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Wangsanut T, Amsri A, Pongpom M. Antibody screening reveals antigenic proteins involved in Talaromyces marneffei and human interaction. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1118979. [PMID: 37404721 PMCID: PMC10315666 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1118979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Talaromycosis is a fungal infection that generally affects immunocompromised hosts and is one of the most frequent systemic mycoses in HIV patients, especially in endemic areas such as Southeast Asia. Talaromyces marneffei, the causative agent of talaromycosis, grows as a mold in the environment but adapts to the human body and host niches by transitioning from conidia to yeast-like cells. Knowledge of the human host and T. marneffei interaction has a direct impact on the diagnosis, yet studies are still lacking. The morbidity and mortality rates are high in taloromycosis patients if the diagnosis and treatments are delayed. Immunogenic proteins are excellent candidates for developing detection tools. Previously, we identified antigenic proteins that were recognized by antibodies from talaromycosis sera. Three of these identified proteins have been previously characterized in detail, while the others have not been explored. To expedite the progress of antigen discovery, the complete list of antigenic proteins and their features was fully reported in this study. Functional annotation and Gene Ontology examination revealed that these proteins showed a high association with membrane trafficking. Further bioinformatics analyses were performed to search for antigenic protein characteristics, including functional domains, critical residues, subcellular localization, secretory signals, and epitope peptide sequences. Expression profiling of these antigenic encoding genes was investigated using quantitative real-time PCR. The results demonstrated that most genes were expressed at low levels in the mold form, but were highly upregulated in the pathogenic yeast phase, consistent with the antigenic role of these genes during the human-host interaction. Most transcripts accumulated in the conidia, suggesting a role during phase transition. The collection of all antigen-encoding DNA sequences described here is freely accessible at GenBank, which could be useful for the research community to develop into biomarkers, diagnostic tests, research detection tools, and even vaccines.
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2
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Souza JAM, Baltazar LDM, Carregal VM, Gouveia-Eufrasio L, de Oliveira AG, Dias WG, Campos Rocha M, Rocha de Miranda K, Malavazi I, Santos DDA, Frézard FJG, de Souza DDG, Teixeira MM, Soriani FM. Characterization of Aspergillus fumigatus Extracellular Vesicles and Their Effects on Macrophages and Neutrophils Functions. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2008. [PMID: 31551957 PMCID: PMC6738167 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) has been considered an alternative process for intercellular communication. EVs release by filamentous fungi and the role of vesicular secretion during fungus-host cells interaction remain unknown. Here, we identified the secretion of EVs from the pathogenic filamentous fungus, Aspergillus fumigatus. Analysis of the structure of EVs demonstrated that A. fumigatus produces round shaped bilayer structures ranging from 100 to 200 nm size, containing ergosterol and a myriad of proteins involved in REDOX, cell wall remodeling and metabolic functions of the fungus. We demonstrated that macrophages can phagocytose A. fumigatus EVs. Phagocytic cells, stimulated with EVs, increased fungal clearance after A. fumigatus conidia challenge. EVs were also able to induce the production of TNF-α and CCL2 by macrophages and a synergistic effect was observed in the production of these mediators when the cells were challenged with the conidia. In bone marrow-derived neutrophils (BMDN) treated with EVs, there was enhancement of the production of TNF-α and IL-1β in response to conidia. Together, our results demonstrate, for the first time, that A. fumigatus produces EVs containing a diverse set of proteins involved in fungal physiology and virulence. Moreover, EVs are biologically active and stimulate production of inflammatory mediators and fungal clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Amanda Marques Souza
- Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ludmila de Matos Baltazar
- Laboratório de Interação Microrganismo-Hospedeiro, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Virgínia Mendes Carregal
- Laboratório de Biofísica e Sistemas Nanoestruturados, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ludmila Gouveia-Eufrasio
- Laboratório de Micologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - André Gustavo de Oliveira
- Lab Circuitos Fisiológicos, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Wendell Girard Dias
- Plataforma de Microscopia Eletrônica Rudolf Barth, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marina Campos Rocha
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Kildare Rocha de Miranda
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Programa de Biologia Celular e Parasitologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Iran Malavazi
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Daniel de Assis Santos
- Laboratório de Micologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Frédéric Jean Georges Frézard
- Laboratório de Biofísica e Sistemas Nanoestruturados, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Daniele da Glória de Souza
- Laboratório de Interação Microrganismo-Hospedeiro, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Mauro Martins Teixeira
- Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Frederico Marianetti Soriani
- Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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3
