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Brown GD, Ballou ER, Bates S, Bignell EM, Borman AM, Brand AC, Brown AJP, Coelho C, Cook PC, Farrer RA, Govender NP, Gow NAR, Hope W, Hoving JC, Dangarembizi R, Harrison TS, Johnson EM, Mukaremera L, Ramsdale M, Thornton CR, Usher J, Warris A, Wilson D. The pathobiology of human fungal infections. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024:10.1038/s41579-024-01062-w. [PMID: 38918447 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-024-01062-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Human fungal infections are a historically neglected area of disease research, yet they cause more than 1.5 million deaths every year. Our understanding of the pathophysiology of these infections has increased considerably over the past decade, through major insights into both the host and pathogen factors that contribute to the phenotype and severity of these diseases. Recent studies are revealing multiple mechanisms by which fungi modify and manipulate the host, escape immune surveillance and generate complex comorbidities. Although the emergence of fungal strains that are less susceptible to antifungal drugs or that rapidly evolve drug resistance is posing new threats, greater understanding of immune mechanisms and host susceptibility factors is beginning to offer novel immunotherapeutic options for the future. In this Review, we provide a broad and comprehensive overview of the pathobiology of human fungal infections, focusing specifically on pathogens that can cause invasive life-threatening infections, highlighting recent discoveries from the pathogen, host and clinical perspectives. We conclude by discussing key future challenges including antifungal drug resistance, the emergence of new pathogens and new developments in modern medicine that are promoting susceptibility to infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon D Brown
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
| | - Elizabeth R Ballou
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Steven Bates
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Elaine M Bignell
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Andrew M Borman
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Alexandra C Brand
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Alistair J P Brown
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Carolina Coelho
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Peter C Cook
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Rhys A Farrer
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Nelesh P Govender
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Neil A R Gow
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - William Hope
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - J Claire Hoving
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Rachael Dangarembizi
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Thomas S Harrison
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Elizabeth M Johnson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Liliane Mukaremera
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Mark Ramsdale
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | | | - Jane Usher
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Adilia Warris
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Duncan Wilson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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2
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Sonnberger J, Kasper L, Lange T, Brunke S, Hube B. "We've got to get out"-Strategies of human pathogenic fungi to escape from phagocytes. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:341-358. [PMID: 37800630 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Human fungal pathogens are a deadly and underappreciated risk to global health that most severely affect immunocompromised individuals. A virulence attribute shared by some of the most clinically relevant fungal species is their ability to survive inside macrophages and escape from these immune cells. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms behind intracellular survival and elaborate how escape is mediated by lytic and non-lytic pathways as well as strategies to induce programmed host cell death. We also discuss persistence as an alternative to rapid host cell exit. In the end, we address the consequences of fungal escape for the host immune response and provide future perspectives for research and development of targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Sonnberger
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Lydia Kasper
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Theresa Lange
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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3
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Wang F, Han R, Chen S. An Overlooked and Underrated Endemic Mycosis-Talaromycosis and the Pathogenic Fungus Talaromyces marneffei. Clin Microbiol Rev 2023; 36:e0005122. [PMID: 36648228 PMCID: PMC10035316 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00051-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Talaromycosis is an invasive mycosis endemic in tropical and subtropical Asia and is caused by the pathogenic fungus Talaromyces marneffei. Approximately 17,300 cases of T. marneffei infection are diagnosed annually, and the reported mortality rate is extremely high (~1/3). Despite the devastating impact of talaromycosis on immunocompromised individuals, particularly HIV-positive persons, and the increase in reported occurrences in HIV-uninfected persons, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for talaromycosis have received far too little attention worldwide. In 2021, scientists living in countries where talaromycosis is endemic raised a global demand for it to be recognized as a neglected tropical disease. Therefore, T. marneffei