1
|
Alhameed RA, Semreen MH, Hamad M, Giddey AD, Sulaiman A, Al Bataineh MT, Al-Hroub HM, Bustanji Y, Alzoubi KH, Soares NC. Multi-Omics Profiling of Candida albicans Grown on Solid Versus Liquid Media. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2831. [PMID: 38137975 PMCID: PMC10745582 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122831] [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: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a common pathogenic fungus that presents a challenge to healthcare facilities. It can switch between a yeast cell form that diffuses through the bloodstream to colonize internal organs and a filamentous form that penetrates host mucosa. Understanding the pathogen's strategies for environmental adaptation and, ultimately, survival, is crucial. As a complementary study, herein, a multi-omics analysis was performed using high-resolution timsTOF MS to compare the proteomes and metabolomes of Wild Type (WT) Candida albicans (strain DK318) grown on agar plates versus liquid media. Proteomic analysis revealed a total of 1793 proteins and 15,013 peptides. Out of the 1403 identified proteins, 313 proteins were significantly differentially abundant with a p-value < 0.05. Of these, 156 and 157 proteins were significantly increased in liquid and solid media, respectively. Metabolomics analysis identified 192 metabolites in total. The majority (42/48) of the significantly altered metabolites (p-value 0.05 FDR, FC 1.5), mainly amino acids, were significantly higher in solid media, while only 2 metabolites were significantly higher in liquid media. The combined multi-omics analysis provides insight into adaptative morphological changes supporting Candida albicans' life cycle and identifies crucial virulence factors during biofilm formation and bloodstream infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rouba Abdulsalam Alhameed
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27227, United Arab Emirates; (R.A.A.); (M.H.); (A.S.); (H.M.A.-H.); (Y.B.); (K.H.A.)
| | - Mohammad H. Semreen
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27227, United Arab Emirates; (R.A.A.); (M.H.); (A.S.); (H.M.A.-H.); (Y.B.); (K.H.A.)
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27227, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamad Hamad
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27227, United Arab Emirates; (R.A.A.); (M.H.); (A.S.); (H.M.A.-H.); (Y.B.); (K.H.A.)
- College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27227, United Arab Emirates
| | - Alexander D. Giddey
- Center for Applied and Translational Genomics, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai P.O. Box 505055, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Ashna Sulaiman
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27227, United Arab Emirates; (R.A.A.); (M.H.); (A.S.); (H.M.A.-H.); (Y.B.); (K.H.A.)
| | - Mohammad T. Al Bataineh
- Center for Biotechnology, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Hamza M. Al-Hroub
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27227, United Arab Emirates; (R.A.A.); (M.H.); (A.S.); (H.M.A.-H.); (Y.B.); (K.H.A.)
| | - Yasser Bustanji
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27227, United Arab Emirates; (R.A.A.); (M.H.); (A.S.); (H.M.A.-H.); (Y.B.); (K.H.A.)
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27227, United Arab Emirates
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Karem H. Alzoubi
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27227, United Arab Emirates; (R.A.A.); (M.H.); (A.S.); (H.M.A.-H.); (Y.B.); (K.H.A.)
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27227, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nelson C. Soares
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27227, United Arab Emirates; (R.A.A.); (M.H.); (A.S.); (H.M.A.-H.); (Y.B.); (K.H.A.)
