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Isiaku AI, Zhang Z, Pazhakh V, Lieschke GJ. A nox2/cybb zebrafish mutant with defective myeloid cell reactive oxygen species production displays normal initial neutrophil recruitment to sterile tail injuries. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2024; 14:jkae079. [PMID: 38696730 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkae079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species are important effectors and modifiers of the acute inflammatory response, recruiting phagocytes including neutrophils to sites of tissue injury. In turn, phagocytes such as neutrophils are both consumers and producers of reactive oxygen species. Phagocytes including neutrophils generate reactive oxygen species in an oxidative burst through the activity of a multimeric phagocytic nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase complex. Mutations in the NOX2/CYBB (previously gp91phox) nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase subunit are the commonest cause of chronic granulomatous disease, a disease characterized by infection susceptibility and an inflammatory phenotype. To model chronic granulomatous disease, we made a nox2/cybb zebrafish (Danio rerio) mutant and demonstrated it to have severely impaired myeloid cell reactive oxygen species production. Reduced early survival of nox2 mutant embryos indicated an essential requirement for nox2 during early development. In nox2/cybb zebrafish mutants, the dynamics of initial neutrophil recruitment to both mild and severe surgical tailfin wounds was normal, suggesting that excessive neutrophil recruitment at the initiation of inflammation is not the primary cause of the "sterile" inflammatory phenotype of chronic granulomatous disease patients. This nox2 zebrafish mutant adds to existing in vivo models for studying reactive oxygen species function in myeloid cells including neutrophils in development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulsalam I Isiaku
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Zuobing Zhang
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Vahid Pazhakh
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Graham J Lieschke
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
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2
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Tanner CD, Rosowski EE. Macrophages inhibit extracellular hyphal growth of A. fumigatus through Rac2 GTPase signaling. Infect Immun 2024; 92:e0038023. [PMID: 38168666 PMCID: PMC10863406 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00380-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Macrophages act as a first line of defense against pathogens. Against Aspergillus fumigatus, a fungus with pathogenic potential in immunocompromised patients, macrophages can phagocytose fungal spores and inhibit spore germination to prevent the development of tissue-invasive hyphae. However, the cellular pathways that macrophages use to accomplish these tasks and any roles macrophages have later in infection against invasive forms of fungi are still not fully known. Rac-family Rho GTPases are signaling hubs for multiple cellular functions in leukocytes, including cell migration, phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and transcriptional activation. We therefore aimed to further characterize the function of macrophages against A. fumigatus in an in vivo vertebrate infection model by live imaging of the macrophage behavior in A. fumigatus-infected rac2 mutant zebrafish larvae. While Rac2-deficient zebrafish larvae are susceptible to A. fumigatus infection, Rac2 deficiency does not impair macrophage migration to the infection site, interaction with and phagocytosis of spores, spore trafficking to acidified compartments, or spore killing. However, we reveal a role for Rac2 in macrophage-mediated inhibition of spore germination and control of invasive hyphae. Re-expression of Rac2 under a macrophage-specific promoter rescues the survival of A. fumigatus-infected rac2 mutant larvae through increased control of germination and hyphal growth. Altogether, we describe a new role for macrophages against extracellular hyphal growth of A. fumigatus and report that the function of the Rac2 Rho GTPase in macrophages is required for this function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D. Tanner
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
- Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Emily E. Rosowski
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
- Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
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3
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Rosowski EE. mSphere of Influence: How host genetics impact microbial pathogenesis and treatment of infectious disease. mSphere 2024; 9:e0062923. [PMID: 38095416 PMCID: PMC10826357 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00629-23] [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] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Emily Rosowski works in the field of host-pathogen interactions, studying how host innate immune mechanisms control pathogens. In this mSphere of Influence article, she reflects on how "Host genotype-specific therapies can optimize the inflammatory response to mycobacterial infections" by D. M. Tobin, F. J. Roca, S. F. Oh, R. McFarland, et al. (Cell 148:434-446, 2012, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2011.12.023) made an impact on her by investigating how differences in host genetics can affect modes of microbial pathogenesis and inform treatments for infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E. Rosowski
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
- Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
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4
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Fusco-Almeida AM, de Matos Silva S, dos Santos KS, de Lima Gualque MW, Vaso CO, Carvalho AR, Medina-Alarcón KP, Pires ACMDS, Belizario JA, de Souza Fernandes L, Moroz A, Martinez LR, Ruiz OH, González Á, Mendes-Giannini MJS. Alternative Non-Mammalian Animal and Cellular Methods for the Study of Host-Fungal Interactions. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:943. [PMID: 37755051 PMCID: PMC10533014 DOI: 10.3390/jof9090943] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In the study of fungal pathogenesis, alternative methods have gained prominence due to recent global legislation restricting the use of mammalian animals in research. The principle of the 3 Rs (replacement, reduction, and refinement) is integrated into regulations and guidelines governing animal experimentation in nearly all countries. This principle advocates substituting vertebrate animals with other invertebrate organisms, embryos, microorganisms, or cell cultures. This review addresses host-fungus interactions by employing three-dimensional (3D) cultures, which offer more faithful replication of the in vivo environment, and by utilizing alternative animal models to replace traditional mammals. Among these alternative models, species like Caenorhabditis elegans and Danio rerio share approximately 75% of their genes with humans. Furthermore, models such as Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor demonstrate similarities in their innate immune systems as well as anatomical and physiological barriers, resembling those found in mammalian organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Marisa Fusco-Almeida
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Samanta de Matos Silva
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
- Basic and Applied Microbiology Group (MICROBA), School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (O.H.R.); (Á.G.)
| | - Kelvin Sousa dos Santos
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Marcos William de Lima Gualque
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Carolina Orlando Vaso
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Angélica Romão Carvalho
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Kaila Petrolina Medina-Alarcón
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Ana Carolina Moreira da Silva Pires
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Jenyffie Araújo Belizario
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Lígia de Souza Fernandes
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Andrei Moroz
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Luis R. Martinez
- Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Center for Immunology and Transplantation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Orville Hernandez Ruiz
- Basic and Applied Microbiology Group (MICROBA), School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (O.H.R.); (Á.G.)
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Group University of Antioquia, Corporation for Biological Research, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Ángel González
- Basic and Applied Microbiology Group (MICROBA), School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (O.H.R.); (Á.G.)
| | - Maria José Soares Mendes-Giannini
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
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5
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Schoen TJ, Calise DG, Bok JW, Giese MA, Nwagwu CD, Zarnowski R, Andes D, Huttenlocher A, Keller NP. Aspergillus fumigatus transcription factor ZfpA regulates hyphal development and alters susceptibility to antifungals and neutrophil killing during infection. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011152. [PMID: 37126504 PMCID: PMC10174577 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyphal growth is essential for host colonization during Aspergillus infection. The transcription factor ZfpA regulates A. fumigatus hyphal development including branching, septation, and cell wall composition. However, how ZfpA affects fungal growth and susceptibility to host immunity during infection has not been investigated. Here, we use the larval zebrafish-Aspergillus infection model and primary human neutrophils to probe how ZfpA affects A. fumigatus pathogenesis and response to antifungal drugs in vivo. ZfpA deletion promotes fungal clearance and attenuates virulence in wild-type hosts and this virulence defect is abrogated in neutrophil-deficient zebrafish. ZfpA deletion also increases susceptibility to human neutrophils ex vivo while overexpression impairs fungal killing. Overexpression of ZfpA confers protection against the antifungal caspofungin by increasing chitin synthesis during hyphal development, while ZfpA deletion reduces cell wall chitin and increases caspofungin susceptibility in neutrophil-deficient zebrafish. These findings suggest a protective role for ZfpA activity in resistance to the innate immune response and antifungal treatment during A. fumigatus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor J. Schoen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Dante G. Calise
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Jin Woo Bok
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Morgan A. Giese
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Chibueze D. Nwagwu
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Robert Zarnowski
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - David Andes
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Anna Huttenlocher
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Nancy P. Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
