lungs. Importantly, we observed one instance of fungal cells enmeshed in lamina propria of the upper airways, suggesting penetration of airway mucosa as a possible route of tissue invasion and dissemination to the bloodstream. We extend previous literature positing bloodstream dissemination of C. neoformans, by finding viable fungi in the bloodstream of mice a few days after intranasal infection. As early as 24 h post systemic infection, the majority of C. neoformans cells traversed the blood-brain barrier, and were engulfed or in close proximity to microglia. Our work presents a new method for investigating microbial invasion, establishes that C. neoformans can breach multiple tissue barriers within the first days of infection, and demonstrates microglia as the first cells responding to C. neoformans invasion of the brain.IMPORTANCECryptococcal meningitis causes 10%-15% of AIDS-associated deaths globally. Still, brain-specific immunity to cryptococci is a conundrum. By employing innovative imaging, this study reveals what occurs during the first days of infection in brain and in airways. We found that titan cells predominate in upper airways and that cryptococci breach the upper airway mucosa, which implies that, at least in mice, the upper airways are a site for fungal dissemination. This would signify that mucosal immunity of the upper airway needs to be better understood. Importantly, we also show that microglia, the brain-resident macrophages, are the first responders to infection, and microglia clusters are formed surrounding cryptococci. This study opens the field to detailed molecular investigations on airway immune response, how fungus traverses the blood-brain barrier, how microglia respond to infection, and ultimately how microglia monitor the blood-brain barrier to preserve brain function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa I. Francis
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at University of Exeter, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Corin Liddle
- Bioimaging Facility, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Camacho
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Madhura Kulkarni
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Jamie A. Harvey
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at University of Exeter, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth R. Ballou
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at University of Exeter, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Darren D. Thomson
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at University of Exeter, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Gordon D. Brown
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at University of Exeter, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - J. Marie Hardwick
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jonathan Witton
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Carolina Coelho
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at University of Exeter, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Gutierrez-Gongora D, Woods M, Prosser RS, Geddes-McAlister J. Natural compounds from freshwater mussels disrupt fungal virulence determinants and influence fluconazole susceptibility in the presence of macrophages in Cryptococcus neoformans. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0284123. [PMID: 38329361 PMCID: PMC10913472 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02841-23] [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] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a human fungal pathogen responsible for fatal infections, especially in patients with a depressed immune system. Overexposure to antifungal drugs due to prolonged treatment regimens and structure-similar applications in agriculture have weakened the efficacy of current antifungals in the clinic. The rapid evolution of antifungal resistance urges the discovery of new compounds that inhibit fungal virulence determinants, rather than directly killing the pathogen, as alternative strategies to overcome disease and reduce selective pressure toward resistance. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of freshwater mussel extracts (crude and clarified) against the production of well-defined virulence determinants (i.e., thermotolerance, melanin, capsule, and biofilm) and fluconazole resistance in C. neoformans. We demonstrated the extracts' influence on fungal thermotolerance, capsule production, and biofilm formation, as well as susceptibility to fluconazole in the presence of macrophages. Additionally, we measured the inhibitory activity of extracts against commercial peptidases (family representatives of cryptococcal orthologs) related to fungal virulence determinants and fluconazole resistance, and integrated these phenotypic findings with quantitative proteomics profiling. Our approach defined distinct signatures of each treatment and validated a new mechanism of anti-virulence action toward the polysaccharide capsule from a selected extract following fractionation. By understanding the mechanisms driving the antifungal activity of mussels, we may develop innovative treatment options to overcome fungal infections and promote susceptibility to fluconazole in resistant strains. IMPORTANCE As the prevalence and severity of global fungal infections rise, along with an increasing incidence of antifungal resistance, new strategies to combat fungal pathogens and overcome resistance are urgently needed. Critically, our current methods to overcome fungal infections are limited and drive the evolution of resistance forward; however, an anti-virulence approach to disarm virulence factors of the pathogen and promote host cell clearance is promising. Here, we explore the efficacy of natural compounds derived from freshwater mussels against classical fungal virulence determinants, including thermotolerance, capsule production, stress response, and biofilm formation. We integrate our phenotypic discoveries with state-of-the-art mass spectrometry-based proteomics to identify mechanistic drivers of these antifungal properties and propose innovative avenues to reduce infection and support the treatment of resistant strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Woods
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ryan S. Prosser
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Cooper CG, Kafetzis KN, Patabendige A, Tagalakis AD. Blood-brain barrier disruption in dementia: Nano-solutions as new treatment options. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:1359-1385. [PMID: 38154805 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16229] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Candidate drugs targeting the central nervous system (CNS) demonstrate extremely low clinical success rates, with more than 98% of potential treatments being discontinued due to poor blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Neurological conditions were shown to be the second leading cause of death globally in 2016, with the number of people currently affected by neurological disorders increasing rapidly. This increasing trend, along with an inability to develop BBB permeating drugs, is presenting a major hurdle in the treatment of CNS-related disorders, like dementia. To overcome this, it is necessary to understand the structure and function of the BBB, including the transport of molecules across its interface in both healthy and pathological conditions. The use of CNS drug carriers is rapidly gaining popularity in CNS research due to their ability to target BBB transport systems. Further research and development of drug delivery vehicles could provide essential information that can be used to develop novel treatments for neurological conditions. This review discusses the BBB and its transport systems and evaluates the potential of using nanoparticle-based delivery systems as drug carriers for CNS disease with a focus on dementia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adjanie Patabendige
- Department of Biology, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, UK
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Aristides D Tagalakis
- Department of Biology, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, UK
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Sonnberger J, Kasper L, Lange T, Brunke S, Hube B. "We've got to get out"-Strategies of human pathogenic fungi to escape from phagocytes. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:341-358. [PMID: 37800630 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15149] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Human fungal pathogens are a deadly and underappreciated risk to global health that most severely affect immunocompromised individuals. A virulence attribute shared by some of the most clinically relevant fungal species is their ability to survive inside macrophages and escape from these immune cells. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms behind intracellular survival and elaborate how escape is mediated by lytic and non-lytic pathways as well as strategies to induce programmed host cell death. We also discuss persistence as an alternative to rapid host cell exit. In the end, we address the consequences of fungal escape for the host immune response and provide future perspectives for research and development of targeted therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Sonnberger
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Lydia Kasper
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Theresa Lange
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Yang C, Shen W, Wang L, Zang X, Huang Y, Deng H, Zhou Y, Xie M, Xue X, Shen D. Cryptococcus gattii strains with a high phagocytosis phenotype by macrophages display high pathogenicity at the early stage of infection in vivo. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2024; 56:291-303. [PMID: 37885429 PMCID: PMC10984874 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2023250] [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: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus gattii (Cg) is a facultative intracellular pathogen that can replicate and disseminate in mammalian macrophages, causing life-threatening cryptococcosis in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. Cryptococcus-macrophage interactions are crucial for cryptococcosis prognosis. However, the relationship between Cg pathogenicity and phagocytosis by macrophages has not yet been investigated in depth. In this study, a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to investigate the interaction between macrophages and Cg. Flow cytometry was used to detect the phagocytic phenotypes of the Cg strains within macrophages. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence were used to observe phagocytosis and proliferation, respectively. Survival and lung fungal burden tests were also performed. Our results show that Cg cells display different phagocytosis phenotypes, which are independent of the molecular type. Within macrophages, the high phagocytosis phenotype (HP) strains obtain higher intracellular proliferation than the low phagocytosis phenotype (LP) strains. At the early stage of infection in vivo, HP-inducing permissive granulomas within the lungs seldom limit the dissemination of cryptococci. In addition, HP strains could inhibit the formation of M1-type macrophages, proliferate intracellularly and disseminate extracellularly, and cause hypoxia induced by mucus and acidic polysaccharide accumulation in pulmonary alveoli much earlier than LP strains in vivo. Our work reveals that Cg displays diverse interactions with macrophages, which may enhance our understanding of the pathogenicity of this life-threatening pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicinethe First Medical CentreChinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General HospitalBeijing100853China
| | - Wanjun Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Kidney DiseaseDepartment of NephrologyChinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General HospitalBeijing100853China
| | - Lifeng Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicinethe First Medical CentreChinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General HospitalBeijing100853China
| | - Xuelei Zang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical CareBeijing Shijitan HospitalCapital Medical UniversityPeking University Ninth School of Clinical MedicineBeijing100089China
| | - Yemei Huang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical CareBeijing Shijitan HospitalCapital Medical UniversityPeking University Ninth School of Clinical MedicineBeijing100089China