and the infectious disease induced by this fungus must be treated with concern. T. marneffei is a thermally dimorphic saprophytic fungus with a complicated mycological growth process that may produce various cell types in its life cycle, including conidia, hyphae, and yeast, all of which are associated with its pathogenicity. However, understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of T. marneffei has been limited until recently. To achieve a holistic view of T. marneffei and talaromycosis, the current knowledge about talaromycosis and research breakthroughs regarding T. marneffei growth biology are discussed in this review, along with the interaction of the fungus with environmental stimuli and the host immune response to fungal infection. Importantly, the future research directions required for understanding this serious infection and its causative pathogenic fungus are also emphasized to identify solutions that will alleviate the suffering of susceptible individuals worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- Intensive Care Unit, Biomedical Research Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - RunHua Han
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Shi Chen
- Intensive Care Unit, Biomedical Research Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Biomedical Research Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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4
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Jia LJ, Rafiq M, Radosa L, Hortschansky P, Cunha C, Cseresnyés Z, Krüger T, Schmidt F, Heinekamp T, Straßburger M, Löffler B, Doenst T, Lacerda JF, Campos A, Figge MT, Carvalho A, Kniemeyer O, Brakhage AA. Aspergillus fumigatus hijacks human p11 to redirect fungal-containing phagosomes to non-degradative pathway. Cell Host Microbe 2023; 31:373-388.e10. [PMID: 36893734 PMCID: PMC10016320 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
The decision whether endosomes enter the degradative or recycling pathway in mammalian cells is of fundamental importance for pathogen killing, and its malfunctioning has pathological consequences. We discovered that human p11 is a critical factor for this decision. The HscA protein present on the conidial surface of the human-pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus anchors p11 on conidia-containing phagosomes (PSs), excludes the PS maturation mediator Rab7, and triggers binding of exocytosis mediators Rab11 and Sec15. This reprogramming redirects PSs to the non-degradative pathway, allowing A. fumigatus to escape cells by outgrowth and expulsion as well as transfer of conidia between cells. The clinical relevance is supported by the identification of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the non-coding region of the S100A10 (p11) gene that affects mRNA and protein expression in response to A. fumigatus and is associated with protection against invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. These findings reveal the role of p11 in mediating fungal PS evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei-Jie Jia
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Muhammad Rafiq
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany; Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Lukáš Radosa
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Peter Hortschansky
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Cristina Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | | | - Thomas Krüger
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Franziska Schmidt
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Thorsten Heinekamp
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany
| | | | - Bettina Löffler
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Torsten Doenst
- Klinik für Herz- und Thoraxchirurgie, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - João F Lacerda
- Serviço de Hematologia e Transplantação de Medula, Hospital de Santa Maria, 1649-035 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - António Campos
- Serviço de Transplantação de Medula Óssea, Instituto Português de Oncologia do Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Marc Thilo Figge
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, 07745 Jena, Germany; Research Group Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz-HKI, Jena, Germany
| | - Agostinho Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Olaf Kniemeyer
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany; Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, 07745 Jena, Germany.
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5
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Lange T, Kasper L, Gresnigt MS, Brunke S, Hube B. "Under Pressure" - How fungi evade, exploit, and modulate cells of the innate immune system. Semin Immunol 2023; 66:101738. [PMID: 36878023 PMCID: PMC10109127 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
The human immune system uses an arsenal of effector mechanisms to prevent and counteract infections. Yet, some fungal species are extremely successful as human pathogens, which can be attributed to a wide variety of strategies by which these fungi evade, exploit, and modulate the immune system. These fungal pathogens normally are either harmless commensals or environmental fungi. In this review we discuss how commensalism, but also life in an environmental niche without human contact, can drive the evolution of diverse and specialized immune evasion mechanisms. Correspondingly, we discuss the mechanisms contributing to the ability of these fungi to cause superficial to life-threatening infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Lange
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Lydia Kasper
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Mark S Gresnigt
- Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany; Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.
