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Fageräng B, Götz MP, Cyranka L, Lau C, Nilsson PH, Mollnes TE, Garred P. The Inflammatory Response Induced by Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia Is Dependent on Complement Activation: Insight from a Whole Blood Model. J Innate Immun 2024; 16:324-336. [PMID: 38768576 PMCID: PMC11250388 DOI: 10.1159/000539368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We aimed to elucidate the inflammatory response of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia in a whole-blood model of innate immune activation and to compare it with the well-characterized inflammatory reaction to Escherichia coli. METHODS Employing a human lepirudin whole-blood model, we analyzed complement and leukocyte activation by measuring the sC5b-9 complex and assessing CD11b expression. A 27-multiplex system was used for quantification of cytokines. Selective cell removal from whole blood and inhibition of C3, C5, and CD14 were also applied. RESULTS Our findings demonstrated a marked elevation in sC5b-9 and CD11b post-A. fumigatus incubation. Thirteen cytokines (TNF, IL-1β, IL-1ra, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IFNγ, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, FGF-basic, and G-CSF) showed increased levels. A generally lower level of cytokine release and CD11b expression was observed with A. fumigatus conidia than with E. coli. Notably, monocytes were instrumental in releasing all cytokines except MCP-1. IL-1ra was found to be both monocyte and granulocyte-dependent. Pre-inhibiting with C3 and CD14 inhibitors resulted in decreased release patterns for six cytokines (TNF, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, MIP-1α, and MIP-1β), with minimal effects by C5-inhibition. CONCLUSION A. fumigatus conidia induced complement activation comparable to E. coli, whereas CD11b expression and cytokine release were lower, underscoring distinct inflammatory responses between these pathogens. Complement C3 inhibition attenuated cytokine release indicating a C3-level role of complement in A. fumigatus immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Fageräng
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Section 7631, Rigshospitalet, and Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maximilian Peter Götz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Section 7631, Rigshospitalet, and Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Leon Cyranka
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Section 7631, Rigshospitalet, and Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Corinna Lau
- Research Laboratory, Nordland Hospital, Bodø, Norway
| | - Per H. Nilsson
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Linnæus Center of Biomaterials Chemistry, Linnæus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Department of Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Tom Eirik Mollnes
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Research Laboratory, Nordland Hospital, Bodø, Norway
| | - Peter Garred
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Section 7631, Rigshospitalet, and Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Kumaresan PR, Wurster S, Bavisi K, da Silva TA, Hauser P, Kinnitt J, Albert ND, Bharadwaj U, Neelapu S, Kontoyiannis DP. A novel lentiviral vector-based approach to generate chimeric antigen receptor T cells targeting Aspergillus fumigatus. mBio 2024; 15:e0341323. [PMID: 38415653 PMCID: PMC11005356 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03413-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a common and deadly mold infection in immunocompromised patients. As morbidity and mortality of IA are primarily driven by poor immune defense, adjunct immunotherapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, are direly needed. Here, we propose a novel approach to generate Aspergillus fumigatus (AF)-CAR T cells using the single-chain variable fragment domain of monoclonal antibody AF-269-5 and a lentiviral vector system. These cells successfully targeted mature hyphal filaments of representative clinical and reference AF isolates and elicited a potent release of cytotoxic effectors and type 1 T cell cytokines. Furthermore, AF-CAR T cells generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of four healthy human donors and expanded with either of three cytokine stimulation regimens (IL-2, IL-2 + IL-21, or IL-7 + IL-15) significantly suppressed mycelial growth of AF-293 after 18 hours of co-culture and synergized with the immunomodulatory antifungal agent caspofungin to control hyphal growth for 36 hours. Moreover, cyclophosphamide-immunosuppressed NSG mice with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis that received two doses of 5 million AF-CAR T cells (6 and 48 hours after AF infection) showed significantly reduced morbidity on day 4 post-infection (P < 0.001) and significantly improved 7-day survival (P = 0.049) compared with mice receiving non-targeting control T cells, even without concomitant antifungal chemotherapy. In conclusion, we developed a novel lentiviral strategy to obtain AF-CAR T cells with high targeting efficacy, yielding significant anti-AF activity in vitro and short-term protection in vivo. Our approach could serve as an important steppingstone for future clinical translation of antifungal CAR T-cell therapy after further refinement and thorough preclinical evaluation.IMPORTANCEInvasive aspergillosis (IA) remains a formidable cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with hematologic malignancies and those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Despite the introduction of several new Aspergillus-active antifungals over the last 30 years, the persisting high mortality of IA in the setting of continuous and profound immunosuppression is a painful reminder of the major unmet need of effective antifungal immune enhancement therapies. The success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in cancer medicine has inspired researchers to translate this approach to opportunistic infections, including IA. Aiming to refine anti-Aspergillus CAR T-cell therapy and improve its feasibility for future clinical translation, we herein developed and validated a novel antibody-based CAR construct and lentiviral transduction method to accelerate the production of CAR T cells with high targeting efficacy against Aspergillus fumigatus. Our unique approach could provide a promising platform for future clinical translation of CAR T-cell-based antifungal immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pappanaicken R. Kumaresan
- Department of Hematopoietic Biology & Malignancy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Lymphoma & Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sebastian Wurster
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Karishma Bavisi
- Department of Lymphoma & Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Paul Hauser
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jordan Kinnitt
- Department of Lymphoma & Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Nathaniel D. Albert
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Uddalak Bharadwaj
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sattva Neelapu
- Department of Lymphoma & Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Dimitrios P. Kontoyiannis
- Department of Lymphoma & Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Koga S, Takazono T, Namie H, Okuno D, Ito Y, Nakada N, Hirayama T, Takeda K, Ide S, Iwanaga N, Tashiro M, Sakamoto N, Watanabe A, Izumikawa K, Yanagihara K, Tanaka Y, Mukae H. Human Vγ9Vδ2 T cells exhibit antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus and other filamentous fungi. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0361423. [PMID: 38426765 PMCID: PMC10986472 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03614-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Invasive aspergillosis (IA) and mucormycosis are life-threatening diseases, especially among immunocompromised patients. Drug-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus strains have been isolated worldwide, which can pose a serious clinical problem. As IA mainly occurs in patients with compromised immune systems, the ideal therapeutic approach should aim to bolster the immune system. In this study, we focused on Vγ9Vδ2 T cells that exhibit immune effector functions and examined the possibility of harnessing this unconventional T cell subset as a novel therapeutic modality for IA. A potent antifungal effect was observed when A. fumigatus (Af293) hyphae were challenged by Vγ9Vδ2 T cells derived from peripheral blood. In addition, Vγ9Vδ2 T cells exhibited antifungal activity against hyphae of all Aspergillus spp., Cunninghamella bertholletiae, and Rhizopus microsporus but not against their conidia. Furthermore, Vγ9Vδ2 T cells also exhibited antifungal activity against azole-resistant A. fumigatus, indicating that Vγ9Vδ2 T cells could be used for treating drug-resistant A. fumigatus. The antifungal activity of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells depended on cell-to-cell contact with A. fumigatus hyphae, and degranulation characterized by CD107a mobilization seems essential for this activity against A. fumigatus. Vγ9Vδ2 T cells could be developed as a novel modality for treating IA or mucormycosis. IMPORTANCE Invasive aspergillosis (IA) and mucormycosis are often resistant to treatment with conventional antifungal agents and have a high mortality rate. Additionally, effective antifungal treatment is hindered by drug toxicity, given that both fungal and human cells are eukaryotic, and antifungal agents are also likely to act on human cells, resulting in adverse effects. Therefore, the development of novel therapeutic agents specifically targeting fungi is challenging. This study demonstrated the antifungal activity of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells against various Aspergillus spp. and several Mucorales in vitro and discussed the mechanism underlying their antifungal activity. We indicate that adoptive immunotherapy using Vγ9Vδ2 T cells may offer a new therapeutic approach to IA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoru Koga
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Takahiro Takazono
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Hodaka Namie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Daisuke Okuno
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Yuya Ito
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Nana Nakada
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
- Health Center, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Tatsuro Hirayama
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Pharmacotherapeutics, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Takeda
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Shotaro Ide
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
- Infectious Diseases Experts Training Center, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Naoki Iwanaga
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Masato Tashiro
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Noriho Sakamoto
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Akira Watanabe
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Koichi Izumikawa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Katsunori Yanagihara
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Tanaka
- Center for Medical Innovation, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Mukae
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
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Shankar J, Thakur R, Clemons KV, Stevens DA. Interplay of Cytokines and Chemokines in Aspergillosis. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:251. [PMID: 38667922 PMCID: PMC11051073 DOI: 10.3390/jof10040251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Aspergillosis is a fungal infection caused by various species of Aspergillus, most notably A. fumigatus. This fungus causes a spectrum of diseases, including allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, aspergilloma, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, and invasive aspergillosis. The clinical manifestations and severity of aspergillosis can vary depending on individual immune status and the specific species of Aspergillus involved. The recognition of Aspergillus involves pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) such as glucan, galactomannan, mannose, and conidial surface proteins. These are recognized by the pathogen recognition receptors present on immune cells such as Toll-like receptors (TLR-1,2,3,4, etc.) and C-type lectins (Dectin-1 and Dectin-2). We discuss the roles of cytokines and pathogen recognition in aspergillosis from both the perspective of human and experimental infection. Several cytokines and chemokines have been implicated in the immune response to Aspergillus infection, including interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), CCR4, CCR17, and other interleukins. For example, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is characterized by Th2 and Th9 cell-type immunity and involves interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-10. In contrast, it has been observed that invasive aspergillosis involves Th1 and Th17 cell-type immunity via IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-17. These cytokines activate various immune cells and stimulate the production of other immune molecules, such as antimicrobial peptides and reactive oxygen species, which aid in the clearance of the fungal pathogen. Moreover, they help to initiate and coordinate the immune response, recruit immune cells to the site of infection, and promote clearance of the fungus. Insight into the host response from both human and animal studies may aid in understanding the immune response in aspergillosis, possibly leading to harnessing the power of cytokines or cytokine (receptor) antagonists and transforming them into precise immunotherapeutic strategies. This could advance personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jata Shankar
- Genomic Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Waknaghat Solan 173234, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Raman Thakur
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar 144001, Punjab, India;
| | - Karl V. Clemons
- California Institute for Medical Research, San Jose, CA 95128, USA; (K.V.C.); (D.A.S.)
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - David A. Stevens
- California Institute for Medical Research, San Jose, CA 95128, USA; (K.V.C.); (D.A.S.)