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6
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Basheer F, Sertori R, Liongue C, Ward AC. Zebrafish: A Relevant Genetic Model for Human Primary Immunodeficiency (PID) Disorders? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076468. [PMID: 37047441 PMCID: PMC10095346 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary immunodeficiency (PID) disorders, also commonly referred to as inborn errors of immunity, are a heterogenous group of human genetic diseases characterized by defects in immune cell development and/or function. Since these disorders are generally uncommon and occur on a variable background profile of potential genetic and environmental modifiers, animal models are critical to provide mechanistic insights as well as to create platforms to underpin therapeutic development. This review aims to review the relevance of zebrafish as an alternative genetic model for PIDs. It provides an overview of the conservation of the zebrafish immune system and details specific examples of zebrafish models for a multitude of specific human PIDs across a range of distinct categories, including severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), combined immunodeficiency (CID), multi-system immunodeficiency, autoinflammatory disorders, neutropenia and defects in leucocyte mobility and respiratory burst. It also describes some of the diverse applications of these models, particularly in the fields of microbiology, immunology, regenerative biology and oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiza Basheer
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Robert Sertori
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Clifford Liongue
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Alister C Ward
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
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Chopra K, Folkmanaitė M, Stockdale L, Shathish V, Ishibashi S, Bergin R, Amich J, Amaya E. Duox is the primary NADPH oxidase responsible for ROS production during adult caudal fin regeneration in zebrafish. iScience 2023; 26:106147. [PMID: 36843843 PMCID: PMC9950526 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Sustained elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been shown to be essential for regeneration in many organisms. This has been shown primarily via the use of pharmacological inhibitors targeting the family of NADPH oxidases (NOXes). To identify the specific NOXes involved in ROS production during adult caudal fin regeneration in zebrafish, we generated nox mutants for duox, nox5 and cyba (a key subunit of NOXes 1-4) and crossed these lines with a transgenic line ubiquitously expressing HyPer, which permits the measurement of ROS levels. Homozygous duox mutants had the greatest effect on ROS levels and rate of fin regeneration among the single mutants. However, duox:cyba double mutants showed a greater effect on fin regeneration than the single duox mutants, suggesting that Nox1-4 also play a role during regeneration. This work also serendipitously found that ROS levels in amputated adult zebrafish fins oscillate with a circadian rhythm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunal Chopra
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Milda Folkmanaitė
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Liam Stockdale
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Vishali Shathish
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group (MFIG), Division of Evolution, Infection, and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Shoko Ishibashi
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Rachel Bergin
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Jorge Amich
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group (MFIG), Division of Evolution, Infection, and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.,Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - Enrique Amaya
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
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8
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Schoen TJ, Calise DG, Bok JW, Nwagwu CD, Zarnowski R, Andes D, Huttenlocher A, Keller NP. Aspergillus fumigatus transcription factor ZfpA regulates hyphal development and alters susceptibility to antifungals and neutrophil killing during infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.25.525624. [PMID: 36747761 PMCID: PMC9901008 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.25.525624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Hyphal growth is essential for host colonization during Aspergillus infection. The transcription factor ZfpA regulates A. fumigatus hyphal development including branching, septation, and cell wall composition. However, how ZfpA affects fungal growth and susceptibility to host immunity during infection has not been investigated. Here, we use the larval zebrafish- Aspergillus infection model and primary human neutrophils to probe how ZfpA affects A. fumigatus pathogenesis and response to antifungal drugs in vivo . ZfpA deletion promotes fungal clearance and attenuates virulence in wild-type hosts and this virulence defect is abrogated in neutrophil-deficient zebrafish. ZfpA deletion also increases susceptibility to human neutrophils ex vivo while overexpression impairs fungal killing. Overexpression of ZfpA confers protection against the antifungal caspofungin by increasing chitin synthesis during hyphal development, while ZfpA deletion reduces cell wall chitin and increases caspofungin susceptibility in neutrophil-deficient zebrafish. These findings suggest a protective role for ZfpA activity in resistance to the innate immune response and antifungal treatment during