| | - Hengyu Deng
- School of Clinical MedicineWeifang Medical UniversityWeifang261053China
| | - Yangyu Zhou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical CareBeijing Shijitan HospitalCapital Medical UniversityPeking University Ninth School of Clinical MedicineBeijing100089China
| | - Mei Xie
- of Respiratory and Critical CareChinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General HospitalBeijing100853China
| | - Xinying Xue
- Department of Respiratory and Critical CareBeijing Shijitan HospitalCapital Medical UniversityPeking University Ninth School of Clinical MedicineBeijing100089China
- School of Clinical MedicineWeifang Medical UniversityWeifang261053China
| | - Dingxia Shen
- Department of Laboratory Medicinethe First Medical CentreChinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General HospitalBeijing100853China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Roosen L, Maes D, Musetta L, Himmelreich U. Preclinical Models for Cryptococcosis of the CNS and Their Characterization Using In Vivo Imaging Techniques. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:146. [PMID: 38392818 PMCID: PMC10890286 DOI: 10.3390/jof10020146] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii remain a challenge to our healthcare systems as they are still difficult to treat. In order to improve treatment success, in particular for infections that have disseminated to the central nervous system, a better understanding of the disease is needed, addressing questions like how it evolves from a pulmonary to a brain disease and how novel treatment approaches can be developed and validated. This requires not only clinical research and research on the microorganisms in a laboratory environment but also preclinical models in order to study cryptococci in the host. We provide an overview of available preclinical models, with particular emphasis on models of cryptococcosis in rodents. In order to further improve the characterization of rodent models, in particular the dynamic aspects of disease manifestation, development, and ultimate treatment, preclinical in vivo imaging methods are increasingly used, mainly in research for oncological, neurological, and cardiac diseases. In vivo imaging applications for fungal infections are rather sparse. A second aspect of this review is how research on models of cryptococcosis can benefit from in vivo imaging methods that not only provide information on morphology and tissue structure but also on function, metabolism, and cellular properties in a non-invasive way.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lara Roosen
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dries Maes
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luigi Musetta
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Uwe Himmelreich
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Crawford C, Guazzelli L, McConnell SA, McCabe O, d’Errico C, Greengo SD, Wear MP, Jedlicka AE, Casadevall A, Oscarson S. Synthetic Glycans Reveal Determinants of Antibody Functional Efficacy against a Fungal Pathogen. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:475-488. [PMID: 37856427 PMCID: PMC10862557 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Antibodies play a vital role in the immune response to infectious diseases and can be administered passively to protect patients. In the case of Cryptococcus neoformans, a WHO critical priority fungal pathogen, infection results in antibodies targeting capsular glucuronoxylomannan (GXM). These antibodies yield protective, non-protective, and disease-enhancing outcomes when administered passively. However, it was unknown how these distinct antibodies recognized their antigens at the molecular level, leading to the hypothesis that they may target different GXM epitopes. To test this hypothesis, we constructed a microarray containing 26 glycans representative of those found in highly virulent cryptococcal strains and utilized it to study 16 well-characterized monoclonal antibodies. Notably, we found that protective and non-protective antibodies shared conserved reactivity to the M2 motif of GXM, irrespective of the strain used in infection or GXM-isolated to produce a conjugate vaccine. Here, only two antibodies, 12A1 and 18B7, exhibited diverse trivalent GXM motif reactivity. IgG antibodies associated with protective responses showed cross-reactivity to at least two GXM motifs. This molecular understanding of antibody binding epitopes was used to map the antigenic diversity of two Cryptococcus neoformans strains, which revealed the exceptional complexity of fungal capsular polysaccharides. A multi-GXM motif vaccine holds the potential to effectively address this antigenic diversity. Collectively, these findings underscore the context-dependent nature of antibody function and challenge the classification of anti-GXM epitopes as either "protective" or "non-protective".
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Conor
J. Crawford
- Centre
for Synthesis and Chemical Biology, University
College Dublin, Belfield D04 V1W8, Dublin 4, Ireland
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Lorenzo Guazzelli
- Centre
for Synthesis and Chemical Biology, University
College Dublin, Belfield D04 V1W8, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Scott A. McConnell
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Orla McCabe
- Centre
for Synthesis and Chemical Biology, University
College Dublin, Belfield D04 V1W8, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Clotilde d’Errico
- Centre
for Synthesis and Chemical Biology, University
College Dublin, Belfield D04 V1W8, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Seth D. Greengo
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Maggie P. Wear
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Anne E. Jedlicka
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Stefan Oscarson
- Centre
for Synthesis and Chemical Biology, University
College Dublin, Belfield D04 V1W8, Dublin 4, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Li X, Xu J, Lin X, Lin Q, Yu T, Chen L, Chen L, Huang X, Zhang X, Chen G, Xu L. Macrophages-derived exo-miR-4449 induced by Cryptococcus affects HUVEC permeability and promotes pyroptosis in BEAS-2B via the HIC1 pathway. Cytokine 2024; 173:156441. [PMID: 37995394 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156441] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Macrophages have recently been discovered to assume a significant role in the progression of cryptococcosis. However, the potential involvement of macrophage-derived exosomes in the pathogenesis of cryptococcosis remains uncertain. In this study, we investigated the changes of microRNAs in macrophage exosomes (exo-miRNAs) in cryptococcal infections and the role of markedly altered exo-miRNAs in the modulation of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) permeability and ROS accumulation and pyroptosis in Human Bronchial Epithelioid Cells (BEAS-2B). Techniques such as microarray analysis and real-time quantitative PCR were used to detect different exo-miRNAs and to screen for the most highly expressed exo-miRNAs. Then its mimics were transfected into HUVEC to study its effect on the monolayer permeability of HUVEC. Finally, the relationship between this exo-miRNAs and the ROS accumulation and pyroptosis was verified by bioinformatics analysis. The results showed that five exo-miRNAs were overexpressed and two exo-miRNAs were reduced, among which, exo-miR-4449 was expressed at the highest level. Exo-miR-4449 could be internalized by HUVEC and enhanced its monolayer permeability. Moreover, exo-miR-4449 was found to promote ROS accumulation and pyroptosis in BEAS-2B through HIC1 pathway. Thus, exo-miR-4449 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cryptococcosis and holds promise as a significant biomarker for treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Fuzhou No. 1 Hospital Affiliated with Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350009, China.
| | - Junping Xu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Fuzhou No. 1 Hospital Affiliated with Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350009, China.
| | - Xin Lin
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Fuzhou No. 1 Hospital Affiliated with Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350009, China.
| | - Qiong Lin
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Fuzhou No. 1 Hospital Affiliated with Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350009, China.
| | - Tianxing Yu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Fuzhou No. 1 Hospital Affiliated with Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350009, China.
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Fuzhou No. 1 Hospital Affiliated with Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350009, China.
| | - Lifang Chen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Fuzhou No. 1 Hospital Affiliated with Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350009, China.
| | - Xiaoqing Huang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Fuzhou No. 1 Hospital Affiliated with Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350009, China.
| | - Xueping Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Fuzhou No. 1 Hospital Affiliated with Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350009, China.
| | - Geng Chen
- Nursing Department, Fuzhou No. 1 Hospital Affiliated with Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350009, China.
| | - Liyu Xu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Fuzhou No. 1 Hospital Affiliated with Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350009, China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Senthil N, Pacifici N, Cruz-Acuña M, Diener A, Han H, Lewis JS. An Image Processing Algorithm for Facile and Reproducible Quantification of Vomocytosis. CHEMICAL & BIOMEDICAL IMAGING 2023; 1:831-842. [PMID: 38155727 PMCID: PMC10751783 DOI: 10.1021/cbmi.3c00102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Vomocytosis is a process that occurs when internalized fungal pathogens escape from phagocytes without compromising the viability of the pathogen and the host cell. Manual quantification of time-lapse microscopy videos is currently used as the standard to study pathogen behavior and vomocytosis incidence. However, human-driven quantification of vomocytosis (and the closely related phenomenon, exocytosis) is incredibly burdensome, especially when a large volume of cells and interactions needs to be analyzed. In this study, we designed a MATLAB algorithm that measures the extent of colocalization between the phagocyte and fungal cell (Cryptococcus neoformans; CN) and rapidly reports the occurrence of vomocytosis in a high throughput manner. Our code processes multichannel, time-lapse microscopy videos of cocultured CN and immune cells that have each been fluorescently stained with unique dyes and provides quantitative readouts of the spatiotemporally dynamic process that is vomocytosis. This study also explored metrics, such as the rate of change of pathogen colocalization with the host cell, that could potentially be used to predict vomocytosis occurrence based on the quantitative data collected. Ultimately, the algorithm quantifies vomocytosis events and reduces the time for video analysis from over 1 h to just 10 min, a reduction in labor of 83%, while simultaneously minimizing human error. This tool significantly minimizes the vomocytosis analysis pipeline, accelerates our ability to elucidate unstudied aspects of this phenomenon, and expedites our ability to characterize CN strains for the study of their epidemiology and virulence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neeraj Senthil
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
California − Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Noah Pacifici
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
California − Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Melissa Cruz-Acuña
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
California − Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Agustina Diener
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
California − Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Hyunsoo Han
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
California − Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Jamal S. Lewis
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
California − Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
- J.
Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Okurut S, Boulware DR, Okafor E, Rhein J, Kajumbula H, Bagaya BS, Bwanga F, Olobo JO, Manabe YC, Meya DB, Janoff EN. Divergent neuroimmune signatures in the cerebrospinal fluid predict differential gender-specific survival among patients with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1275443. [PMID: 38152404 PMCID: PMC10752005 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1275443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Survival among people with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis (CM) remains low, particularly among women, despite the currently optimal use of antifungal drugs. Cryptococcus dissemination into the central nervous system [brain, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)] elicits the local production of cytokines, chemokines, and other biomarkers. However, no consistent diagnostic or prognostic neuroimmune signature is reported to underpin the risk of death or to identify mechanisms to improve treatment and survival. We hypothesized that distinct neuroimmune signatures in the CSF would distinguish survivors from people who died on antifungal treatment and who may benefit from tailored therapy. Methods We considered baseline clinical features, CSF cryptococcal fungal burden, and CSF neuroimmune signatures with survival at 18 weeks among 419 consenting adults by "gender" (168 women and 251 men by biological sex defined at birth). Results Survival at 18 weeks was significantly lower among women than among men {47% vs. 59%, respectively; hazard ratio (HR) = 1.4 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.0 to 1.9; p = 0.023]}. Unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated divergent neuroimmune signatures by gender, survival, and intragender-specific survival. Overall, women had lower levels of programmed death ligand 1, Interleukin (IL) (IL-11RA/IL-1F30, and IL-15 (IL-15) than men (all p < 0.028). Female survivors compared with those who died expressed significant elevations in levels of CCL11 and CXCL10 chemokines (both p = 0.001), as well as increased T helper 1, regulatory, and T helper 17 cytokines (all p < 0.041). In contrast, male survivors expressed lower levels of IL-15 and IL-8 compared with men who died (p < 0.044). Conclusions Survivors of both genders demonstrated a significant increase in the levels of immune regulatory IL-10. In conclusion, the lower survival among women with CM was accompanied by distinct differential gender-specific neuroimmune signatures. These female and male intragender-specific survival-associated neuroimmune signatures provide potential targets for interventions to advance therapy to improve the low survival among people with HIV-associated CM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Okurut
- Translation Sciences Laboratory, Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David R. Boulware
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Elizabeth Okafor
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Joshua Rhein
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Henry Kajumbula
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Bernard S. Bagaya
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Freddie Bwanga
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joseph O. Olobo
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Yukari C. Manabe
- Translation Sciences Laboratory, Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David B. Meya
- Translation Sciences Laboratory, Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Edward N. Janoff
- Mucosal and Vaccine Research Program Colorado, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Medicine and Infectious Disease, Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, CO, United States
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Lanser DM, Bennett AB, Vu K, Gelli A. Macropinocytosis as a potential mechanism driving neurotropism of Cryptococcus neoformans. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1331429. [PMID: 38149006 PMCID: PMC10750359 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1331429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans can invade the central nervous system by crossing the blood-brain barrier via a transcellular mechanism that relies on multiple host factors. In this narrative, we review the evidence that a direct interplay between C. neoformans and brain endothelial cells forms the basis for invasion and transmigration across the brain endothelium. Adherence and internalization of C. neoformans is dependent on transmembrane proteins, including a hyaluronic acid receptor and an ephrin receptor tyrosine kinase. We consider the role of EphA2 in facilitating the invasion of the central nervous system by C. neoformans and highlight experimental evidence supporting macropinocytosis as a potential mechanism of internalization and transcytosis. How macropinocytosis might be conclusively demonstrated in the context of C. neoformans is also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Angie Gelli
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Elalouf A, Elalouf H, Rosenfeld A. Modulatory immune responses in fungal infection associated with organ transplant - advancements, management, and challenges. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1292625. [PMID: 38143753 PMCID: PMC10748506 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1292625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Organ transplantation stands as a pivotal achievement in modern medicine, offering hope to individuals with end-stage organ diseases. Advancements in immunology led to improved organ transplant survival through the development of immunosuppressants, but this heightened susceptibility to fungal infections with nonspecific symptoms in recipients. This review aims to establish an intricate balance between immune responses and fungal infections in organ transplant recipients. It explores the fundamental immune mechanisms, recent advances in immune response dynamics, and strategies for immune modulation, encompassing responses to fungal infections, immunomodulatory approaches, diagnostics, treatment challenges, and management. Early diagnosis of fungal infections in transplant patients is emphasized with the understanding that innate immune responses could potentially reduce immunosuppression and promise efficient and safe immuno-modulating treatments. Advances in fungal research and genetic influences on immune-fungal interactions are underscored, as well as the potential of single-cell technologies integrated with machine learning for biomarker discovery. This review provides a snapshot of the complex interplay between immune responses and fungal infections in organ transplantation and underscores key research directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amir Elalouf
- Department of Management, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Hadas Elalouf
- Information Science Department, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Ariel Rosenfeld
- Information Science Department, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Peixoto-Rodrigues MC, da Costa GL, Pinto TN, Adesse D, Oliveira MME, Hauser-Davis RA. A novel report on the emerging and zoonotic neurotropic fungus Trichosporon japonicum in the brain tissue of the endangered Brazilian guitarfish (Pseudobatos horkelii) off the southeastern coast of Brazil. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:367. [PMID: 38017412 PMCID: PMC10685615 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-03128-w] [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: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Yeast infections have gained significant attention in the field of marine biology in recent years. Among the broad diversity of marine organisms affected by these infections, elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) have emerged as highly susceptible, due to climate change effects, such as increasing water temperatures and pollution, which can alter the composition and abundance of fungal communities. Additionally, injuries, or compromised immune systems resulting from pollution or disease may increase the likelihood of fungal infections in elasmobranchs. Studies are, however, still lacking for this taxonomic group. In this context, this study aimed to screen yeast species in cell cultures obtained from the brain of artisanally captured Pseudobatos horkelii, a cartilaginous fish that, although endangered, is highly captured and consumed worldwide. Fungi were isolated during an attempt to establish primary cultures of elasmobranch neural cells. Culture flasks were swabbed and investigated using morphological, phenotypic, and molecular techniques. Two isolates of the emerging opportunistic pathogen Trichosporon japonicum were identified, with high scores (1.80 and 1.85, respectively) by the MALDI-ToF technique. This is the first report of the basidiomycetous yeast T. japonicum in Pseudobatos horkelii in Brazil. This finding highlights the need for further research to determine the potential impact on elasmobranch health, ecology, as well as on commercial fisheries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Carolina Peixoto-Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental, IInstituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gisela Lara da Costa
- Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Tatiane Nobre Pinto
- Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniel Adesse
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Rachel Ann Hauser-Davis
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental, IInstituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Francis VI, Liddle C, Camacho E, Kulkarni M, Junior SRS, Harvey JA, Ballou ER, Thomson DD, Hardwick JM, Casadevall A, Witton J, Coelho C. Cryptococcus neoformans rapidly invades the murine brain by sequential breaching of airway and endothelial tissues barriers, followed by engulfment by microglia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.13.564824. [PMID: 38014111 PMCID: PMC10680653 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.13.564824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
The fungus Cryptococcus neoformans causes lethal meningitis in humans with weakened immune systems and is estimated to account for 10-15% of AIDS-associated deaths worldwide. There are major gaps in our understanding of how this environmental fungus evades the immune system and invades the mammalian brain before the onset of overt symptoms. To investigate the dynamics of C. neoformans tissue invasion, we mapped early fungal localisation and host cell interactions at early times in infected brain, lung, and upper airways using mouse models of systemic and airway infection. To enable this, we developed an in situ imaging pipeline capable of measuring large volumes of tissue while preserving anatomical and cellular information by combining thick tissue sections, tissue clarification, and confocal imaging. Made possible by these techniques, we confirm high fungal burden in mouse upper airway turbinates after nasal inoculation. Surprisingly, most yeasts in turbinates were titan cells, indicating this microenvironment enables titan cell formation with faster kinetics than reported in mouse lungs. Importantly, we observed one instance of fungal cells enmeshed in lamina propria of upper airways, suggesting penetration of airway mucosa as a possible route of tissue invasion and dissemination to the bloodstream. We extend previous literature positing bloodstream dissemination of C. neoformans, via imaging C. neoformans within blood vessels of mouse lungs and finding viable fungi in the bloodstream of mice a few days after intranasal infection, suggesting that bloodstream access can occur via lung alveoli. In a model of systemic cryptococcosis, we show that as early as 24 h post infection, majority of C. neoformans cells traversed the blood-brain barrier, and are engulfed or in close proximity to microglia. Our work establishes that C. neoformans can breach multiple tissue barriers within the first days of infection. This work presents a new method for investigating cryptococcal invasion mechanisms and demonstrates microglia as the primary cells responding to C. neoformans invasion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa I Francis
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at University of Exeter, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Corin Liddle