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Ries LNA, Steenwyk JL, de Castro PA, de Lima PBA, Almeida F, de Assis LJ, Manfiolli AO, Takahashi-Nakaguchi A, Kusuya Y, Hagiwara D, Takahashi H, Wang X, Obar JJ, Rokas A, Goldman GH. Nutritional Heterogeneity Among Aspergillus fumigatus Strains Has Consequences for Virulence in a Strain- and Host-Dependent Manner. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:854. [PMID: 31105662 PMCID: PMC6492530 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Acquisition and subsequent metabolism of different carbon and nitrogen sources have been shown to play an important role in virulence attributes of the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus, such as the secretion of host tissue-damaging proteases and fungal cell wall integrity. We examined the relationship between the metabolic processes of carbon catabolite repression (CCR), nitrogen catabolite repression (NCR) and virulence in a variety of A. fumigatus clinical isolates. A considerable amount of heterogeneity with respect to the degree of CCR and NCR was observed and a positive correlation between NCR and virulence in a neutropenic mouse model of pulmonary aspergillosis (PA) was found. Isolate Afs35 was selected for further analysis and compared to the reference strain A1163, with both strains presenting the same degree of virulence in a neutropenic mouse model of PA. Afs35 metabolome analysis in physiological-relevant carbon sources indicated an accumulation of intracellular sugars that also serve as cell wall polysaccharide precursors. Genome analysis showed an accumulation of missense substitutions in the regulator of protease secretion and in genes encoding enzymes required for cell wall sugar metabolism. Based on these results, the virulence of strains Afs35 and A1163 was assessed in a triamcinolone murine model of PA and found to be significantly different, confirming the known importance of using different mouse models to assess strain-specific pathogenicity. These results highlight the importance of nitrogen metabolism for virulence and provide a detailed example of the heterogeneity that exists between A. fumigatus isolates with consequences for virulence in a strain-specific and host-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jacob L. Steenwyk
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Patrícia Alves de Castro
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Fausto Almeida
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leandro José de Assis
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Yoko Kusuya
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Daisuke Hagiwara
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroki Takahashi
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Joshua J. Obar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Antonis Rokas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Gustavo H. Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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4
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Zeng X, Kudinha T, Kong F, Zhang QQ. Comparative Genome and Transcriptome Study of the Gene Expression Difference Between Pathogenic and Environmental Strains of Prototheca zopfii. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:443. [PMID: 30899253 PMCID: PMC6416184 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Prototheca zopfii commonly exists in the environment, and causes invasive infections (protothecosis) in humans. The morbidity of protothecosis has increased rapidly in recent years, especially in systemic infections of patients with an impaired immune system. The infection in immunocompromised patients has a poor prognosis due to limited understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease, as most previous studies mainly focused on classification and recognition of pathogenic strains. In this study, we constructed the genome and transcriptome of two pathogenic strains and one environmental strain, by next generation sequencing methods. Based on our preliminary gene expression findings, genes in P. zopfii pathogenic strains are significantly up-regulated in metabolism in peroxisome, such as glyoxylate cycle, which may improve the organism's resistance to the harsh environment in phagolysosome of macrophage and its ability to survive in an anaerobic environment. We also found some significant up-regulated genes, which are related to adherence and penetration in dermatophytes, and we speculate that this may enhance the virulence capacity of pathogenic strains. Finally, the genomes and transcriptomes of P. zopfii described here provide some base for further studies on the pathogenesis of this organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanhao Zeng
- Division of Mycology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Timothy Kudinha
- Charles Sturt University, Leeds Parade, Orange, NSW, Australia
| | - Fanrong Kong
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, ICPMR-Pathology West, Westmead Hospital, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Qiang-Qiang Zhang
- Division of Mycology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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5
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Comparative systems analysis of the secretome of the opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus and other Aspergillus species. Sci Rep 2018; 8:6617. [PMID: 29700415 PMCID: PMC5919931 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25016-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus and multiple other Aspergillus species cause a wide range of lung infections, collectively termed aspergillosis. Aspergilli are ubiquitous in environment with healthy immune systems routinely eliminating inhaled conidia, however, Aspergilli can become an opportunistic pathogen in immune-compromised patients. The aspergillosis mortality rate and emergence of drug-resistance reveals an urgent need to identify novel targets. Secreted and cell membrane proteins play a critical role in fungal-host interactions and pathogenesis. Using a computational pipeline integrating data from high-throughput experiments and bioinformatic predictions, we have identified secreted and cell membrane proteins in ten Aspergillus species known to cause aspergillosis. Small secreted and effector-like proteins similar to agents of fungal-plant pathogenesis were also identified within each secretome. A comparison with humans revealed that at least 70% of Aspergillus secretomes have no sequence similarity with the human proteome. An analysis of antigenic qualities of Aspergillus proteins revealed that the secretome is significantly more antigenic than cell membrane proteins or the complete proteome. Finally, overlaying an expression dataset, four A. fumigatus proteins upregulated during infection and with available structures, were found to be structurally similar to known drug target proteins in other organisms, and were able to dock in silico with the respective drug.
