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Rodríguez-Míguez Y, Lozano-Ordaz V, Ortiz-Cabrera AE, Barrios-Payan J, Mata-Espinosa D, Huerta-Yepez S, Baay-Guzman G, Hernández-Pando R. Effect of IL-17A on the immune response to pulmonary tuberculosis induced by high- and low-virulence strains of Mycobacterium bovis. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0307307. [PMID: 39024223 PMCID: PMC11257284 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious, chronic, and progressive disease occurring globally. Human TB is caused mainly by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis), while the main causative agent of bovine TB is Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis). The latter is one of the most important cattle pathogens and is considered the main cause of zoonotic TB worldwide. The mechanisms responsible for tissue damage (necrosis) during post-primary TB remain elusive. Recently, IL-17A was reported to be important for protection against M. tuberculosis infection, but it is also related to the production of an intense inflammatory response associated with necrosis. We used two M. bovis isolates with different levels of virulence and high IL-17A production to study this important cytokine's contrasting functions in a BALB/c mouse model of pulmonary TB. In the first part of the study, the gene expression kinetics and cellular sources of IL-17A were determined by real time PCR and immunohistochemistry respectively. Non-infected lungs showed low production of IL-17A, particularly by the bronchial epithelium, while lungs infected with the low-virulence 534 strain showed high IL-17A expression on Day 3 post-infection, followed by a decrease in expression in the early stage of the infection and another increase during late infection, on Day 60, when very low bacillary burdens were found. In contrast, infection with the highly virulent strain 04-303 induced a peak of IL-17A expression on Day 14 of infection, 1 week before extensive pulmonary necrosis was seen, being lymphocytes and macrophages the most important sources. In the second part of the study, the contribution of IL-17A to immune protection and pulmonary necrosis was evaluated by suppressing IL-17A via the administration of specific blocking antibodies. Infection with M. bovis strain 534 and treatment with IL-17A neutralizing antibodies did not affect mouse survival but produced a significant increase in bacillary load and a non-significant decrease in inflammatory infiltrate and granuloma area. In contrast, mice infected with the highly virulent 04-303 strain and treated with IL-17A blocking antibodies showed a significant decrease in survival, an increase in bacillary loads on Day 24 post-infection, and significantly more and earlier necrosis. Our results suggest that high expression of IL-17A is more related to protection than necrosis in a mouse model of pulmonary TB induced by M. bovis strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yadira Rodríguez-Míguez
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
- Departamento de Patología, Sección de Patología Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición “Salvador Zubirán”, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Vasti Lozano-Ordaz
- Departamento de Patología, Sección de Patología Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición “Salvador Zubirán”, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Angel E. Ortiz-Cabrera
- Departamento de Patología, Sección de Patología Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición “Salvador Zubirán”, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jorge Barrios-Payan
- Departamento de Patología, Sección de Patología Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición “Salvador Zubirán”, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Dulce Mata-Espinosa
- Departamento de Patología, Sección de Patología Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición “Salvador Zubirán”, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Sara Huerta-Yepez
- Unidad de Investigación en Enfermedades Oncológicas, Hospital Infantil de México “Federico Gómez”, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Guillermina Baay-Guzman
- Unidad de Investigación en Enfermedades Oncológicas, Hospital Infantil de México “Federico Gómez”, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rogelio Hernández-Pando
- Departamento de Patología, Sección de Patología Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición “Salvador Zubirán”, Mexico City, Mexico
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2
