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Hu Y, Ren B, Cheng L, Deng S, Chen Q. Candida species in periodontitis: A new villain or a new target? J Dent 2024; 148:105138. [PMID: 38906455 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.105138] [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: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Recent research indicated that fungi might have a role in periodontitis alongside traditional periodontal pathogens. This state-of-the-art narrative review explores current concepts on the involvement of Candida species in periodontitis, and suggests the potential for ecological management of this disease. DATA, SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION A literature search was conducted for a narrative review on Web of Science, PubMed, Medline and Scopus about periodontitis associated with Candida species. Published articles, including case reports, case series, observational and interventional clinical trials, and critical appraisals of the literature were retrieved and reviewed. CONCLUSIONS Several factors predispose individuals to periodontitis associated with Candida species. These include systemic diseases that lead to immunosuppression and oral environment changes such as cigarette smoking. While a consistent significant increase in the detection rate of Candida species in patients with periodontitis has not been universally observed, there is evidence linking Candida species to the severity of periodontitis and their potential to worsen the condition. Candida species may participate in the development of periodontitis in various ways, including cross-kingdom interactions with periodontal pathogens, changes in the local or systemic environment favoring the virulence of Candida species, and interactions between Candida-bacteria and host immunity. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Mechanical plaque control is the most common treatment for periodontitis, but its effectiveness may be limited, particularly when dealing with systemic risk factors. Understanding the specific role of Candida in periodontitis illuminates innovative approaches for managing the ecological balance in periodontal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Hu
- Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, China; State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & West China School of Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Biao Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & West China School of Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lei Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & West China School of Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuli Deng
- Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, China.
| | - Qianming Chen
- Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, China; State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & West China School of Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Amich J. The many roles of sulfur in the fungal-host interaction. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 79:102489. [PMID: 38754292 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Sulfur is an essential macronutrient for life, and consequently, all living organisms must acquire it from external sources to thrive and grow. Sulfur is a constituent of a multitude of crucial molecules, such as the S-containing proteinogenic amino acids cysteine and methionine; cofactors and prosthetic groups, such as coenzyme-A and iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters; and other essential organic molecules, such as glutathione or S-adenosylmethionine. Additionally, sulfur in cysteine thiols is an active redox group that plays paramount roles in protein stability, enzyme catalysis, and redox homeostasis. Furthermore, H2S is gaining more attention as a crucial signaling molecule that influences metabolism and physiological functions. Given its importance, it is not surprising that sulfur plays key roles in the host-pathogen interaction. However, in contrast to its well-recognized involvement in the plant-pathogen interaction, the specific contributions of sulfur to the human-fungal interaction are much less understood. In this short review, I highlight some of the most important known mechanisms and propose directions for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Amich
- Mycology Reference Laboratory (Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Micología [LRIM]), National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
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Kiconco P, Achan B, Sanya M, Najjingo I, Okeng A, Bwanga F. Pulmonary dimorphic fungal infections among HIV/AIDS non-TB patients with chronic cough in Kampala, Uganda. Mycoses 2024; 67:e13726. [PMID: 38644511 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13726] [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: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Dimorphic fungi cause infection following the inhalation of spores into the pulmonary system. In the lower respiratory tract, the conidia transform into yeasts, which are engulfed by alveolar macrophages and may be destroyed without disease manifestation. However, in some immunocompromised individuals, they may persist and cause active fungal disease characterized by formation of granulomas in the infected tissues, which may mimic Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of pulmonary dimorphic fungal infections among HIV/AIDS patients with non-TB chronic cough at Mulago National Referral and Teaching Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. METHODS Sputum samples were collected from 175 consented HIV/AIDS patients attending the immuno-suppression syndrome (ISS) clinic at the hospital. Upon Xpert MTB/RIF sputum testing, 21 patients tested positive for MTB, and these were excluded from further analysis. The other 154 sputum negative samples were then subjected to PCR for dimorphic fungi at MBN Clinical Laboratories. Singleplex PCR was used to detect the target sequences in selected respective genes of each dimorphic fungal species of interest. DNA amplicons were detected based on gel electrophoresis. RESULTS Dimorphic fungi were detected in 16.2% (25/154) of the studied population. Of these 9.1% (14/154) had Blastomyces dermatitidis and 7.1% (11/154) had Talaromyces marneffei. The remaining 84% of the studied participants had no dimorphic fungi. Histoplasma capsulatum, Coccidioides immitis and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis were not detected in any of the participants. CONCLUSION Dimorphic fungi (B. dermatitidis and T. marneffei) were found in 16.2% of the HIV/AIDS patients with non-TB chronic cough in Kampala, Uganda. We recommend routine testing for these pathogens among HIV/AIDS patients with chronic cough.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prossy Kiconco
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- MBN Clinical Laboratories, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Beatrice Achan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Irene Najjingo
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Freddie Bwanga
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- MBN Clinical Laboratories, Kampala, Uganda
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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.
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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
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Li L, Huang X, Chen H. Unveiling the hidden players: exploring the role of gut mycobiome in cancer development and treatment dynamics. Gut Microbes 2024; 16:2328868. [PMID: 38485702 PMCID: PMC10950292 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2328868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The role of gut fungal species in tumor-related processes remains largely unexplored, with most studies still focusing on fungal infections. This review examines the accumulating evidence suggesting the involvement of commensal and pathogenic fungi in cancer biological process, including oncogenesis, progression, and treatment response. Mechanisms explored include fungal influence on host immunity, secretion of bioactive toxins/metabolites, interaction with bacterial commensals, and migration to other tissues in certain types of cancers. Attempts to utilize fungal molecular signatures for cancer diagnosis and fungal-derived products for treatment are discussed. A few studies highlight fungi's impact on the responsiveness and sensitivity to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and fecal microbiota transplant. Given the limited understanding and techniques in fungal research, the studies on gut fungi are still facing great challenges, despite having great potentials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingxi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaowen Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
| | - Haoyan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
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Ramírez-Ordorica A, Patiño-Medina JA, Meza-Carmen V, Macías-Rodríguez L. Volatile Fingerprint Mediates Yeast-to-Mycelial Conversion in Two Strains of Beauveria bassiana Exhibiting Varied Virulence. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1135. [PMID: 38132736 PMCID: PMC10744692 DOI: 10.3390/jof9121135] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Beauveria bassiana is a dimorphic and entomopathogenic fungus with different ecological roles in nature. In pathogenic fungi, yeast-to-mycelial conversion, which is controlled by environmental factors, is required for virulence. Here, we studied the effects of different stimuli on the morphology of two B. bassiana strains and compared the toxicities of culture filtrates. In addition, we explored the role of volatiles as quorum sensing-like signals during dimorphic transition. The killing assays in Caenorhabditis elegans (Nematoda: Rhabditidae) showed that strain AI2 isolated from a mycosed insect cadaver had higher toxicity than strain AS5 isolated from soil. Furthermore, AI2 showed earlier yeast-to-mycelial switching than AS5. However, an increase in inoculum size induced faster yeast-to-mycelium conversion in AS5 cells, suggesting a cell-density-dependent phenomenon. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses showed that the fingerprint of the volatiles was strain-specific; however, during the morphological switching, an inverse relationship between the abundance of total terpenes and 3-methylbutanol was observed in both strains. Fungal exposure to 3-methylbutanol retarded the yeast-to-mycelium transition. Hence, this study provides evidence that volatile compounds are associated with critical events in the life cycle of B. bassiana.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lourdes Macías-Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Químico Biológicas, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Ciudad Universitaria, Morelia C.P. 58030, Michoacán, Mexico; (A.R.-O.); (J.A.P.-M.); (V.M.-C.)