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6
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Nogueira-Lopez G, Greenwood DR, Middleditch M, Winefield C, Eaton C, Steyaert JM, Mendoza-Mendoza A. The Apoplastic Secretome of Trichoderma virens During Interaction With Maize Roots Shows an Inhibition of Plant Defence and Scavenging Oxidative Stress Secreted Proteins. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 9:409. [PMID: 29675028 PMCID: PMC5896443 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.00409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
In Nature, almost every plant is colonized by fungi. Trichoderma virens is a biocontrol fungus which has the capacity to behave as an opportunistic plant endophyte. Even though many plants are colonized by this symbiont, the exact mechanisms by which Trichoderma masks its entrance into its plant host remain unknown, but likely involve the secretion of different families of proteins into the apoplast that may play crucial roles in the suppression of plant immune responses. In this study, we investigated T. virens colonization of maize roots under hydroponic conditions, evidencing inter- and intracellular colonization by the fungus and modifications in root morphology and coloration. Moreover, we show that upon host penetration, T. virens secretes into the apoplast an arsenal of proteins to facilitate inter- and intracellular colonization of maize root tissues. Using a gel-free shotgun proteomics approach, 95 and 43 secretory proteins were identified from maize and T. virens, respectively. A reduction in the maize secretome (36%) was induced by T. virens, including two major groups, glycosyl hydrolases and peroxidases. Furthermore, T. virens secreted proteins were mainly involved in cell wall hydrolysis, scavenging of reactive oxygen species and secondary metabolism, as well as putative effector-like proteins. Levels of peroxidase activity were reduced in the inoculated roots, suggesting a strategy used by T. virens to manipulate host immune responses. The results provide an insight into the crosstalk in the apoplast which is essential to maintain the T. virens-plant interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David R. Greenwood
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Martin Middleditch
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Christopher Winefield
- Department of Wine, Food and Molecular Biosciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Carla Eaton
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, New Zealand and Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
| | | | - Artemio Mendoza-Mendoza
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, Lincoln, New Zealand
- *Correspondence: Artemio Mendoza-Mendoza
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7
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Kniemeyer O, Ebel F, Krüger T, Bacher P, Scheffold A, Luo T, Strassburger M, Brakhage AA. Immunoproteomics of Aspergillus for the development of biomarkers and immunotherapies. Proteomics Clin Appl 2016; 10:910-921. [PMID: 27312145 DOI: 10.1002/prca.201600053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Filamentous fungi of the genus Aspergillus play significant roles as pathogens causing superficial and invasive infections as well as allergic reactions in humans. Particularly invasive mycoses caused by Aspergillus species are characterized by high mortality rates due to difficult diagnosis and insufficient antifungal therapy. The application of immunoproteomic approaches has a great potential to identify new targets for the diagnosis, therapy, and vaccine development of diseases caused by Aspergillus species. Serological proteome analyses (SERPA) that combine 2D electrophoresis with Western blotting are still one of the most popular techniques for the identification of antigenic proteins. However, recently a growing number of approaches have been developed to identify proteins, which either provoke an antibody response or which represent targets of T-cell immunity in patients with allergy or fungal infections. Here, we review advances in the studies of immune responses against pathogenic Aspergilli as well as the current status of diagnosis and immunotherapy of Aspergillus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olaf Kniemeyer
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Frank Ebel
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Krüger
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Petra Bacher
- Department of Cellular Immunology, Clinic for Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité, University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Scheffold
- Department of Cellular Immunology, Clinic for Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité, University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,German Rheumatism Research Centre (DRFZ) Berlin, Leibniz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ting Luo
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Maria Strassburger
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.,Transfer Group Anti-Infectives, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany. .,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.