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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5
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Han B, Yue F, Zhang X, Xu K, Zhang Z, Sun Z, Mu L, Li X. Genetically engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for enhanced oral delivery vaccine vehicle. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 146:109425. [PMID: 38316348 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2024.109425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
As a series of our previous studies reported, recombinant yeast can be the oral vaccines to deliver designed protein and DNA, as well as functional shRNA, into dendritic cells (DCs) in mice for specific immune regulation. Here, we report the further optimization of oral yeast-based vaccine from two aspects (yeast characteristics and recombinant DNA constitution) to improve the effect of immune regulation. After screening four genes in negative regulation of glucan synthesis in yeast (MNN9, GUP1, PBS2 and EXG1), this research combined HDR-based genome editing technology with Cre-loxP technology to acquire 15 gene-knockout strains without drug resistance-gene to exclude biosafety risks; afterward, oral feeding experiments were performed on the mice using 15 oral recombinant yeast-based vaccines constructed by the gene-knockout strains harboring pCMV-MSTN plasmid to screen the target strain with more effective inducing mstn-specific antibody which in turn increasing weight gain effect. And subsequently based on the selected gene-knockout strain, the recombinant DNA in the oral recombinant yeast-based vaccine is optimized via a combination of protein fusion expression (OVA-MSTN) and interfering RNA technology (shRNA-IL21), comparison in terms of both weight gain effect and antibody titer revealed that the selected gene-knockout strain (GUP1ΔEXG1Δ) combined with specific recombinant DNA (pCMV-OVA-MSTN-shIL2) had a better effect of the vaccine. This study provides a useful reference to the subsequent construction of a more efficient oral recombinant yeast-based vaccine in the food and pharmaceutical industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoquan Han
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, 518055, China; College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Feng Yue
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Xiaojun Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Kun Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Zhiying Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China.
| | - Zhongyi Sun
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Lu Mu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
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Lee CK, Oliveira LVN, Akalin A, Specht CA, Lourenco D, Gomez CL, Ramirez-Ortiz ZG, Wang JP, Levitz SM. Dysregulated pulmonary inflammatory responses exacerbate the outcome of secondary aspergillosis following influenza. mBio 2023; 14:e0163323. [PMID: 37681974 PMCID: PMC10653922 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01633-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Severe influenza is a risk factor for fatal invasive pulmonary aspergillosis; however, the mechanistic basis for the lethality is unclear. Utilizing an influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (IAPA) model, we found that mice infected with influenza A virus followed by Aspergillus fumigatus had 100% mortality when superinfected during the early stages of influenza but survived at later stages. While superinfected mice had dysregulated pulmonary inflammatory responses compared to controls, they had neither increased inflammation nor extensive fungal growth. Although influenza-infected mice had dampened neutrophil recruitment to the lungs following subsequent challenge with A. fumigatus, influenza did not affect the ability of neutrophils to clear the fungi. Our data suggest that the lethality seen in our model of IAPA is multifactorial with dysregulated inflammation being a greater contributor than uncontrollable microbial growth. If confirmed in humans, our findings provide a rationale for clinical studies of adjuvant anti-inflammatory agents in the treatment of IAPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrono K. Lee
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lorena V. N. Oliveira
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ali Akalin
- Department of Pathology, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Charles A. Specht
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Diana Lourenco
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christina L. Gomez
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zaida G. Ramirez-Ortiz
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jennifer P. Wang
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stuart M. Levitz
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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Jones JT, Morelli KA, Vesely EM, Puerner CTS, Pavuluri CK, Ross BS, van Rhijn N, Bromley MJ, Cramer RA. The cystic fibrosis treatment Trikafta affects the growth, viability, and cell wall of Aspergillus fumigatus biofilms. mBio 2023; 14:e0151623. [PMID: 37830825 PMCID: PMC10653927 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01516-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE PwCF commonly test positive for pathogenic fungi, and more than 90% of the cystic fibrosis patient population is approved for the modulator treatment, Trikafta. Therefore, it is critical to understand how fungal communities, specifically A. fumigatus, respond to Trikafta exposure. Therefore, we sought to determine whether Trikafta impacted the biology of A. fumigatus biofilms. Our data demonstrate that Trikafta reduces biomass in several laboratory strains as well as clinical strains isolated from the expectorated sputum of pwCF. Furthermore, Trikafta reduces fungal viability and the capacity of biofilms to recover following treatment. Of particular importance, Trikafta affects how A. fumigatus biofilms respond to cell wall stressors, suggesting that Trikafta modulates components of the cell wall. Since the cell wall directly affects how a host immune system will respond to and effectively neutralize pathogens, our work, demonstrating that Trikafta impacts the A. fumigatus cell wall, is potentially highly relevant to fungal-induced disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane T. Jones
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Kaesi A. Morelli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Elisa M. Vesely
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Charles T. S. Puerner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Chetan K. Pavuluri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Brandon S. Ross
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Norman van Rhijn
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Evolution, Infection, and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Antimicrobial Resistance Network, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J. Bromley
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Evolution, Infection, and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Antimicrobial Resistance Network, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Robert A. Cramer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
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Hasan A, Roome T, Wahid M, Ansari SA, Khan JA, Kiyani A, Jilani SNA. A novel experimental model to investigate fungal involvement shows expression of Dectin-1 in periapical lesion pathogenesis. J Oral Rehabil 2023; 50:1043-1057. [PMID: 37263973 DOI: 10.1111/joor.13528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Candida albicans is linked to persistent endodontic lesions. However, the recognition receptor that identifies it is not explored previously. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to (1) establish a zymosan-induced model of apical periodontitis in mouse, (2) observe the expression of Dectin-1 and its possible relationship with toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and (3) observe relationship between Osteopontin (OPN) and inflammatory cytokines. METHODS A total of 138 Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice were randomly divided into; Experimental Group n = 69 and Zymosan Group n = 69. Periapical periodontitis was developed in right maxillary molar. The animals were sacrificed at 7, 21 and 42 days. Bone blocks containing the mesial root (n = 15 for qRT-PCR, n = 45 for enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA)) were collected for mRNA expression and ELISA. While whole maxilla (n = 3 from each time interval) were used for histology and immunohistochemical analysis. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tuckey's posthoc was used for statistical analysis at p ≤ .05. RESULTS TLR-2, Dectin-1 and TLR4-positive cells was detected at all time intervals in both groups. A strong positive correlation was observed between TLR-2 and Dectin-1 in both lesions (regular r = .680, p = .015, zymosan (r = .861, p < .001)). A significant correlation was found between OPN and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in zymosan lesion (r = .827, p = .001). CONCLUSIONS Immune cells of inflamed periapical tissue expressed Dectin-1 receptor in response to the microbial challenge from infected root canals and showed positive correlation with TLR-2 and OPN suggesting a possible receptor collaboration mediated by OPN. The expression of OPN and TNF-α showed positive correlation in response to fungal antigen, indicating a possible relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arshad Hasan
- Department of Operative Dentistry, Dow Dental College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Talat Roome
- Department of Pathology, Section Molecular Pathology, Dow International Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan
- Dow Institute for Advanced Biological and Animal Research, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Mohsin Wahid
- Department of Pathology, Dow International Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
- Dow Research Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Shazia Akbar Ansari
- Department of Oral Pathology, Dow Dental College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Javeria Ali Khan
- Department of Operative Dentistry, Dow Dental College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Amber Kiyani
- Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnosis, Islamic International dental College, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Syeda Neha Ahmed Jilani
- Dow Institute for Advanced Biological and Animal Research, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
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Lee CK, Oliveira LVN, Akalin A, Specht CA, Lourenco D, Gomez CL, Ramirez-Ortiz ZG, Wang JP, Levitz SM. Dysregulated Pulmonary Inflammatory Responses Exacerbate the Outcome of Secondary Aspergillosis Following Influenza. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.27.546808. [PMID: 37425745 PMCID: PMC10326983 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.27.546808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Inhalation of airborne conidia of the ubiquitous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus commonly occurs but invasive aspergillosis is rare except in profoundly immunocompromised persons. Severe influenza predisposes patients to invasive pulmonary aspergillosis by mechanisms that are poorly defined. Using a post-influenza aspergillosis model, we found that superinfected mice had 100% mortality when challenged with A. fumigatus conidia on days 2 and 5 (early stages) of influenza A virus infection but 100% survival when challenged on days 8 and 14 (late stages). Influenza-infected mice superinfected with A. fumigatus had increased levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines IL-6, TNFα, IFNβ, IL-12p70, IL-1α, IL-1β, CXCL1, G-CSF, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, RANTES and MCP-1. Surprisingly, on histopathological analysis, superinfected mice did not have greater lung inflammation compared with mice infected with influenza alone. Mice infected with influenza had dampened neutrophil recruitment to the lungs following subsequent challenge with A. fumigatus , but only if the fungal challenge was executed during the early stages of influenza infection. However, influenza infection did not have a major effect on neutrophil phagocytosis and killing of A. fumigatus conidia. Moreover, minimal germination of conidia was seen on histopathology even in the superinfected mice. Taken together, our data suggest that the high mortality rate seen in mice during the early stages of influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis is multifactorial, with a greater contribution from dysregulated inflammation than microbial growth. Importance Severe influenza is a risk factor for fatal invasive pulmonary aspergillosis; however, the mechanistic basis for the lethality is unclear. Utilizing an influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (IAPA) model, we found that mice infected with influenza A virus followed by A. fumigatus had 100% mortality when superinfected during the early stages of influenza but survived at later stages. While superinfected mice had dysregulated pulmonary inflammatory responses compared to controls, they had neither increased inflammation nor extensive fungal growth. Although influenza-infected mice had dampened neutrophil recruitment to the lungs following subsequent challenge with A. fumigatus , influenza did not affect the ability of neutrophils to clear the fungi. Our data suggest that the lethality seen in our model IAPA is multifactorial with dysregulated inflammation being a greater contributor than uncontrollable microbial growth. If confirmed in humans, our findings provide a rationale for clinical studies of adjuvant anti-inflammatory agents in the treatment of IAPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrono K. Lee
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Lorena V. N. Oliveira
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Ali Akalin
- Department of Pathology, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Charles A. Specht
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Diana Lourenco
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Christina L. Gomez
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Zaida G. Ramirez-Ortiz
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Jennifer P. Wang
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Stuart M. Levitz
- Department of Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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10
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Hatinguais R, Kay M, Salazar F, Conn DP, Williams DL, Cook PC, Willment JA, Brown GD. Development of Negative Controls for Fc-C-Type Lectin Receptor Probes. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0113523. [PMID: 37158741 PMCID: PMC10269840 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01135-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Fc-C-type lectin receptor (Fc-CTLRs) probes are soluble chimeric proteins constituted of the extracellular domain of a CTLR fused with the constant fraction (Fc) of the human IgG. These probes are useful tools to study the interaction of CTLRs with their ligands, with applications similar to those of antibodies, often in combination with widely available fluorescent antibodies targeting the Fc fragment (anti-hFc). In particular, Fc-Dectin-1 has been extensively used to study the accessibility of β-glucans at the surface of pathogenic fungi. However, there is no universal negative control for Fc-CTLRs, making the distinction of specific versus nonspecific binding difficult. We describe here 2 negative controls for Fc-CTLRs: a Fc-control constituting of only the Fc portion, and a Fc-Dectin-1 mutant predicted to be unable to bind β-glucans. Using these new probes, we found that while Fc-CTLRs exhibit virtually no nonspecific binding to Candida albicans yeasts, Aspergillus fumigatus resting spores strongly bind Fc-CTLRs in a nonspecific manner. Nevertheless, using the controls we describe here, we were able to demonstrate that A. fumigatus spores expose a low amount of β-glucan. Our data highlight the necessity of appropriate negative controls for experiments involving Fc-CTLRs probes. IMPORTANCE While Fc-CTLRs probes are useful tools to study the interaction of CTLRs with ligands, their use is limited by the lack of appropriate negative controls in assays involving fungi and potentially other pathogens. We have developed and characterized 2 negative controls for Fc-CTLRs assays: Fc-control and a Fc-Dectin-1 mutant. In this manuscript, we characterize the use of these negative controls with zymosan, a β-glucan containing particle, and 2 human pathogenic fungi, Candida albicans yeasts and Aspergillus fumigatus conidia. We show that A. fumigatus conidia nonspecifically bind Fc-CTLRs probes, demonstrating the need for appropriate negative controls in such assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rémi Hatinguais
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Madalaine Kay
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Fabián Salazar
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel P. Conn
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - David L. Williams
- Department of Surgery, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, Center for Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA
| | - Peter C. Cook
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Janet A. Willment
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Gordon D. Brown
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
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11
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Ribeiro HAL, Scindia Y, Mehrad B, Laubenbacher R. COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis in immunocompetent patients: a virtual patient cohort study. J Math Biol 2023; 87:6. [PMID: 37306747 DOI: 10.1007/s00285-023-01940-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The opportunistic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus infects the lungs of immunocompromised hosts, including patients undergoing chemotherapy or organ transplantation. More recently however, immunocompetent patients with severe SARS-CoV2 have been reported to be affected by COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA), in the absence of the conventional risk factors for invasive aspergillosis. This paper explores the hypothesis that contributing causes are the destruction of the lung epithelium permitting colonization by opportunistic pathogens. At the same time, the exhaustion of the immune system, characterized by cytokine storms, apoptosis, and depletion of leukocytes may hinder the response to A. fumigatus infection. The combination of these factors may explain the onset of invasive aspergillosis in immunocompetent patients. We used a previously published computational model of the innate immune response to infection with Aspergillus fumigatus. Variation of model parameters was used to create a virtual patient population. A simulation study of this virtual patient population to test potential causes for co-infection in immunocompetent patients. The two most important factors determining the likelihood of CAPA were the inherent virulence of the fungus and the effectiveness of the neutrophil population, as measured by granule half-life and ability to kill fungal cells. Varying these parameters across the virtual patient population generated a realistic distribution of CAPA phenotypes observed in the literature. Computational models are an effective tool for hypothesis generation. Varying model parameters can be used to create a virtual patient population for identifying candidate mechanisms for phenomena observed in actual patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrique A L Ribeiro
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, FL, USA
| | - Yogesh Scindia
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, FL, USA
| | - Borna Mehrad
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, FL, USA
| | - Reinhard Laubenbacher
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, FL, USA.