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27227, United Arab Emirates
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
- Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health (ToxOmics), Faculdade de Lisboa, NOVA School, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gonçales RA, Portis IG, dos Reis TF, Basso Júnior LR, Martinez R, Zhu H, Pereira M, Soares CMDA, Coelho PSR. Identification and immunogenic potential of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2023; 4:1243475. [PMID: 37746134 PMCID: PMC10512324 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2023.1243475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
In fungal pathogens the cell wall plays an important role in host-pathogen interactions because its molecular components (e.g., polysaccharides and proteins) may trigger immune responses during infection. GPI-anchored proteins represent the main protein class in the fungal cell wall where they can perform several functions, such as cell wall remodeling and adhesion to host tissues. Genomic analysis has identified the complement of GPI-anchored proteins in many fungal pathogens, but the function has remained unknown for most of them. Here, we conducted an RNA expression analysis of GPI-anchored proteins of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis which causes paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), an important human systemic mycosis endemic in Latin America. The expression of the GPI-anchored proteins was analyzed by quantitative PCR in both the mycelium and yeast forms. qPCR analysis revealed that the transcript levels of 22 of them were increased in hyphae and 10 in yeasts, respectively, while 14 did not show any significant difference in either form. Furthermore, we cloned 46 open reading frames and purified their corresponding GPI-anchored proteins in the budding yeast. Immunoblot and ELISA analysis of four purified GPI-anchored proteins revealed immune reactivity of these proteins against sera obtained from PCM patients. The information obtained in this study provides valuable information about the expression of many GPI-anchored proteins of unknown function. In addition, based on our immune analysis, some GPI-anchored proteins are expressed during infection and therefore, they might serve as good candidates for the development of new diagnostic methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Relber Aguiar Gonçales
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Igor Godinho Portis
- Laboratorio de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Thaila Fernanda dos Reis
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Luiz Roberto Basso Júnior
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo (FMRP/USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Roberto Martinez
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Heng Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Maristela Pereira
- Laboratorio de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Célia Maria de Almeida Soares
- Laboratorio de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Paulo Sergio Rodrigues Coelho
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo (FMRP/USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gonçales RA, Salamanca AL, Júnior LR, E Silva KS, de Vasconcelos EJ, Dos Reis TF, Castro RC, C Ruy PD, Romagnoli B, Ruiz J, Pereira M, de A Soares CM, Coelho PS. In silico identification of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins in Paracoccidioides spp. Future Microbiol 2021; 16:589-606. [PMID: 33998266 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2020-0282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To predict glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins in the genome of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Paracoccidioides lutzii. Materials & methods: Five different bioinformatics tools were used for predicting GPI-anchored proteins; we considered as GPI-anchored proteins those detected by at least two in silico analysis methods. We also performed the proteomic analysis of P. brasiliensis cell wall by mass spectrometry. Results: Hundred GPI-anchored proteins were predicted in P. brasiliensis and P. lutzii genomes. A series of 57 proteins were classified in functional categories and 43 conserved proteins were reported with unknown functions. Four proteins identified by in silico analyses were also identified in the cell wall proteome. Conclusion: The data obtained in this study are important resources for future research of GPI-anchored proteins in Paracoccidioides spp. to identify targets for new diagnostic tools, drugs and immunological tests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Relber A Gonçales
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal, ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ayda Lm Salamanca
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas II (ICB II), Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Goiás, 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Luiz Rb Júnior
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto (FMRP), University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Kleber Sf E Silva
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas II (ICB II), Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Goiás, 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Elton Jr de Vasconcelos
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
| | - Thaila F Dos Reis
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Ricardo C Castro
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Patrícia de C Ruy
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto (FMRP), University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Romagnoli
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto (FMRP), University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Jerônimo Ruiz
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Rene Rachaou (IRR), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30190-002, Brazil
| | - Maristela Pereira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas II (ICB II), Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Goiás, 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Célia M de A Soares
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas II (ICB II), Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Goiás, 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Paulo Sr Coelho
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto (FMRP), University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
García-Carnero LC, Martínez-Álvarez JA, Salazar-García LM, Lozoya-Pérez NE, González-Hernández SE, Tamez-Castrellón AK. Recognition of Fungal Components by the Host Immune System. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2021; 21:245-264. [PMID: 31889486 DOI: 10.2174/1389203721666191231105546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