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Souza IEL, Fernandes FF, Panunto-Castelo A. Recombinant 60-kDa heat shock protein from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis induces the death of mouse lymphocytes in a mechanism dependent on Toll-like receptor 4 and tumor necrosis factor. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300364. [PMID: 38512915 PMCID: PMC10956883 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioides fungi are thermodimorphic microorganisms that cause paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), an autochthonous disease from Latin America, with most cases in Brazil. Humans become infected by inhaling conidia or mycelial fragments that transform into yeast at body temperature. These fungi cause chronic-granulomatous inflammation, which may promote fibrosis and parenchyma destruction in the lungs. In response to stress imposed by the host, fungi Paracoccidioides spp. increase the expression of heat shock proteins (HSP), which protect them by sustaining cellular proteostasis. Our group has studied the role of HSP60 in PCM, and previous data show that the recombinant HSP60 (rHSP60) has a deleterious effect when used in a single dose as therapy for experimental PCM. Here, we investigated the mechanism by which rHSP60 could worsen the disease. We found that rHSP60 caused the viability loss of splenic or lymph node cells from both immunized and non-immunized mice, including in splenic T lymphocytes under polyclonal stimulation with concanavalin A, probably by undergoing apoptosis. Among analyzed splenic cells, lymphocytes were indeed the main cells to die. When we investigated the death mechanisms, remarkably, we found that there was no viability loss in rHSP60-stimulated splenic cells from mice deficient in Toll-like receptor 4, TRIF adapter protein, and TNF receptor 1(TNFR1), as well as rHSP60-stimulated WT cells incubated with anti-TNF antibody. Besides, caspase-8 inhibitor IETD-CHO blocked the rHSP60 effect on splenic cells, suggesting that rHSP60 induces the extrinsic apoptosis pathway dependent on signaling via TLR4/TRIF and TNFR1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Emiliano L. Souza
- Graduate Program in Basic and Applied Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabrício F. Fernandes
- Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Mato Grosso, Campus Sorriso, Sorriso, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Ademilson Panunto-Castelo
- Graduate Program in Basic and Applied Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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3
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García-Carnero LC, Salinas-Marín R, Lozoya-Pérez NE, Wrobel K, Wrobel K, Martínez-Duncker I, Niño-Vega GA, Mora-Montes HM. The Heat Shock Protein 60 and Pap1 Participate in the Sporothrixschenckii-Host Interaction. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7110960. [PMID: 34829247 PMCID: PMC8620177 DOI: 10.3390/jof7110960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sporothrixschenckii is one of the etiological agents of sporotrichosis, a worldwide-distributed subcutaneous mycosis. Its cell wall contains a glycoconjugate composed of rhamnose, mannose, glucuronic acid, and proteins, named peptidorhamnomannan, which harbors important Sporothrix-specific immunogenic epitopes. Although the peptidorhamnomannan carbohydrate moiety has been extensively studied, thus far, little is known about the protein core. Here, using LC-MS/MS, we analyzed the S.schenckii peptidorhamnomannan peptide fraction and generated mass signals of 325 proteins, most of them likely to be moonlighting proteins. Among the identified proteins, chaperonin GroEL/Hsp60 and the uncharacterized protein Pap1 were selected for further analysis. Both proteins were heterologously expressed in bacteria, and they showed adhesive properties to the extracellular matrix proteins laminin, elastin, fibrinogen, and fibronectin, although Pap1 also was bound to type-I and type-II collagen. The inoculation of concentrations higher than 40 μg of these proteins, separately, increased immune effectors in the hemolymph of Galleriamellonella larvae and protected animals from an S.schenckii lethal challenge. These observations were confirmed when yeast-like cells, pre-incubated with anti-rHsp60 or anti-rPap1 antibodies were used to inoculate larvae. The animals inoculated with pretreated cells showed increased survival rates when compared to the control groups. In conclusion, we report that Hsp60 and Pap1 are part of the cell wall peptidorhamnomannan, can bind extracellular matrix components, and contribute to the S.schenckii virulence. To our knowledge, this is the first report about moonlighting protein in the S.schenckii cell wall with an important role during the pathogen-host interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C. García-Carnero
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato 36050, Gto., Mexico; (L.C.G.-C.); (N.E.L.-P.); (G.A.N.-V.)
| | - Roberta Salinas-Marín
- Laboratorio de Glicobiología Humana y Diagnóstico Molecular, Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca 62209, Mor., Mexico; (R.S.-M.); (I.M.-D.)
| | - Nancy E. Lozoya-Pérez
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato 36050, Gto., Mexico; (L.C.G.-C.); (N.E.L.-P.); (G.A.N.-V.)
| | - Katarzyna Wrobel
- Departamento de Química, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato 36050, Gto., Mexico; (K.W.); (K.W.)