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Faiyazuddin M, Sophia A, Ashique S, Gholap AD, Gowri S, Mohanto S, Karthikeyan C, Nag S, Hussain A, Akhtar MS, Bakht MA, Ahmed MG, Rustagi S, Rodriguez-Morales AJ, Salas-Matta LA, Mohanty A, Bonilla-Aldana DK, Sah R. Virulence traits and novel drug delivery strategies for mucormycosis post-COVID-19: a comprehensive review. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1264502. [PMID: 37818370 PMCID: PMC10561264 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1264502] [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: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of a fatal black fungus infection after the resurgence of the cadaverous COVID-19 has exhorted scientists worldwide to develop a nutshell by repurposing or designing new formulations to address the crisis. Patients expressing COVID-19 are more susceptible to Mucormycosis (MCR) and thus fall easy prey to decease accounting for this global threat. Their mortality rates range around 32-70% depending on the organs affected and grow even higher despite the treatment. The many contemporary recommendations strongly advise using liposomal amphotericin B and surgery as first-line therapy whenever practicable. MCR is a dangerous infection that requires an antifungal drug administration on appropriate prescription, typically one of the following: Amphotericin B, Posaconazole, or Isavuconazole since the fungi that cause MCR are resistant to other medications like fluconazole, voriconazole, and echinocandins. Amphotericin B and Posaconazole are administered through veins (intravenously), and isavuconazole by mouth (orally). From last several years so many compounds are developed against invasive fungal disease but only few of them are able to induce effective treatment against the micorals. Adjuvant medicines, more particularly, are difficult to assess without prospective randomized controlled investigations, which are challenging to conduct given the lower incidence and higher mortality from Mucormycosis. The present analysis provides insight into pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, underlying fungal virulence, and growth mechanisms. In addition, current therapy for MCR in Post Covid-19 individuals includes conventional and novel nano-based advanced management systems for procuring against deadly fungal infection. The study urges involving nanomedicine to prevent fungal growth at the commencement of infection, delay the progression, and mitigate fatality risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Faiyazuddin
- School of Pharmacy, Al – Karim University, Katihar, Bihar, India
- Nano Drug Delivery®, Raleigh-Durham, NC, United States
| | - A. Sophia
- PG & Research Department of Physics, Cauvery College for Women (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sumel Ashique
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Pandaveswar School of Pharmacy, Pandaveswar, West Bengal, India
| | - Amol D. Gholap
- Department of Pharmaceutics, St. John Institute of Pharmacy and Research, Palghar, Maharashtra, India
| | - S. Gowri
- PG & Research Department of Physics, Cauvery College for Women (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sourav Mohanto
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Yenepoya Pharmacy College & Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - C. Karthikeyan
- Department of Chemical & Biochemical Engineering, Dongguk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sagnik Nag
- Department of Bio-Sciences, School of Biosciences & Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Arif Hussain
- School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammad Shabib Akhtar
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Md. Afroz Bakht
- Chemistry Department, College of Science and Humanity Studies, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Gulzar Ahmed
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Yenepoya Pharmacy College & Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Sarvesh Rustagi
- School of Applied and Life Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales
- Grupo de Investigación Biomedicina, Faculty of Medicine, Fundación Universitaria Autónoma de las Américas—Institución Universitaria Visión de las Américas, Pereira, Colombia
- Faculties of Health Sciences and Environmental Sciences, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Luis Andres Salas-Matta
- Faculties of Health Sciences and Environmental Sciences, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru
| | - Aroop Mohanty
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Gorakhpur, India
| | | | - Ranjit Sah
- Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, DY Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, India
- Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Wardha, India
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Zerbato V, Di Bella S, Pol R, D’Aleo F, Angheben A, Farina C, Conte M, Luzzaro F, Luzzati R, Principe L. Endemic Systemic Mycoses in Italy: A Systematic Review of Literature and a Practical Update. Mycopathologia 2023; 188:307-334. [PMID: 37294504 PMCID: PMC10386973 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-023-00735-z] [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: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Endemic systemic mycoses such as blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, talaromycosis, paracoccidioidomycosis are emerging as an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. We conducted a systematic review on endemic systemic mycoses reported in Italy from 1914 to nowadays. We found out: 105 cases of histoplasmosis, 15 of paracoccidioidomycosis, 10 of coccidioidomycosis, 10 of blastomycosis and 3 of talaromycosis. Most cases have been reported in returning travelers and expatriates or immigrants. Thirtytwo patients did not have a story of traveling to an endemic area. Fortysix subjects had HIV/AIDS. Immunosuppression was the major risk factor for getting these infections and for severe outcomes. We provided an overview on microbiological characteristics and clinical management principles of systemic endemic mycoses with a focus on the cases reported in Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Zerbato
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Trieste University Hospital (ASUGI), Piazza dell’Ospitale 1, 34125 Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefano Di Bella
- Clinical Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Trieste University, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Riccardo Pol
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Trieste University Hospital (ASUGI), Piazza dell’Ospitale 1, 34125 Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesco D’Aleo
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Great Metropolitan Hospital “Bianchi Melacrino Morelli”, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Andrea Angheben
- Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore - Don Calabria Hospital, 37024 Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Claudio Farina
- Microbiology and Virology Laboratory, ASST “Papa Giovanni XXIII”, 24127 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Marco Conte
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Great Metropolitan Hospital “Bianchi Melacrino Morelli”, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Francesco Luzzaro
- Clinical Microbiology and Virology Unit, “A. Manzoni” Hospital, 23900 Lecco, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Luzzati
- Clinical Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Trieste University, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Luigi Principe
- Clinical Pathology and Microbiology Unit, “S. Giovanni di Dio” Hospital, 88900 Crotone, Italy
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Francisco CS, McDonald BA, Palma-Guerrero J. A transcription factor and a phosphatase regulate temperature-dependent morphogenesis in the fungal plant pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. Fungal Genet Biol 2023; 167:103811. [PMID: 37196910 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2023.103811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Naturally fluctuating temperatures provide a constant environmental stress that requires adaptation. Some fungal pathogens respond to heat stress by producing new morphotypes that maximize their overall fitness. The fungal wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici responds to heat stress by switching from its yeast-like blastospore form to hyphae or chlamydospores. The regulatory mechanisms underlying this switch are unknown. Here, we demonstrate that a differential heat stress response is ubiquitous in Z. tritici populations around the world. We used QTL mapping to identify a single locus associated with the temperature-dependent morphogenesis and we found two genes, the transcription factor ZtMsr1 and the protein phosphatase ZtYvh1, regulating this mechanism. We find that ZtMsr1 regulates repression of hyphal growth and induces chlamydospore formation whereas ZtYvh1 is required for hyphal growth. We next showed that chlamydospore formation is a response to the intracellular osmotic stress generated by the heat stress. This intracellular stress stimulates the cell wall integrity (CWI) and high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG) MAPK pathways resulting in hyphal growth. If cell wall integrity is compromised, however, ZtMsr1 represses the hyphal development program and may induce the chlamydospore-inducing genes as a stress-response survival strategy. Taken together, these results suggest a novel mechanism through which morphological transitions are orchestrated in Z. tritici - a mechanism that may also be present in other pleomorphic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bruce A McDonald
- Plant Pathology Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, 8092 ETH Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Javier Palma-Guerrero
- Plant Pathology Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, 8092 ETH Zürich, Switzerland.
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10
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Hartmann P, Schnabl B. Fungal infections and the fungal microbiome in hepatobiliary disorders. J Hepatol 2023; 78:836-851. [PMID: 36565724 PMCID: PMC10033447 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Liver and biliary diseases affect more than a billion people worldwide, with high associated morbidity and mortality. The impact of the intestinal bacterial microbiome on liver diseases has been well established. However, the fungal microbiome, or mycobiome, has been overlooked for a long time. Recently, several studies have shed light on the role of the mycobiome in the development and progression of hepatobiliary diseases. In particular, the fungal genus Candida has been found to be involved in the pathogenesis of multiple hepatobiliary conditions. Herein, we compare colonisation and infection, describe mycobiome findings in the healthy state and across the various hepatobiliary conditions, and point toward communalities. We detail how quantitation of immune responses to fungal antigens can be employed to predict disease severity, e.g. using antibodies to Saccharomyces cerevisiae or specific anti-Candida albicans antibodies. We also show how fungal products (e.g. beta-glucans, candidalysin) activate the host's immune system to exacerbate liver and biliary diseases. Finally, we describe how the gut mycobiome can be modulated to ameliorate hepatobiliary conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillipp Hartmann
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Bernd Schnabl
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Medicine, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.