By being the first point of contact of the fungus with the host, the cell wall plays an important role in the pathogenesis, having many molecules that participate as antigens that are recognized by immune cells, and also that help the fungus to establish infection. The main molecules reported to trigger an immune response are chitin, glucans, oligosaccharides, proteins, melanin, phospholipids, and others, being present in the principal pathogenic fungi with clinical importance worldwide, such as Histoplasma capsulatum, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Blastomyces dermatitidis, and Sporothrix schenckii. Knowledge and understanding of how the immune system recognizes and responds to fungal antigens are relevant for the future research and development of new diagnostic tools and treatments for the control of mycosis caused by these fungi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura C García-Carnero
- Department of Biology, Exact and Natural Sciences Division, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - José A Martínez-Álvarez
- Department of Biology, Exact and Natural Sciences Division, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Luis M Salazar-García
- Department of Biology, Exact and Natural Sciences Division, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Nancy E Lozoya-Pérez
- Department of Biology, Exact and Natural Sciences Division, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | | | - Alma K Tamez-Castrellón
- Department of Biology, Exact and Natural Sciences Division, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Finn PW. Cheminformatics in the Identification of Drug Classes for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2076:71-84. [PMID: 31586322 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9882-1_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Computer-Aided Drug Design has developed into a powerful suite of methods that complement experimental approaches to the identification of new pharmacologically active compounds. In particular, virtual screening has become a standard tool for lead identification. Diverse examples of the application of virtual screening applied to T2DM target proteins have been reported. While several of these indicate successful identification of new lead compounds from synthetic chemical and natural product databases, many of them have been performed on a small scale and with limited validation. Careful study design and collaboration with cheminformaticians and computational chemists will enable these approaches to fulfil their potential for T2DM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul W Finn
- School of Computing, University of Buckingham, Buckingham, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
de Curcio JS, Paccez JD, Novaes E, Brock M, Soares CMDA. Cell Wall Synthesis, Development of Hyphae and Metabolic Pathways Are Processes Potentially Regulated by MicroRNAs Produced Between the Morphological Stages of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:3057. [PMID: 30619144 PMCID: PMC6297277 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.03057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs are molecules involved in post-transcriptional gene regulation. In pathogenic fungi, microRNAs have been described at different morphological stages by regulating targets involved in processes such as morphogenesis and energy production. Members of the Paracoccidioides complex are the main etiological agents of a systemic mycosis in Latin America. Fungi of the Paracoccidioides complex present a wide range of plasticity to colonize different niches. In response to environmental changes these fungi undergo a morphological switch, remodel their cellular metabolism and modulate structural cell wall components. However, the underlying mechanisms regulating the gene expression is not well understood. By using high performance sequencing and bioinformatics analyses, this work characterizes microRNAs produced by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Here, we demonstrated that the transcript encoding proteins involved in microRNA biogenesis were differentially expressed in each morphological stage. In addition, 49 microRNAs were identified in cDNA libraries with 44 differentially regulated among the libraries. Sixteen microRNAs were differentially regulated in comparison to the mycelium in the mycelium-to-yeast transition phase. The yeast parasitic phase revealed a complete remodeling of the expression of these small RNAs. Analyses of targets of the induced microRNAs, from the different libraries, revealed that these molecules may potentially regulate in the cell wall, by repressing genes involved in the synthesis and degradation of glucans and chitin. Furthermore, mRNAs involved in cellular metabolism and development were predicted to be regulated by microRNAs. Therefore, this work describes a putative post transcriptional regulation, mediated by microRNAs in P. brasiliensis and its influence on the adaptive processes of thermal dimorphic fungus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliana S. de Curcio
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Juliano D. Paccez
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Evandro Novaes
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mathias Brock
- Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Muñoz JF, Farrer RA, Desjardins CA, Gallo JE, Sykes S, Sakthikumar S, Misas E, Whiston EA, Bagagli E, Soares CMA, Teixeira MDM, Taylor JW, Clay OK, McEwen JG, Cuomo CA. Genome Diversity, Recombination, and Virulence across the Major Lineages of Paracoccidioides. mSphere 2016; 1:e00213-16. [PMID: 27704050 PMCID: PMC5040785 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00213-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Paracoccidioides genus includes two species of thermally dimorphic fungi that cause paracoccidioidomycosis, a neglected health-threatening human systemic mycosis endemic to Latin America. To examine the genome evolution and the diversity of Paracoccidioides spp., we conducted whole-genome sequencing of 31 isolates representing the phylogenetic, geographic, and ecological breadth of the genus. These samples included clinical, environmental and laboratory reference strains of the S1, PS2, PS3, and PS4 lineages of P. brasiliensis and also isolates of Paracoccidioides lutzii species. We completed the first annotated genome assemblies for the PS3 and PS4 lineages and found that gene order was highly conserved across the major lineages, with only a few chromosomal rearrangements. Comparing whole-genome assemblies of the major lineages with single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) predicted