| | - Kazimierz Wrobel
- Departamento de Química, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato 36050, Gto., Mexico; (K.W.); (K.W.)
| | - Iván Martínez-Duncker
- Laboratorio de Glicobiología Humana y Diagnóstico Molecular, Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca 62209, Mor., Mexico; (R.S.-M.); (I.M.-D.)
| | - Gustavo A. Niño-Vega
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato 36050, Gto., Mexico; (L.C.G.-C.); (N.E.L.-P.); (G.A.N.-V.)
| | - Héctor M. Mora-Montes
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato 36050, Gto., Mexico; (L.C.G.-C.); (N.E.L.-P.); (G.A.N.-V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-473-7320006 (ext. 8193)
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4
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Lung CD103 + Dendritic cells of mice infected with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis contribute to Treg differentiation. Microb Pathog 2020; 150:104696. [PMID: 33359357 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The DC subsets that express αE integrin (CD103) have been described to exert antagonistic functions, driving T cells towards either an inflammatory (Th1/Th17) or immunosuppressive phenotype (regulatory T cells - Treg). These functions depend on the tissue they reside and microenvironment factors or stimuli that this Antigen-presenting cell (APC) subpopulation receive. In this regard, immunoregulatory phenotype has been described in small subsets of CD103+ DCs from lung and intestinal mucosa. The function of this APC subpopulation in pulmonary Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infection is poorly described. Here, we showed that lung CD103+ DCs contribute to Treg differentiation in a pulmonary P. brasiliensis infection model, which was attributed to downregulation of costimulatory molecules analyzed in these APC subtypes 21 days post-infection. Overall, this data suggests that P. brasiliensis infection caused an immunosuppression that has also been observed in patients with the most severe form of Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) - a sickness caused by this fungus genus. Furthermore, these results open new perspectives for knowledge of the mechanisms that underlie the higher percentage of Treg cells found in peripheral blood of PCM patients.
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5
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Puerta-Arias JD, Mejía SP, González Á. The Role of the Interleukin-17 Axis and Neutrophils in the Pathogenesis of Endemic and Systemic Mycoses. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:595301. [PMID: 33425780 PMCID: PMC7793882 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.595301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic and endemic mycoses are considered life-threatening respiratory diseases which are caused by a group of dimorphic fungal pathogens belonging to the genera Histoplasma, Coccidioides, Blastomyces, Paracoccidioides, Talaromyces, and the newly described pathogen Emergomyces. T-cell mediated immunity, mainly T helper (Th)1 and Th17 responses, are essential for protection against these dimorphic fungi; thus, IL-17 production is associated with neutrophil and macrophage recruitment at the site of infection accompanied by chemokines and proinflammatory cytokines production, a mechanism that is mediated by some pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), including Dectin-1, Dectine-2, TLRs, Mannose receptor (MR), Galectin-3 and NLPR3, and the adaptor molecules caspase adaptor recruitment domain family member 9 (Card9), and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88). However, these PRRs play distinctly different roles for each pathogen. Furthermore, neutrophils have been confirmed as a source of IL-17, and different neutrophil subsets and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have also been described as participating in the inflammatory process in these fungal infections. However, both the Th17/IL-17 axis and neutrophils appear to play different roles, being beneficial mediating fungal controls or detrimental promoting disease pathologies depending on the fungal agent. This review will focus on highlighting the role of the IL-17 axis and neutrophils in the main endemic and systemic mycoses: histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis, and paracoccidioidomycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan David Puerta-Arias
- Medical and Experimental Mycology Group, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB), Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.,School of Health Sciences, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Susana P Mejía
- Medical and Experimental Mycology Group, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB), Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.,Max Planck Tandem Group in Nanobioengineering, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Ángel González
- Basic and Applied Microbiology Research Group (MICROBA), School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
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6