- Bioimaging Facility, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Emma Camacho
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Madhura Kulkarni
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Samuel R S Junior
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jamie A Harvey
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at University of Exeter, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Elizabeth R Ballou
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at University of Exeter, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Darren D Thomson
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at University of Exeter, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - J Marie Hardwick
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jonathan Witton
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Carolina Coelho
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at University of Exeter, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Mohamed SH, Fu MS, Hain S, Alselami A, Vanhoffelen E, Li Y, Bojang E, Lukande R, Ballou ER, May RC, Ding C, Velde GV, Drummond RA. Microglia are not protective against cryptococcal meningitis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7202. [PMID: 37938547 PMCID: PMC10632471 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43061-0] [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: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia provide protection against a range of brain infections including bacteria, viruses and parasites, but how these glial cells respond to fungal brain infections is poorly understood. We investigated the role of microglia in the context of cryptococcal meningitis, the most common cause of fungal meningitis in humans. Using a series of transgenic- and chemical-based microglia depletion methods we found that, contrary to their protective role during other infections, loss of microglia did not affect control of Cryptococcus neoformans brain infection which was replicated with several fungal strains. At early time points post-infection, we found that microglia depletion lowered fungal brain burdens, which was related to intracellular residence of C. neoformans within microglia. Further examination of extracellular and intracellular fungal populations revealed that C. neoformans residing in microglia were protected from copper starvation, whereas extracellular yeast upregulated copper transporter CTR4. However, the degree of copper starvation did not equate to fungal survival or abundance of metals within different intracellular niches. Taken together, these data show how tissue-resident myeloid cells may influence fungal phenotype in the brain but do not provide protection against this infection, and instead may act as an early infection reservoir.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sally H Mohamed
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Man Shun Fu
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sofia Hain
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Alanoud Alselami
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Eliane Vanhoffelen
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI/MoSAIC, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yanjian Li
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110015, Liaoning, China
| | - Ebrima Bojang
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Robert Lukande
- Department of Pathology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Chen Ding
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110015, Liaoning, China
| | - Greetje Vande Velde
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI/MoSAIC, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rebecca A Drummond
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
TAKASHIMA Y. Visualization of parasite dynamics in the host tissues: application of tissue transparency technology to parasite research. J Vet Med Sci 2023; 85:1146-1150. [PMID: 37766567 PMCID: PMC10686769 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.23-0272] [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: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Many parasite species migrate to another site of infection after entering the host body. Such parasite dynamics are closely related to pathogenicity, but it is not easy to observe such parasite behavior deep within the organs. In recent years, technology that can make organs transparent has been developed that enables us to observe deep within organs ex vivo while maintaining their three-dimensional structure. This review describes a series of attempts to apply this technology to understand the behavior of Toxoplasma gondii in the host body. A series of studies has shown that T. gondii tachyzoites that infect leukocytes can reach target organs far from the site of invasion via the circulatory system. In addition, infected leukocytes in the bloodstream adhere more readily to vascular endothelial cells than uninfected leukocytes and are more likely to remain inside the target organs. When infected leukocytes adhere to the vascular endothelial cells of the target organ, the tachyzoites inside the cells immediately escape and infect the parenchyma of the organs. As described above, organ transparency technology is a powerful tool for understanding the internal dynamics of parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro TAKASHIMA
- Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
- Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research (COMIT), Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
- Joint Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
de Castro RJA, Marina CL, Sturny-Leclère A, Hoffmann C, Bürgel PH, Wong SSW, Aimanianda V, Varet H, Agrawal R, Bocca AL, Alanio A. Kicking sleepers out of bed: Macrophages promote reactivation of dormant Cryptococcus neoformans by extracellular vesicle release and non-lytic exocytosis. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011841. [PMID: 38033163 PMCID: PMC10715671 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011841] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages play a key role in disseminated cryptococcosis, a deadly fungal disease caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. This opportunistic infection can arise following the reactivation of a poorly characterized latent infection attributed to dormant C. neoformans. Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying reactivation of dormant C. neoformans using an in vitro co-culture model of viable but non-culturable (VBNC; equivalent of dormant) yeast cells with bone marrow-derived murine macrophages (BMDMs). Comparative transcriptome analysis of BMDMs incubated with log, stationary phase or VBNC cells of C. neoformans showed that VBNC cells elicited a reduced transcriptional modification of the macrophage but retaining the ability to regulate genes important for immune response, such as NLRP3 inflammasome-related genes. We further confirmed the maintenance of the low immunostimulatory capacity of VBNC cells using multiplex cytokine profiling, and analysis of cell wall composition and dectin-1 ligands exposure. In addition, we evaluated the effects of classic (M1) or alternative (M2) macrophage polarization on VBNC cells. We observed that intracellular residence sustained dormancy, regardless of the polarization state of macrophages and despite indirect detection of pantothenic acid (or its derivatives), a known reactivator for VBNC cells, in the C. neoformans-containing phagolysosome. Notably, M0 and M2, but not M1 macrophages, induced extracellular reactivation of VBNC cells by the secretion of extracellular vesicles and non-lytic exocytosis. Our results indicate that VBNC cells retain the low immunostimulatory profile required for persistence of C. neoformans in the host. We also describe a pro-pathogen role of macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles in C. neoformans infection and reinforce the impact of non-lytic exocytosis and the macrophage profile on the pathophysiology of cryptococcosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raffael Júnio Araújo de Castro
- Translational Mycology Research Group, National Reference Center for Invasive Mycoses and Antifungals, Mycology Department, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Clara Luna Marina
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Aude Sturny-Leclère
- Translational Mycology Research Group, National Reference Center for Invasive Mycoses and Antifungals, Mycology Department, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Christian Hoffmann
- Food Research Center, Department of Food Sciences and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro Henrique Bürgel
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Sarah Sze Wah Wong
- Immunobiology of Aspergillus, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Vishukumar Aimanianda
- Immunobiology of Aspergillus, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Hugo Varet
- Plate-forme Technologique Biomics, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Ruchi Agrawal
- Translational Mycology Research Group, National Reference Center for Invasive Mycoses and Antifungals, Mycology Department, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Anamélia Lorenzetti Bocca
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Alanio
- Translational Mycology Research Group, National Reference Center for Invasive Mycoses and Antifungals, Mycology Department, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Laboratoire de parasitologie-mycologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Stuckey PV, Santiago-Tirado FH. Fungal mechanisms of intracellular survival: what can we learn from bacterial pathogens? Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0043422. [PMID: 37506189 PMCID: PMC10501222 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00434-22] [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: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections represent a major, albeit neglected, public health threat with serious medical and economic burdens globally. With unacceptably high mortality rates, invasive fungal pathogens are responsible for millions of deaths each year, with a steadily increasing incidence primarily in immunocompromised individuals. The poor therapeutic options and rise of antifungal drug resistance pose further challenges in controlling these infections. These fungal pathogens have adapted to survive within mammalian hosts and can establish intracellular niches to promote survival within host immune cells. To do that, they have developed diverse methods to circumvent the innate immune system attack. This includes strategies such as altering their morphology, counteracting macrophage antimicrobial action, and metabolic adaptation. This is reminiscent of how bacterial pathogens have adapted to survive within host cells and cause disease. However, relative to the great deal of information available concerning intracellular bacterial pathogenesis, less is known about the mechanisms fungal pathogens employ. Therefore, here we review our current knowledge and recent advances in our understanding of how fungi can evade and persist within host immune cells. This review will focus on the major fungal pathogens, including Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus fumigatus, among others. As we discover and understand the strategies used by these fungi, similarities with their bacterial counterparts are becoming apparent, hence we can use the abundant information from bacteria to guide our studies in fungi. By understanding these strategies, new lines of research will open that can improve the treatments of these devastating fungal diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter V. Stuckey
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Felipe H. Santiago-Tirado
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
- Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Okurut S, Boulware DR, Okafor E, Rhein J, Kajumbula H, Bagaya B, Bwanga F, Olobo JO, Manabe YC, Meya DB, Janoff EN. Divergent Neuroimmune Signatures in the Cerebrospinal Fluid Predict Differential Gender-Specific Survival Among Patients With HIV-Associated Cryptococcal Meningitis. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.08.09.23293903. [PMID: 37645984 PMCID: PMC10462187 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.09.23293903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Survival among people with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis (CM) remains low, exceptionally among women with the increased threat of death on current optimal use of antifungal drugs. Cryptococcus dissemination into the central nervous system (CNS) prompts a neuroimmune reaction to activate pathogen concomitant factors. However, no consistent diagnostic or prognostic immune-mediated signature is reported to underpin the risk of death or mechanism to improve treatment or survival. We theorized that the distinct neuroimmune cytokine or chemokine signatures in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), distinguish survivors from people who died on antifungal treatment, who may benefit from tailored therapy. We considered the baseline clinical disease features, cryptococcal microbiologic factors, and CSF neuroimmune modulated signatures among 419 consenting adults by gender (biological sex assigned at birth) (168 females and 251 males) by 18 weeks of survival on antifungal management. Survival at 18 weeks was inferior among females than males (47% vs. 59%; hazard ratio HR=1.4, 95% CI: 1.0 to 1.9, and p=0.023). Unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated the divergent neuroimmune signatures by gender, survival, and intragender-specific survival. Overall, females displayed lower levels of PD-L1, IL-1RA, and IL-15 than males (all p≤0.028). Female survivors compared with those who died, expressed significant fold elevations in levels of CSF (CCL11 - myeloid and CXCL10 - lymphoid chemokine (in both p=0.001), and CSF Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines. In contrast, male survivors expressed distinctly lower levels of CSF IL-15 and IL-8 compared with those who died. Survivors of either gender demonstrated a significant increase in the levels of immune regulatory element, IL-10. In the finale, we classified divergent neuroimmune key signatures in CSF by gender, survival, and intragender-specific survival among people with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis. These intragender-specific survival associated-neuroimmune signatures, suggests the discrete role of gender immune regulating mechanisms as the possible targets for interventions to advance therapy to improve survival among people with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Okurut
- Translation Sciences Laboratory, Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David R Boulware
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Elizabeth Okafor
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Joshua Rhein
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Henry Kajumbula
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Bernard Bagaya
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Freddie Bwanga
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joseph O Olobo
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Yukari C Manabe
- Translation Sciences Laboratory, Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, MD, 21205, USA
| | - David B Meya
- Translation Sciences Laboratory, Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Edward N Janoff
- Mucosal and Vaccine Research Program Colorado, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, 80045, USA
- Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver CO, 80045, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Kim J, Mooren OL, Onken MD, Cooper JA. Septin and actin contributions to endothelial cell-cell junctions and monolayer integrity. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2023; 80:228-241. [PMID: 36205643 PMCID: PMC10079785 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21732] [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: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Septins in endothelial cells (ECs) have important roles supporting the integrity of the endothelial monolayer. Cell-cell junctions in EC monolayers are highly dynamic, with continuous retractions and protrusions. Depletion of septins in ECs leads to disruption of cell-cell junctions, which are composed of VE-cadherin and other junctional proteins. In EC monolayers, septins are concentrated at the plasma membrane at sites of cell-cell contact, in curved- and scallop-shaped patterns. These membrane-associated septin accumulations are located in regions of positive membrane curvature, and those regions are often associated with and immediately adjacent to actin-rich protrusions with negative membrane curvature. EC septins associate directly with plasma membrane lipids, based on findings with site-specific mutations of septins in ECs, which is consistent with biochemical and cell biological studies in other systems. Loss of septins leads to disruption of the EC monolayer, and gaps form between cells. The number and breadth of cell-cell contacts and junctions decreases, and the number and frequency of retractions, ruffles, and protrusions at cell edges also decreases. In addition, loss of septins leads to decreased amounts of F-actin at the cortical membrane, along with increased amounts of F-actin in stress fibers of the cytoplasm. Endothelial monolayer disruption from loss of septins is also associated with decreased transendothelial electric resistance (TEER) and increased levels of transendothelial migration (TEM) by immune and cancer cells, owing to the gaps in the monolayer. A current working model is that assembly of septin filaments at regions of positive membrane curvature contributes to a mechanical footing or base for actin-based protrusive forces generated at adjoining regions of the membrane. Specific molecular interactions between the septin and actin components of the cytoskeleton may also be important contributors. Regulators of actin assembly may promote and support the assembly of septin filaments at the membrane, as part of a molecular feedback loop between the assembly of septin and actin filaments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Olivia L Mooren
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Michael D Onken
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - John A Cooper
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Patil RH, Luptáková D, Havlíček V. Infection metallomics for critical care in the post-COVID era. MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS 2023; 42:1221-1243. [PMID: 34854486 DOI: 10.1002/mas.21755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Infection metallomics is a mass spectrometry (MS) platform we established based on the central concept that microbial metallophores are specific, sensitive, noninvasive, and promising biomarkers of invasive infectious diseases. Here we review the in vitro, in vivo, and clinical applications of metallophores from historical and functional perspectives, and identify under-studied and emerging application areas with high diagnostic potential for the post-COVID era. MS with isotope data filtering is fundamental to infection metallomics; it has been used to study the interplay between "frenemies" in hosts and to monitor the dynamic response of the microbiome to antibiotic and antimycotic therapies. During infection in critically ill patients, the hostile environment of the host's body activates secondary bacterial, mycobacterial, and fungal metabolism, leading to the production of metallophores that increase the pathogen's chance of survival in the host. MS can reveal the structures, stability, and threshold concentrations of these metal-containing microbial biomarkers of infection in humans and model organisms, and can discriminate invasive disease from benign colonization based on well-defined thresholds distinguishing proliferation from the colonization steady state.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rutuja H Patil
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czechia
| | - Dominika Luptáková
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Vladimír Havlíček
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czechia
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Ellett F, Kacamak NI, Alvarez CR, Oliveira EH, Hasturk H, Paster BJ, Kantarci A, Irimia D. Fusobacterium nucleatum dissemination by neutrophils. J Oral Microbiol 2023; 15:2217067. [PMID: 37283724 PMCID: PMC10240972 DOI: 10.1080/20002297.2023.2217067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies uncovered that Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), a common, opportunistic bacterium in the oral cavity, is associated with a growing number of systemic diseases, ranging from colon cancer to Alzheimer's disease. However, the pathological mechanisms responsible for this association are still poorly understood. Here, we leverage recent technological advances to study the interactions between Fn and neutrophils. We show that Fn survives within human neutrophils after phagocytosis. Using in vitro microfluidic devices, we determine that human neutrophils can protect and transport Fn over large distances. Moreover, we validate these observations in vivo by showing that neutrophils disseminate Fn using a zebrafish model. Our data support the emerging hypothesis that bacterial dissemination by neutrophils is a mechanistic link between oral and systemic diseases. Furthermore, our results may ultimately lead to therapeutic approaches that target specific host-bacteria interactions, including the dissemination process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felix Ellett
- Department of Surgery, Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Shriners Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nazli I. Kacamak
- The Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carla R. Alvarez
- The Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eduardo H.S. Oliveira
- The Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hatice Hasturk
- The Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bruce J. Paster
- The Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alpdogan Kantarci
- The Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Irimia
- Department of Surgery, Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Shriners Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Conn BN, Wozniak KL. Innate Pulmonary Phagocytes and Their Interactions with Pathogenic Cryptococcus Species. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:617. [PMID: 37367553 PMCID: PMC10299524 DOI: 10.3390/jof9060617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes over 180,000 annual deaths in HIV/AIDS patients. Innate phagocytes in the lungs, such as dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages, are the first cells to interact with the pathogen. Neutrophils, another innate phagocyte, are recruited to the lungs during cryptococcal infection. These innate cells are involved in early detection of C. neoformans, as well as the removal and clearance of cryptococcal infections. However, C. neoformans has developed ways to interfere with these processes, allowing for the evasion of the host's innate immune system. Additionally, the innate immune cells have the ability to aid in cryptococcal pathogenesis. This review discusses recent literature on the interactions of innate pulmonary phagocytes with C. neoformans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Karen L. Wozniak
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, 307 Life Science East, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Drummond RA. What fungal CNS infections can teach us about neuroimmunology and CNS-specific immunity. Semin Immunol 2023; 67:101751. [PMID: 36989541 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Immunity to fungal infections of the central nervous system (CNS) is one of the most poorly understood subjects within the field of medical mycology. Yet, the majority of deaths from invasive fungal infections are caused by brain-tropic fungi. In recent years, there have been several significant discoveries in the regulation of neuroinflammation and the role of the immune system in tissue homeostasis within the CNS. In this review, I highlight five important advances in the neuroimmunology field over the last decade and discuss how we should capitalise on these discoveries to better understand the pathogenesis of fungal CNS infections. In addition, the latest insights into fungal invasion tactics, microglia-astrocyte crosstalk and regulation of antifungal adaptive immune responses are summarised in the context of our contemporary understanding of CNS-specific immunity.