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Zhang L, Chen C, Chai D, Li C, Qiu Z, Kuang T, Liu L, Deng W, Wang W. Characterization of the intestinal fungal microbiome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. J Transl Med 2023; 21:126. [PMID: 36793057 PMCID: PMC9933289 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-03940-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Gut mycobiota plays a crucial role in benign liver diseases; however, its correlation with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains elusive. This study aimed to elucidate fungal differences in patients with HCC-associated cirrhosis compared to cirrhotic patients without HCC and healthy controls. METHODS The 72 fecal samples from 34 HCC patients, 20 cirrhotic patients, and 18 healthy controls were collected and analyzed using ITS2 rDNA sequencing. RESULTS Our results revealed the presence of intestinal fungal dysbiosis with significant enrichment of opportunistic pathogenic fungi such as Malassezia, Malassezia sp., Candida, and C. albicans in HCC patients compared with healthy controls and cirrhosis patients. Alpha-diversity analysis demonstrated that patients with HCC and cirrhosis showed decreased fungal diversity compared to healthy controls. Beta diversity analysis indicated that the three groups exhibited significant segregated clustering. Besides, C. albicans was found to be significantly more abundant in the HCC patients with TNM stage III-IV than those with stage I-II, in contrast to the commensal organism S. cerevisiae. We also confirmed that the HCC patients were successfully classified with an area under the curve value of 0.906 based on the fecal fungal signature. Finally, our animal experiments confirm that aberrant colonization of the intestine by C. albicans and M. furfur can promote the development of HCC. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that dysbiosis of the gut mycobiome might be involved in HCC development. TRIAL REGISTRATION ChiCTR, ChiCTR2100054537. Registered 19 December 2021, http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=144550&htm=4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilong Zhang
- grid.412632.00000 0004 1758 2270Department of General Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No.238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060 Hubei China ,Hubei Key Laboratory of Digestive System Disease, No.238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060 Hubei China ,grid.412632.00000 0004 1758 2270Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060 Hubei China
| | - Chen Chen
- grid.412632.00000 0004 1758 2270Department of General Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No.238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060 Hubei China ,grid.412632.00000 0004 1758 2270Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060 Hubei China
| | - Dongqi Chai
- grid.412632.00000 0004 1758 2270Department of General Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No.238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060 Hubei China ,Hubei Key Laboratory of Digestive System Disease, No.238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060 Hubei China ,grid.412632.00000 0004 1758 2270Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060 Hubei China
| | - Chunlei Li
- grid.412632.00000 0004 1758 2270Department of General Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No.238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060 Hubei China ,Hubei Key Laboratory of Digestive System Disease, No.238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060 Hubei China ,grid.412632.00000 0004 1758 2270Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060 Hubei China
| | - Zhendong Qiu
- grid.412632.00000 0004 1758 2270Department of General Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No.238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060 Hubei China ,Hubei Key Laboratory of Digestive System Disease, No.238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060 Hubei China ,grid.412632.00000 0004 1758 2270Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060 Hubei China
| | - Tianrui Kuang
- grid.412632.00000 0004 1758 2270Department of General Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No.238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060 Hubei China ,Hubei Key Laboratory of Digestive System Disease, No.238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060 Hubei China ,grid.412632.00000 0004 1758 2270Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060 Hubei China
| | - Li Liu
- grid.412632.00000 0004 1758 2270Department of General Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No.238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060 Hubei China ,Hubei Key Laboratory of Digestive System Disease, No.238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060 Hubei China ,grid.412632.00000 0004 1758 2270Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060 Hubei China
| | - Wenhong Deng
- Department of General Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No.238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China. .,Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China.
| | - Weixing Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No.238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China. .,Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China.
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12
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Zeng S, Schnabl B. Roles for the mycobiome in liver disease. Liver Int 2022; 42:729-741. [PMID: 34995410 PMCID: PMC8930708 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Liver disease, a major cause of global mortality, has been associated with dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota (bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes). Studies have associated changes in gut bacteria with pathogenesis and severity of liver disease, but the contributions of the mycobiome (the fungal populations of the gut) to health and disease have not been well studied. We review recent findings of alterations in the composition of the mycobiota in patients with liver disease and discuss the mechanisms by which these might affect pathogenesis and disease progression. Strategies to manipulate the gut mycobiota might be developed to treat or prevent liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suling Zeng
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA,Department of Medicine, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Bernd Schnabl
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA,Department of Medicine, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
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13
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Toriello C, Brunner-Mendoza C, Parra-Jaramillo L. Climate Change and Its Impact on Sporotrichosis. Fungal Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-89664-5_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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14
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Arrey G, Li G, Murphy R, Guimaraes L, Alizadeh S, Poulsen M, Regenberg B. Isolation, characterization, and genome assembly of Barnettozyma botsteinii sp. nov. and novel strains of Kurtzmaniella quercitrusa isolated from the intestinal tract of the termite Macrotermes bellicosus. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2021; 11:jkab342. [PMID: 34586397 PMCID: PMC8664483 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Bioconversion of hemicelluloses into simpler sugars leads to the production of a significant amount of pentose sugars, such as d-xylose. However, efficient utilization of pentoses by conventional yeast production strains remains challenging. Wild yeast strains can provide new industrially relevant characteristics and efficiently utilize pentose sugars. To explore this strategy, we isolated gut-residing yeasts from the termite Macrotermes bellicosus collected in Comoé National Park, Côte d'Ivoire. The yeasts were classified through their Internal Transcribed Spacer/Large Subunit sequence, and their genomes were sequenced and annotated. We identified a novel yeast species, which we name Barnettozyma botsteinii sp. nov. 1118T (MycoBank: 833563, CBS 16679T and IBT 710) and two new strains of Kurtzmaniella quercitrusa: var. comoensis (CBS 16678, IBT 709) and var. filamentosus (CBS 16680, IBT 711). The two K. quercitrusa strains grow 15% faster on synthetic glucose medium than Saccharomyces cerevisiae CEN.PKT in acidic conditions (pH = 3.2) and both strains grow on d-xylose as the sole carbon source at a rate of 0.35 h-1. At neutral pH, the yeast form of K. quercitrusa var. filamentosus, but not var. comoensis, switched to filamentous growth in a carbon source-dependent manner. Their genomes are 11.0-13.2 Mb in size and contain between 4888 and 5475 predicted genes. Together with closely related species, we did not find any relationship between gene content and ability to grow on xylose. Besides its metabolism, K. quercitrusa var. filamentosus has a large potential as a production organism, because of its capacity to grow at low pH and to undergo a dimorphic shift.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Arrey
- Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 1165, Denmark
| | - Guangshuo Li
- Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 1165, Denmark
| | - Robert Murphy
- Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 1165, Denmark
| | - Leandro Guimaraes
- Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 1165, Denmark
| | - Sefa Alizadeh
- Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 1165, Denmark
| | - Michael Poulsen
- Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 1165, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Regenberg
- Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 1165, Denmark
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15
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Skłodowski K, Chmielewska SJ, Depciuch J, Deptuła P, Piktel E, Daniluk T, Zakrzewska M, Czarnowski M, Cieśluk M, Durnaś B, Parlińska-Wojtan M, Savage PB, Bucki R. Ceragenin-Coated Non-Spherical Gold Nanoparticles as Novel Candidacidal Agents. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13111940. [PMID: 34834355 PMCID: PMC8619546 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infections caused by Candida spp. have become one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Therefore, new effective fungicides are urgently needed, especially due to an escalating resistance crisis. METHODS A set of nanosystems with rod- (AuR), peanut- (AuP), and star-shaped (AuS) metal cores were synthesized. These gold nanoparticles were conjugated with ceragenins CSA-13, CSA-44, and CSA-131, and their activity was evaluated against Candida strains (n = 21) through the assessment of MICs (minimum inhibitory concentrations)/MFCs (minimum fungicidal concentrations). Moreover, in order to determine the potential for resistance development, serial passages of Candida cells with tested nanosystems were performed. The principal mechanism of action of Au NPs was evaluated via ROS (reactive oxygen species) generation assessment, plasma membrane permeabilization, and release of the protein content. Finally, to evaluate the potential toxicity of Au NPs, the measurement of hemoglobin release from red blood cells (RBCs) was carried out. RESULTS All of the tested nanosystems exerted a potent candidacidal activity, regardless of the species or susceptibility to other antifungal agents. Significantly, no resistance development after 25 passages of Candida cells with AuR@CSA-13, AuR@CSA-44, and AuR@CSA-131 nanosystems was observed. Moreover, the fungicidal mechanism of action of the investigated nanosystems involved the generation of ROS, damage of the fungal cell membrane, and leakage of intracellular contents. Notably, no significant RBCs hemolysis at candidacidal doses of tested nanosystems was detected. CONCLUSIONS The results provide rationale for the development of gold nanoparticles of rod-, peanut-, and star-shaped conjugated with CSA-13, CSA-44, and CSA-131 as effective candidacidal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol Skłodowski
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Sylwia Joanna Chmielewska
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Joanna Depciuch
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-342 Krakow, Poland
| | - Piotr Deptuła
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Ewelina Piktel
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Tamara Daniluk
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Magdalena Zakrzewska
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Michał Czarnowski
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Mateusz Cieśluk
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Bonita Durnaś
- The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Collegium Modicum of the Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, 25-734 Kielce, Poland
| | | | - Paul B Savage
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Robert Bucki
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland
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16