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6
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Abstract
The respiratory tree maintains sterilizing immunity against human fungal pathogens. Humans inhale ubiquitous filamentous molds and geographically restricted dimorphic fungal pathogens that form small airborne conidia. In addition, pathogenic yeasts, exemplified by encapsulated Cryptococcus species, and Pneumocystis pose significant fungal threats to the lung. Classically, fungal pneumonia occurs in immune compromised individuals, specifically in patients with HIV/AIDS, in patients with hematologic malignancies, in organ transplant recipients, and in patients treated with corticosteroids and targeted biologics that impair fungal immune surveillance in the lung. The emergence of fungal co-infections during severe influenza and COVID-19 underscores the impairment of fungus-specific host defense pathways in the lung by respiratory viruses and by medical therapies to treat viral infections. Beyond life-threatening invasive syndromes, fungal antigen exposure can exacerbate allergenic disease in the lung. In this review, we discuss emerging principles of lung-specific antifungal immunity, integrate the contributions and cooperation of lung epithelial, innate immune, and adaptive immune cells to mucosal barrier immunity, and highlight the pathogenesis of fungal-associated allergenic disease. Improved understanding of fungus-specific immunity in the respiratory tree has paved the way to develop improved diagnostic, pre-emptive, therapeutic, and vaccine approaches for fungal diseases of the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena J Heung
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Research Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Women's Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Darin L Wiesner
- Center for Immunity and Inflammation, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Keyi Wang
- Center for Immunity and Inflammation, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Amariliz Rivera
- Center for Immunity and Inflammation, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Tobias M Hohl
- Infectious Disease Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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7
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Dudziak K, Nowak M, Sozoniuk M. One Host-Multiple Applications: Zebrafish (Danio rerio) as Promising Model for Studying Human Cancers and Pathogenic Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810255. [PMID: 36142160 PMCID: PMC9499349 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, zebrafish (ZF) has been increasingly applied as a model in human disease studies, with a particular focus on cancer. A number of advantages make it an attractive alternative for mice widely used so far. Due to the many advantages of zebrafish, modifications can be based on different mechanisms and the induction of human disease can take different forms depending on the research goal. Genetic manipulation, tumor transplantation, or injection of the pathogen are only a few examples of using ZF as a model. Most of the studies are conducted in order to understand the disease mechanism, monitor disease progression, test new or alternative therapies, and select the best treatment. The transplantation of cancer cells derived from patients enables the development of personalized medicine. To better mimic a patient’s body environment, immune-deficient models (SCID) have been developed. A lower immune response is mostly generated by genetic manipulation but also by irradiation or dexamethasone treatment. For many studies, using SCID provides a better chance to avoid cancer cell rejection. In this review, we describe the main directions of using ZF in research, explain why and how zebrafish can be used as a model, what kind of limitations will be met and how to overcome them. We collected recent achievements in this field, indicating promising perspectives for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Dudziak
- Chair and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence: (K.D.); (M.N.)
| | - Michał Nowak
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence: (K.D.); (M.N.)
| | - Magdalena Sozoniuk
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
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A Fun-Guide to Innate Immune Responses to Fungal Infections. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8080805. [PMID: 36012793 PMCID: PMC9409918 DOI: 10.3390/jof8080805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunocompromised individuals are at high risk of developing severe fungal infections with high mortality rates, while fungal pathogens pose little risk to most healthy people. Poor therapeutic outcomes and growing antifungal resistance pose further challenges for treatments. Identifying specific immunomodulatory mechanisms exploited by fungal pathogens is critical for our understanding of fungal diseases and development of new therapies. A gap currently exists between the large body of literature concerning the innate immune response to fungal infections and the potential manipulation of host immune responses to aid clearance of infection. This review considers the innate immune mechanisms the host deploys to prevent fungal infection and how these mechanisms fail in immunocompromised hosts. Three clinically relevant fungal pathogens (Candida albicans, Cryptococcus spp. and Aspergillus spp.) will be explored. This review will also examine potential mechanisms of targeting the host therapeutically to improve outcomes of fungal infection.