A. fumigatus infection. Author Summary Aspergillus fumigatus is a common environmental fungus that can infect immunocompromised people and cause a life-threatening disease called invasive aspergillosis. An important step during infection is the development of A. fumigatus filaments known as hyphae. A. fumigatus uses hyphae to acquire nutrients and invade host tissues, leading to tissue damage and disseminated infection. In this study we report that a regulator of gene transcription in A. fumigatus called ZfpA is important for hyphal growth during infection. We find that ZfpA activity protects the fungus from being killed by innate immune cells and decreases the efficacy of antifungal drugs during infection by regulating construction of the cell wall, an important protective layer for fungal pathogens. Our study introduces ZfpA as an important genetic regulator of stress tolerance during infection that protects A. fumigatus from the host immune response and antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor J. Schoen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Dante G. Calise
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jin Woo Bok
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Robert Zarnowski
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - David Andes
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Anna Huttenlocher
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Nancy P. Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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9
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Forn-Cuní G, Welvaarts L, Stel FM, van den Hondel CJ, Arentshorst M, Ram AFJ, Meijer AH. Stimulating the autophagic-lysosomal axis enhances host defense against fungal infection in a zebrafish model of invasive Aspergillosis. Autophagy 2023; 19:324-337. [PMID: 35775203 PMCID: PMC9809955 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2022.2090727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of antifungal-resistant human pathogenic fungi, particularly azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus, is a life-threatening challenge to the immunocompromised population. Autophagy-related processes such as LC3-associated phagocytosis have been shown to be activated in the host response against fungal infection, but their overall effect on host resistance remains uncertain. To analyze the relevance of these processes in vivo, we used a zebrafish animal model of invasive Aspergillosis. To confirm the validity of this model to test potential treatments for this disease, we confirmed that immunosuppressive treatments or neutropenia rendered zebrafish embryos more susceptible to A. fumigatus. We used GFP-Lc3 transgenic zebrafish to visualize the autophagy-related processes in innate immune phagocytes shortly after phagocytosis of A. fumigatus conidia, and found that both wild-type and melanin-deficient conidia elicited Lc3 recruitment. In macrophages, we observed GFP-Lc3 accumulation in puncta after phagocytosis, as well as short, rapid events of GFP-Lc3 decoration of single and multiple conidia-containing vesicles, while neutrophils covered single conidia-containing vesicles with bright and long-lasting GFP-Lc3 signal. Next, using genetic and pharmacological stimulation of three independent autophagy-inducing pathways, we showed that the antifungal autophagy response improves the host survival against A. fumigatus infection, but only in the presence of phagocytes. Therefore, we provide proof-of-concept that stimulating the (auto)phagolysosomal pathways is a promising approach to develop host-directed therapies against invasive Aspergillosis, and should be explored further either as adjunctive or stand-alone therapy for drug-resistant Aspergillus infections.Abbreviations: DMSO: dimethyl sulfoxide; HR: hazard ratio; HDT: host-directed therapy; Hpf: hours post fertilization; IA: invasive Aspergillosis; LAP: LC3-associated phagocytosis; MTZ: metronidazole; PTU: N-phenylthiourea; ROS: reactive oxygen species.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Forn-Cuní
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands,CONTACT G Forn-Cuní Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - L Welvaarts
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - FM Stel
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - CJ van den Hondel
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - M Arentshorst
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - AFJ Ram
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - AH Meijer
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands,AH Meijer Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC Leiden, The Netherlands
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10
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Idol RA, Bhattacharya S, Huang G, Song Z, Huttenlocher A, Keller NP, Dinauer MC. Neutrophil and Macrophage NADPH Oxidase 2 Differentially Control Responses to Inflammation and to Aspergillus fumigatus in Mice. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 209:1960-1972. [PMID: 36426951 PMCID: PMC9643661 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is an important opportunistic fungal pathogen and causes invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in conditions with compromised innate antifungal immunity, including chronic granulomatous disease, which results from inherited deficiency of the superoxide-generating leukocyte NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2). Derivative oxidants have both antimicrobial and immunoregulatory activity and, in the context of A. fumigatus, contribute to both fungal killing and dampening inflammation induced by fungal cell walls. As the relative roles of macrophage versus neutrophil NOX2 in the host response to A. fumigatus are incompletely understood, we studied mice with conditional deletion of NOX2. When NOX2 was absent in alveolar macrophages as a result of LysM-Cre-mediated deletion, germination of inhaled A. fumigatus conidia was increased. Reducing NOX2 activity specifically in neutrophils via S100a8 (MRP8)-Cre also increased fungal burden, which was inversely proportional to the level of neutrophil NOX2 activity. Moreover, diminished NOX2 in neutrophils synergized with corticosteroid immunosuppression to impair lung clearance of A. fumigatus. Neutrophil-specific reduction in NOX2 activity also enhanced acute inflammation induced by inhaled sterile fungal cell walls. These results advance understanding into cell-specific roles of NOX2 in the host response to A. fumigatus. We show that alveolar macrophage NOX2 is a nonredundant effector that limits germination of inhaled A. fumigatus conidia. In contrast, reducing NOX2 activity only in neutrophils is sufficient to enhance inflammation to fungal cell walls as well as to promote invasive A. fumigatus. This may be relevant in clinical settings with acquired defects in NOX2 activity due to underlying conditions, which overlap risk factors for invasive aspergillosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A. Idol
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Sourav Bhattacharya
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Guangming Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Zhimin Song
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Anna Huttenlocher
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology and Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Nancy P. Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology and Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Mary C. Dinauer
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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11
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Robertson TF, Huttenlocher A. Real-time imaging of inflammation and its resolution: It's apparent because it's transparent. Immunol Rev 2022; 306:258-270. [PMID: 35023170 PMCID: PMC8855992 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The ability to directly observe leukocyte behavior in vivo has dramatically expanded our understanding of the immune system. Zebrafish are particularly amenable to the high-resolution imaging of leukocytes during both homeostasis and inflammation. Due to its natural transparency, intravital imaging in zebrafish does not require any surgical manipulation. As a result, zebrafish are particularly well-suited for the long-term imaging required to observe the temporal and spatial events during the onset and resolution of inflammation. Here, we review major insights about neutrophil and macrophage function gained from real-time imaging of zebrafish. We discuss neutrophil reverse migration, the process whereby neutrophils leave sites of tissue damage and resolve local inflammation. Further, we discuss the current tools available for investigating immune function in zebrafish and how future studies that simultaneously image multiple leukocyte subsets can be used to further dissect mechanisms that regulate both the onset and resolution of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanner F. Robertson
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
| | - Anna Huttenlocher
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
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12
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Britt EC, Lika J, Giese MA, Schoen TJ, Seim GL, Huang Z, Lee PY, Huttenlocher A, Fan J. Switching to the cyclic pentose phosphate pathway powers the oxidative burst in activated neutrophils. Nat Metab 2022; 4:389-403. [PMID: 35347316 PMCID: PMC8964420 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-022-00550-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Neutrophils are cells at the frontline of innate immunity that can quickly activate effector functions to eliminate pathogens upon stimulation. However, little is known about the metabolic adaptations that power these functions. Here we show rapid metabolic alterations in neutrophils upon activation, particularly drastic reconfiguration around the pentose phosphate pathway, which is specifically and quantitatively coupled to an oxidative burst. During this oxidative burst, neutrophils switch from glycolysis-dominant metabolism to a unique metabolic mode termed 'pentose cycle', where all glucose-6-phosphate is diverted into oxidative pentose phosphate pathway and net flux through upper glycolysis is reversed to allow substantial recycling of pentose phosphates. This reconfiguration maximizes NADPH yield to fuel superoxide production via NADPH oxidase. Disruptions of pentose cycle greatly suppress oxidative burst, the release of neutrophil extracellular traps and pathogen killing by neutrophils. Together, these results demonstrate the remarkable metabolic flexibility of neutrophils, which is essential for their functions as the first responders in innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Britt
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jorgo Lika
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI, USA
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Morgan A Giese
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Taylor J Schoen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Gretchen L Seim
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Zhengping Huang
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pui Y Lee
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anna Huttenlocher
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jing Fan
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI, USA.