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Zhang M, Liang G, Dong J, Zheng H, Mei H, Zha F, Liu W. A thermal adaptation landscape related to virulence in Mucor irregularis transcriptional profiles. Mycoses 2021; 65:374-387. [PMID: 34779032 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Our study aimed to better understand the different thermal adaptation in Mucor irregularis (M. irregularis) strains under high temperature and the involved virulence-related genes, and to offer more appropriate explanation for the diverse pathogenicity of M. irregularis in human infections. METHODS M. irregularis isolates were incubated at 30 and 35°C for Illumina HiSeq technology (RNA-seq), as well as the virulence difference detected through Galleria mellonella infection models. We verified their transcriptional profile with RT-PCR and analysed differentially expressed genes with GO and KEGG annotations. RESULTS All 25 isolates formed the biggest colonies at 28°C and did not grow at 37°C, while were differently inhibited at 22 and 35°C. Six selected M. irregularis displayed virulence in sync with their growth condition at high temperature. From the outcomes of RNA-seq, a total of 1559 differentially expressed genes (FC ≥ 2, FDR < 0.05) were obtained, of which 1021 genes were upregulated, and 538 genes were downregulated. Cell wall structure genes related to Ras-like and GH16 proteins, influx-efflux pumps consist of transmembrane proteins as ABC and MFS proteins, and metabolic genes as DGKɛ and Hsfs, seem to be essential in thermal adaptation and virulence of M. irregularis. CONCLUSION We found some common genes expressed at high temperature, while some others specifically related to M. irregularis isolates with different virulence and thermal adaptation. Further research of genes involved in the pathogenic process is needed for the development of potential targeted antifungal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meijie Zhang
- Department of Medical Mycology, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China.,CAMS Collection Center of Pathogen Microorganisms-D (CAMS-CCPM-D), Nanjing, China
| | - Guanzhao Liang
- Department of Medical Mycology, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China.,CAMS Collection Center of Pathogen Microorganisms-D (CAMS-CCPM-D), Nanjing, China
| | - Jiacheng Dong
- Department of Medical Mycology, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China.,CAMS Collection Center of Pathogen Microorganisms-D (CAMS-CCPM-D), Nanjing, China
| | - Hailin Zheng
- Department of Medical Mycology, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China.,CAMS Collection Center of Pathogen Microorganisms-D (CAMS-CCPM-D), Nanjing, China
| | - Huan Mei
- Department of Medical Mycology, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China.,CAMS Collection Center of Pathogen Microorganisms-D (CAMS-CCPM-D), Nanjing, China
| | - Fuxing Zha
- Shanghai BIOZERON Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Weida Liu
- Department of Medical Mycology, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China.,CAMS Collection Center of Pathogen Microorganisms-D (CAMS-CCPM-D), Nanjing, China.,Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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17
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Jaroenpattrawut B, Poonvivatchaikarn U, Kanjanabuch T, Eiam-Ong S. Phytopathogen transmitted from plant to human causing peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis. Perit Dial Int 2021; 42:223-226. [PMID: 34587836 DOI: 10.1177/08968608211048063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the first case of peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis due to Sporothrix schenckii, a thermally dimorphic black fungus transmitted from epiphytotic disease. The patient presented with PD-associated peritonitis and fungal colonisation inside the PD catheter's lumen after an exposing 'wet contamination' event with a phytopathogen 11 days prior to the onset of infection. The human pathogen and phytopathogen were confirmed the same species by nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer and large subunit regions of the ribosomal RNA gene. A 'wet contamination' should be closely monitored for an extended period, and a broader spectrum of organisms might lead to peritonitis, particularly in centres with a high prevalence of fungal infection. PD patients and their caregivers should have periodic retraining of aseptic technique and personnel hygiene. We also recommend a long course of antifungal medication in eradicating peritoneal sporotrichosis to prevent unfavourable outcomes and relapsing peritonitis from this organism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Talerngsak Kanjanabuch
- Center of Excellence in Kidney Metabolic Disorders, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,CAPD Excellent Center, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Somchai Eiam-Ong
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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18
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Almeida MA, Baeza LC, Almeida-Paes R, Bailão AM, Borges CL, Guimarães AJ, Soares CMA, Zancopé-Oliveira RM. Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Histoplasma capsulatum Yeast and Mycelium Reveals Differential Metabolic Shifts and Cell Wall Remodeling Processes in the Different Morphotypes. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:640931. [PMID: 34177824 PMCID: PMC8226243 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.640931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Histoplasma capsulatum is a thermally dimorphic fungus distributed worldwide, but with the highest incidence in the Americas within specific geographic areas, such as the Mississippi River Valley and regions in Latin America. This fungus is the etiologic agent of histoplasmosis, an important life-threatening systemic mycosis. Dimorphism is an important feature for fungal survival in different environments and is related to the virulence of H. capsulatum, and essential to the establishment of infection. Proteomic profiles have made important contributions to the knowledge of metabolism and pathogenicity in several biological models. However, H. capsulatum proteome studies have been underexplored. In the present study, we report the first proteomic comparison between the mycelium and the yeast cells of H. capsulatum. Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry was used to evaluate the proteomic profile of the two phases of H. capsulatum growth, mycelium, and yeast. In summary, 214 and 225 proteins were only detected/or preferentially abundant in mycelium or yeast cells, respectively. In mycelium, enzymes related to the glycolytic pathway and to the alcoholic fermentation occurred in greater abundance, suggesting a higher use of anaerobic pathways for energy production. In yeast cells, proteins related to the tricarboxylic acid cycle and response to temperature stress were in high abundance. Proteins related to oxidative stress response or involved with cell wall metabolism were identified with differential abundance in both conditions. Proteomic data validation was performed by enzymatic activity determination, Western blot assays, or immunofluorescence microscopy. These experiments corroborated, directly or indirectly, the abundance of isocitrate lyase, 2-methylcitrate synthase, catalase B, and mannosyl-oligosaccharide-1,2-alpha-mannosidase in the mycelium and heat shock protein (HSP) 30, HSP60, glucosamine-fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase, glucosamine-6-phosphate deaminase, and N-acetylglucosamine-phosphate mutase in yeast cells. The proteomic profile-associated functional classification analyses of proteins provided new and interesting information regarding the differences in metabolism between the two distinct growth forms of H. capsulatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Abreu Almeida
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lilian Cristiane Baeza
- Centro de Ciências Médicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Almeida-Paes
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Clayton Luiz Borges
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
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19
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Alcantara C, Almeida BR, Barros BCSC, Orikaza CM, Toledo MS, Suzuki E. Histoplasma capsulatum chemotypes I and II induce IL-8 secretion in lung epithelial cells in distinct manners. Med Mycol 2021; 58:1169-1177. [PMID: 32119085 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myaa006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell wall is one of the most important structures of pathogenic fungi, enabling initial interaction with the host and consequent modulation of immunological responses. Over the years, some researchers have shown that cell wall components of Histoplasma capsulatum vary among fungal isolates, and one of the major differences is the presence or absence of α-(1,3)-glucan, classifying wild-type fungi as chemotypes II or I, respectively. The present work shows that an isolate of H. capsulatum chemotype I induced lower levels of interleukin (IL)-8 secretion by the lung epithelial cell line A549, when compared to chemotype II yeasts. Thus, we expected that the absence of α-glucan in spontaneous variant yeasts, which were isolated from chemotype II cultures, would modify IL-8 secretion by A549 cells, but surprisingly, these fungi promoted similar levels of IL-8 secretion as their wild-type counterpart. Furthermore, when using a specific inhibitor for Syk activation, we observed that this inhibitor reduced IL-8 levels in A549 cell cultures infected with wild type chemotype I fungi. This inhibitor failed to reduce this cytokine levels in A549 cell cultures infected with chemotype II and their spontaneous variant yeasts, which also do not present α-glucan on their surface. The importance of SFKs and PKC δ in this event was also analyzed. Our results show that different isolates of H. capsulatum modulate distinct cell signaling pathways to promote cytokine secretion in host epithelial cells, emphasizing the existence of various mechanisms for Histoplasma pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiane Alcantara
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo - SP, Brazil
| | - Bruna Rocha Almeida
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo - SP, Brazil
| | - Bianca Carla Silva Campitelli Barros
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo - SP, Brazil
| | - Cristina Mary Orikaza
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo - SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos Sergio Toledo
- Department of Biochemistry, Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo - SP, Brazil
| | - Erika Suzuki
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo - SP, Brazil
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20
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Papp LA, Ács-Szabó L, Póliska S, Miklós I. A modified culture medium and hyphae isolation method can increase quality of the RNA extracted from mycelia of a dimorphic fungal species. Curr Genet 2021; 67:823-830. [PMID: 33837814 PMCID: PMC8405466 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-021-01181-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The capability of RNA isolation with good efficiency and high quality is essential for a downstream application such as RNA sequencing. It requires successful cell culturing and an effective RNA isolation method. Although effective methods are available, production of the homogenous mycelia and extraction of good-quality mycelial RNA from true invasive hyphae, which penetrated into the agar plates, are difficult. To overcome these problems, the aim of this study was to develop technical modifications which allow production of homogenous mycelial biomass without extra stimuli agents and improve quality of the RNA extracted from the fungal hyphae. Our alternative culture medium was suitable for production both yeast-phase cells and hyphae of the Schizosaccharomyces japonicus and other dimorphic species, such as the Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Jaminaea angkorensis. To improve quality of the mycelial RNA, we developed an isolation procedure of the hyphal tip, which eliminated the unnecessary vacuoles-containing parts of the hyphae. To increase RNA quantity, we used glass beads in the RNA extraction protocol to achieve stronger breaking of the mycelial walls. All these modifications can also be useful for researchers working with other dimorphic fungi and can contribute to the higher comparability of the transcriptional data coming from yeast-phase cells and hyphae or even from different species.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Attila Papp
- Department of Genetics and Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Lajos Ács-Szabó
- Department of Genetics and Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Szilárd Póliska
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of General Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Ida Miklós
- Department of Genetics and Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary.