from the remaining 26 isolates, we identified a deep split of the S1 lineage into two clades we named S1a and S1b. We found evidence for greater genetic exchange between the S1b lineage and all other lineages; this may reflect the broad geographic range of S1b, which is often sympatric with the remaining, largely geographically isolated lineages. In addition, we found evidence of positive selection for the GP43 and PGA1 antigen genes and genes coding for other secreted proteins and proteases and lineage-specific loss-of-function mutations in cell wall and protease genes; these together may contribute to virulence and host immune response variation among natural isolates of Paracoccidioides spp. These insights into the recent evolutionary events highlight important differences between the lineages that could impact the distribution, pathogenicity, and ecology of Paracoccidioides. IMPORTANCE Characterization of genetic differences between lineages of the dimorphic human-pathogenic fungus Paracoccidioides can identify changes linked to important phenotypes and guide the development of new diagnostics and treatments. In this article, we compared genomes of 31 diverse isolates representing the major lineages of Paracoccidioides spp. and completed the first annotated genome sequences for the PS3 and PS4 lineages. We analyzed the population structure and characterized the genetic diversity among the lineages of Paracoccidioides, including a deep split of S1 into two lineages (S1a and S1b), and differentiated S1b, associated with most clinical cases, as the more highly recombining and diverse lineage. In addition, we found patterns of positive selection in surface proteins and secreted enzymes among the lineages, suggesting diversifying mechanisms of pathogenicity and adaptation across this species complex. These genetic differences suggest associations with the geographic range, pathogenicity, and ecological niches of Paracoccidioides lineages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José F. Muñoz
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia
- Institute of Biology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rhys A. Farrer
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Juan E. Gallo
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia
- Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Sean Sykes
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth Misas
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia
- Institute of Biology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Emily A. Whiston
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Eduardo Bagagli
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Celia M. A. Soares
- Laboratório de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, ICBII, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Marcus de M. Teixeira
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- Division of Pathogen Genomics, Translational Genomics Research Institute North, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - John W. Taylor
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Oliver K. Clay
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan G. McEwen
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia
- School of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
rPbPga1 from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Activates Mast Cells and Macrophages via NFkB. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0004032. [PMID: 26317855 PMCID: PMC4552726 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is the leading etiological agent of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), a systemic granulomatous disease that typically affects the lungs. Cell wall components of P. brasiliensis interact with host cells and influence the pathogenesis of PCM. In yeast, many glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins are important in the initial contact with the host, mediating host-yeast interactions that culminate with the disease. PbPga1 is a GPI anchored protein located on the surface of the yeast P. brasiliensis that is recognized by sera from PCM patients. Methodology/Principal Findings Endogenous PbPga1 was localized to the surface of P. brasiliensis yeast cells in the lungs of infected mice using a polyclonal anti-rPbPga1 antibody. Furthermore, macrophages stained with anti-CD38 were associated with P. brasiliensis containing granulomas. Additionally, rPbPga1 activated the transcription factor NFkB in the macrophage cell line Raw 264.7 Luc cells, containing the luciferase gene downstream of the NFkB promoter. After 24 h of incubation with rPbPga1, alveolar macrophages from BALB/c mice were stimulated to release TNF-α, IL-4 and NO. Mast cells, identified by toluidine blue staining, were also associated with P. brasiliensis containing granulomas. Co-culture of P. Brasiliensis yeast cells with RBL-2H3 mast cells induced morphological changes on the surface of the mast cells. Furthermore, RBL-2H3 mast cells were degranulated by P. brasiliensis yeast cells, but not by rPbPga1, as determined by the release of beta-hexosaminidase. However, RBL-2H3 cells activated by rPbPga1 released the inflammatory interleukin IL-6 and also activated the transcription factor NFkB in GFP-reporter mast cells. The transcription factor NFAT was not activated when the mast cells were incubated with rPbPga1. Conclusions/Significance The results indicate that PbPga1 may act as a modulator protein in PCM pathogenesis and serve as a useful target for additional studies on the pathogenesis of P. brasiliensis. Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), one of the most prevalent mycoses in Latin America, is caused by the thermodimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. P. brasiliensis is thought to infect the host through the respiratory tract. Cell wall components of P. brasiliensis interact with host cells producing granulomas, thus influencing the pathogenesis of PCM. PbPga1 is an O-glycosylated, GPI-anchored protein that is localized on the yeast cell surface and is up-regulated in the pathogenic yeast form. GPI anchored proteins are involved in cell-cell and cell-tissue adhesion and have a key role in the interaction between fungal and host cells. In the present study, the authors show that both macrophages and mast cells are associated with the P.brasiliensis granulomas. Furthermore, recombinant PbPga1 was able to activate both alveolar macrophages and mast cells via the transcription factor NFkB to release inflammatory mediators. The results of this study indicate that the surface antigen, PbPga1, may play an important role in PCM pathogenesis by activating macrophages and mast cells. Additionally, PbPga1 may be a target for new strategies for detecting and treating PCM.
Collapse
|