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8
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Moloney NM, Owens RA, Doyle S. Proteomic analysis of Aspergillus fumigatus – clinical implications. Expert Rev Proteomics 2016; 13:635-49. [DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2016.1203783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sean Doyle
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
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9
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Kaltdorf M, Srivastava M, Gupta SK, Liang C, Binder J, Dietl AM, Meir Z, Haas H, Osherov N, Krappmann S, Dandekar T. Systematic Identification of Anti-Fungal Drug Targets by a Metabolic Network Approach. Front Mol Biosci 2016; 3:22. [PMID: 27379244 PMCID: PMC4911368 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2016.00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2015] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
New antimycotic drugs are challenging to find, as potential target proteins may have close human orthologs. We here focus on identifying metabolic targets that are critical for fungal growth and have minimal similarity to targets among human proteins. We compare and combine here: (I) direct metabolic network modeling using elementary mode analysis and flux estimates approximations using expression data, (II) targeting metabolic genes by transcriptome analysis of condition-specific highly expressed enzymes, and (III) analysis of enzyme structure, enzyme interconnectedness ("hubs"), and identification of pathogen-specific enzymes using orthology relations. We have identified 64 targets including metabolic enzymes involved in vitamin synthesis, lipid, and amino acid biosynthesis including 18 targets validated from the literature, two validated and five currently examined in own genetic experiments, and 38 further promising novel target proteins which are non-orthologous to human proteins, involved in metabolism and are highly ranked drug targets from these pipelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kaltdorf
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mugdha Srivastava
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg Würzburg, Germany
| | - Shishir K Gupta
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg Würzburg, Germany
| | - Chunguang Liang
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jasmin Binder
- Microbiology Institute - Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital of Erlangen Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anna-Maria Dietl
- Division of Molecular Biology/Biocenter, Medical University Innsbruck Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Zohar Meir
- Aspergillus and Antifungal Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Division of Molecular Biology/Biocenter, Medical University Innsbruck Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nir Osherov
- Aspergillus and Antifungal Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Sven Krappmann
- Microbiology Institute - Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital of Erlangen Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Dandekar
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg Würzburg, Germany
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10
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Teutschbein J, Simon S, Lother J, Springer J, Hortschansky P, Morton CO, Löffler J, Einsele H, Conneally E, Rogers TR, Guthke R, Brakhage AA, Kniemeyer O. Proteomic Profiling of Serological Responses to Aspergillus fumigatus Antigens in Patients with Invasive Aspergillosis. J Proteome Res 2016; 15:1580-91. [PMID: 26974881 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.6b00042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is the species that most commonly causes the opportunistic infection invasive aspergillosis (IA) in patients being treated for hematological malignancies. Little is known about the A. fumigatus proteins that trigger the production of Aspergillus-specific IgG antibodies during the course of IA. To characterize the serological response to A. fumigatus protein antigens, mycelial proteins were separated by 2-D gel electrophoresis. The gels were immunoblotted with sera from patients with probable and proven IA and control patients without IA. We identified 49 different fungal proteins, which gave a positive IgG antibody signal. Most of these antigens play a role in primary metabolism and stress responses. Overall, our analysis identified 18 novel protein antigens from A. fumigatus. To determine whether these antigens can be used as diagnostic or prognostic markers or exhibit a protective activity, we employed supervised machine learning with decision trees. We identified two candidates for further analysis, the protein antigens CpcB and Shm2. Heterologously produced Shm2 induced a strongly proinflammatory response in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells after in vitro stimulation. In contrast, CpcB did not activate the immune response of PBMCs. These findings could serve as the basis for the development of an immunotherapy of IA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janka Teutschbein
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI) , 07745 Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University , 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Svenja Simon
- Research Group Systems Biology/Bioinformatics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI) , 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Jasmin Lother
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg , 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jan Springer
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg , 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Peter Hortschansky
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI) , 07745 Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University , 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - C Oliver Morton
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Jürgen Löffler
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg , 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hermann Einsele
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg , 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Thomas R Rogers
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin 2, Ireland.,Department of Haematology, St. James's Hospital , Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Reinhard Guthke
- Research Group Systems Biology/Bioinformatics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI) , 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI) , 07745 Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University , 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Olaf Kniemeyer
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI) , 07745 Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University , 07743 Jena, Germany.,Integrated Research and Treatment Center, Center for Sepsis Control and Care Jena (CSCC), University Hospital , 07747 Jena, Germany
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11
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Moloney NM, Owens RA, Meleady P, Henry M, Dolan SK, Mulvihill E, Clynes M, Doyle S. The iron-responsive microsomal proteome of Aspergillus fumigatus. J Proteomics 2016; 136:99-111. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2015.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Revised: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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12