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12
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Obar JJ, Shepardson KM. Coinfections in the lung: How viral infection creates a favorable environment for bacterial and fungal infections. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011334. [PMID: 37141196 PMCID: PMC10159189 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua J Obar
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Kelly M Shepardson
- University of California, Merced, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Merced, California, United States of America
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13
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Meagher RB, Lewis ZA, Ambati S, Lin X. DectiSomes: C-type lectin receptor-targeted liposomes as pan-antifungal drugs. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 196:114776. [PMID: 36934519 PMCID: PMC10133202 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114776] [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: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Combatting the ever-increasing threat from invasive fungal pathogens faces numerous fundamental challenges, including constant human exposure to large reservoirs of species in the environment, the increasing population of immunocompromised or immunosuppressed individuals, the unsatisfactory efficacy of current antifungal drugs and their associated toxicity, and the scientific and economic barriers limiting a new antifungal pipeline. DectiSomes represent a new drug delivery platform that enhances antifungal efficacy for diverse fungal pathogens and reduces host toxicity for current and future antifungals. DectiSomes employ pathogen receptor proteins - C-type lectins - to target drug-loaded liposomes to conserved fungal cognate ligands and away from host cells. DectiSomes represent one leap forward for urgently needed effective pan-antifungal therapy. Herein, we discuss the problems of battling fungal diseases and the state of DectiSome development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard B Meagher
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Zachary A Lewis
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Suresh Ambati
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Xiaorong Lin
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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14
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Hasan A, Roome T, Wahid M, Ansari SA, Khan JA, Jilani SNA, Jawed A, Kiyani A. Expression of Toll-like receptor 2, Dectin-1, and Osteopontin in murine model of pulpitis. Clin Oral Investig 2023; 27:1177-1192. [PMID: 36205788 DOI: 10.1007/s00784-022-04732-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This in vivo animal study aimed to develop a murine model of pulpitis induced by pulp exposure with or without application of zymosan in Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice and observe expressions of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-2, TLR-4, Dectin-1, Osteopontin (OPN), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1ß. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 168 NMRI mice were divided into two groups, i.e., group A (n = 84) (pulpitis induced by pulp exposure only) and group B (n = 84) (pulpitis induced by pulp exposure and zymosan application). Right maxillary molar pulps were exposed with ¼ round bur, and animals were sacrificed at 0, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. The exposed teeth were obtained for real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis and histological and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. RESULTS Histological evaluation revealed a time-dependent steady increase in inflammation. Similar time-dependent increase in the expression of inflammatory cytokines was noted. Group A exhibited an increase in TLR-4, Dectin-1, and OPN at 6 h, while TLR-2 was expressed at 24 h. Group B expressed TLR-2, Dectin-1, and OPN at 9, 48, and 72 h, respectively (p ≤ 0.05). Expression of OPN and TNF-α exhibited a similar pattern in both groups. IHC also detected expression of TLR-2, Dectin-1, TLR4, and CD68 in some cells at 6 and 9 h. CONCLUSIONS NMRI mice provided for a stable pulp inflammation model. Zymosan may be used to develop pulp inflammation model and study inflammatory response towards fungal antigens. Dental pulp expressed Dectin-1 receptor. OPN and TNF-α exhibited a similar expression pattern. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Innate immunity of dental pulp is capable of detecting fungal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arshad Hasan
- Department of Operative Dentistry, Dow Dental College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Baba-e-Urdu Road, Karachi, 74200, Pakistan.
| | - Talat Roome
- Department of Pathology, Section Molecular Pathology, Dow International Medical College, Ojha Campus, Gulzar-e-Hijri Karachi, Pakistan.,Dow Institute for Advanced Biological and Animal Research, Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha Campus, Gulzar-e-Hijri Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Mohsin Wahid
- Department of Pathology, Dow International Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha Campus, Gulzar-e-Hijri Karachi, Pakistan.,Dow Research Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha Campus, Gulzar-e-Hijri Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Shazia Akbar Ansari
- Department of Oral Pathology, Dow Dental College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Baba-e-Urdu Road, Karachi, 74200, Pakistan
| | - Javeria Ali Khan
- Department of Operative Dentistry, Dow Dental College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Baba-e-Urdu Road, Karachi, 74200, Pakistan
| | - Syeda Neha Ahmed Jilani
- Dow Institute for Advanced Biological and Animal Research, Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha Campus, Gulzar-e-Hijri Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Abira Jawed
- Department of Oral Pathology, Dow Dental College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Baba-e-Urdu Road, Karachi, 74200, Pakistan
| | - Amber Kiyani
- Department of Oral Diagnosis and Medicine, Islamic International Dental College, Riphah International University, 7th Avenue G-7/4, Islamabad, Pakistan
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15
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The Lipid Raft-Associated Protein Stomatin Is Required for Accumulation of Dectin-1 in the Phagosomal Membrane and for Full Activity of Macrophages against Aspergillus fumigatus. mSphere 2023; 8:e0052322. [PMID: 36719247 PMCID: PMC9942578 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00523-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Alveolar macrophages belong to the first line of defense against inhaled conidia of the human-pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. In lung alveoli, they contribute to phagocytosis and elimination of conidia. As a counterdefense, conidia have a gray-green pigment that enables them to survive in phagosomes of macrophages for some time. Previously, we showed that this conidial pigment interferes with the formation of flotillin-dependent lipid raft microdomains in the phagosomal membrane, thereby preventing the formation of functional phagolysosomes. Besides flotillins, stomatin is a major component of lipid rafts and can be targeted to the membrane. However, only limited information on stomatin is available, in particular on its role in defense against pathogens. To determine the function of this integral membrane protein, a stomatin-deficient macrophage line was generated by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. Immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry revealed that stomatin contributes to the phagocytosis of conidia and is important for recruitment of the β-glucan receptor dectin-1 to both the cytoplasmic membrane and phagosomal membrane. In stomatin knockout cells, fusion of phagosomes and lysosomes, recruitment of the vATPase to phagosomes, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels were reduced when cells were infected with pigmentless conidia. Thus, our data suggest that stomatin is involved in maturation of phagosomes via fostering fusion of phagosomes with lysosomes. IMPORTANCE Stomatin is an integral membrane protein that contributes to the uptake of microbes, e.g., spores of the human-pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. By generation of a stomatin-deficient macrophage line by advanced genetic engineering, we found that stomatin is involved in the recruitment of the β-glucan receptor dectin-1 to the phagosomal membrane of macrophages. Furthermore, stomatin is involved in maturation of phagosomes via fostering fusion of phagosomes with lysosomes. The data provide new insights on the important role of stomatin in the immune response against human-pathogenic fungi.
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Solid-state NMR molecular snapshots of Aspergillus fumigatus cell wall architecture during a conidial morphotype transition. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2212003120. [PMID: 36719915 PMCID: PMC9963690 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2212003120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
While establishing an invasive infection, the dormant conidia of Aspergillus fumigatus transit through swollen and germinating stages, to form hyphae. During this morphotype transition, the conidial cell wall undergoes dynamic remodeling, which poses challenges to the host immune system and antifungal drugs. However, such cell wall reorganization during conidial germination has not been studied so far. Here, we explored the molecular rearrangement of Aspergillus fumigatus cell wall polysaccharides during different stages of germination. We took advantage of magic-angle spinning NMR to investigate the cell wall polysaccharides, without employing any destructive method for sample preparation. The breaking of dormancy was associated with a significant change in the molar ratio between the major polysaccharides β-1,3-glucan and α-1,3-glucan, while chitin remained equally abundant. The use of various polarization transfers allowed the detection of rigid and mobile polysaccharides; the appearance of mobile galactosaminogalactan was a molecular hallmark of germinating conidia. We also report for the first time highly abundant triglyceride lipids in the mobile matrix of conidial cell walls. Water to polysaccharides polarization transfers revealed an increased surface exposure of glucans during germination, while chitin remained embedded deeper in the cell wall, suggesting a molecular compensation mechanism to keep the cell wall rigidity. We complement the NMR analysis with confocal and atomic force microscopies to explore the role of melanin and RodA hydrophobin on the dormant conidial surface. Exemplified here using Aspergillus fumigatus as a model, our approach provides a powerful tool to decipher the molecular remodeling of fungal cell walls during their morphotype switching.