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Darroch H, Astin JW, Hall CJ. Towards a new model of trained immunity: Exposure to bacteria and β-glucan protects larval zebrafish against subsequent infections. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 132:104400. [PMID: 35367515 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2022.104400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Once thought to be a feature exclusive to lymphocyte-driven adaptive immunity, immune memory has also been shown to operate as part of the innate immune system following infection to provide an elevated host response to subsequent pathogenic challenge. This evolutionarily conserved process, termed 'trained immunity', enables cells of the innate immune system to 'remember' previous pathogen encounters and mount stronger responses to the same, or different, pathogens after returning to a non-activated state. Here we show that challenging larval zebrafish, that exclusively rely on innate immunity, with live or heat-killed Salmonella typhimurium provides protection to subsequent infection with either Salmonella typhimurium or Streptococcus iniae, that lasts for at least 12 days. We also show that larvae injected with β-glucan, the well-known trigger of trained immunity, demonstrate enhanced survival to similar live bacterial infections, a phenotype supported by increased cxcl8 expression and neutrophil recruitment to the infection site. These results support the conservation of a trained immunity-like phenotype in larval zebrafish and provide a foundation to exploit the experimental attributes of larval zebrafish to further understand this form of immunological memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Darroch
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Jonathan W Astin
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Christopher J Hall
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
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10
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Stream A, Madigan CA. Zebrafish: an underutilized tool for discovery in host-microbe interactions. Trends Immunol 2022; 43:426-437. [PMID: 35527182 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2022.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Zebrafish are relatively new to the field of host-pathogen interactions, although they have been a valuable vertebrate model for decades in developmental biology and neuroscience. Transparent zebrafish larvae have most components of the human innate immune system, and adult zebrafish also produce cells of the adaptive immune system. Recent discoveries using zebrafish infection models include mechanisms of pathogen survival and host cell sensing of microbes. These discoveries were enabled by zebrafish technology, which is constantly evolving and providing new opportunities for immunobiology research. Recent tools include CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis, in vivo biotinylation, and genetically encoded biosensors. We argue that the zebrafish model - which remains underutilized in immunology - provides fertile ground for a new understanding of host-microbe interactions in a transparent host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Stream
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego (UCSD), San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Cressida A Madigan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego (UCSD), San Diego, CA, USA.
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11
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Rafiq M, Rivieccio F, Zimmermann AK, Visser C, Bruch A, Krüger T, González Rojas K, Kniemeyer O, Blango MG, Brakhage AA. PLB-985 Neutrophil-Like Cells as a Model To Study Aspergillus fumigatus Pathogenesis. mSphere 2022; 7:e0094021. [PMID: 34986319 PMCID: PMC8730815 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00940-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections remain a major global concern. Emerging fungal pathogens and increasing rates of resistance mean that additional research efforts and resources must be allocated to advancing our understanding of fungal pathogenesis and developing new therapeutic interventions. Neutrophilic granulocytes are a major cell type involved in protection against the important fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus, where they employ numerous defense mechanisms, including production of antimicrobial extracellular vesicles. A major drawback to work with neutrophils is the lack of a suitable cell line system for the study of fungal pathogenesis. To address this problem, we assessed the feasibility of using differentiated PLB-985 neutrophil-like cells as an in vitro model to study A. fumigatus infection. We find that dimethylformamide-differentiated PLB-985 cells provide a useful recapitulation of many aspects of A. fumigatus interactions with primary human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. We show that differentiated PLB-985 cells phagocytose fungal conidia and acidify conidia-containing phagolysosomes similar to primary neutrophils, release neutrophil extracellular traps, and also produce antifungal extracellular vesicles in response to infection. In addition, we provide an improved method for the isolation of extracellular vesicles produced during infection by employing a size exclusion chromatography-based approach. Advanced liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) proteomics revealed an enrichment of extracellular vesicle marker proteins and a decrease of cytoplasmic proteins in extracellular vesicles isolated using this improved method. Ultimately, we find that differentiated PLB-985 cells can serve as a genetically tractable model to study many aspects of A. fumigatus pathogenesis. IMPORTANCE Polymorphonuclear leukocytes are an important defense against human fungal pathogens, yet our model systems to study this group of cells remain very limited in scope. In this study, we established that differentiated PLB-985 cells can serve as a model to recapitulate several important aspects of human polymorphonuclear leukocyte interactions with the important human fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. The proposed addition of a cultured neutrophil-like cell line to the experimental toolbox to study fungal pathogenesis will allow for a more mechanistic description of neutrophil antifungal biology. In addition, the easier handling of the cell line compared to primary human neutrophils allowed us to use PLB-985 cells to provide an improved method for isolation of neutrophil-derived extracellular vesicles using size exclusion chromatography. Together, these results provide significant tools and a baseline knowledge for the future study of neutrophil-derived extracellular vesicles in the laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Rafiq