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Fernandes FF, Pitangui NS, Peron G, Valim CXR, Mazucato VM, Oliveira AF, Silva TAD, Roque-Barreira MC, Panunto-Castelo A. Expression of Hsp60 and its cell location in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2020; 62:e29. [PMID: 32401956 PMCID: PMC7232959 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946202062029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioides species cause paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), a systemic mycosis highly prevalent in Brazil. Therapy of PCM has some issues that make studies for new therapeutic and vaccine targets relevant, such as the P. brasiliensis 60-kDa-heat-shock protein (PbHsp60), an immunogenic antigen that induces protection in experimental mice infection. Here, we investigated the relative expression of mRNA for PbHsp60 in P. brasiliensis in the different morphotypes of P. brasiliensis and in morphological transition phases. In addition, antibodies to rPbHsp60 were produced and used to analyze the location of PbHsp60 in yeast and hyphae by electron microscopy. The analyses showed a substantial increase in the relative amounts of HSP60 mRNA in yeast when compared to mycelium and an intermediate expression in transitional forms. Regarding the cell location, immunoelectron microscopy analysis revealed that PbHsp60 is within the cell wall. These observations suggest that this protein may be involved in the maintenance of the cell wall integrity and the interaction with the host for colonization, infection and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrício Freitas Fernandes
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Paulista, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nayla S Pitangui
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Peron
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Clarissa X R Valim
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vívian M Mazucato
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aline F Oliveira
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Paulista, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thiago A da Silva
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria-Cristina Roque-Barreira
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ademilson Panunto-Castelo
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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7
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Souza IEL, Fernandes FF, Schiavoni MCL, Silva CL, Panunto-Castelo A. Therapeutic effect of DNA vaccine encoding the 60-kDa-heat shock protein from Paracoccidoides brasiliensis on experimental paracoccidioidomycosis in mice. Vaccine 2019; 37:5607-5613. [PMID: 31399276 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.07.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis autochthonous to Latin America and endemic to Brazil, which has the majority of the PCM cases. PCM is acquired through the inhalation of propagules of fungi from genus Paracoccidioides spp. and mainly affects the lungs. We have previously shown that P. brasiliensis-infected mice treated with single-dose of recombinant 60-kDa-heat shock protein from P. brasiliensis (rPbHsp60) had a worsening infection in comparison to animals only infected. In this study, we investigate whether the treatment of infected mice with PB_HSP60 gene cloned into a plasmid (pVAX1-PB_HSP60) would result in efficient immune response and better control of the disease. The harmful impact of single-dose therapy with protein was not seen with plasmid preparations. Most importantly, three doses of pVAX1-PB_HSP60 and protein induced a beneficial effect in experimental PCM with a reduction in fungal load and lung injury when compared with infected mice treated with pVAX1 or PBS. The increase of the cytokines IFN-γ, TNF, and IL-17 and the decrease of IL-10 observed after treatment with three doses of pVAX1-PB_HSP60 appears to be responsible for the control of infection. These results open perspectives of the therapeutic use of Hsp60 in PCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Emiliano L Souza
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Célio L Silva
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Ademilson Panunto-Castelo
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences, and Letters at Ribeirão Preto - University of São Paulo, 14040-901 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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8
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Landgraf TN, Costa MV, Oliveira AF, Ribeiro WC, Panunto-Castelo A, Fernandes FF. Involvement of Dihydrolipoyl Dehydrogenase in the Phagocytosis and Killing of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis by Macrophages. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1803. [PMID: 28970825 PMCID: PMC5609111 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Paracoccidioides lutzii are fungi causing paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), an autochthonous systemic mycosis found in Latin America. These microorganisms contain a multitude of molecules that may be associated with the complex interaction of the fungus with the host. Here, we identify the enzyme dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase (DLD) as an exoantigen from P. brasiliensis (Pb18_Dld) by mass spectrometry. Interestingly, the DLD gene expression in yeast form showed higher expression levels than those in mycelial form and transitional phases. Pb18_Dld gene was cloned, and the recombinant protein (rPb18_Dld) was expressed and purified for subsequent studies and production of antibodies. Immunogold labeling and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the Pb18_Dld is also localized in mitochondria and cytoplasm of P. brasiliensis. Moreover, when macrophages were stimulated with rPb18Dld, there was an increase in the phagocytic and microbicidal activity of these cells, as compared with non-stimulated cells. These findings suggest that Pb18_Dld can be involved in the pathogen-host interaction, opening possibilities for studies of this protein in PCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taise N Landgraf