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21
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MripacC regulates blastosphere budding and influences virulence of the pathogenic fungus Metarhizium rileyi. Fungal Biol 2021; 125:596-608. [PMID: 34281653 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Fungal dimorphism is the ability of certain fungi to switch between two different cellular forms, yeast and mycelial forms, in response to external environmental factors. The pacC/Pal signal transduction pathway responds to neutral and alkaline environments and is also involved in the fungal dimorphic transition. In this study, we investigated the function of the pacC homolog, MripacC, which regulates the dimorphic transition and modulates virulence of the insect pathogenic fungus Metarhizium rileyi. MripacC expression was upregulated under alkaline condition, with increased number of yeast-like cells compared to the number of hyphae cells. A MripacC deletion mutant (ΔMripacC) was obtained by homologous replacement and exhibited decreased blastospore budding, with direct development of conidia into hyphae without entering the yeast-like stage when cultured on alkaline medium. Observation of host hemolymph morphology and analysis of samples to detect the main immune factors revealed a decreased ability of ΔMripacC to evade the host immune system. The results of insect bioassays showed that ΔMripacC had decreased virulence with extended median lethality time. Together, the results suggested that MripacC not only regulated adaptation to acidic and alkaline environments, but also influenced virulence by budding blastospores. This elucidation of the function of MripacC adds to our understanding of blastospore budding and virulence of this fungal pathogen.
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Abu Bakar N, Karsani SA, Alias SA. Fungal survival under temperature stress: a proteomic perspective. PeerJ 2020; 8:e10423. [PMID: 33362961 PMCID: PMC7747687 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increases in knowledge of climate change generally, and its impact on agricultural industries specifically, have led to a greater research effort aimed at improving understanding of the role of fungi in various fields. Fungi play a key role in soil ecosystems as the primary agent of decomposition, recycling of organic nutrients. Fungi also include important pathogens of plants, insects, bacteria, domestic animals and humans, thus highlighting their importance in many contexts. Temperature directly affects fungal growth and protein dynamics, which ultimately will cascade through to affect crop performance. To study changes in the global protein complement of fungi, proteomic approaches have been used to examine links between temperature stress and fungal proteomic profiles. SURVEY METHODOLOGY AND OBJECTIVES A traditional rather than a systematic review approach was taken to focus on fungal responses to temperature stress elucidated using proteomic approaches. The effects of temperature stress on fungal metabolic pathways and, in particular, heat shock proteins (HSPs) are discussed. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of the effects of temperature stress on fungal proteomes. CONCLUDING REMARKS Elucidating fungal proteomic response under temperature stress is useful in the context of increasing understanding of fungal sensitivity and resilience to the challenges posed by contemporary climate change processes. Although useful, a more thorough work is needed such as combining data from multiple -omics platforms in order to develop deeper understanding of the factor influencing and controlling cell physiology. This information can be beneficial to identify potential biomarkers for monitoring environmental changes in soil, including the agricultural ecosystems vital to human society and economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurlizah Abu Bakar
- Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- National Antarctic Research Centre, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Saiful Anuar Karsani
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Siti Aisyah Alias
- Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- National Antarctic Research Centre, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Mead HL, Hamm PS, Shaffer IN, Teixeira MDM, Wendel CS, Wiederhold NP, Thompson GR, Muñiz-Salazar R, Castañón-Olivares LR, Keim P, Plude C, Terriquez J, Galgiani JN, Orbach MJ, Barker BM. Differential Thermotolerance Adaptation between Species of Coccidioides. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:E366. [PMID: 33327629 PMCID: PMC7765126 DOI: 10.3390/jof6040366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Coccidioidomycosis, or Valley fever, is caused by two species of dimorphic fungi. Based on molecular phylogenetic evidence, the genus Coccidioides contains two reciprocally monophyletic species: C. immitis and C. posadasii. However, phenotypic variation between species has not been deeply investigated. We therefore explored differences in growth rate under various conditions. A collection of 39 C. posadasii and 46 C. immitis isolates, representing the full geographical range of the two species, was screened for mycelial growth rate at 37 °C and 28 °C on solid media. The radial growth rate was measured for 16 days on yeast extract agar. A linear mixed effect model was used to compare the growth rate of C. posadasii and C. immitis at 37 °C and 28 °C, respectively. C. posadasii grew significantly faster at 37 °C, when compared to C. immitis; whereas both species had similar growth rates at 28 °C. These results indicate thermotolerance differs between these two species. As the ecological niche has not been well-described for Coccidioides spp., and disease variability between species has not been shown, the evolutionary pressure underlying the adaptation is unclear. However, this research reveals the first significant phenotypic difference between the two species that directly applies to ecological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L. Mead
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA; (H.L.M.); (P.K.)
| | - Paris S. Hamm
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA;
| | - Isaac N. Shaffer
- School of Informatics, Computers, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA;
| | | | | | - Nathan P. Wiederhold
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 77030, USA;
| | - George R. Thompson
- Departments of Internal Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases, and Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA;
| | - Raquel Muñiz-Salazar
- Laboratorio de Epidemiología y Ecología Molecular, Escuela Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Unidad Valle Dorado, Ensenada 22890, Mexico;
| | - Laura Rosio Castañón-Olivares
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico;
| | - Paul Keim
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA; (H.L.M.); (P.K.)
| | - Carmel Plude
- Northern Arizona Healthcare, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA; (C.P.); (J.T.)
| | - Joel Terriquez
- Northern Arizona Healthcare, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA; (C.P.); (J.T.)
| | - John N. Galgiani
- Valley Fever Center for Excellence, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (J.N.G.); (M.J.O.)
| | - Marc J. Orbach
- Valley Fever Center for Excellence, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (J.N.G.); (M.J.O.)
- School of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Bridget M. Barker
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA; (H.L.M.); (P.K.)
- Valley Fever Center for Excellence, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (J.N.G.); (M.J.O.)