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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13
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Schoen TJ, Huttenlocher A, Keller NP. Guide to the Larval Zebrafish-Aspergillus Infection Model. Curr Protoc 2021; 1:e317. [PMID: 34875146 PMCID: PMC8667203 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The larval zebrafish is an increasingly popular host model for the study of Aspergillosis. The visual accessibility, genetic resources, small size, and ease of handling make zebrafish larvae compatible with higher-throughput investigation of fungal virulence and host resistance mechanisms. This article provides the protocols needed to prepare Aspergillus fumigatus spore inocula and use microinjection to infect the hindbrain ventricle of zebrafish larvae. Furthermore, we include protocols for analyzing host survival, immobilizing larvae for live imaging, and suggestions for image analysis. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Support Protocol 1: Preparing Aspergillus spores Support Protocol 2: Dechorionating zebrafish embryos Support Protocol 3: Generating transparent larvae with 1-phenyl 2-thiourea (PTU) Basic Protocol 1: Hindbrain microinjection of zebrafish larvae with Aspergillus spores Basic Protocol 2: Survival analysis Basic Protocol 3: Multi-day imaging of infected larvae Alternate Protocol: Embedding larvae in low-melting-point agarose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor J. Schoen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Anna Huttenlocher
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Nancy P. Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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14
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Candida auris Cell Wall Mannosylation Contributes to Neutrophil Evasion through Pathways Divergent from Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. mSphere 2021; 6:e0040621. [PMID: 34160238 PMCID: PMC8265655 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00406-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida auris, a recently emergent fungal pathogen, has caused invasive infections in health care settings worldwide. Mortality rates approach 60% and hospital spread poses a public health threat. Compared to other Candida spp., C. auris avoids triggering the antifungal activity of neutrophils, innate immune cells that are critical for responding to many invasive fungal infections, including candidiasis. However, the mechanism underpinning this immune evasion has been largely unknown. Here, we show that C. auris cell wall mannosylation contributes to the evasion of neutrophils ex vivo and in a zebrafish infection model. Genetic disruption of mannosylation pathways (PMR1 and VAN1) diminishes the outer cell wall mannan, unmasks immunostimulatory components, and promotes neutrophil engagement, phagocytosis, and killing. Upon examination of these pathways in other Candida spp. (Candida albicans and Candida glabrata), we did not find an impact on neutrophil interactions. These studies show how C. auris mannosylation contributes to neutrophil evasion though pathways distinct from other common Candida spp. The findings shed light on innate immune evasion for this emerging pathogen. IMPORTANCE The emerging fungal pathogen Candida auris presents a global public health threat. Therapeutic options are often limited for this frequently drug-resistant pathogen, and mortality rates for invasive disease are high. Previous study has demonstrated that neutrophils, leukocytes critical for the antifungal host defense, do not efficiently recognize and kill C. auris. Here, we show how the outer cell wall of C. auris promotes immune evasion. Disruption of this mannan polysaccharide layer renders C. auris susceptible to neutrophil killing ex vivo and in a zebrafish model of invasive candidiasis. The role of these mannosylation pathways for neutrophil evasion appears divergent from other common Candida species.
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15
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Sullivan C, Soos BL, Millard PJ, Kim CH, King BL. Modeling Virus-Induced Inflammation in Zebrafish: A Balance Between Infection Control and Excessive Inflammation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:636623. [PMID: 34025644 PMCID: PMC8138431 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.636623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The inflammatory response to viral infection in humans is a dynamic process with complex cell interactions that are governed by the immune system and influenced by both host and viral factors. Due to this complexity, the relative contributions of the virus and host factors are best studied in vivo using animal models. In this review, we describe how the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has been used as a powerful model to study host-virus interactions and inflammation by combining robust forward and reverse genetic tools with in vivo imaging of transparent embryos and larvae. The innate immune system has an essential role in the initial inflammatory response to viral infection. Focused studies of the innate immune response to viral infection are possible using the zebrafish model as there is a 4-6 week timeframe during development where they have a functional innate immune system dominated by neutrophils and macrophages. During this timeframe, zebrafish lack a functional adaptive immune system, so it is possible to study the innate immune response in isolation. Sequencing of the zebrafish genome has revealed significant genetic conservation with the human genome, and multiple studies have revealed both functional conservation of genes, including those critical to host cell infection and host cell inflammatory response. In addition to studying several fish viruses, zebrafish infection models have been developed for several human viruses, including influenza A, noroviruses, chikungunya, Zika, dengue, herpes simplex virus type 1, Sindbis, and hepatitis C virus. The development of these diverse viral infection models, coupled with the inherent strengths of the zebrafish model, particularly as it relates to our understanding of macrophage and neutrophil biology, offers opportunities for far more intensive studies aimed at understanding conserved host responses to viral infection. In this context, we review aspects relating to the evolution of innate immunity, including the evolution of viral pattern recognition receptors, interferons and interferon receptors, and non-coding RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Con Sullivan