Collapse
|
36
|
Lee HH, Carmichael DJ, Ríbeiro V, Parisi DN, Munzen ME, Charles-Niño CL, Hamed MF, Kaur E, Mishra A, Patel J, Rooklin RB, Sher A, Carrillo-Sepulveda MA, Eugenin EA, Dores MR, Martinez LR. Glucuronoxylomannan intranasal challenge prior to Cryptococcus neoformans pulmonary infection enhances cerebral cryptococcosis in rodents. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1010941. [PMID: 37115795 PMCID: PMC10171644 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The encapsulated fungus Cryptococcus neoformans is the most common cause of fungal meningitis, with the highest rate of disease in patients with AIDS or immunosuppression. This microbe enters the human body via inhalation of infectious particles. C. neoformans capsular polysaccharide, in which the major component is glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), extensively accumulates in tissues and compromises host immune responses. C. neoformans travels from the lungs to the bloodstream and crosses to the brain via transcytosis, paracytosis, or inside of phagocytes using a "Trojan horse" mechanism. The fungus causes life-threatening meningoencephalitis with high mortality rates. Hence, we investigated the impact of intranasal exogenous GXM administration on C. neoformans infection in C57BL/6 mice. GXM enhances cryptococcal pulmonary infection and facilitates fungal systemic dissemination and brain invasion. Pre-challenge of GXM results in detection of the polysaccharide in lungs, serum, and surprisingly brain, the latter likely reached through the nasal cavity. GXM significantly alters endothelial cell tight junction protein expression in vivo, suggesting significant implications for the C. neoformans mechanisms of brain invasion. Using a microtiter transwell system, we showed that GXM disrupts the trans-endothelial electrical resistance, weakening human brain endothelial cell monolayers co-cultured with pericytes, supportive cells of blood vessels/capillaries found in the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to promote C. neoformans BBB penetration. Our findings should be considered in the development of therapeutics to combat the devastating complications of cryptococcosis that results in an estimated ~200,000 deaths worldwide each year.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiu Ham Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York, United States of America
| | - Dylan J Carmichael
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York, United States of America
| | - Victoria Ríbeiro
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Dana N Parisi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Long Island University-Post, Brookville, New York, United States of America
| | - Melissa E Munzen
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Claudia L Charles-Niño
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Mohamed F Hamed
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Ettiman Kaur
- Department of Biology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York, United States of America
| | - Ayush Mishra
- Department of Biology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York, United States of America
| | - Jiya Patel
- Department of Biology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York, United States of America
| | - Rikki B Rooklin
- Department of Biology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York, United States of America
| | - Amina Sher
- Department of Biology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York, United States of America
| | - Maria A Carrillo-Sepulveda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York, United States of America
| | - Eliseo A Eugenin
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Michael R Dores
- Department of Biology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York, United States of America
| | - Luis R Martinez
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Long Island University-Post, Brookville, New York, United States of America
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Center for Immunology and Transplantation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
De Jesus DFF, De Freitas ALD, De Oliveira IM, De Almeida LC, Bastos RW, Spadari CDC, Melo ASDA, Santos DDA, Costa-Lotufo LV, Reis FCG, Rodrigues ML, Stefani HA, Ishida K. Organoselenium Has a Potent Fungicidal Effect on Cryptococcus neoformans and Inhibits the Virulence Factors. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0075922. [PMID: 36815840 PMCID: PMC10019174 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00759-22] [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: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis therapy is often limited by toxicity problems, antifungal tolerance, and high costs. Studies approaching chalcogen compounds, especially those containing selenium, have shown promising antifungal activity against pathogenic species. This work aimed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antifungal potential of organoselenium compounds against Cryptococcus neoformans. The lead compound LQA_78 had an inhibitory effect on C. neoformans planktonic cells and dispersed cells from mature biofilms at similar concentrations. The fungal growth inhibition led to an increase in budding cells arrested in the G2/M phase, but the compound did not significantly affect structural cell wall components or chitinase activity, an enzyme that regulates the dynamics of the cell wall. The compound also inhibited titan cell (Tc) and enlarged capsule yeast (NcC) growth and reduced the body diameter and capsule thickness associated with increased capsular permeability of both virulent morphotypes. LQA_78 also reduced fungal melanization through laccase activity inhibition. The fungicidal activity was observed at higher concentrations (16 to 64 μg/mL) and may be associated with augmented plasma membrane permeability, ROS production, and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. While LQA_78 is a nonhemolytic compound, its cytotoxic effects were cell type dependent, exhibiting no toxicity on Galleria mellonella larvae at a dose ≤46.5 mg/kg. LQA_78 treatment of larvae infected with C. neoformans effectively reduced the fungal burden and inhibited virulent morphotype formation. To conclude, LQA_78 displays fungicidal action and inhibits virulence factors of C. neoformans. Our results highlight the potential use of LQA_78 as a lead molecule for developing novel pharmaceuticals for treating cryptococcosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Rafael Wesley Bastos
- Center of Biosciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Brazil
| | | | | | - Daniel de Assis Santos
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Flavia C. G. Reis
- Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Curitiba, Brazil
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcio L. Rodrigues
- Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Curitiba, Brazil
- Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Kelly Ishida
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Liu Y, Zhang Y, Zhao X, Lu W, Zhong Y, Fu YV. Antifungal Peptide SP1 Damages Polysaccharide Capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans and Enhances Phagocytosis of Macrophages. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0456222. [PMID: 36916981 PMCID: PMC10100895 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04562-22] [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: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen which causes nearly half a million deaths worldwide each year. Under host-relevant conditions, it produces a characteristic polysaccharide capsule. The polysaccharide capsule is one of the main virulence factors of C. neoformans, which involves antiphagocytosis and immune responses of the host to cause a lack of an immune. Meanwhile, the polysaccharide capsule is a promising drug target because of the absence of analogs in the host. Here, we demonstrate that antifungal peptide SP1, which is derived from the N terminus of Saccharomyces cerevisiae GAPDH (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase), disrupts the polysaccharide capsule of C. neoformans H99. The mechanism is possibly due to the interaction of SP1 with glucuronoxylomannan (GXM). Disruption of the polysaccharide capsule enhances the adhesion and phagocytosis of C. neoformans H99 by macrophages and reduces the replication of C. neoformans H99 within macrophages. Additionally, SP1 exhibits antifungal activity against cryptococcal biofilms associated with the capsular polysaccharides. These findings suggest the potential of SP1 as a drug candidate for the treatment of cryptococcosis. IMPORTANCE C. neoformans is an opportunistic pathogen that causes invasive infections with a high mortality rate. Currently, the clinical drugs available for the treatment of cryptococcosis are limited to amphotericin B, azoles, and flucytosine. Amphotericin is nephrotoxic, and the widespread use of azoles and 5-flucytosine has led to a rapid development of drug resistance in C. neoformans. There is an urgent need to develop new and effective anticryptococcal drugs. Targeting virulence factors is a novel strategy for developing antifungal drugs. The antifungal peptide SP1 is capable of disrupting the polysaccharide capsule, which is a principal virulence factor of C. neoformans. Studying the mechanism by which SP1 damages the polysaccharide capsule and investigating the potential benefits of SP1 in removing C. neoformans from the host provides baseline data to develop a therapeutic strategy against refractory cryptococcal infections. This strategy would involve both inhibiting virulence factors and directly killing C. neoformans cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Xi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Weilai Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuxin Zhong
- Department of Pancreatic and Gastric Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yu V. Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Lange T, Kasper L, Gresnigt MS, Brunke S, Hube B. "Under Pressure" - How fungi evade, exploit, and modulate cells of the innate immune system. Semin Immunol 2023; 66:101738. [PMID: 36878023 PMCID: PMC10109127 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
The human immune system uses an arsenal of effector mechanisms to prevent and counteract infections. Yet, some fungal species are extremely successful as human pathogens, which can be attributed to a wide variety of strategies by which these fungi evade, exploit, and modulate the immune system. These fungal pathogens normally are either harmless commensals or environmental fungi. In this review we discuss how commensalism, but also life in an environmental niche without human contact, can drive the evolution of diverse and specialized immune evasion mechanisms. Correspondingly, we discuss the mechanisms contributing to the ability of these fungi to cause superficial to life-threatening infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Lange
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Lydia Kasper
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Mark S Gresnigt
- Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany; Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Hansakon A, Ngamphiw C, Tongsima S, Angkasekwinai P. Arginase 1 Expression by Macrophages Promotes Cryptococcus neoformans Proliferation and Invasion into Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 210:408-419. [PMID: 36548474 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans infection is the most common cause of death in HIV/AIDS patients. Macrophages are pivotal for the regulation of immune responses to cryptococcal infection by either playing protective function or facilitating fungal dissemination. However, the mechanisms underlying macrophage responses to C. neoformans remain unclear. To analyze the transcriptomic changes and identify the pathogenic factors of macrophages, we performed a comparative transcriptomic analysis of alveolar macrophage responses during C. neoformans infection. Alveolar macrophages isolated from C. neoformans-infected mice showed dynamic gene expression patterns, with expression change from a protective M1 (classically activated)-like to a pathogenic M2 (alternatively activated)-like phenotype. Arg1, the gene encoding the enzyme arginase 1, was found as the most upregulated gene in alveolar macrophages during the chronic infection phase. The in vitro inhibition of arginase activity resulted in a reduction of cryptococcal phagocytosis, intracellular growth, and proliferation, coupled with an altered macrophage response from pathogenic M2 to a protective M1 phenotype. In an in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier, macrophage-derived arginase was found to be required for C. neoformans invasion of brain microvascular endothelium. Further analysis of the degree of virulence indicated a positive correlation between arginase 1 expression in macrophages and cryptococcal brain dissemination in vivo. Thus, our data suggest that a dynamic macrophage activation that involves arginase expression may contribute to the cryptococcal disease by promoting cryptococcal growth, proliferation, and the invasion to the brain endothelium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adithap Hansakon
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand.,Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Chumpol Ngamphiw
- National Biobank of Thailand, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani, Thailand; and