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Pellon A, Ramirez-Garcia A, Buldain I, Antoran A, Rementeria A, Hernando FL. Immunoproteomics-Based Analysis of the Immunocompetent Serological Response to Lomentospora prolificans. J Proteome Res 2016; 15:595-607. [PMID: 26732945 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.5b00978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The filamentous fungus Lomentospora prolificans is an emerging pathogen causing severe infections mainly among the immunocompromised population. These diseases course with high mortality rates due to great virulence of the fungus, its inherent resistance to available antifungals, and absence of specific diagnostic tools. Despite being widespread in humanized environments, L. prolificans rarely causes infections in immunocompetent individuals likely due to their developed protective immune response. In this study, conidial and hyphal immunomes against healthy human serum IgG were analyzed, identifying immunodominant antigens and establishing their prevalence among the immunocompetent population. Thirteen protein spots from each morph were detected as reactive against at least 70% of serum samples, and identified by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Hence, the most seroprevalent antigens were WD40 repeat 2 protein, malate dehydrogenase, and DHN1, in conidia, and heat shock protein (Hsp) 70, Hsp90, ATP synthase β subunit, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, in hyphae. More interestingly, the presence of some of these seroprevalent antigens was determined on the cell surface, as Hsp70, enolase, or Hsp90. Thus, we have identified a diverse set of antigenic proteins, both in the entire proteome and cell surface subproteome, which may be used as targets to develop innovative therapeutic or diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aize Pellon
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group. Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology. Faculty of Science and Technology. University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Andoni Ramirez-Garcia
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group. Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology. Faculty of Science and Technology. University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Idoia Buldain
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group. Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology. Faculty of Science and Technology. University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Aitziber Antoran
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group. Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology. Faculty of Science and Technology. University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Aitor Rementeria
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group. Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology. Faculty of Science and Technology. University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Fernando L Hernando
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group. Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology. Faculty of Science and Technology. University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , Leioa 48940, Spain
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Godoy JSR, Kioshima ÉS, Abadio AKR, Felipe MSS, de Freitas SM, Svidzinski TIE. Structural and functional characterization of the recombinant thioredoxin reductase from Candida albicans as a potential target for vaccine and drug design. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2015; 100:4015-25. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-015-7223-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Revised: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Irrgang A, Murugaiyan J, Weise C, Azab W, Roesler U. Well-known surface and extracellular antigens of pathogenic microorganisms among the immunodominant proteins of the infectious microalgae Prototheca zopfii. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2015; 5:67. [PMID: 26484314 PMCID: PMC4586511 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2015.00067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Microalgae of the genus Prototheca (P.) are associated with rare but severe infections (protothecosis) and represent a potential zoonotic risk. Genotype (GT) 2 of P. zopfii has been established as pathogenic agent for humans, dogs, and cattle, whereas GT1 is considered to be non-pathogenic. Since pathogenesis is poorly understood, the aim of this study was to determine immunogenic proteins and potential virulence factors of P. zopfii GT2. Therefore, 2D western blot analyses with sera and isolates of two dogs naturally infected with P. zopfii GT2 have been performed. Cross-reactivity was determined by including the type strains of P. zopfii GT2, P. zopfii GT1, and P. blaschkeae, a close relative of P. zopfii, which is known to cause subclinical forms of bovine mastitis. The sera showed a high strain-, genotype-, and species-cross-reactivity. A total of 198 immunogenic proteins have been analyzed via MALDI-TOF MS. The majority of the 86 identified proteins are intracellularly located (e.g., malate dehydrogenase, oxidoreductase, 3-dehydroquinate synthase) but some antigens and potential virulence factors, known from other pathogens, have been found (e.g., phosphomannomutase, triosephosphate isomerase). One genotype-specific antigen could be identified as heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), a well-known antigen of eukaryotic pathogens with immunological importance when located extracellularly. Both sera were reactive to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase of all investigated strains. This house-keeping enzyme is found to be located on the surface of several pathogens as virulence factor. Flow-cytometric analysis revealed its presence on the surface of P. blaschkeae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Irrgang
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Environmental Health, Centre for Infection Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin Berlin, Germany
| | - Jayaseelan Murugaiyan
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Environmental Health, Centre for Infection Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Weise
- Institute for Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin Berlin, Germany
| | - Walid Azab
- Institute of Virology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin Berlin, Germany
| | - Uwe Roesler
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Environmental Health, Centre for Infection Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin Berlin, Germany
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15
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Ambasta A, Carson J, Church DL. The use of biomarkers and molecular methods for the earlier diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients. Med Mycol 2015; 53:531-57. [DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myv026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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16
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Resistance is not futile: gliotoxin biosynthesis, functionality and utility. Trends Microbiol 2015; 23:419-28. [PMID: 25766143 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2015.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Revised: 02/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Gliotoxin biosynthesis is encoded by the gli gene cluster in Aspergillus fumigatus. The biosynthesis of gliotoxin is influenced by a suite of transcriptionally-active regulatory proteins and a bis-thiomethyltransferase. A self-protection system against gliotoxin is present in A. fumigatus. Several additional metabolites are also produced via the gliotoxin biosynthetic pathway. Moreover, the biosynthesis of unrelated natural products appears to be influenced either by gliotoxin or by the activity of specific reactions within the biosynthetic pathway. The activity of gliotoxin against animal cells and fungi, often mediated by interference with redox homeostasis or protein modification, is revealing new metabolic interactions within eukaryotic systems. Nature has provided a most useful natural product with which to reveal some of its many molecular secrets.