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Oliveira LT, Medina-Alarcón KP, Singulani JDL, Fregonezi NF, Pires RH, Arthur RA, Fusco-Almeida AM, Mendes Giannini MJS. Dynamics of Mono- and Dual-Species Biofilm Formation and Interactions Between Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Candida albicans. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:551256. [PMID: 33178146 PMCID: PMC7591818 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.551256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The oral cavity is a highly diverse microbial environment in which microorganisms interact with each other, growing as biofilms on biotic and abiotic surfaces. Understanding the interaction among oral microbiota counterparts is pivotal for clarifying the pathogenesis of oral diseases. Candida spp. is one of the most abundant fungi in the oral mycobiome with the ability to cause severe soft tissue lesions under certain conditions. Paracoccidioides spp., the causative agent of paracoccidioidomycosis, may also colonize the oral cavity leading to soft tissue damage. It was hypothesized that both fungi can interact with each other, increasing the growth of the biofilm and its virulence, which in turn can lead to a more aggressive infectivity. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the dynamics of mono- and dual-species biofilm growth of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Candida albicans and their infectivity using the Galleria mellonella model. Biomass and fungi metabolic activity were determined by the crystal violet and the tetrazolium salt reduction tests (XTT), respectively, and the colony-forming unit (CFU) was obtained by plating. Biofilm structure was characterized by both scanning electronic- and confocal laser scanning- microscopy techniques. Survival analysis of G. mellonella was evaluated to assess infectivity. Our results showed that dual-species biofilm with P. brasiliensis plus C. albicans presented a higher biomass, higher metabolic activity and CFU than their mono-species biofilms. Furthermore, G. mellonella larvae infected with P. brasiliensis plus C. albicans presented a decrease in the survival rate compared to those infected with P. brasiliensis or C. albicans, mainly in the form of biofilms. Our data indicate that P. brasiliensis and C. albicans co-existence is likely to occur on oral mucosal biofilms, as per in vitro and in vivo analysis. These data further widen the knowledge associated with the dynamics of fungal biofilm growth that can potentially lead to the discovery of new therapeutic strategies for these infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lariane Teodoro Oliveira
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Kaila Petronila Medina-Alarcón
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Junya de Lacorte Singulani
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Nathália Ferreira Fregonezi
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Regina Helena Pires
- Laboratory of Mycology and Environmental Diagnosis, University of Franca, Franca, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Alex Arthur
- Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, Dental School, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ana Marisa Fusco-Almeida
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Araraquara, Brazil
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Varona S, Lavín JL, Oguiza JA. Secretomes of medically important fungi reflect morphological and phylogenetic diversity. Fungal Biol 2020; 124:915-923. [PMID: 33059843 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2020.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Secretome represents a main target for understanding the mechanisms of fungal adaptation. In the present study, we focus on the secretomes of fungi associated with infections in humans and other mammals in order to explore relationships between the diverse morphological and phylogenetic groups. Almost all the mammalian pathogenic fungi analyzed have secretome sizes smaller than 1000 proteins and, secreted proteins comprise between 5% and 10% of the total proteome. As expected, the correlation pattern between the secretome size and the total proteome was similar to that described in previous secretome studies of fungi. With regard to the morphological groups, minimum secretome sizes of less than 250 secreted proteins and low values for the fraction of secreted proteins are shown in mammalian pathogenic fungi with reduced proteomes such as microsporidia, atypical fungi and some species of yeasts and yeast-like fungi (Malassezia). On the other hand, filamentous fungi have significantly more secreted proteins and the highest numbers are present in species of filamentous fungi that also are plant or insect pathogens (Fusarium verticilloides, Fusarium oxysporum and Basidiobolus meristosporus). With respect to phylogeny, there are also variations in secretome size across fungal subphyla: Microsporidia, Taphrinomycotina, Ustilagomycotina and Saccharomycotina contain small secretomes; whereas larger secretomes are found in Agaricomycotina, Pezizomycotina, Mucoromycotina and Entomophthoromycotina. Finally, principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted on the complete secretomes. The PCA results revealed that, in general, secretomes of fungi belonging to the same morphological group or subphyla cluster together. In conclusion, our results point out that in medically important fungi there is a relationship between the secretome and the morphological group or phylogenetic classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarai Varona
- Bioinformatics Unit, CIC BioGUNE-BRTA, Bizkaia Technology Park, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - José L Lavín
- Bioinformatics Unit, CIC BioGUNE-BRTA, Bizkaia Technology Park, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain.
| | - José A Oguiza
- Genetics, Genomics and Microbiology Research Group, Institute for Multidisciplinary Research in Applied Biology (IMAB), Universidad Pública de Navarra, 31006, Pamplona, Spain.
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Transcriptome Analysis of Dimorphic Fungus Sporothrix schenckii Exposed to Temperature Stress. Int Microbiol 2020; 24:25-35. [PMID: 32691258 PMCID: PMC7873001 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-020-00136-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Sporothrix schenckii is a thermally dimorphic fungus. In a saprotrophic environment or culturing at 25 °C, it grows as mycelia, whereas in host tissues or culturing at 37 °C, it undergoes dimorphic transition and division into pathogenic yeast cells. S. schenckii can cause serious disseminated sporotrichosis in immunocompromised hosts and presents an emerging global health problem. The mycelium-to-yeast transition was a consequence of the adaptive process to different environment. Some studies showed that the transition was significantly related to the virulence and pathogenesis of dimorphic fungi. However the genetic mechanisms of this complicated biological process are poorly understood. METHOD Our study presented a comparative transcriptomic analysis perspective on temperature stress in a visceral isolates of S. schenckii, obtaining more genetic information related to dimorphic transition. RESULTS The 9.38 Gbp dataset was generated and assembled into 14,423 unigenes. Compared with gene and protein databases, 9561 unigenes were annotated. Comparative analysis identified 1259 genes expressed differentially in mycelium and yeast phase, and were categorized into a number of important biological processes, such as synthesis and metabolism, transmembrane transport, biocatalysis, oxidation reduction, and cellular signal transduction. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggested that temperature-dependent transition was tightly associated with stress adaptation, growth and development, signal regulation, adhesion, and colonization, which was predicted to be related with virulence and pathogenesis. Collection of these data should offer fine-scale insights into the mechanisms of dimorphism and pathogenesis of S. schenckii, and meanwhile facilitate the evolutionary and function studies of other dimorphic fungi.
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27
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Cleare LG, Zamith D, Heyman HM, Couvillion SP, Nimrichter L, Rodrigues ML, Nakayasu ES, Nosanchuk JD. Media matters! Alterations in the loading and release of Histoplasma capsulatum extracellular vesicles in response to different nutritional milieus. Cell Microbiol 2020; 22:e13217. [PMID: 32406582 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus that most frequently causes pneumonia, but can also disseminate and proliferate in diverse tissues. Histoplasma capsulatum has a complex secretion system that mediates the release of macromolecule-degrading enzymes and virulence factors. The formation and release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) are an important mechanism for non-conventional secretion in both ascomycetes and basidiomycetes. Histoplasma capsulatum EVs contain diverse proteins associated with virulence and are immunologically active. Despite the growing knowledge of EVs from H. capsulatum and other pathogenic fungi, the extent that changes in the environment impact the sorting of organic molecules in EVs has not been investigated. In this study, we cultivated H. capsulatum with distinct culture media to investigate the potential plasticity in EV loading in response to differences in nutrition. Our findings reveal that nutrition plays an important role in EV loading and formation, which may translate into differences in biological activities of these fungi in various fluids and tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Levi G Cleare
- Department of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Daniel Zamith
- Department of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Heino M Heyman
- Department of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA.,Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, USA
| | - Sneha P Couvillion
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, USA
| | - Leonardo Nimrichter
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcio L Rodrigues
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Instituto Carlos Chagas, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Ernesto S Nakayasu
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, USA
| | - Joshua D Nosanchuk
- Department of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
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28
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Moriwaki-Takano M, Iwakura R, Hoshino K. Dimorphic Mechanism on cAMP Mediated Signal Pathway in Mucor circinelloides. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2020; 193:1252-1265. [PMID: 32424738 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-020-03342-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Mucor circinelloides is a dimorphic fungus that is a non-pathogen strain belonging to zygomycetes. In this research, a part of hypothetical mechanism on yeast-like cell induction of M. circinelloides in CO2 atmosphere was reported from the viewpoint of gene expression. To explain the relation between the change and the expressions of some genes involved in morphological changes of the strain, these were analyzed on the filamentous and yeast cell by real-time qPCR. The compared genes were Nce103, Ras3, Cyr1, Pde, and Efg1 encoding carbonic anhydrase, GTPase, adenylate cyclase, phosphodiesterase, and elongation factor G1, respectively. In anaerobic grown yeast cell with 70%N2 + 30%CO2, the Nce103 and Ras3 gene expressions decreased to 24 h whereas that of the filamentous cell increased. However, a downstream gene of Cyr1 expression level in the yeast cell was higher than that of filamentous cell. A lower level of Pde in the yeast cell than that of the filamentous cell indicated intracellular cAMP accumulation. The actual cAMP in the yeast cell remained whereas that of the filamentous cell decreased with cultivation. The Efg1 expression level controlling hyphal elongation was suppressed in the yeast cell. The intracellular cAMP accumulation and Efg1 expression regulate hyphal elongation or yeast forming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maki Moriwaki-Takano
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku 3190, Toyama, Japan
| | - Ryo Iwakura
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku 3190, Toyama, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Hoshino
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku 3190, Toyama, Japan.