- College of Arts and Sciences, University of Maine at Augusta, Bangor, ME, United States
| | - Brandy-Lee Soos
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States
| | - Paul J Millard
- Department of Environmental and Sustainable Engineering, University at Albany, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Carol H Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, Albany, NY, United States.,Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Benjamin L King
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States.,Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States
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16
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Moghadam ZM, Henneke P, Kolter J. From Flies to Men: ROS and the NADPH Oxidase in Phagocytes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:628991. [PMID: 33842458 PMCID: PMC8033005 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.628991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellular formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) represents an evolutionary ancient antimicrobial defense system against microorganisms. The NADPH oxidases (NOX), which are predominantly localized to endosomes, and the electron transport chain in mitochondria are the major sources of ROS. Like any powerful immunological process, ROS formation has costs, in particular collateral tissue damage of the host. Moreover, microorganisms have developed defense mechanisms against ROS, an example for an arms race between species. Thus, although NOX orthologs have been identified in organisms as diverse as plants, fruit flies, rodents, and humans, ROS functions have developed and diversified to affect a multitude of cellular properties, i.e., far beyond direct antimicrobial activity. Here, we focus on the development of NOX in phagocytic cells, where the so-called respiratory burst in phagolysosomes contributes to the elimination of ingested microorganisms. Yet, NOX participates in cellular signaling in a cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic manner, e.g., via the release of ROS into the extracellular space. Accordingly, in humans, the inherited deficiency of NOX components is characterized by infections with bacteria and fungi and a seemingly independently dysregulated inflammatory response. Since ROS have both antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties, their tight regulation in space and time is required for an efficient and well-balanced immune response, which allows for the reestablishment of tissue homeostasis. In addition, distinct NOX homologs expressed by non-phagocytic cells and mitochondrial ROS are interlinked with phagocytic NOX functions and thus affect the overall redox state of the tissue and the cellular activity in a complex fashion. Overall, the systematic and comparative analysis of cellular ROS functions in organisms of lower complexity provides clues for understanding the contribution of ROS and ROS deficiency to human health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Mansoori Moghadam
- Institute for Immunodeficiency, Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI), Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Henneke
- Institute for Immunodeficiency, Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI), Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Julia Kolter
- Institute for Immunodeficiency, Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI), Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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17
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Gu X, Hua YH, Zhang YD, Bao DI, Lv J, Hu HF. The Pathogenesis of Aspergillus fumigatus, Host Defense Mechanisms, and the Development of AFMP4 Antigen as a Vaccine. Pol J Microbiol 2021; 70:3-11. [PMID: 33815522 PMCID: PMC8008755 DOI: 10.33073/pjm-2021-003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is one of the ubiquitous fungi with airborne conidia, which accounts for most aspergillosis cases. In immunocompetent hosts, the inhaled conidia are rapidly eliminated. However, immunocompromised or immunodeficient hosts are particularly vulnerable to most Aspergillus infections and invasive aspergillosis (IA), with mortality from 50% to 95%. Despite the improvement of antifungal drugs over the last few decades, the therapeutic effect for IA patients is still limited and does not provide significant survival benefits. The drawbacks of antifungal drugs such as side effects, antifungal drug resistance, and the high cost of antifungal drugs highlight the importance of finding novel therapeutic and preventive approaches to fight against IA. In this article, we systemically addressed the pathogenic mechanisms, defense mechanisms against A. fumigatus, the immune response, molecular aspects of host evasion, and vaccines' current development against aspergillosis, particularly those based on AFMP4 protein, which might be a promising antigen for the development of anti-A. fumigatus vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Gu
- College of Law and Political Science, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, China.,The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yan-Hong Hua
- The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yang-Dong Zhang
- The PLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - D I Bao
- The PLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Lv
- The PLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - Hong-Fang Hu
- The PLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center, Beijing, China
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18
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Cai C, Sun H, Hu L, Fan Z. Visualization of integrin molecules by fluorescence imaging and techniques. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 45:229-257. [PMID: 34219865 PMCID: PMC8249084 DOI: 10.32604/biocell.2021.014338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Integrin molecules are transmembrane αβ heterodimers involved in cell adhesion, trafficking, and signaling. Upon activation, integrins undergo dynamic conformational changes that regulate their affinity to ligands. The physiological functions and activation mechanisms of integrins have been heavily discussed in previous studies and reviews, but the fluorescence imaging techniques -which are powerful tools for biological studies- have not. Here we review the fluorescence labeling methods, imaging techniques, as well as Förster resonance energy transfer assays used to study integrin expression, localization, activation, and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Cai