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Heinekamp T, Schmidt H, Lapp K, Pähtz V, Shopova I, Köster-Eiserfunke N, Krüger T, Kniemeyer O, Brakhage AA. Interference of Aspergillus fumigatus with the immune response. Semin Immunopathol 2014; 37:141-52. [PMID: 25404120 PMCID: PMC4326658 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-014-0465-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2014] [Accepted: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a saprotrophic filamentous fungus and also the most prevalent airborne fungal pathogen of humans. Depending on the host’s immune status, the variety of diseases caused by A. fumigatus ranges from allergies in immunocompetent hosts to life-threatening invasive infections in patients with impaired immunity. In contrast to the majority of other Aspergillus species, which are in most cases nonpathogenic, A. fumigatus features an armory of virulence determinants to establish an infection. For example, A. fumigatus is able to evade the human complement system by binding or degrading complement regulators. Furthermore, the fungus interferes with lung epithelial cells, alveolar macrophages, and neutrophil granulocytes to prevent killing by these immune cells. This chapter summarizes the different strategies of A. fumigatus to manipulate the immune response. We also discuss the potential impact of recent advances in immunoproteomics to improve diagnosis and therapy of an A. fumigatus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorsten Heinekamp
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany,
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18
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Identification of immunodominant proteins of the microalgae Prototheca by proteomic analysis. New Microbes New Infect 2014; 3:37-40. [PMID: 25755891 PMCID: PMC4337938 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2014.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Revised: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Prototheca zopfii associated with bovine mastitis and human protothecosis exists as two genotypes, of which genotype 1 is considered as non-infectious and genotype 2 as infectious. The mechanism of infection has not yet been described. The present study was aimed to identify genotype 2-specific immunodominant proteins. Prototheca proteins were separated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Subsequent western blotting with rabbit hyperimmune serum revealed 28 protein spots. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis resulted in the identification of 15 proteins including malate dehydrogenase, elongation factor 1-alpha, heat shock protein 70, and 14-3-3 protein, which were previously described as immunogenic proteins of other eukaryotic pathogens.
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Bacher P, Kniemeyer O, Teutschbein J, Thön M, Vödisch M, Wartenberg D, Scharf DH, Koester-Eiserfunke N, Schütte M, Dübel S, Assenmacher M, Brakhage AA, Scheffold A. Identification of Immunogenic Antigens fromAspergillus fumigatusby Direct Multiparameter Characterization of Specific Conventional and Regulatory CD4+T Cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 193:3332-43. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1400776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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20
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Virginio ED, Kubitschek-Barreira PH, Batista MV, Schirmer MR, Abdelhay E, Shikanai-Yasuda MA, Lopes-Bezerra LM. Immunoproteome of Aspergillus fumigatus using sera of patients with invasive aspergillosis. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:14505-30. [PMID: 25141105 PMCID: PMC4159865 DOI: 10.3390/ijms150814505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2014] [Revised: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 08/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive aspergillosis is a life-threatening lung or systemic infection caused by the opportunistic mold Aspergillus fumigatus. The disease affects mainly immunocompromised hosts, and patients with hematological malignances or who have been submitted to stem cell transplantation are at high risk. Despite the current use of Platelia™ Aspergillus as a diagnostic test, the early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis remains a major challenge in improving the prognosis of the disease. In this study, we used an immunoproteomic approach to identify proteins that could be putative candidates for the early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis. Antigenic proteins expressed in the first steps of A. fumigatus germination occurring in a human host were revealed using 2-D Western immunoblots with the serum of patients who had previously been classified as probable and proven for invasive aspergillosis. Forty antigenic proteins were identified using mass spectrometry (MS/MS). A BLAST analysis revealed that two of these proteins showed low homology with proteins of either the human host or etiological agents of other invasive fungal infections. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing specific antigenic proteins of A. fumigatus germlings that are recognized by sera of patients with confirmed invasive aspergillosis who were from two separate hospital units.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emylli D Virginio
- Laboratory of Cellular Mycology and Proteomics, Biology Institute, University of Rio de Janeiro State (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil.
| | - Paula H Kubitschek-Barreira
- Laboratory of Cellular Mycology and Proteomics, Biology Institute, University of Rio de Janeiro State (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil.
| | - Marjorie Vieira Batista
- Laboratory of Immunology (LIM 48), Clinics Hospital and Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo R Schirmer
- National Cancer Institute, Center for Bone Marrow Transplants, Rio de Janeiro 20230-130, Brazil.
| | - Eliana Abdelhay
- National Cancer Institute, Center for Bone Marrow Transplants, Rio de Janeiro 20230-130, Brazil.
| | - Maria A Shikanai-Yasuda
- Laboratory of Immunology (LIM 48), Clinics Hospital and Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil.
| | - Leila M Lopes-Bezerra
- Laboratory of Cellular Mycology and Proteomics, Biology Institute, University of Rio de Janeiro State (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil.