| | - Sissades Tongsima
- National Biobank of Thailand, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani, Thailand; and
| | - Pornpimon Angkasekwinai
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand.,Research Unit in Molecular Pathogenesis and Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Dangarembizi R, Wasserman S, Hoving JC. Emerging and re-emerging fungal threats in Africa. Parasite Immunol 2023; 45:e12953. [PMID: 36175380 PMCID: PMC9892204 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of deadly fungal infections in Africa is primarily driven by a disproportionately high burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, lack of access to quality health care, and the unavailability of effective antifungal drugs. Immunocompromised people in Africa are therefore at high risk of infection from opportunistic fungal pathogens such as Cryptococcus neoformans and Pneumocystis jirovecii, which are associated with high morbidity, mortality, and related socioeconomic impacts. Other emerging fungal threats include Emergomyces spp., Histoplasma spp., Blastomyces spp., and healthcare-associated multi-drug resistant Candida auris. Socioeconomic development and the Covid-19 pandemic may influence shifts in epidemiology of invasive fungal diseases on the continent. This review discusses the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and current management strategies available for these emerging fungal diseases in Africa. We also discuss gaps in knowledge, policy, and research to inform future efforts at managing these fungal threats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Dangarembizi
- Division of Physiological Sciences, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa,Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa,CMM AFRICA Medical Mycology Research Unit, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa,Contact information of corresponding author Dr Rachael Dangarembizi, Division of Physiological Sciences, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa, Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, CMM AFRICA Medical Mycology Research Unit, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa,
| | - Sean Wasserman
- Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa,Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jennifer Claire Hoving
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa,Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa,CMM AFRICA Medical Mycology Research Unit, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Nielson JA, Davis JM. Roles for Microglia in Cryptococcal Brain Dissemination in the Zebrafish Larva. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0431522. [PMID: 36719205 PMCID: PMC10100726 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04315-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcal infection begins in the lungs, but yeast cells subsequently access the bloodstream, from which they can reach the central nervous system (CNS). The resulting meningoencephalitis is the most common presentation and is very difficult to treat. How this fungus interacts with the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and establishes growth in the brain parenchyma remains a central question in fungal pathogenesis. We and others have developed the zebrafish larva as a model host for cryptococcosis and demonstrated that hematogenous CNS infection is replicated in this model. Here, we have used this model to examine the details of BBB crossing and the events immediately before and after. We have observed multiple mechanisms of BBB crossing and found that microglia, the resident phagocytes of the brain, likely have multiple roles. First, microglia either actively transfer yeast cells across the BBB or take up a significant proportion of them immediately after crossing. Second, microglia are capable of clearing individual cryptococcal cells at a developmental stage before adaptive immune cells have emerged. Third, microglia serve to maintain endothelial integrity, preventing other, phagocyte-independent forms of crossing. These proposed microglial functions during infection in the zebrafish larva generate new hypotheses concerning the establishment and control of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis. IMPORTANCE Cryptococcal meningitis is a fungal infection of the brain and a major cause of death in people with uncontrolled HIV. Infection begins in the lungs but can enter the bloodstream and disseminate to the brain. A structure called the blood-brain barrier must be crossed for the fungus to enter and cause meningitis. Learning how Cryptococcus crosses the blood-brain barrier will be crucial to understanding and possibly preventing brain infection. Using the zebrafish larva as a model host, we show that microglia, the resident phagocytes of the brain, potentially play multiple previously unappreciated roles in cryptococcal infection of the brain. These roles include reinforcing the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, clearing cryptococcal cells after they have crossed, and possibly participating directly in crossing via a previously unknown mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyn A. Nielson
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
| | - J. Muse Davis
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Wu C, Jiang ML, Jiang R, Pang T, Zhang CJ. The roles of fungus in CNS autoimmune and neurodegeneration disorders. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1077335. [PMID: 36776399 PMCID: PMC9910218 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1077335] [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: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal infection or proliferation in our body is capable of initiation of strong inflammation and immune responses that result in different consequences, including infection-trigged organ injury and inflammation-related remote organ dysfunction. Fungi associated infectious diseases have been well recognized in the clinic. However, whether fungi play an important role in non-infectious central nervous system disease is still to be elucidated. Recently, a growing amount of evidence point to a non-negligible role of peripheral fungus in triggering unique inflammation, immune response, and exacerbation of a range of non-infectious CNS disorders, including Multiple sclerosis, Neuromyelitis optica, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis et al. In this review, we summarized the recent advances in recognizing patterns and inflammatory signaling of fungi in different subsets of immune cells, with a specific focus on its function in CNS autoimmune and neurodegeneration diseases. In conclusion, the fungus is capable of triggering unique inflammation by multiple mechanisms in the progression of a body of CNS non-infectious diseases, suggesting it serves as a key factor and critical novel target for the development of potential therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chuyu Wu
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mei-Ling Jiang
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,*Correspondence: Cun-Jin Zhang, ; Mei-Ling Jiang, ; Tao Pang,
| | - Runqui Jiang
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tao Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China,*Correspondence: Cun-Jin Zhang, ; Mei-Ling Jiang, ; Tao Pang,
| | - Cun-Jin Zhang
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,Institute of Brain Sciences, Institute of Brain Disorder Translational Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,Jiangsu Province Stroke Center for Diagnosis and Therapy, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,*Correspondence: Cun-Jin Zhang, ; Mei-Ling Jiang, ; Tao Pang,
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Lee SB, Mota C, Thak EJ, Kim J, Son YJ, Oh DB, Kang HA. Effects of altered N-glycan structures of Cryptococcus neoformans mannoproteins, MP98 (Cda2) and MP84 (Cda3), on interaction with host cells. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1175. [PMID: 36670130 PMCID: PMC9859814 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27422-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic human fungal pathogen causing lethal meningoencephalitis. It has several cell wall mannoproteins (MPs) identified as immunoreactive antigens. To investigate the structure and function of N-glycans assembled on cryptococcal cell wall MPs in host cell interactions, we purified MP98 (Cda2) and MP84 (Cda3) expressed in wild-type (WT) and N-glycosylation-defective alg3 mutant (alg3Δ) strains. HPLC and MALDI-TOF analysis of the MP proteins from the WT revealed protein-specific glycan structures with different extents of hypermannosylation and xylose/xylose phosphate addition. In alg3Δ, MP98 and MP84 had truncated core N-glycans, containing mostly five and seven mannoses (M5 and M7 forms), respectively. In vitro adhesion and uptake assays indicated that the altered core N-glycans did not affect adhesion affinities to host cells although the capacity to induce the immune response of bone-marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) decreased. Intriguingly, the removal of all N-glycosylation sites on MP84 increased adhesion to host cells and enhanced the induction of cytokine secretion from BMDCs compared with that on MP84 carrying WT N-glycans. Therefore, the structure-dependent effects of N-glycans suggested their complex roles in modulating the interaction of MPs with host cells to avoid nonspecific adherence to host cells and host immune response hyperactivation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Su-Bin Lee
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 156-756, South Korea
| | - Catia Mota
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 156-756, South Korea
| | - Eun Jung Thak
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 156-756, South Korea
| | - Jungho Kim
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 156-756, South Korea
| | - Ye Ji Son
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 156-756, South Korea
| | - Doo-Byoung Oh
- Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, 34141, South Korea.,Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, KRIBB School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, 34113, South Korea
| | - Hyun Ah Kang
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 156-756, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Hamed MF, Enriquez V, Munzen ME, Charles-Niño CL, Mihu MR, Khoshbouei H, Alviña K, Martinez LR. Clinical and pathological characterization of Central Nervous System cryptococcosis in an experimental mouse model of stereotaxic intracerebral infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011068. [PMID: 36656900 PMCID: PMC9888703 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection of the Central Nervous System (CNS) by the encapsulated fungus Cryptococcus neoformans can lead to high mortality meningitis, most commonly in immunocompromised patients. While the mechanisms by which the fungus crosses the blood-brain barrier to initiate infection in the CNS are well recognized, there are still substantial unanswered questions about the disease progression once the fungus is established in the brain. C. neoformans is characterized by a glucuronoxylomannan (GXM)-rich polysaccharide capsule which has been implicated in immune evasion, but its role during the host CNS infection needs further elucidation. Therefore, the present study aims to examine these key questions about the mechanisms underlying cryptococcal meningitis progression and the impact of fungal GXM release by using an intracerebral rodent infection model via stereotaxic surgery. After developing brain infection, we analyzed distinct brain regions and found that while fungal load and brain weight were comparable one-week post-infection, there were region-specific histopathological (with and without brain parenchyma involvement) and disease manifestations. Moreover, we also observed a region-specific correlation between GXM accumulation and glial cell recruitment. Furthermore, mortality was associated with the presence of subarachnoid hemorrhaging and GXM deposition in the meningeal blood vessels and meninges in all regions infected. Our results show that using the present infection model can facilitate clinical and neuropathological observations during the progression of neurocryptococcosis. Importantly, this mouse model can be used to further investigate disease progression as it develops in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed F. Hamed
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Vanessa Enriquez
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Melissa E. Munzen
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Claudia L. Charles-Niño
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Pathology, University Health Sciences Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Mircea Radu Mihu
- Advanced Critical Care, Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute, Advanced Cardiac Care and 24/7 Shock Service, Integris Baptist Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America
- Department of Medicine/Cardiology, Oklahoma State University Health Science Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Habibeh Khoshbouei
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States of America
| | - Karina Alviña
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States of America
| | - Luis R. Martinez
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States of America