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17
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Yoshikawa FSY, Wakatsuki M, Yoshida K, Yabe R, Torigoe S, Yamasaki S, Barber GN, Saijo S. Dectin-1/IL-15 Pathway Affords Protection against Extrapulmonary Aspergillus fumigatus Infection by Regulating Natural Killer Cell Survival. J Innate Immun 2023; 15:397-411. [PMID: 36657412 PMCID: PMC10015709 DOI: 10.1159/000527188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a ubiquitous, yet potentially pathogenic, mold. The immune system employs innate receptors, such as dectin-1, to recognize fungal pathogens, but the immunological networks that afford protection are poorly explored. Here, we investigated the role of dectin-1 in anti-A. fumigatus response in an experimental model of acute invasive aspergillosis. Mice lacking dectin-1 presented enhanced signs of inflammation, with increased production of inflammatory cytokines and neutrophil infiltration, quickly succumbing to the infection. Curiously, resistance did not require T/B lymphocytes or IL-17. Instead, the main effector function of dectin-1 was the preservation of the NK cell population in the kidneys by the provision of the cytokine IL-15. While the depletion of NK cells impaired host defense in wild-type mice, IL-15 administration restored antifungal responses in dectin-1-deficient mice. Our results uncover a new effector mechanism for dectin-1 in anti-Aspergillus defense, adding an alternative approach to understand the pathophysiology of this infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio S Y Yoshikawa
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan,
| | - Maki Wakatsuki
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kosuke Yoshida
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Rikio Yabe
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shota Torigoe
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Sho Yamasaki
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Division of Molecular Design, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Glen N Barber
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Shinobu Saijo
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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18
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Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses Induced by Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia and Hyphae. Curr Microbiol 2023; 80:28. [PMID: 36474044 PMCID: PMC9734344 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-022-03102-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Previous research indicated that hyphae of Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) rather than conidia could successfully build a pulmonary aspergillosis model in immunocompetent mice. In this study, we compared the immune responses induced by hyphae and conidia to explore the possible mechanism of this striking phenomenon. Herein, a novel method was designed and adopted to quantify hyphal fragments. Murine macrophages RAW264.7 and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated by A. fumigatus hyphae and conidia in vitro, respectively, and then immunological reactions were measured. Male C57BL/6 mice were challenged with conidia and hyphae through intratracheal inoculation. Dynamic conditions of mice were recorded, and RNA-seq measured corresponding immune responses. The results of the study confirmed that hyphae could induce more intensive inflammation than conidia in vitro and in vivo. However, macrophages revealed a higher production of ROS and M1 polarisation in response to conidia stimuli. Additionally, conidia could promote Th1 cell differentiation, while hyphae could increase the CD4/CD8 ratio. RNA-seq validated the fact that those multiple immunologically relevant pathways were more strongly activated by hyphae than conidia, which also promoted Th2 cell differentiation and suppressed Th1 signalling. Both hyphae and conidia could activate Th17 signalling. In general, conidia and hyphae induced distinctly different host immune responses, and the immune responses induced by conidia played a better protective effect. Therefore, the unique function of hyphae in the spread and infection of Aspergillus should be emphasised, and more research is required to clarify the underlying mechanisms for better understanding and management of aspergillosis.
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Griffiths JS, Orr SJ, Morton CO, Loeffler J, White PL. The Use of Host Biomarkers for the Management of Invasive Fungal Disease. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8121307. [PMID: 36547640 PMCID: PMC9784708 DOI: 10.3390/jof8121307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal disease (IFD) causes severe morbidity and mortality, and the number of IFD cases is increasing. Exposure to opportunistic fungal pathogens is inevitable, but not all patients with underlying diseases increasing susceptibility to IFD, develop it. IFD diagnosis currently uses fungal biomarkers and clinical risk/presentation to stratify high-risk patients and classifies them into possible, probable, and proven IFD. However, the fungal species responsible for IFD are highly diverse and present numerous diagnostic challenges, which culminates in the empirical anti-fungal treatment of patients at risk of IFD. Recent studies have focussed on host-derived biomarkers that may mediate IFD risk and can be used to predict, and even identify IFD. The identification of novel host genetic variants, host gene expression changes, and host protein expression (cytokines and chemokines) associated with increased risk of IFD has enhanced our understanding of why only some patients at risk of IFD actually develop disease. Furthermore, these host biomarkers when incorporated into predictive models alongside conventional diagnostic techniques enhance predictive and diagnostic results. Once validated in larger studies, host biomarkers associated with IFD may optimize the clinical management of populations at risk of IFD. This review will summarise the latest developments in the identification of host biomarkers for IFD, their use in predictive modelling and their potential application/usefulness for informing clinical decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- James S. Griffiths
- Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Selinda J. Orr
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | | | - Juergen Loeffler
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - P. Lewis White
- Public Health Wales, Microbiology Cardiff, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK
- Correspondence:
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Hasan A, Roome T, Wahid M, Ansari SA, Akhtar H, Jilani SNA, Kiyani A. Gene expression analysis of toll like receptor 2 and 4, Dectin-1, Osteopontin and inflammatory cytokines in human dental pulp ex-vivo. BMC Oral Health 2022; 22:563. [PMID: 36463168 PMCID: PMC9719632 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-022-02621-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toll like receptors (TLR) 2 and 4 present on innate immune cells of the dental pulp detect cariogenic bacteria. Along with bacteria, C. albicans may also be present in dental caries. The presence of C. albicans can be detected by Dectin-1 a C type Lectin receptor. Expression of Dectin-1 in human pulpits has not been reported. Similarly, cytokines are released as a consequence of dental pulp inflammation caused by cariogenic bacteria. The T helper (Th) 1 inflammatory response leads to exacerbation of inflammation and its relationship with Osteopontin (OPN) is not known in pulp inflammation. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to observe the expression of Dectin-1, TLR-2, OPN and pro-inflammatory cytokines in irreversibly inflamed human dental pulp and to observe relationship between Dectin-1/TLR-2 and OPN/Pro-inflammatory cytokines in the presence of appropriate controls. METHODS A total of 28 subjects diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis were included in this ex-vivo study. Fifteen samples were subjected to standard hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemistry staining. Whereas, gene expression analysis was performed on 13 samples to observe mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines; tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1 beta (ß), IL-6 Dectin-1, OPN, TLR-2 and TLR-4. SPSS version 21 was used for statistical analysis. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation and Chi-square test were used at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS Gene expressions of Dectin-1, TLR-2 and TLR-4 were observed in all samples. Dectin-1 and TLR-2 expressions were significantly correlated (r = 0.5587, p = 0.0002). Similarly, OPN and TNF-α expression showed a significant correlation (r = 0.5860, p = 0001). The agreement between histologic and clinical diagnosis was 69.2% in the cases of irreversible pulpitis. CONCLUSION Dectin-1 was expressed by inflamed human dental pulp. Dectin-1 and TLR-2 expression pattern was suggestive of a collaborative receptor response in inflamed pulp environment. OPN and TNF-α expressions showed a positive correlation indicating a possible relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arshad Hasan
- grid.412080.f0000 0000 9363 9292Department of Operative Dentistry, Dow Dental College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Baba-E-Urdu Road, Karachi, 74200 Pakistan
| | - Talat Roome
- Department of Pathology, Section Molecular Pathology, Dow International Medical College, Ojha Campus, Gulzar-E-Hijri, Karachi, Pakistan ,grid.412080.f0000 0000 9363 9292Dow Institute for Advanced Biological and Animal Research, Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha Campus, Gulzar-E-Hijri, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Mohsin Wahid
- grid.412080.f0000 0000 9363 9292Department of Pathology, Dow International Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha Campus, Gulzar-E-Hijri, Karachi, Pakistan ,grid.412080.f0000 0000 9363 9292Dow Research Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha Campus, Gulzar-E-Hijri, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Shazia Akbar Ansari
- grid.412080.f0000 0000 9363 9292Department of Oral Pathology, Dow Dental College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Baba-E-Urdu Road, Karachi, 74200 Pakistan
| | - Hira Akhtar
- grid.412080.f0000 0000 9363 9292Department of Operative Dentistry, Dow Dental College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Baba-E-Urdu Road, Karachi, 74200 Pakistan
| | - Syeda Neha Ahmed Jilani
- grid.412080.f0000 0000 9363 9292Dow Institute for Advanced Biological and Animal Research, Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha Campus, Gulzar-E-Hijri, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Amber Kiyani
- grid.414839.30000 0001 1703 6673Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnosis, Islamic International Dental College, Riphah International University, 7th Avenue G-7/4, Islamabad, Pakistan
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Wong SSW, Dellière S, Schiefermeier-Mach N, Lechner L, Perkhofer S, Bomme P, Fontaine T, Schlosser AG, Sorensen GL, Madan T, Kishore U, Aimanianda V. Surfactant protein D inhibits growth, alters cell surface polysaccharide exposure and immune activation potential of Aspergillus fumigatus. Cell Surf 2022; 8:100072. [PMID: 35118215 PMCID: PMC8792412 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcsw.2022.100072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
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22
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Neuroimmune Responses in a New Experimental Animal Model of Cerebral Aspergillosis. mBio 2022; 13:e0225422. [PMID: 36040029 PMCID: PMC9600342 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02254-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure of immunosuppressed individuals to the opportunistic fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus may result in invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), which can lead to the development of cerebral aspergillosis (CA), a highly lethal infection localized in the central nervous system (CNS). There are no experimental models of CA that effectively mimic human disease, resulting in a considerable knowledge gap regarding mechanisms of neurological pathogenicity and neuroimmune responses during infection. In this report, immunosuppressed mice (via acute, high-dose corticosteroid administration) challenged with A. fumigatus resting conidia intranasally, followed a day later by a 70-fold lower inoculum of pre-swollen conidia intravenously (IN + IV + steroid), demonstrated increased weight loss, signs of severe clinical disease, increased fungal burden in the brain, and significant reduction in survival compared to immunosuppressed mice challenged intranasally only (IN + steroid) or non-immunosuppressed mice challenged both intranasally and intravenously (IN + IV). The IN + IV + steroid group demonstrated significant decreases in monocytes, eosinophils, dendritic cells (DCs), and invasive natural killer T (iNKT) cells, but not neutrophils or γδ T cells, in the brain compared to the IN + IV group. Likewise, the IN + IV + steroid group had significantly lower levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, CC motif chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3), CXC chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the brain compared to the IN + IV group. IN + IV + steroid was superior to both IN + IV + chemotherapy (cytarabine + daunorubicin) and IN + IV + neutropenia for the development of CA. In conclusion, we have developed a well-defined, physiologically relevant model of disseminated CA in corticosteroid-induced immunosuppressed mice with a primary pulmonary infection. This model will serve to advance understanding of disease mechanisms, identify immunopathogenic processes, and help define the protective neuroinflammatory response to CA. IMPORTANCE Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) result in significant mortality in immunosuppressed individuals. Of these, invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), caused by the opportunistic mold Aspergillus fumigatus, is the most lethal. Lethality in IPA is due to two main factors: destruction of the lung leading to compromised pulmonary function, and dissemination of the organism to extrapulmonary organs. Of these, the CNS is the most common site of dissemination. However, very little is known regarding the pathogenesis of or immune response during cerebral aspergillosis, which is directly due to the lack of an animal model that incorporates immunosuppression, lung infection, and consistent dissemination to the CNS/brain. In this report, we have developed a new experimental animal model of CA which includes the above parameters and characterized the neuroimmune response. We further compared this disseminated CA model to two additional immunosuppressive strategies. Overall, this model of disseminated CA following IPA in an immunosuppressed host provides a novel platform for studying the efficacy of antifungal drugs and immunotherapies for improving disease outcomes.