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Makri N, Paterson GK, Gregge F, Urquhart C, Nuttall T. First case report of cutaneous sporotrichosis ( Sporothrix species) in a cat in the UK. JFMS Open Rep 2020; 6:2055116920906001. [PMID: 32110427 PMCID: PMC7025424 DOI: 10.1177/2055116920906001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Case summary A 12-year-old female neutered indoor-outdoor domestic longhair cat presented with frequent sneezing and a nodular, suppurative lesion on its dorsal nose. Histopathological examination revealed a fungal granuloma. PCR and sequencing of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (ITS) regions (ITS-F and ITS-R) confirmed an infection with a Sporothrix species. Further sequencing of the beta-tubulin and calmodulin genes confirmed Sporothrix humicola, which lies within the Sporothrix pallida complex. The cat had concurrent diabetes mellitus, which responded to insulin therapy and diet. Oral itraconazole at 10 mg/kg PO q24h resulted in resolution of the lesions after 12 months. Treatment was well tolerated. Relevance and novel information This is the first report of sporotrichosis in a cat in the UK and only the fifth worldwide involving the S pallida complex. Clinicians, pathologists and microbiologists need to be aware of the potential of Sporothrix infections in the UK and the ability of S pallida complex to cause opportunistic infections. Molecular techniques can achieve rapid and accurate identification of rare fungal organisms. A precise diagnosis with molecular testing can provide information regarding prognosis, treatment and zoonotic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikoleta Makri
- Dermatology Service, Hospital for Small Animals, University of Edinburgh, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Roslin, UK
| | - Gavin K Paterson
- Easter Bush Pathology, University of Edinburgh, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Roslin, UK
| | | | | | - Tim Nuttall
- Dermatology Service, Hospital for Small Animals, University of Edinburgh, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Roslin, UK
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Vellanki S, Billmyre RB, Lorenzen A, Campbell M, Turner B, Huh EY, Heitman J, Lee SC. A Novel Resistance Pathway for Calcineurin Inhibitors in the Human-Pathogenic Mucorales Mucor circinelloides. mBio 2020; 11:e02949-19. [PMID: 31992620 PMCID: PMC6989107 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02949-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucormycosis is an emerging lethal fungal infection in immunocompromised patients. Mucor circinelloides is a causal agent of mucormycosis and serves as a model system to understand genetics in Mucorales. Calcineurin is a conserved virulence factor in many pathogenic fungi, and calcineurin inhibition or deletion of the calcineurin regulatory subunit (CnbR) in Mucor results in a shift from hyphal to yeast growth. We analyzed 36 calcineurin inhibitor-resistant or bypass mutants that exhibited hyphal growth in the presence of calcineurin inhibitors or in the yeast-locked cnbRΔ mutant background without carrying any mutations in known calcineurin components. We found that a majority of the mutants had altered sequence in a gene, named here bycA (bypass of calcineurin). bycA encodes an amino acid permease. We verified that both the bycAΔ single mutant and the bycAΔ cnbRΔ double mutant are resistant to calcineurin inhibitor FK506, thereby demonstrating a novel mechanism of resistance against calcineurin inhibitors. We also found that the level of expression of bycA was significantly higher in the wild-type strain treated with FK506 and in the cnbRΔ mutants but was significantly lower in the wild-type strain without FK506 treatment. These findings suggest that bycA is a negative regulator of hyphal growth and/or a positive regulator of yeast growth in Mucor and that calcineurin suppresses expression of the bycA gene at the mRNA level to promote hyphal growth. BycA is involved in the Mucor hypha-yeast transition as our data demonstrate positive correlations among bycA expression, protein kinase A activity, and Mucor yeast growth. Also, calcineurin, independently of its role in morphogenesis, contributes to virulence traits, including phagosome maturation blockade, host cell damages, and proangiogenic growth factor induction during interactions with hosts.IMPORTANCEMucor is intrinsically resistant to most known antifungals, which makes mucormycosis treatment challenging. Calcineurin is a serine/threonine phosphatase that is widely conserved across eukaryotes. When calcineurin function is inhibited in Mucor, growth shifts to a less virulent yeast growth form, which makes calcineurin an attractive target for development of new antifungal drugs. Previously, we identified two distinct mechanisms through which Mucor can become resistant to calcineurin inhibitors involving Mendelian mutations in the gene for FKBP12, including mechanisms corresponding to calcineurin A or B subunits and epimutations silencing the FKBP12 gene. Here, we identified a third novel mechanism where loss-of-function mutations in the amino acid permease corresponding to the bycA gene contribute to resistance against calcineurin inhibitors. When calcineurin activity is absent, BycA can activate protein kinase A (PKA) to promote yeast growth via a cAMP-independent pathway. Our data also show that calcineurin activity contributes to host-pathogen interactions primarily in the pathogenesis of Mucor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Vellanki
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (STCEID), Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - R Blake Billmyre
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alejandra Lorenzen
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (STCEID), Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Micaela Campbell
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (STCEID), Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Broderick Turner
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (STCEID), Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Eun Young Huh
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (STCEID), Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Soo Chan Lee
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (STCEID), Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Freimoser FM, Rueda-Mejia MP, Tilocca B, Migheli Q. Biocontrol yeasts: mechanisms and applications. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 35:154. [PMID: 31576429 PMCID: PMC6773674 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-019-2728-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Yeasts occur in all environments and have been described as potent antagonists of various plant pathogens. Due to their antagonistic ability, undemanding cultivation requirements, and limited biosafety concerns, many of these unicellular fungi have been considered for biocontrol applications. Here, we review the fundamental research on the mechanisms (e.g., competition, enzyme secretion, toxin production, volatiles, mycoparasitism, induction of resistance) by which biocontrol yeasts exert their activity as plant protection agents. In a second part, we focus on five yeast species (Candida oleophila, Aureobasidium pullulans, Metschnikowia fructicola, Cryptococcus albidus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae) that are or have been registered for the application as biocontrol products. These examples demonstrate the potential of yeasts for commercial biocontrol usage, but this review also highlights the scarcity of fundamental studies on yeast biocontrol mechanisms and of registered yeast-based biocontrol products. Yeast biocontrol mechanisms thus represent a largely unexplored field of research and plentiful opportunities for the development of commercial, yeast-based applications for plant protection exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian M Freimoser
- Agroscope, Research Division Plant Protection, Müller-Thurgau-Strasse 29, 8820, Wädenswil, Switzerland.