- Center for Immunology and Transplantation, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States of America
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Pacifici N, Cruz-Acuña M, Diener A, Tu A, Senthil N, Han H, Lewis JS. Vomocytosis of Cryptococcus neoformans cells from murine, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280692. [PMID: 36928392 PMCID: PMC10019626 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans (CN) cells survive within the acidic phagolysosome of macrophages (MΦ) for extended times, then escape without impacting the viability of the host cell via a phenomenon that has been coined 'vomocytosis'. Through this mechanism, CN disseminate throughout the body, sometimes resulting in a potentially fatal condition-Cryptococcal Meningitis (CM). Justifiably, vomocytosis studies have focused primarily on MΦ, as alveolar MΦ within the lung act as first responders that ultimately expel this fungal pathogen. Herein, we hypothesize that dendritic cells (DCs), an innate immune cell with attributes that include phagocytosis and antigen presentation, can also act as 'vomocytes'. Presciently, this report shows that vomocytosis of CN indeed occurs from murine, bone marrow-derived DCs. Primarily through time-lapse microscopy imaging, we show that rates of vomocytosis events from DCs are comparable to those seen from MΦ and further, are independent of the presence of the CN capsule and infection ratios. Moreover, the phagosome-altering drug bafilomycin A inhibits this phenomenon from DCs. Although DC immunophenotype does not affect the total number of vomocytic events, we observed differences in the numbers of CN per phagosome and expulsion times. Interestingly, these observations were similar in murine, bone marrow-derived MΦ. This work not only demonstrates the vomocytic ability of DCs, but also investigates the complexity of vomocytosis regulation in this cell type and MΦ under multiple modulatory conditions. Understanding the vomocytic behavior of different phagocytes and their phenotypic subtypes is needed to help elucidate the full picture of the dynamic interplay between CN and the immune system. Critically, deeper insight into vomocytosis could reveal novel approaches to treat CM, as well as other immune-related conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noah Pacifici
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California—Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Melissa Cruz-Acuña
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California—Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Agustina Diener
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California—Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Allen Tu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California—Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Neeraj Senthil
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California—Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Hyunsoo Han
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California—Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Jamal S. Lewis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California—Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Corrêa-Moreira D, Castro R, da Costa GL, Lima-Neto RG, Oliveira MME. Cerebrospinal fluid: a target of some fungi and an overview. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2023; 118:e220251. [PMID: 36946852 PMCID: PMC10027065 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760220251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Meningitis is a potentially life-threatening infection characterised by the inflammation of the leptomeningeal membranes. The estimated annual prevalence of 8.7 million cases globally and the disease is caused by many different viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens. Although several genera of fungi are capable of causing infections in the central nervous system (CNS), the most significant number of registered cases have, as causal agents, yeasts of the genus Cryptococcus. The relevance of cryptococcal meningitis has changed in the last decades, mainly due to the increase in the number of people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and medications that impair the immune responses. In this context, coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has also emerged as a risk factor for invasive fungal infections (IFI), including fungal meningitis (FM), due to severe COVID-19 disease is associated with increased pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha, reduced CD4-interferon-gamma expression, CD4 and CD8 T cells. The gold standard technique for fungal identification is isolating fungi in the culture of the biological material, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). However, this methodology has as its main disadvantage the slow or null growth of some fungal species in culture, which makes it difficult to finalise the diagnosis. In conclusions, this article, in the first place, point that it is necessary to accurately identify the etiological agent in order to assist in the choice of the therapeutic regimen for the patients, including the implementation of actions that promote the reduction of the incidence, lethality, and fungal morbidity, which includes what is healthy in the CNS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielly Corrêa-Moreira
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Rodolfo Castro
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Gisela Lara da Costa
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | | | - Manoel Marques Evangelista Oliveira
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Li H, Han X, Du W, Meng Y, Li Y, Sun T, Liang Q, Li C, Suo C, Gao X, Qiu Y, Tian W, An M, Zhang H, Fu Y, Li X, Lan T, Yang S, Zhang Z, Geng W, Ding C, Shang H. Comparative miRNA transcriptomics of macaques and mice reveals MYOC is an inhibitor for Cryptococcus neoformans invasion into the brain. Emerg Microbes Infect 2022; 11:1572-1585. [PMID: 35621025 PMCID: PMC9176638 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2081619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (CM) is emerging as an infection in HIV/AIDS patients shifted from primarily ARTnaive to ART-experienced individuals, as well as patients with COVID-19 and immunocompetent hosts. This fungal infection is mainly caused by the opportunistic human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Brain or central nervous system (CNS) dissemination is the deadliest process for this disease; however, mechanisms underlying this process have yet to be elucidated. Moreover, illustrations of clinically relevant responses in cryptococcosis are currently limited due to the low availability of clinical samples. In this study, to explore the clinically relevant responses during C. neoformans infection, macaque and mouse infection models were employed and miRNA-mRNA transcriptomes were performed and combined, which revealed cytoskeleton, a major feature of HIV/AIDS patients, was a centric pathway regulated in both infection models. Notably, assays of clinical immune cells confirmed an enhanced macrophage “Trojan Horse” in patients with HIV/AIDS, which could be shut down by cytoskeleton inhibitors. Furthermore, myocilin, encoded by MYOC, was found to be a novel enhancer for the macrophage “Trojan Horse,” and an enhanced fungal burden was achieved in the brains of MYOC-transgenic mice. Taken together, the findings from this study reveal fundamental roles of the cytoskeleton and MYOC in fungal CNS dissemination, which not only helps to understand the high prevalence of CM in HIV/AIDS but also facilitates the development of novel therapeutics for meningoencephalitis caused by C. neoformans and other pathogenic microorganisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hailong Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxu Han
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Du
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Meng
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanjian Li
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianshu Sun
- Medical Research Centre, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiaojing Liang
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Li
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenhao Suo
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xindi Gao
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Qiu
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen Tian
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Minghui An
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yajing Fu
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaolin Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Tian Lan
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Sheng Yang
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Zining Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenqing Geng
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Ding
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Shang
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Nelson BN, Daugherty CS, Sharp RR, Booth JL, Patel VI, Metcalf JP, Jones KL, Wozniak KL. Protective interaction of human phagocytic APC subsets with Cryptococcus neoformans induces genes associated with metabolism and antigen presentation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1054477. [PMID: 36466930 PMCID: PMC9709479 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1054477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcal meningitis is the most common cause of meningitis among HIV/AIDS patients in sub-Saharan Africa, and worldwide causes over 223,000 cases leading to more than 181,000 annual deaths. Usually, the fungus gets inhaled into the lungs where the initial interactions occur with pulmonary phagocytes such as dendritic cells and macrophages. Following phagocytosis, the pathogen can be killed or can replicate intracellularly. Previous studies in mice showed that different subsets of these innate immune cells can either be antifungal or permissive for intracellular fungal growth. Our studies tested phagocytic antigen-presenting cell (APC) subsets from the human lung against C. neoformans. Human bronchoalveolar lavage was processed for phagocytic APCs and incubated with C. neoformans for two hours to analyze the initial interactions and fate of the fungus, living or killed. Results showed all subsets (3 macrophage and 3 dendritic cell subsets) interacted with the fungus, and both living and killed morphologies were discernable within the subsets using imaging flow cytometry. Single cell RNA-seq identified several different clusters of cells which more closely related to interactions with C. neoformans and its protective capacity against the pathogen rather than discrete cellular subsets. Differential gene expression analyses identified several changes in the innate immune cell's transcriptome as it kills the fungus including increases of TNF-α (TNF) and the switch to using fatty acid metabolism by upregulation of the gene FABP4. Also, increases of TNF-α correlated to cryptococcal interactions and uptake. Together, these analyses implicated signaling networks that regulate expression of many different genes - both metabolic and immune - as certain clusters of cells mount a protective response and kill the pathogen. Future studies will examine these genes and networks to understand the exact mechanism(s) these phagocytic APC subsets use to kill C. neoformans in order to develop immunotherapeutic strategies to combat this deadly disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin N. Nelson
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Cheyenne S. Daugherty
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Rachel R. Sharp
- Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - J. Leland Booth
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Vineet I. Patel
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Jordan P. Metcalf
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Kenneth L. Jones
- Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Karen L. Wozniak
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
COVID-19 Associated with Cryptococcosis: A New Challenge during the Pandemic. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8101111. [PMID: 36294675 PMCID: PMC9604822 DOI: 10.3390/jof8101111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a great threat to global health. In addition to SARS-CoV-2 itself, clinicians should be alert to the possible occurrence of co-infection or secondary infection among patients with COVID-19. The possible co-pathogens include bacteria, viruses, and fungi, but COVID-19-associated cryptococcosis is rarely reported. This review provided updated and comprehensive information about this rare clinical entity of COVID-19-associated cryptococcosis. Through an updated literature search till 23 August 2022, we identified a total of 18 culture-confirmed case reports with detailed information. Half (n = 9) of them were elderly. Fifteen (83.3%) of them had severe COVID-19 and ever received systemic corticosteroid. Disseminated infection with cryptococcemia was the most common type of cryptococcosis, followed by pulmonary and meningitis. Except one case of C. laurentii, all other cases are by C. neoformans. Liposomal amphotericin B and fluconazole were the most commonly used antifungal agents. The overall mortality was 61.1% (11/18) and four of them did not receive antifungal agents before death. Improving the poor outcome requires a physician's high suspicion, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment.
Collapse
|