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23
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Liu S, Le Mauff F, Sheppard DC, Zhang S. Filamentous fungal biofilms: Conserved and unique aspects of extracellular matrix composition, mechanisms of drug resistance and regulatory networks in Aspergillus fumigatus. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2022; 8:83. [PMID: 36261442 PMCID: PMC9581972 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-022-00347-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus is an ubiquitous mold that can cause invasive pulmonary infections in immunocompromised patients. Within the lung, A. fumigatus forms biofilms that can enhance resistance to antifungals and immune defenses, highlighting the importance of defining the mechanisms underlying biofilm development and associated emergent properties. A. fumigatus biofilms display a morphology and architecture that is distinct from bacterial and yeast biofilms. Moreover, A. fumigatus biofilms display unique characteristics in the composition of their extracellular matrix (ECM) and the regulatory networks governing biofilm formation. This review will discuss our current understanding of the form and function of A. fumigatus biofilms, including the unique components of ECM matrix, potential drug resistance mechanisms, the regulatory networks governing A. fumigatus biofilm formation, and potential therapeutics targeting these structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Francois Le Mauff
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Infectious Disease and Immunity in Global Health, Research Institute of McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada.,McGill Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Donald C Sheppard
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. .,Infectious Disease and Immunity in Global Health, Research Institute of McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada. .,McGill Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Shizhu Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.
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24
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Sharma J, Mudalagiriyappa S, Nanjappa SG. T cell responses to control fungal infection in an immunological memory lens. Front Immunol 2022; 13:905867. [PMID: 36177012 PMCID: PMC9513067 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.905867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, fungal vaccine research emanated significant findings in the field of antifungal T-cell immunity. The generation of effector T cells is essential to combat many mucosal and systemic fungal infections. The development of antifungal memory T cells is integral for controlling or preventing fungal infections, and understanding the factors, regulators, and modifiers that dictate the generation of such T cells is necessary. Despite the deficiency in the clear understanding of antifungal memory T-cell longevity and attributes, in this review, we will compile some of the existing literature on antifungal T-cell immunity in the context of memory T-cell development against fungal infections.
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25
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Preclinical Evaluation of Recombinant Microbial Glycoside Hydrolases as Antibiofilm Agents in Acute Pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0005222. [PMID: 35862738 PMCID: PMC9380554 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00052-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa can colonize the airways of patients with chronic lung disease. Within the lung, P. aeruginosa forms biofilms that can enhance resistance to antibiotics and immune defenses. P. aeruginosa biofilm formation is dependent on the secretion of matrix exopolysaccharides, including Pel and Psl. In this study, recombinant glycoside hydrolases (GHs) that degrade Pel and Psl were evaluated alone and in combination with antibiotics in a mouse model of P. aeruginosa infection. Intratracheal GH administration was well tolerated by mice. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that, although GHs have short half-lives, administration of two GHs in combination resulted in increased GH persistence. Combining GH prophylaxis and treatment with the antibiotic ciprofloxacin resulted in greater reduction in pulmonary bacterial burden than that with either agent alone. This study lays the foundation for further exploration of GH therapy in bacterial infections.
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26
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Cai L, Gao P, Wang Z, Dai C, Ning Y, Ilkit M, Xue X, Xiao J, Chen C. Lung and gut microbiomes in pulmonary aspergillosis: Exploring adjunctive therapies to combat the disease. Front Immunol 2022; 13:988708. [PMID: 36032147 PMCID: PMC9411651 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.988708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Species within the Aspergillus spp. cause a wide range of infections in humans, including invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and are associated with high mortality rates. The incidence of pulmonary aspergillosis (PA) is on the rise, and the emergence of triazole-resistant Aspergillus spp. isolates, especially Aspergillus fumigatus, limits the efficacy of mold-active triazoles. Therefore, host-directed and novel adjunctive therapies are required to more effectively combat PA. In this review, we focus on PA from a microbiome perspective. We provide a general overview of the effects of the lung and gut microbiomes on the growth of Aspergillus spp. and host immunity. We highlight the potential of the microbiome as a therapeutic target for PA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuyang Cai
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Lung Transplantation, Shanghai, China
- Basic School of Medicine, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Peigen Gao
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Lung Transplantation, Shanghai, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zeyu Wang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Lung Transplantation, Shanghai, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenyang Dai
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Lung Transplantation, Shanghai, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ye Ning
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Lung Transplantation, Shanghai, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Macit Ilkit
- Division of Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Çukurova, Adana, Turkey
| | - Xiaochun Xue
- Department of Pharmacy, 905th Hospital of People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA) Navy, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaochun Xue, ; Jinzhou Xiao, ; Chang Chen,
| | - Jinzhou Xiao
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hadal Science and Technology, College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaochun Xue, ; Jinzhou Xiao, ; Chang Chen,
| | - Chang Chen
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Lung Transplantation, Shanghai, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaochun Xue, ; Jinzhou Xiao, ; Chang Chen,
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27
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Furlong-Silva J, Cook PC. Fungal-mediated lung allergic airway disease: The critical role of macrophages and dendritic cells. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010608. [PMID: 35834490 PMCID: PMC9282651 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungi are abundant in the environment, causing our lungs to be constantly exposed to a diverse range of species. While the majority of these are cleared effectively in healthy individuals, constant exposure to spores (especially Aspergillus spp.) can lead to the development of allergic inflammation that underpins and worsen diseases such as asthma. Despite this, the precise mechanisms that underpin the development of fungal allergic disease are poorly understood. Innate immune cells, such as macrophages (MΦs) and dendritic cells (DCs), have been shown to be critical for mediating allergic inflammation to a range of different allergens. This review will focus on the crucial role of MΦ and DCs in mediating antifungal immunity, evaluating how these immune cells mediate allergic inflammation within the context of the lung environment. Ultimately, we aim to highlight important future research questions that will lead to novel therapeutic strategies for fungal allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Furlong-Silva
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Charles Cook
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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28
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Computational Modeling of Macrophage Iron Sequestration during Host Defense against Aspergillus. mSphere 2022; 7:e0007422. [PMID: 35862797 PMCID: PMC9429928 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00074-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron is essential to the virulence of Aspergillus species, and restricting iron availability is a critical mechanism of antimicrobial host defense. Macrophages recruited to the site of infection are at the crux of this process, employing multiple intersecting mechanisms to orchestrate iron sequestration from pathogens. To gain an integrated understanding of how this is achieved in aspergillosis, we generated a transcriptomic time series of the response of human monocyte-derived macrophages to Aspergillus and used this and the available literature to construct a mechanistic computational model of iron handling of macrophages during this infection. We found an overwhelming macrophage response beginning 2 to 4 h after exposure to the fungus, which included upregulated transcription of iron import proteins transferrin receptor-1, divalent metal transporter-1, and ZIP family transporters, and downregulated transcription of the iron exporter ferroportin. The computational model, based on a discrete dynamical systems framework, consisted of 21 3-state nodes, and was validated with additional experimental data that were not used in model generation. The model accurately captures the steady state and the trajectories of most of the quantitatively measured nodes. In the experimental data, we surprisingly found that transferrin receptor-1 upregulation preceded the induction of inflammatory cytokines, a feature that deviated from model predictions. Model simulations suggested that direct induction of transferrin receptor-1 (TfR1) after fungal recognition, independent of the iron regulatory protein-labile iron pool (IRP-LIP) system, explains this finding. We anticipate that this model will contribute to a quantitative understanding of iron regulation as a fundamental host defense mechanism during aspergillosis. IMPORTANCE Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is a major cause of death among immunosuppressed individuals despite the best available therapy. Depriving the pathogen of iron is an essential component of host defense in this infection, but the mechanisms by which the host achieves this are complex. To understand how recruited macrophages mediate iron deprivation during the infection, we developed and validated a mechanistic computational model that integrates the available information in the field. The insights provided by this approach can help in designing iron modulation therapies as anti-fungal treatments.
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Palmieri F, Koutsokera A, Bernasconi E, Junier P, von Garnier C, Ubags N. Recent Advances in Fungal Infections: From Lung Ecology to Therapeutic Strategies With a Focus on Aspergillus spp. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:832510. [PMID: 35386908 PMCID: PMC8977413 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.832510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are estimated to be the main cause of death for more than 1.5 million people worldwide annually. However, fungal pathogenicity has been largely neglected. This is notably the case for pulmonary fungal infections, which are difficult to diagnose and to treat. We are currently facing a global emergence of antifungal resistance, which decreases the chances of survival for affected patients. New therapeutic approaches are therefore needed to face these life-threatening fungal infections. In this review, we will provide a general overview on respiratory fungal infections, with a focus on fungi of the genus Aspergillus. Next, the immunological and microbiological mechanisms of fungal pathogenesis will be discussed. The role of the respiratory mycobiota and its interactions with the bacterial microbiota on lung fungal infections will be presented from an ecological perspective. Finally, we will focus on existing and future innovative approaches for the treatment of respiratory fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Palmieri
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Fabio Palmieri,
| | - Angela Koutsokera
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Service de Pneumologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eric Bernasconi
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Service de Pneumologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pilar Junier
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Christophe von Garnier
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Service de Pneumologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Niki Ubags
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Service de Pneumologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Niki Ubags,
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30
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Ortiz SC, Pennington K, Thomson DD, Bertuzzi M. Novel Insights into Aspergillus fumigatus Pathogenesis and Host Response from State-of-the-Art Imaging of Host-Pathogen Interactions during Infection. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:264. [PMID: 35330266 PMCID: PMC8954776 DOI: 10.3390/jof8030264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus spores initiate more than 3,000,000 chronic and 300,000 invasive diseases annually, worldwide. Depending on the immune status of the host, inhalation of these spores can lead to a broad spectrum of disease, including invasive aspergillosis, which carries a 50% mortality rate overall; however, this mortality rate increases substantially if the infection is caused by azole-resistant strains or diagnosis is delayed or missed. Increasing resistance to existing antifungal treatments is becoming a major concern; for example, resistance to azoles (the first-line available oral drug against Aspergillus species) has risen by 40% since 2006. Despite high morbidity and mortality, the lack of an in-depth understanding of A. fumigatus pathogenesis and host response has hampered the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the clinical management of fungal infections. Recent advances in sample preparation, infection models and imaging techniques applied in vivo have addressed important gaps in fungal research, whilst questioning existing paradigms. This review highlights the successes and further potential of these recent technologies in understanding the host-pathogen interactions that lead to aspergillosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien C. Ortiz
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK; (S.C.O.); (K.P.)
| | - Katie Pennington
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK; (S.C.O.); (K.P.)
| | - Darren D. Thomson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK;
| | - Margherita Bertuzzi
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK; (S.C.O.); (K.P.)