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, UConn Health, Farmington, 06030, USA
| | - Hao Sun
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, USA
| | - Liang Hu
- Cardiovascular Institute of Zhengzhou University, Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450051, China
| | - Zhichao Fan
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, UConn Health, Farmington, 06030, USA
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19
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Bastos RW, Valero C, Silva LP, Schoen T, Drott M, Brauer V, Silva-Rocha R, Lind A, Steenwyk JL, Rokas A, Rodrigues F, Resendiz-Sharpe A, Lagrou K, Marcet-Houben M, Gabaldón T, McDonnell E, Reid I, Tsang A, Oakley BR, Loures FV, Almeida F, Huttenlocher A, Keller NP, Ries LNA, Goldman GH. Functional Characterization of Clinical Isolates of the Opportunistic Fungal Pathogen Aspergillus nidulans. mSphere 2020; 5:e00153-20. [PMID: 32269156 PMCID: PMC7142298 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00153-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus nidulans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen in patients with immunodeficiency, and virulence of A. nidulans isolates has mainly been studied in the context of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), with characterization of clinical isolates obtained from non-CGD patients remaining elusive. This study therefore carried out a detailed biological characterization of two A. nidulans clinical isolates (CIs), obtained from a patient with breast carcinoma and pneumonia and from a patient with cystic fibrosis that underwent lung transplantation, and compared them to the reference, nonclinical FGSC A4 strain. Both CIs presented increased growth in comparison to that of the reference strain in the presence of physiologically relevant carbon sources. Metabolomic analyses showed that the three strains are metabolically very different from each other in these carbon sources. Furthermore, the CIs were highly susceptible to cell wall-perturbing agents but not to other physiologically relevant stresses. Genome analyses identified several frameshift variants in genes encoding cell wall integrity (CWI) signaling components. Significant differences in CWI signaling were confirmed by Western blotting among the three strains. In vivo virulence studies using several different models revealed that strain MO80069 had significantly higher virulence in hosts with impaired neutrophil function than the other strains. In summary, this study presents detailed biological characterization of two A. nidulanssensu stricto clinical isolates. Just as in Aspergillus fumigatus, strain heterogeneity exists in A. nidulans clinical strains that can define virulence traits. Further studies are required to fully characterize A. nidulans strain-specific virulence traits and pathogenicity.IMPORTANCE Immunocompromised patients are susceptible to infections with opportunistic filamentous fungi from the genus Aspergillus Although A. fumigatus is the main etiological agent of Aspergillus species-related infections, other species, such as A. nidulans, are prevalent in a condition-specific manner. A. nidulans is a predominant infective agent in patients suffering from chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). A. nidulans isolates have mainly been studied in the context of CGD although infection with A. nidulans also occurs in non-CGD patients. This study carried out a detailed biological characterization of two non-CGD A. nidulans clinical isolates and compared the results to those with a reference strain. Phenotypic, metabolomic, and genomic analyses highlight fundamental differences in carbon source utilization, stress responses, and maintenance of cell wall integrity among the strains. One clinical strain had increased virulence in models with impaired neutrophil function. Just as in A. fumigatus, strain heterogeneity exists in A. nidulans clinical strains that can define virulence traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Wesley Bastos
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Clara Valero
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Lilian Pereira Silva
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Taylor Schoen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Milton Drott
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Verônica Brauer
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Rafael Silva-Rocha
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Abigail Lind
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jacob L Steenwyk
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Antonis Rokas
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Fernando Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/3B's Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Agustin Resendiz-Sharpe
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- National Reference Center for Mycosis, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marina Marcet-Houben
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain
- Life Sciences Program, Barcelona Supercomputing Centre, Barcelona, Spain
- Mechanisms of Disease Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Toni Gabaldón
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain
- Life Sciences Program, Barcelona Supercomputing Centre, Barcelona, Spain
- Mechanisms of Disease Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Erin McDonnell
- Centre for Structural and Functional Genomics, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ian Reid
- Centre for Structural and Functional Genomics, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Adrian Tsang
- Centre for Structural and Functional Genomics, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Berl R Oakley
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Flávio Vieira Loures
- Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São José dos Campos, Brazil
| | - Fausto Almeida
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Anna Huttenlocher
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Nancy P Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Gustavo H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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