| | - Maria Paula Rueda-Mejia
- Agroscope, Research Division Plant Protection, Müller-Thurgau-Strasse 29, 8820, Wädenswil, Switzerland
| | - Bruno Tilocca
- Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Viale Italia 39, 07100, Sassari, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Quirico Migheli
- Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Viale Italia 39, 07100, Sassari, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi and NRD - Nucleo di Ricerca sulla Desertificazione, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Viale Italia 39, 07100, Sassari, Italy
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Kirchhoff L, Olsowski M, Rath PM, Steinmann J. Exophiala dermatitidis: Key issues of an opportunistic fungal pathogen. Virulence 2019; 10:984-998. [PMID: 30887863 PMCID: PMC8647849 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2019.1596504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The black yeast Exophiala dermatitidis is an opportunistic pathogen, causing phaeohyphomycosis in immunosuppressed patients, chromoblastomycosis and fatal infections of the central nervous system in otherwise healthy Asian patients. In addition, it is also regularly isolated from respiratory samples from cystic fibrosis patients, with rates varying between 1% and 19%.Melanin, as part of the cell wall of black yeasts, is one major factor known contributing to the pathogenicity of E. dermatitidis and increased resistance against host defense and anti-infective therapeutics. Further virulence factors, e.g. the capability to adhere to surfaces and to form biofilm were reported. A better understanding of the pathogenicity of E. dermatitidis is essential for the development of novel preventive and therapeutic strategies. In this review, the current knowledge of E. dermatitidis prevalence, clinical importance, diagnosis, microbiological characteristics, virulence attributes, susceptibility, and resistances as well as therapeutically strategies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Kirchhoff
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Center of Excellence in Clinical and Laboratory Mycology and Clinical Studies, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Maike Olsowski
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Center of Excellence in Clinical and Laboratory Mycology and Clinical Studies, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Peter-Michael Rath
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Center of Excellence in Clinical and Laboratory Mycology and Clinical Studies, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Joerg Steinmann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Center of Excellence in Clinical and Laboratory Mycology and Clinical Studies, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Hygiene, Medical Microbiology and Infectiology, Klinikum Nürnberg, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
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Singulani JL, Scorzoni L, de Oliveira HC, Marcos CM, Assato PA, Fusco-Almeida AM, Mendes-Giannini MJS. Applications of Invertebrate Animal Models to Dimorphic Fungal Infections. J Fungi (Basel) 2018; 4:jof4040118. [PMID: 30347646 PMCID: PMC6308930 DOI: 10.3390/jof4040118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Dimorphic fungi can be found in the yeast form during infection and as hyphae in the environment and are responsible for a large number of infections worldwide. Invertebrate animals have been shown to be convenient models in the study of fungal infections. These models have the advantages of being low cost, have no ethical issues, and an ease of experimentation, time-efficiency, and the possibility of using a large number of animals per experiment compared to mammalian models. Invertebrate animal models such as Galleria mellonella, Caenorhabditis elegans, and Acanthamoebacastellanii have been used to study dimorphic fungal infections in the context of virulence, innate immune response, and the efficacy and toxicity of antifungal agents. In this review, we first summarize the features of these models. In this aspect, the growth temperature, genome sequence, availability of different strains, and body characteristics should be considered in the model choice. Finally, we discuss the contribution and advances of these models, with respect to dimorphic fungi Paracoccidioides spp., Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Sporothrix spp., and Talaromyces marneffei (Penicillium marneffei).
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Affiliation(s)
- Junya L Singulani
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo 14800-903, Brazil.
| | - Liliana Scorzoni
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo 14800-903, Brazil.
| | - Haroldo C de Oliveira
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo 14800-903, Brazil.
| | - Caroline M Marcos
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo 14800-903, Brazil.
| | - Patricia A Assato
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo 14800-903, Brazil.
| | - Ana Marisa Fusco-Almeida
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo 14800-903, Brazil.
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McBride JA, Gauthier GM, Klein BS. Turning on virulence: Mechanisms that underpin the morphologic transition and pathogenicity of Blastomyces. Virulence 2018. [PMID: 29532714 PMCID: PMC6779398 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2018.1449506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This review article focuses on the mechanisms underlying temperature adaptation and virulence of the etiologic agents of blastomycosis, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Blastomyces gilchristii, and Blastomyces percursus. In response to temperature, Blastomyces undergoes a reversible morphologic switch between hyphae and yeast known as the phase transition. The conversion to yeast for Blastomyces and related thermally dimorphic fungi is essential for virulence. In the yeast phase, Blastomyces upregulates the essential virulence factor, BAD1, which promotes attachment to host cells, impairs activation of immune cells, and blunts cytokine release. Blastomyces yeast also secrete dipeptidyl-peptidase IVA (DPPIVA), a serine protease that blunts the action of cytokines released from host immune cells. In vivo transcriptional profiling of Blastomyces yeast has uncovered genes such as PRA1 and ZRT1 involved in zinc scavenging that contribute to virulence during murine pulmonary infection. The discovery and characterization of genes important for virulence has led to advances at the bedside regarding novel diagnostics, vaccine development, and new targets for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A McBride
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health , 600 Highland Avenue, Madison , WI , USA.,Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health , 1675 Highland Avenue, Madison , WI , USA
| | - Gregory M Gauthier
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health , 600 Highland Avenue, Madison , WI , USA
| | - Bruce S Klein
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health , 600 Highland Avenue, Madison , WI , USA.,Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health , 1675 Highland Avenue, Madison , WI , USA.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health , 1550 Linden Drive, Madison , WI , USA
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Abstract
Filamentous and dimorphic fungi cause invasive mycoses associated with high mortality rates. Among the fungal determinants involved in the establishment of infection, glycosphingolipids (GSLs) have gained increased interest in the last few decades. GSLs are ubiquitous membrane components that have been isolated from both filamentous and dimorphic species and play a crucial role in polarized growth as well as hypha-to-yeast transition. In fungi, two major classes of GSLs are found: neutral and acidic GSLs. Neutral GSLs comprise glucosylceramide and galactosylceramide, which utilize Δ4-Δ8-9-methyl-sphingadienine as a sphingoid base, linked to a C16-18 fatty acid chain, forming ceramide, and to a sugar residue, such as glucose or galactose. In contrast, acidic GSLs include glycosylinositol phosphorylceramides (GIPCs), composed of phytosphingosine attached to a long or very long fatty acid chain (C18-26) and to diverse and complex glycan groups via an inositol-phosphate linker. GIPCs are absent in mammalian cells, while fungal glucosylceramide and galactosylceramide are present but diverge structurally from their counterparts. Therefore, these compounds and their biosynthetic pathways represent potential targets for the development of selective therapeutic strategies. In this minireview, we discuss the enzymatic steps involved in the production of fungal GSLs, analyze their structure, and address the role of the currently characterized genes in the biology and pathogenesis of filamentous and dimorphic fungi.
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Hernandez H, Martinez LR. Relationship of environmental disturbances and the infectious potential of fungi. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2018; 164:233-241. [PMID: 29458659 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Fungi are critical organisms for the environment and offer many benefits to modern society through their application in the pharmaceutical, beverage and food industries. In contrast, fungal pathogens are emerging threats to humans, animals, plants and insects with potential to cause devastating mortality, morbidity and economic loss. Outbreaks associated with anthropogenic alterations of the environment, including climate change-related events such as natural disasters, are responsible for human, animal and plant disease. Similarly, fungi and their metabolites also have a negative impact in agriculture, posing a serious threat to our food supplies. Here, we describe the existing knowledge and importance of understanding the relationship of fungi and the environment in the context of human, animal and plant disease. Our goal is to encourage communication between scientists and the general public to create informed awareness about the impact of fungi in their daily lives and their environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazael Hernandez
- Department of Biological Sciences, The Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Luis R Martinez
- Department of Biological Sciences, The Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, TX, USA
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Sephton-Clark PCS, Voelz K. Spore Germination of Pathogenic Filamentous Fungi. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2017; 102:117-157. [PMID: 29680124 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aambs.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Fungi, algae, plants, protozoa, and bacteria are all known to form spores, especially hardy and ubiquitous propagation structures that are also often the infectious agents of diseases. Spores can survive for thousands of years, frozen in the permafrost (Kochkina et al., 2012), with the oldest viable spores extracted after 250 million years from salt crystals (Vreeland, Rosenzweig, & Powers, 2000). Their resistance to high levels of UV, desiccation, pressure, heat, and cold enables the survival of spores in the harshest conditions (Setlow, 2016). For example, Bacillus subtilis spores can survive and remain viable after experiencing conditions similar to those on Mars (Horneck et al., 2012). Spores are disseminated through environmental factors. Wind, water, or animal carriage allow spores to be spread ubiquitously throughout the environment. Spores will break dormancy and begin to germinate once exposed to favorable conditions. Germination is the mechanism that converts the spore from a dormant biological organism to one that grows vegetatively and is capable of either sexual or asexual reproduction. The process of germination has been well studied in plants, moss, bacteria, and many fungi (Hohe & Reski, 2005; Huang & Hull, 2017; Vesty et al., 2016). Unfortunately, information on the complex signaling involved in the regulation of germination, particularly in fungi remains lacking. This chapter will discuss germination of fungal spores covering our current understanding of the regulation, signaling, outcomes, and implications of germination of pathogenic fungal spores. Owing to the morphological similarities between the spore-hyphal and yeast-hyphal transition and their relevance for disease progression, relevant aspects of fungal dimorphism will be discussed alongside spore germination in this chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poppy C S Sephton-Clark
- School of Biosciences, Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Kerstin Voelz
- School of Biosciences, Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
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