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31
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Shirato K, Sato S. Macrophage Meets the Circadian Clock: Implication of the Circadian Clock in the Role of Macrophages in Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:826738. [PMID: 35281442 PMCID: PMC8904936 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.826738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The circadian rhythm is a biological system that creates daily variations of physiology and behavior with a 24-h cycle, which is precisely controlled by the molecular circadian clock. The circadian clock dominates temporal activity of physiological homeostasis at the molecular level, including endocrine secretion, metabolic, immune response, coupled with extrinsic environmental cues (e.g., light/dark cycles) and behavioral cues (e.g., sleep/wake cycles and feeding/fasting cycles). The other side of the clock is that the misaligned circadian rhythm contributes to the onset of a variety of diseases, such as cancer, metabolic diseases, and cardiovascular diseases, the acceleration of aging, and the development of systemic inflammation. The role played by macrophages is a key mediator between circadian disruption and systemic inflammation. At the molecular level, macrophage functions are under the direct control of the circadian clock, and thus the circadian misalignment remodels the phenotype of macrophages toward a ‘killer’ mode. Remarkably, the inflammatory macrophages induce systemic and chronic inflammation, leading to the development of inflammatory diseases and the dampened immune defensive machinery against infectious diseases such as COVID-19. Here, we discuss how the circadian clock regulates macrophage immune functions and provide the potential risk of misaligned circadian rhythms against inflammatory and infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Shirato
- Department of Molecular Predictive Medicine and Sport Science, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Japan
| | - Shogo Sato
- Center for Biological Clocks Research, Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Shogo Sato,
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32
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Griffiths JS, White PL, Thompson A, da Fonseca DM, Pickering RJ, Ingram W, Wilson K, Barnes R, Taylor PR, Orr SJ. A Novel Strategy to Identify Haematology Patients at High Risk of Developing Aspergillosis. Front Immunol 2022; 12:780160. [PMID: 34975870 PMCID: PMC8716727 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.780160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive Aspergillosis (IA), typically caused by the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. IA remains a significant burden in haematology patients, despite improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of Aspergillus infection. Diagnosing IA is challenging, requiring multiple factors to classify patients into possible, probable and proven IA cohorts. Given the low incidence of IA, using negative results as exclusion criteria is optimal. However, frequent false positives and severe IA mortality rates in haematology patients have led to the empirical use of toxic, drug-interactive and often ineffective anti-fungal therapeutics. Improvements in IA diagnosis are needed to reduce unnecessary anti-fungal therapy. Early IA diagnosis is vital for positive patient outcomes; therefore, a pre-emptive approach is required. In this study, we examined the sequence and expression of four C-type Lectin-like receptors (Dectin-1, Dectin-2, Mincle, Mcl) from 42 haematology patients and investigated each patient's anti-Aspergillus immune response (IL-6, TNF). Correlation analysis revealed novel IA disease risk factors which we used to develop a pre-emptive patient stratification protocol to identify haematopoietic stem cell transplant patients at high and low risk of developing IA. This stratification protocol has the potential to enhance the identification of high-risk patients whilst reducing unnecessary treatment, minimizing the development of anti-fungal resistance, and prioritising primary disease treatment for low-risk patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- James S Griffiths
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom.,Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - P Lewis White
- Public Health Wales Microbiology Cardiff, University Hospital of Wales (UHW), Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Aiysha Thompson
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom.,United Kingdom (UK) Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Diogo M da Fonseca
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom.,Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Robert J Pickering
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom.,The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Wendy Ingram
- University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Keith Wilson
- University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Rosemary Barnes
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Philip R Taylor
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom.,United Kingdom (UK) Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Selinda J Orr
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom.,Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
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33
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Fischer S, Stegmann F, Gnanapragassam VS, Lepenies B. From structure to function – Ligand recognition by myeloid C-type lectin receptors. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:5790-5812. [DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Wnt-β-Catenin Signaling in Human Dendritic Cells Mediates Regulatory T-Cell Responses to Fungi via the PD-L1 Pathway. mBio 2021; 12:e0282421. [PMID: 34781737 PMCID: PMC8593687 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02824-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The signaling pathways activated following interaction between dendritic cells (DCs) and a pathogen determine the polarization of effector T-cell and regulatory T-cell (Treg) responses to the infection. Several recent studies, mostly in the context of bacterial infections, have shown that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays a major role in imparting tolerogenic features in DCs and in promotion of Treg responses. However, the significance of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway’s involvement in regulating the immune response to the fungal species is not known. Using Aspergillus fumigatus, a ubiquitous airborne opportunistic fungal species, we show here that fungi activate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in human DCs and are critical for mediating the immunosuppressive Treg responses. Pharmacological inhibition of this pathway in DCs led to inhibition of maturation-associated molecules and interleukin 10 (IL-10) secretion without affecting the majority of the inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, blockade of Wnt signaling in DCs suppressed DC-mediated Treg responses in CD4+ T cells and downregulated both tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and IL-10 responses in CD8+ T cells. Mechanistically, induction of β-catenin pathway by A. fumigatus required C-type lectin receptors and promoted Treg polarization via the induction of programmed death-ligand 1 on DCs. Further investigation on the identity of fungal molecular patterns has revealed that the cell wall polysaccharides β-(1, 3)-glucan and α-(1, 3)-glucan, but not chitin, possess the capacity to activate the β-catenin pathway. Our data suggest that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is a potential therapeutic target to selectively suppress the Treg response and to sustain the protective Th1 response in the context of invasive aspergillosis caused by A. fumigatus.
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Willment JA. Fc-conjugated C-type lectin receptors: Tools for understanding host-pathogen interactions. Mol Microbiol 2021; 117:632-660. [PMID: 34709692 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The use of soluble fusion proteins of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) used in the detection of exogenous and endogenous ligands has helped resolve the roles of PRRs in the innate immune response to pathogens, how they shape the adaptive immune response, and function in maintaining homeostasis. Using the immunoglobulin (Ig) crystallizable fragment (Fc) domain as a fusion partner, the PRR fusion proteins are soluble, stable, easily purified, have increased affinity due to the Fc homodimerization properties, and consequently have been used in a wide range of applications such as flow cytometry, screening of protein and glycan arrays, and immunofluorescent microscopy. This review will predominantly focus on the recognition of pathogens by the cell membrane-expressed glycan-binding proteins of the C-type lectin receptor (CLR) subgroup of PRRs. PRRs bind to conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), such as glycans, usually located within or on the outer surface of the pathogen. Significantly, many glycans structures are identical on both host and pathogen (e.g. the Lewis (Le) X glycan), allowing the use of Fc CLR fusion proteins with known endogenous and/or exogenous ligands as tools to identify pathogen structures that are able to interact with the immune system. Screens of highly purified pathogen-derived cell wall components have enabled identification of many unique PAMP structures recognized by CLRs. This review highlights studies using Fc CLR fusion proteins, with emphasis on the PAMPs found in fungi, bacteria, viruses, and parasites. The structure and unique features of the different CLR families is presented using examples from a broad range of microbes whenever possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet A Willment
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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36
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Preclinical Evaluation of Recombinant Microbial Glycoside Hydrolases in the Prevention of Experimental Invasive Aspergillosis. mBio 2021; 12:e0244621. [PMID: 34579578 PMCID: PMC8546845 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02446-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a ubiquitous mold that can cause invasive pulmonary infections in immunocompromised patients. Within the lung, A. fumigatus forms biofilms that can enhance resistance to antifungals and immune defenses. Aspergillus biofilm formation requires the production of a cationic matrix exopolysaccharide, galactosaminogalactan (GAG). In this study, recombinant glycoside hydrolases (GH)s that degrade GAG were evaluated as antifungal agents in a mouse model of invasive aspergillosis. Intratracheal GH administration was well tolerated by mice. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that although GHs have short half-lives, GH prophylaxis resulted in reduced fungal burden in leukopenic mice and improved survival in neutropenic mice, possibly through augmenting pulmonary neutrophil recruitment. Combining GH prophylaxis with posaconazole treatment resulted in a greater reduction in fungal burden than either agent alone. This study lays the foundation for further exploration of GH therapy in invasive fungal infections. IMPORTANCE The biofilm-forming mold Aspergillus fumigatus is a common causative agent of invasive fungal airway disease in patients with a compromised immune system or chronic airway disease. Treatment of A. fumigatus infection is limited by the few available antifungals to which fungal resistance is becoming increasingly common. The high mortality rate of A. fumigatus-related infection reflects a need for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. The fungal biofilm matrix is in part composed of the adhesive exopolysaccharide galactosaminogalactan, against which antifungals are less effective. Previously, we demonstrated antibiofilm activity with recombinant forms of the glycoside hydrolase enzymes that are involved in galactosaminogalactan biosynthesis. In this study, prophylaxis with glycoside hydrolases alone or in combination with the antifungal posaconazole in a mouse model of experimental aspergillosis improved outcomes. This study offers insight into the therapeutic potential of combining biofilm disruptive agents to leverage the activity of currently available antifungals.