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Flora Rivieccio
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Zimmermann
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Corissa Visser
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Alexander Bruch
- Junior Research Group RNA Biology of Fungal Infections, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Krüger
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Katherine González Rojas
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Olaf Kniemeyer
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Matthew G. Blango
- Junior Research Group RNA Biology of Fungal Infections, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A. Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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He J, Li JS, Xu HY, Kuang YQ, Li J, Li HB, Li Z, Zhou HL, Wang RR, Li YY. A Reliable Murine Model of Disseminated Infection Induced by Talaromyces Marneffei. Mycopathologia 2021; 187:53-64. [PMID: 34743276 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-021-00596-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Talaromycosis (penicilliosis) caused by Talaromyces marneffei is one of the most important opportunistic infection diseases in tropical countries of South and Southeast Asia. Most infections occurred in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the primarily reason for the increase in the number of the cases is HIV pandemic. The pathogenesis of T. marneffei infection is unclear. There is still no ideal animal model for studying talaromycosis. In this study, we developed a stable, safe and maneuverable murine model that mimics human T. marneffei disseminated infection using T. marneffei yeast intraperitoneal injected to BALB/c nude mice. We successfully observed symptoms similar to those seen in clinical patients in this murine model, including skin lesions, hepatosplenomegaly, pulmonary infection and mesenteric lesions. We further studied the pathological changes of various tissues and organs in the infected animals to help better understand the severity of the infection. This model may provide a good tool for studying disseminated infection induced by T. marneffei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan He
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, 295 Xichang Road, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Jia-Sheng Li
- College of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, 1076 Yuhua Road, Chenggong, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Hong-Yan Xu
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, 295 Xichang Road, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Yi-Qun Kuang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, China
| | - Jun Li
- College of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, 1076 Yuhua Road, Chenggong, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Hong-Bin Li
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, 295 Xichang Road, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhe Li
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, 295 Xichang Road, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Hui-Ling Zhou
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, 295 Xichang Road, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Rui-Rui Wang
- College of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, 1076 Yuhua Road, Chenggong, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China.
| | - Yu-Ye Li
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, 295 Xichang Road, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China.
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13
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Shokri-Mashhadi N, Kazemi M, Saadat S, Moradi S. Effects of select dietary supplements on the prevention and treatment of viral respiratory tract infections: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Expert Rev Respir Med 2021; 15:805-821. [PMID: 33858268 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2021.1918546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs) have been recognized as a global public health burden. Despite current theories about their effectiveness, the true benefits of dietary supplements on the prevention and treatment of viral RTIs remain elusive, due to contradictory reports. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of dietary supplements on the prevention and treatment of viral RTIs.Areas covered: We systematically searched databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar through 4 March 2020, to identify randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of consuming selected dietary supplements on the prevention or treatment of viral RTIs.Expert opinion: Thirty-nine randomized controlled trials (n = 16,797 participants) were eligible and included. Namely, vitamin D supplementation appeared to improve viral RTIs across cohorts particulate in those with vitamin D deficiency. Among the evaluated dietary supplements, specific lactobacillus strains were used most commonly with selected prebiotics that showed potentially positive effects on the prevention and treatment of viral RTIs. Further, ginseng extract supplementation may effectively prevent viral RTIs as adjuvant therapy. However, longitudinal research is required to confirm these observations and address the optimal dose, duration, and safety of dietary supplements being publicly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafiseh Shokri-Mashhadi
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Maryam Kazemi
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Human Metabolic Research Unit, Cornell University, Ithaca, NewYork, USA
| | - Saeed Saadat
- Department of Computer Sciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Heinrich Heine Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sajjad Moradi
- Halal Research Center of IRI, FDA, Tehran, Iran.,Nutritional Sciences Department, School of Nutritional Sciences and Food Technology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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14