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Marcelo V Costa
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Aline F Oliveira
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Wander C Ribeiro
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Ademilson Panunto-Castelo
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Fabrício F Fernandes
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
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9
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Abstract
Among the endemic deep mycoses in Latin America, paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), caused by thermodimorphic fungi of the Paracoccidioides genus, is a major cause of morbidity. Disease development and its manifestations are associated with both host and fungal factors. Concerning the latter, several recent studies have employed the methodology of gene modulation in P. brasiliensis using antisense RNA (AsRNA) and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) to identify proteins that influence fungus virulence. Our previous observations suggested that paracoccin (PCN), a multidomain fungal protein with both lectin and enzymatic activities, may be a potential P. brasiliensis virulence factor. To explore this, we used AsRNA and ATMT methodology to obtain three independent PCN-silenced P. brasiliensis yeast strains (AsPCN1, AsPCN2, and AsPCN3) and characterized them with regard to P. brasiliensis biology and pathogenicity. AsPCN1, AsPCN2, and AsPCN3 showed relative PCN expression levels that were 60%, 40%, and 60% of that of the wild-type (WT) strain, respectively. PCN silencing led to the aggregation of fungal cells, blocked the morphological yeast-to-mycelium transition, and rendered the yeast less resistant to macrophage fungicidal activity. In addition, mice infected with AsPCN1, AsPCN2, and AsPCN3 showed a reduction in fungal burden of approximately 96% compared with those inoculated with the WT strain, which displayed a more extensive destruction of lung tissue. Finally, mice infected with the PCN-silenced yeast strains had lower mortality than those infected with the WT strain. These data demonstrate that PCN acts as a P. brasiliensis contributory virulence factor directly affecting fungal pathogenesis. The nonexistence of efficient genetic transformation systems has hampered studies in the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, the etiological agent of the most frequent systemic mycosis in Latin America. The recent development of a method for gene expression knockdown by antisense RNA technology, associated with an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation system, provides new strategies for studying P. brasiliensis. Through this technology, we generated yeasts that were silenced for paracoccin (PCN), a P. brasiliensis component that has lectin and enzymatic properties. By comparing the phenotypes of PCN-silenced and wild-type strains of P. brasiliensis, we identified PCN as a virulence factor whose absence renders the yeasts unable to undergo the transition to mycelium and causes a milder pulmonary disease in mice, with a lower mortality rate. Our report highlights the importance of the technology used for P. brasiliensis transformation and demonstrates that paracoccin is a virulence factor acting on fungal biology and pathogenesis.
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10
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Peron G, Fernandes FF, Landgraf TN, Martinez R, Panunto-Castelo A. Recombinant 60-kDa heat shock protein from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis: is it a good antigen for serological diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 50:e5928. [PMID: 28380215 PMCID: PMC5423752 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x20175928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and P. lutzii are fungi that cause paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), the most prevalent systemic mycosis in South America. For serological diagnosis, although 43-kDa glycoprotein (gp43) is regarded as highly specific for PCM, the occurrence of false negative reactions in sera from patients infected with P. lutzii suggests that preparation with only one antigen is not recommended. Heat shock proteins are feasible alternatives as a second antigen because they are often highly immunogenic. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of recombinant 60-kDa heat shock protein from P. brasiliensis (rPbHsp60) for the serological diagnosis of PCM. Using western blotting assay, we observed that 77.3% of the sera from PCM patients were positive to rPbHsp60, with 90.9% positivity to recombinant gp43 (rgp43). More importantly, sera from healthy subjects had 27% positivity to rPbHsp60 and none to rgp43. When rPbHsp60 was used in ELISA, we did not observe significant differences between the reactions with sera from PCM patients and healthy subjects, while the difference was clearly evident when the antigen was rgp43. Furthermore, rPbHsp60 was recognized by sera from patients with histoplasmosis, aspergillosis, sporotrichosis or tuberculosis in an ELISA test. These results show that rPbHsp60 is not a good antigen for PCM diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Peron
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - F F Fernandes
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - T N Landgraf
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - R Martinez
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - A Panunto-Castelo
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
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