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Yoo DG, Paracatu LC, Xu E, Lin X, Dinauer MC. NADPH Oxidase Limits Collaborative Pattern-Recognition Receptor Signaling to Regulate Neutrophil Cytokine Production in Response to Fungal Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 207:923-937. [PMID: 34301842 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2001298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a primary immunodeficiency caused by genetic defects in leukocyte NADPH oxidase, which has both microbicidal and immunomodulatory roles. Hence, CGD is characterized by recurrent bacterial and fungal infections as well as aberrant inflammation. Fungal cell walls induce neutrophilic inflammation in CGD; yet, underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. This study investigated the receptors and signaling pathways driving aberrant proinflammatory cytokine production in CGD neutrophils activated by fungal cell walls. Although cytokine responses to β-glucan particles were similar in NADPH oxidase-competent and NADPH oxidase-deficient mouse and human neutrophils, stimulation with zymosan, a more complex fungal particle, induced elevated cytokine production in NADPH oxidase-deficient neutrophils. The dectin-1 C-type lectin receptor, which recognizes β-glucans (1-3), and TLRs mediated cytokine responses by wild-type murine neutrophils. In the absence of NADPH oxidase, fungal pathogen-associated molecular patterns engaged additional collaborative signaling with Mac-1 and TLRs to markedly increase cytokine production. Mechanistically, this cytokine overproduction is mediated by enhanced proximal activation of tyrosine phosphatase SHP2-Syk and downstream Card9-dependent NF-κB and Card9-independent JNK-c-Jun. This activation and amplified cytokine production were significantly decreased by exogenous H2O2 treatment, enzymatic generation of exogenous H2O2, or Mac-1 blockade. Similar to zymosan, Aspergillus fumigatus conidia induced increased signaling in CGD mouse neutrophils for activation of proinflammatory cytokine production, which also used Mac-1 and was Card9 dependent. This study, to our knowledge, provides new insights into how NADPH oxidase deficiency deregulates neutrophil cytokine production in response to fungal cell walls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dae-Goon Yoo
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
| | - Luana C Paracatu
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
| | - Evan Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
| | - Xin Lin
- Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China; and
| | - Mary C Dinauer
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO; .,Department of Pathology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
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38
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Meagher RB, Lewis ZA, Ambati S, Lin X. Aiming for a bull's-eye: Targeting antifungals to fungi with dectin-decorated liposomes. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009699. [PMID: 34293050 PMCID: PMC8297870 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, there are several million individuals with life-threatening invasive fungal diseases such as candidiasis, aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), and mucormycosis. The mortality rate for these diseases generally exceeds 40%. Annual medical costs to treat these invasive fungal diseases in the United States exceed several billion dollars. In addition to AIDS patients, the risks of invasive mycoses are increasingly found in immune-impaired individuals or in immunosuppressed patients following stem cell or organ transplant or implantation of medical devices. Current antifungal drug therapies are not meeting the challenge, because (1) at safe doses, they do not provide sufficient fungal clearance to prevent reemergence of infection; (2) most become toxic with extended use; (3) drug-resistant fungal isolates are emerging; and (4) only one new class of antifungal drugs has been approved for clinical use in the last 2 decades. DectiSomes represent a novel design of drug delivery to drastically increase drug efficacy. Antifungals packaged in liposomes are targeted specifically to where the pathogen is, through binding to the fungal cell walls or exopolysaccharide matrices using the carbohydrate recognition domains of pathogen receptors. Relative to untargeted liposomal drug, DectiSomes show order of magnitude increases in the binding to and killing of Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigatus in vitro and similarly improved efficacy in mouse models of pulmonary aspergillosis. DectiSomes have the potential to usher in a new antifungal drug treatment paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard B. Meagher
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Zachary A. Lewis
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Suresh Ambati
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Xiaorong Lin
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Liu Y, Li Z, Wang S, Zhang C, Han L, Sun Q, Han X. Aspergillus fumigatus Induces the Release of IL-8 and MCP-1 by Activating Nuclear Transcription Through Dectin-1 and CR3 Receptors in Alveolar Epithelial Cells. Curr Microbiol 2021; 78:3474-3482. [PMID: 34272600 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-021-02534-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis induced by the pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus is one of the common fatal complications in immunocompromised patients. Lung epithelial cells play an important role in host immune defense against A. fumigatus. However, the interaction between lung epithelial cells and A. fumigatus conidia is not fully understood. In this study, we used the swollen conidia of A. fumigatus to stimulate the type II lung epithelial A549 cells. Results showed that swollen conidia could significantly increase RNA transcription and protein expression of interleukin 8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), but not TNF-α in A549 cells in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, serum opsonization was able to improve the release of inflammatory factors induced by swollen conidia. Blocking of the dectin-1 or CR3 receptors, or both simultaneously, in the A549 cells could decrease the release of IL-8 and MCP-1. Additionally, blocking dectin-1 or CR3 could inhibit the transcription of nuclear factor NF-κB that was activated by swollen conidia. Here we reported for the first time that dectin-1 and CR3 receptors in A549 cells mediate the release of pro-inflammatory factors IL-8 and MCP-1 induced by A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Department of Hospital Infection Control and Research, Institute of Disease Control and Prevention of PLA, Beijing, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory of The 907 Hospital of PLA, Fujian, China
| | - Zhiqian Li
- Department of Hospital Infection Control and Research, Institute of Disease Control and Prevention of PLA, Beijing, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory of The 907 Hospital of PLA, Fujian, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qinghai, China.,Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Qinghai, China
| | - Changjian Zhang
- Department of Hospital Infection Control and Research, Institute of Disease Control and Prevention of PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Li Han
- Department of Hospital Infection Control and Research, Institute of Disease Control and Prevention of PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Qun Sun
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Xuelin Han
- Department of Hospital Infection Control and Research, Institute of Disease Control and Prevention of PLA, Beijing, China.
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40
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Rowley J, Namvar S, Gago S, Labram B, Bowyer P, Richardson MD, Herrick SE. Differential Proinflammatory Responses to Aspergillus fumigatus by Airway Epithelial Cells In Vitro Are Protease Dependent. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:468. [PMID: 34200666 PMCID: PMC8228831 DOI: 10.3390/jof7060468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is an important human respiratory mould pathogen. In addition to a barrier function, airway epithelium elicits a robust defence against inhaled A. fumigatus by initiating an immune response. The manner by which A. fumigatus initiates this response and the reasons for the immunological heterogeneity with different isolates are unclear. Both direct fungal cell wall-epithelial cell interaction and secretion of soluble proteases have been proposed as possible mechanisms. Our aim was to determine the contribution of fungal proteases to the induction of epithelial IL-6 and IL-8 in response to different A. fumigatus isolates. Airway epithelial cells were exposed to conidia from a low or high protease-producing strain of A. fumigatus, and IL-6 and IL-8 gene expression and protein production were quantified. The role of proteases in cytokine production was further determined using specific protease inhibitors. The proinflammatory cytokine response correlated with conidia germination and hyphal extension. IL-8 induction was significantly reduced in the presence of matrix metalloprotease or cysteine protease inhibitors. With a high protease-producing strain of A. fumigatus, IL-6 release was metalloprotease dependent. Dectin-1 antagonism also inhibited the production of both cytokines. In conclusion, A. fumigatus-secreted proteases mediate a proinflammatory response by airway epithelial cells in a strain-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Rowley
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (J.R.); (S.N.); (S.G.); (B.L.); (P.B.); (M.D.R.)
| | - Sara Namvar
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (J.R.); (S.N.); (S.G.); (B.L.); (P.B.); (M.D.R.)
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, UK
| | - Sara Gago
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (J.R.); (S.N.); (S.G.); (B.L.); (P.B.); (M.D.R.)
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
- NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester M23 9LT, UK
| | - Briony Labram
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (J.R.); (S.N.); (S.G.); (B.L.); (P.B.); (M.D.R.)
| | - Paul Bowyer
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (J.R.); (S.N.); (S.G.); (B.L.); (P.B.); (M.D.R.)
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Malcolm D. Richardson
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (J.R.); (S.N.); (S.G.); (B.L.); (P.B.); (M.D.R.)
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
- NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester M23 9LT, UK
- Mycology Reference Centre, ECMM Excellence Centre of Medical Mycology, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester M23 9LT, UK
| | - Sarah E. Herrick
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (J.R.); (S.N.); (S.G.); (B.L.); (P.B.); (M.D.R.)
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41
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Characterisation of Aspergillus fumigatus Endocytic Trafficking within Airway Epithelial Cells Using High-Resolution Automated Quantitative Confocal Microscopy. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7060454. [PMID: 34200399 PMCID: PMC8229978 DOI: 10.3390/jof7060454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The precise characterization of the mechanisms modulating Aspergillus fumigatus survival within airway epithelial cells has been impaired by the lack of live-cell imaging technologies and user-friendly quantification approaches. Here we described the use of an automated image analysis pipeline to estimate the proportion of A. fumigatus spores taken up by airway epithelial cells, those contained within phagolysosomes or acidified phagosomes, along with the fungal factors contributing to these processes. Coupling the use of fluorescent A. fumigatus strains and fluorescent epithelial probes targeting lysosomes, acidified compartments and cell membrane, we found that both the efficacy of lysosome recruitment to phagosomes and phagosome acidification determines the capacity of airway epithelial cells to contain A. fumigatus growth. Overall, the capability of the airway epithelium to prevent A. fumigatus survival was higher in bronchial epithelial than alveolar epithelial cells. Certain A. fumigatus cell wall mutants influenced phagosome maturation in airway epithelial cells. Taken together, this live-cell 4D imaging approach allows observation and measurement of the very early processes of A. fumigatus interaction within live airway epithelial monolayers.
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Tong J, Duan Z, Zeng R, Du L, Xu S, Wang L, Liu Y, Chen Q, Chen X, Li M. MiR-146a Negatively Regulates Aspergillus fumigatus-Induced TNF-α and IL-6 Secretion in THP-1 Macrophages. Mycopathologia 2021; 186:341-354. [PMID: 34089172 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-021-00538-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatu (A. fumigatus) is one of the most common important fungal pathogens that cause life-threatening infectious disease in immunocompromised individuals. However, the host immune response against this pathogenic mold is not fully understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play essential roles in regulating innate immunity. Thus, we investigated the function of miR-146a in inflammatory responses in macrophages after A. fumigatus stimulation in this study. We found that TNF-α and IL-6 were increased in THP-1 macrophage-like cells treated with A. fumigatus at both the mRNA and protein levels. The interaction between THP-1 macrophage-like cells and A. fumigatus resulted in a long-lasting increase in miR-146a expression dependent on p38 MAPK and NF-κB signaling. In A. fumigatus-challenged THP-1 macrophage-like cells, overexpression of miR-146a by miR-146a mimics decreased TNF-α and IL-6 production, whereas downregulation of miR-146a by anti-miR-146a significantly enhanced the level of TNF-α and IL-6. Our study demonstrates that the crosstalk between miR-146a and the inflammation-regulating p38 MAPK and NF-κB pathways might be a fine-tuning mechanism in the modulation of the inflammatory response in macrophages infected with A. fumigatus. Our findings illuminate the crucial role of miR-146a in the pathogenesis of human diseases associated with A. fumigatus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbo Tong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin, Institute of Dermatology, Diseases and STIs, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, 210042, People's Republic of China.,Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330001, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhimin Duan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin, Institute of Dermatology, Diseases and STIs, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, 210042, People's Republic of China
| | - Rong Zeng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin, Institute of Dermatology, Diseases and STIs, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, 210042, People's Republic of China
| | - Leilei Du
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin, Institute of Dermatology, Diseases and STIs, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, 210042, People's Republic of China
| | - Song Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin, Institute of Dermatology, Diseases and STIs, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, 210042, People's Republic of China
| | - Liwei Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin, Institute of Dermatology, Diseases and STIs, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, 210042, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuzhen Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin, Institute of Dermatology, Diseases and STIs, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, 210042, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Chen
- Jiangsu Province Blood Center, Nanjing, 210042, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China. .,Center for Systems Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, 100005, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xu Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin, Institute of Dermatology, Diseases and STIs, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, 210042, People's Republic of China.
| | - Min Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin, Institute of Dermatology, Diseases and STIs, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, 210042, People's Republic of China. .,Center for Systems Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, 100005, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
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43
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Flotillin-Dependent Membrane Microdomains Are Required for Functional Phagolysosomes against Fungal Infections. Cell Rep 2021; 32:108017. [PMID: 32814035 PMCID: PMC10054021 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipid rafts form signaling platforms on biological membranes with incompletely characterized role in immune response to infection. Here we report that lipid-raft microdomains are essential components of phagolysosomal membranes of macrophages and depend on flotillins. Genetic deletion of flotillins demonstrates that the assembly of both major defense complexes vATPase and NADPH oxidase requires membrane microdomains. Furthermore, we describe a virulence mechanism leading to dysregulation of membrane microdomains by melanized wild-type conidia of the important human-pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus resulting in reduced phagolysosomal acidification. We show that phagolysosomes with ingested melanized conidia contain a reduced amount of free Ca2+ ions and that inhibition of Ca2+-dependent calmodulin activity led to reduced lipid-raft formation. We identify a single-nucleotide polymorphism in the human FLOT1 gene resulting in heightened susceptibility for invasive aspergillosis in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Collectively, flotillin-dependent microdomains on the phagolysosomal membrane play an essential role in protective antifungal immunity.