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Williams TJ, Gonzales-Huerta LE, Armstrong-James D. Fungal-Induced Programmed Cell Death. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7030231. [PMID: 33804601 PMCID: PMC8003624 DOI: 10.3390/jof7030231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are a cause of morbidity in humans, and despite the availability of a range of antifungal treatments, the mortality rate remains unacceptably high. Although our knowledge of the interactions between pathogenic fungi and the host continues to grow, further research is still required to fully understand the mechanism underpinning fungal pathogenicity, which may provide new insights for the treatment of fungal disease. There is great interest regarding how microbes induce programmed cell death and what this means in terms of the immune response and resolution of infection as well as microbe-specific mechanisms that influence cell death pathways to aid in their survival and continued infection. Here, we discuss how programmed cell death is induced by fungi that commonly cause opportunistic infections, including Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Cryptococcus neoformans, the role of programmed cell death in fungal immunity, and how fungi manipulate these pathways.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Myeloid cells contribute to immune response to infection and tissue regeneration after injury as well as to the developmental induction of the hematopoietic system overall. Here we review recent uses of zebrafish to advance the study of myeloid biology in development and disease. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies have made use of advanced imaging and genetic strategies and have highlighted key concepts in myeloid cell behavior. These include immune-cell cross-talk and subpopulation response in infection and regeneration, and tightly regulated inflammatory and tissue remodeling behaviors in development. SUMMARY These new findings will shape our understanding of the developmental origins of immune populations as well as their specific cellular behaviors at all stages of infection, regeneration, and myeloid neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J. Wattrus
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Department, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Leonard I. Zon
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Department, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
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16
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Urban CF, Backman E. Eradicating, retaining, balancing, swarming, shuttling and dumping: a myriad of tasks for neutrophils during fungal infection. Curr Opin Microbiol 2020; 58:106-115. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2020.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Illuminating Macrophage Contributions to Host-Pathogen Interactions In Vivo: the Power of Zebrafish. Infect Immun 2020; 88:IAI.00906-19. [PMID: 32179583 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00906-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are a key cell type in innate immunity. Years of in vitro cell culture studies have unraveled myriad macrophage pathways that combat pathogens and demonstrated how pathogen effectors subvert these mechanisms. However, in vitro cell culture studies may not accurately reflect how macrophages fit into the context of an innate immune response in whole animals with multiple cell types and tissues. Larval zebrafish have emerged as an intermediate model of innate immunity and host-pathogen interactions to bridge the gap between cell culture studies and mammalian models. These organisms possess an innate immune system largely conserved with that of humans and allow state-of-the-art genetic and imaging techniques, all in the context of an intact organism. Using larval zebrafish, researchers are elucidating the function of macrophages in response to many different infections, including both bacterial and fungal pathogens. The goal of this review is to highlight studies in zebrafish that utilized live-imaging techniques to analyze macrophage activities in response to pathogens. Recent studies have explored the roles of specific pathways and mechanisms in macrophage killing ability, explored how pathogens subvert these responses, identified subsets of macrophages with differential microbicidal activities, and implicated macrophages as an intracellular niche for pathogen survival and trafficking. Research using this model continues to advance our understanding of how macrophages, and specific pathways inside these cells, fit into complex multicellular innate immune responses in vivo, providing important information on how pathogens evade these pathways and how we can exploit them for development of treatments against microbial infections.
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Linnerz T, Hall CJ. The Diverse Roles of Phagocytes During Bacterial and Fungal Infections and Sterile Inflammation: Lessons From Zebrafish. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1094. [PMID: 32582182 PMCID: PMC7289964 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The immediate and natural reaction to both infectious challenges and sterile insults (wounds, tissue trauma or crystal deposition) is an acute inflammatory response. This inflammatory response is mediated by activation of the innate immune system largely comprising professional phagocytes (neutrophils and macrophages). Zebrafish (danio rerio) larvae possess many advantages as a model organism, including their genetic tractability and highly conserved innate immune system. Exploiting these attributes and the live imaging potential of optically transparent zebrafish larvae has greatly contributed to our understanding of how neutrophils and macrophages orchestrate the initiation and resolution phases of inflammatory responses. Numerous bacterial and fungal infection models have been successfully established using zebrafish as an animal model and studies investigating neutrophil and macrophage behavior to sterile insults have also provided unique insights. In this review we highlight how examining the larval zebrafish response to specific bacterial and fungal pathogens has uncovered cellular and molecular mechanisms behind a variety of phagocyte responses, from those that protect the host to those that are detrimental. We also describe how modeling sterile inflammation in larval zebrafish has provided an opportunity to dissect signaling pathways that control the recruitment, and fate, of phagocytes at inflammatory sites. Finally, we briefly discuss some current limitations, and opportunities to improve, the zebrafish model system for studying phagocyte biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Linnerz
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Christopher J Hall
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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