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Schweer KE, Bangard C, Hekmat K, Cornely OA. Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. Mycoses 2013; 57:257-70. [PMID: 24299422 DOI: 10.1111/myc.12152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2013] [Revised: 09/28/2013] [Accepted: 10/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a group of consuming diseases usually presenting with prolonged and relapsing cough, dyspnoea and weight loss. Acute symptoms such as haemoptysis and bronchial or pulmonary haemorrhage may occasionally occur. CPA affects patients with underlying pulmonary conditions, for example, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or mycobacteriosis or common immunosuppressive conditions such as diabetes. Precise epidemiology is unknown, and while prevalence is considered low the chronic and relapsing nature of the disease challenges the treating physician. Diagnostics largely rely on serologic Aspergillus precipitins and findings on thoracic computed tomography. The latter are manifold comprising cavity formation, pleural involvement and sometimes aspergilloma. Other markers for aspergillosis are less helpful, in part due to the non- or semi-invasive nature of these forms of Aspergillus infection. Various antifungals were shown to be effective in CPA treatment. Azoles are the most frequently applied antifungals in the outpatient setting, but are now compromised by findings of Aspergillus resistance. Long-term prognosis is not fully elucidated and may be driven by the underlying morbidities. Prospective registry-type studies may be suitable to systematically broaden our CPA knowledge base. This article gives an overview of the available literature and proposes a clinical working algorithm for CPA management.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E Schweer
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Clinical Studies II in Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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22
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Shin KS, Park HS, Kim YH, Yu JH. Comparative proteomic analyses reveal that FlbA down-regulates gliT expression and SOD activity in Aspergillus fumigatus. J Proteomics 2013; 87:40-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2013.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2013] [Revised: 05/05/2013] [Accepted: 05/09/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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23
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Thornton CR, Wills OE. Immunodetection of fungal and oomycete pathogens: established and emerging threats to human health, animal welfare and global food security. Crit Rev Microbiol 2013; 41:27-51. [PMID: 23734714 DOI: 10.3109/1040841x.2013.788995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Filamentous fungi (moulds), yeast-like fungi, and oomycetes cause life-threatening infections of humans and animals and are a major constraint to global food security, constituting a significant economic burden to both agriculture and medicine. As well as causing localized or systemic infections, certain species are potent producers of allergens and toxins that exacerbate respiratory diseases or cause cancer and organ damage. We review the pathogenic and toxigenic organisms that are etiologic agents of both animal and plant diseases or that have recently emerged as serious pathogens of immunocompromised individuals. The use of hybridoma and phage display technologies and their success in generating monoclonal antibodies for the detection and control of fungal and oomycete pathogens are explored. Monoclonal antibodies hold enormous potential for the development of rapid and specific tests for the diagnosis of human mycoses, however, unlike plant pathology, their use in medical mycology remains to be fully exploited.
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Li FQ, Ma CF, Shi LN, Lu JF, Wang Y, Huang M, Kong QQ. Diagnostic value of immunoglobulin G antibodies against Candida enolase and fructose-bisphosphate aldolase for candidemia. BMC Infect Dis 2013; 13:253. [PMID: 23725337 PMCID: PMC3673856 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-13-253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2012] [Accepted: 05/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The yeast Candida is one of the most frequent pathogens isolated from bloodstream infections and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Problems with clinical and microbiological diagnosis of invasive candidiasis (IC) have prompted the development of non-culture-based laboratory methods. Previous reports suggest that serological detection of antibodies might be useful for diagnosing systemic candidiasis. Methods Diagnosis of IC using antibodies against recombinant Candida albicans enolase (Eno) and fructose-bisphosphate aldolase (Fba1) was evaluated. Using recombinant Eno and Fba1 as coating antigens, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to analyze sera from patients with candidemia (n = 101), Candida colonization (n = 50), bacteremia (n = 84), invasive aspergillosis (n = 40); and from healthy controls (n = 200). Results The results demonstrated that ELISA detection of anti-Eno and anti-Fba1 IgG distinguished IC from other pathogenic infections in patients and healthy individuals. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 72.3%, 94.7%, 78.5% and 93% for anti-Eno, and 87.1%, 92.8%, 76.5% and 96.4% for anti-Fba1 antibodies, respectively. Combining these two tests improved sensitivity up to 90.1% and negative predictive value up to 97.1%, with specificity and positive predictive values of 90.6% and 72.2%. The tests were specific to the Candida genus and antibody titers were higher for candidemia patients than for controls. Positive antibody tests were obtained before blood culture results for 42.2% of patients for anti-Eno and 51.1% for anti-Fba1. Conclusion These data suggest that tests that detect IgG antibodies against Candida enolase and fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, especially when used in combination, could be a powerful tool for diagnosing IC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Qiu Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, P R China.
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RsmA regulates Aspergillus fumigatus gliotoxin cluster metabolites including cyclo(L-Phe-L-Ser), a potential new diagnostic marker for invasive aspergillosis. PLoS One 2013; 8:e62591. [PMID: 23671611 PMCID: PMC3646020 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2012] [Accepted: 03/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dimeric basic leucine zipper (bZIP) proteins are conserved transcriptional enhancers found in all eukaryotes. A recently reported and novel function for bZIPs is association of these proteins with secondary metabolite production in filamentous fungi. In particular a Yap-like bZIP termed RsmA (restorer of secondary metabolism A) was identified in Aspergillus nidulans that positively regulates the carcinogen sterigmatocystin. To assess for conserved function for RsmA, we examined a role of this protein in secondary metabolism in the pathogen A. fumigatus. RsmA was found to positively regulate gliotoxin where overexpression (OE) of rsmA led to 2–100 fold increases of twelve gli cluster metabolites in culture medium including the newly identified gli metabolite cyclo(L-Phe-L-Ser). Lungs from both wild type and OErsmA infected mice contained gliotoxin (2.3 fold higher in OErsmA treatment) as well as the gliotoxin precursor cyclo(L-Phe-L-Ser) (3.2 fold higher in OErsmA treatment). The data here presents a conserved role for RsmA in secondary metabolite cluster activation and suggests cyclo(L-Phe-L-Ser) may serve as an alternative marker for diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis.
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Wiedner SD, Ansong C, Webb-Robertson BJ, Pederson LM, Fortuin S, Hofstad BA, Shukla AK, Panisko EA, Smith RD, Wright AT. Disparate proteome responses of pathogenic and nonpathogenic aspergilli to human serum measured by activity-based protein profiling (ABPP). Mol Cell Proteomics 2013; 12:1791-805. [PMID: 23599423 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m112.026534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is the primary pathogen causing the devastating pulmonary disease Invasive Aspergillosis in immunocompromised individuals. There is high genomic synteny between A. fumigatus and closely related rarely pathogenic Neosartorya fischeri and Aspergillus clavatus genomes. We applied activity-based protein profiling to compare unique or overexpressed activity-based probe-reactive proteins of all three fungi over time in minimal media growth and in response to human serum. We found 360 probe-reactive proteins exclusive to A. fumigatus, including known virulence associated proteins, and 13 proteins associated with stress response exclusive to A. fumigatus culture in serum. Though the fungi are highly orthologous, A. fumigatus has a significantly greater number of ABP-reactive proteins across varied biological process. Only 50% of expected orthologs of measured A. fumigatus reactive proteins were observed in N. fischeri and A. clavatus. Activity-based protein profiling identified a number of processes that were induced by human serum in A. fumigatus relative to N. fischeri and A. clavatus. These included actin organization and assembly, transport, and fatty acid, cell membrane, and cell wall synthesis. Additionally, signaling proteins regulating vegetative growth, conidiation, and cell wall integrity, required for appropriate cellular response to external stimuli, had higher activity-based probe-protein reaction over time in A. fumigatus and N. fisheri, but not in A. clavatus. Together, we show that measured proteins and physiological processes identified solely or significantly over-represented in A. fumigatus reveal a unique adaptive response to human protein not found in closely related, but rarely pathogenic aspergilli. These unique activity-based probe-protein responses to culture condition may reveal how A. fumigatus initiates pulmonary invasion leading to Invasive Aspergillosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan D Wiedner
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, USA
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Braga PAC, Tata A, Gonçalves dos Santos V, Barreiro JR, Schwab NV, Veiga dos Santos M, Eberlin MN, Ferreira CR. Bacterial identification: from the agar plate to the mass spectrometer. RSC Adv 2013. [DOI: 10.1039/c2ra22063f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Roilides E, Pana ZD. Application of diagnostic markers to invasive aspergillosis in children. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2012; 1272:1-8. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06828.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Shi LN, Li FQ, Lu JF, Kong XX, Wang SQ, Huang M, Shao HF, Shao SH. Antibody specific to thioredoxin reductase as a new biomarker for serodiagnosis of invasive aspergillosis in non-neutropenic patients. Clin Chim Acta 2012; 413:938-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2012.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2011] [Revised: 02/09/2012] [Accepted: 02/11/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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