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44
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Desamero MJM, Chung SH, Kakuta S. Insights on the Functional Role of Beta-Glucans in Fungal Immunity Using Receptor-Deficient Mouse Models. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4778. [PMID: 33946381 PMCID: PMC8125483 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the host anti-fungal immunity induced by beta-glucan has been one of the most challenging conundrums in the field of biomedical research. During the last couple of decades, insights on the role of beta-glucan in fungal disease progression, susceptibility, and resistance have been greatly augmented through the utility of various beta-glucan cognate receptor-deficient mouse models. Analysis of dectin-1 knockout mice has clarified the downstream signaling pathways and adaptive effector responses triggered by beta-glucan in anti-fungal immunity. On the other hand, assessment of CR3-deficient mice has elucidated the compelling action of beta-glucans in neutrophil-mediated fungal clearance, and the investigation of EphA2-deficient mice has highlighted its novel involvement in host sensing and defense to oral mucosal fungal infection. Based on these accounts, this review focuses on the recent discoveries made by these gene-targeted mice in beta-glucan research with particular emphasis on the multifaceted aspects of fungal immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Joseph Maranan Desamero
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan;
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines
| | - Soo-Hyun Chung
- Division of Experimental Animal Immunology, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2669 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-0022, Japan;
| | - Shigeru Kakuta
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan;
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45
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Medical Application of Substances Derived from Non-Pathogenic Fungi Aspergillus oryzae and A. luchuensis-Containing Koji. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7040243. [PMID: 33804991 PMCID: PMC8063943 DOI: 10.3390/jof7040243] [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: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Although most fungi cause pathogenicity toward human beings, dynasties of the East Asian region have domesticated and utilized specific fungi for medical applications. The Japanese dynasty and nation have domesticated and utilized koji fermented with non-pathogenic fungus Aspergillus oryzae for more than 1300 years. Recent research has elucidated that koji contains medicinal substances such as Taka-diastase, acid protease, koji glycosylceramide, kojic acid, oligosaccharides, ethyl-α-d-glucoside, ferulic acid, ergothioneine, pyroglutamyl leucine, pyranonigrin A, resistant proteins, deferriferrichrysin, polyamines, Bifidobacterium-stimulating peptides, angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitor peptides, 14-dehydroergosterol, beta-glucan, biotin, and citric acid. This review introduces potential medical applications of such medicinal substances to hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular and cognitive diseases, chronic inflammation, epidermal permeability barrier disruption, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and anti-cancer therapy.
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46
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Silva JDC, Thompson-Souza GDA, Barroso MV, Neves JS, Figueiredo RT. Neutrophil and Eosinophil DNA Extracellular Trap Formation: Lessons From Pathogenic Fungi. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:634043. [PMID: 33679665 PMCID: PMC7929991 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.634043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections represent a worldwide health problem. Fungal pathogens are responsible for a variety of conditions, including superficial diseases, allergic pathologies and potentially lethal invasive infections. Neutrophils and eosinophils have been implicated as effector cells in several pathologies. Neutrophils are major effector cells involved in the control of fungal infections and exhibit a plethora of antifungal mechanisms, such as phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species production, degranulation, extracellular vesicle formation, and DNA extracellular trap (ET) release. Eosinophils are polymorphonuclear cells classically implicated as effector cells in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases and helminthic infections, although their roles as immunomodulatory players in both innate and adaptive immunity are currently recognized. Eosinophils are also endowed with antifungal activities and are abundantly found in allergic conditions associated with fungal colonization and sensitization. Neutrophils and eosinophils have been demonstrated to release their nuclear and mitochondrial DNA in response to many pathogens and pro-inflammatory stimuli. ETs have been implicated in the killing and control of many pathogens, as well as in promoting inflammation and tissue damage. The formation of ETs by neutrophils and eosinophils has been described in response to pathogenic fungi. Here, we provide an overview of the mechanisms involved in the release of neutrophil and eosinophil ETs in response to fungal pathogens. General implications for understanding the formation of ETs and the roles of ETs in fungal infections are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana da Costa Silva
- Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Marina Valente Barroso
- Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Josiane Sabbadini Neves
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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47
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Griffiths JS, Camilli G, Kotowicz NK, Ho J, Richardson JP, Naglik JR. Role for IL-1 Family Cytokines in Fungal Infections. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:633047. [PMID: 33643264 PMCID: PMC7902786 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.633047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal pathogens kill approximately 1.5 million individuals per year and represent a severe disease burden worldwide. It is estimated over 150 million people have serious fungal disease such as recurrent mucosal infections or life-threatening systemic infections. Disease can ensue from commensal fungi or new infection and involves different fungal morphologies and the expression of virulence factors. Therefore, anti-fungal immunity is complex and requires coordination between multiple facets of the immune system. IL-1 family cytokines are associated with acute and chronic inflammation and are essential for the innate response to infection. Recent research indicates IL-1 cytokines play a key role mediating immunity against different fungal infections. During mucosal disease, IL-1R and IL-36R are required for neutrophil recruitment and protective Th17 responses, but function through different mechanisms. During systemic disease, IL-18 drives protective Th1 responses, while IL-33 promotes Th2 and suppresses Th1 immunity. The IL-1 family represents an attractive anti-fungal immunotherapy target. There is a need for novel anti-fungal therapeutics, as current therapies are ineffective, toxic and encounter resistance, and no anti-fungal vaccine exists. Furthering our understanding of the IL-1 family cytokines and their complex role during fungal infection may aid the development of novel therapies. As such, this review will discuss the role for IL-1 family cytokines in fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- James S Griffiths
- Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giorgio Camilli
- Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Natalia K Kotowicz
- Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jemima Ho
- Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan P Richardson
- Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Julian R Naglik
- Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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48
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Baranov MV, Kumar M, Sacanna S, Thutupalli S, van den Bogaart G. Modulation of Immune Responses by Particle Size and Shape. Front Immunol 2021; 11:607945. [PMID: 33679696 PMCID: PMC7927956 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.607945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune system has to cope with a wide range of irregularly shaped pathogens that can actively move (e.g., by flagella) and also dynamically remodel their shape (e.g., transition from yeast-shaped to hyphal fungi). The goal of this review is to draw general conclusions of how the size and geometry of a pathogen affect its uptake and processing by phagocytes of the immune system. We compared both theoretical and experimental studies with different cells, model particles, and pathogenic microbes (particularly fungi) showing that particle size, shape, rigidity, and surface roughness are important parameters for cellular uptake and subsequent immune responses, particularly inflammasome activation and T cell activation. Understanding how the physical properties of particles affect immune responses can aid the design of better vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maksim V. Baranov
- Department of Molecular Immunology and Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Simons Center for the Study of Living Machines, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute for Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India
| | - Stefano Sacanna
- Molecular Design Institute, Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Shashi Thutupalli
- Simons Center for the Study of Living Machines, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute for Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India
- International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, Tata Institute for Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India
| | - Geert van den Bogaart
- Department of Molecular Immunology and Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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49
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Kalia N, Singh J, Kaur M. The role of dectin-1 in health and disease. Immunobiology 2021; 226:152071. [PMID: 33588306 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2021.152071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic cell-associated C-type lectin-1 (Dectin-1), also known as β-glucan receptor is an emerging pattern recognition receptor (PRR) which belongs to the family of C-type lectin receptor (CLR). This CLR identifies ligands independently of Ca2+ and is majorly involved in coupling of innate with adaptive immunity. Formerly, Dectin-1 was best known for its role in anti-fungal defense only. However, recent explorations suggested its wider role in defense against variety of infectious diseases caused by pathogens including bacteria, parasites and viruses. In fact, Dectin-1 signaling axis has been suggested to be targeted as an effective therapeutic strategy for cancers. Dectin-1 has also been elucidated ascetically in the heart, respiratory, intestinal, neurological and developmental disorders. Being a defensive PRR, Dectin-1 results in optimal immune responses in collaboration with other PRRs, but the overall evaluation reinforces the hypothesis of disease development on dis-regulation of Dectin-1 activity. This underscores the impact of Dectin-1 polymorphisms in modulating protein expression and generation of non-optimal immune responses through defective collaborations, further underlining their therapeutic potential. To add on, Dectin-1 influence autoimmunity and severe inflammation accredited to recognition of self T cells and apoptotic cells through unknown ligands. Few reports have also testified its redundant role in infections, which makes it a complicated molecule to be fully resolved. Thus, Dectin-1 is a hub that runs a complex collaborative network, whose interactive wire connections to different PRRs are still pending to be revealed. Alternatively, so far focus of almost all the researchers was the two major cell surface isoforms of Dectin-1, despite the fact that its soluble functional intracellular isoform (Dectin-1E) has already been dissected but is indefinable. Therefore, this review intensely recommends the need of future research to resolve the un-resolved and treasure the comprehensive role of Dectin-1 in different clinical outcomes, before determining its therapeutic prospective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namarta Kalia
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143001, India.
| | - Jatinder Singh
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143001, India
| | - Manpreet Kaur
- Department of Human Genetics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143001, India.
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50
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De Marco Castro E, Calder PC, Roche HM. β-1,3/1,6-Glucans and Immunity: State of the Art and Future Directions. Mol Nutr Food Res 2021; 65:e1901071. [PMID: 32223047 PMCID: PMC7816268 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201901071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The innate immune system responds in a rapid and non-specific manner against immunologic threats; inflammation is part of this response. This is followed by a slower but targeted and specific response termed the adaptive or acquired immune response. There is emerging evidence that dietary components, including yeast-derived β-glucans, can aid host defense against pathogens by modulating inflammatory and antimicrobial activity of neutrophils and macrophages. Innate immune training refers to a newly recognized phenomenon wherein compounds may "train" innate immune cells, such that monocyte and macrophage precursor biology is altered to mount a more effective immunological response. Although various human studies have been carried out, much uncertainty still exists and further studies are required to fully elucidate the relationship between β-glucan supplementation and human immune function. This review offers an up-to-date report on yeast-derived β-glucans as immunomodulators, including a brief overview of the current paradigm regarding the interaction of β-glucans with the immune system. The recent pre-clinical work that has partly decrypted mode of action and the newest evidence from human trials are also reviewed. According to pre-clinical studies, β-1,3/1,6-glucan derived from baker's yeast may offer increased immuno-surveillance, although the human evidence is weaker than that gained from pre-clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena De Marco Castro
- Nutrigenomics Research GroupSchool of Public Health, Physiotherapy, and Sports ScienceConway Institute, and Institute of Food and HealthUniversity College DublinDublin 4D04 V1W8Ireland
- Diabetes Complications Research CentreConway InstituteUniversity College DublinDublin 4D04 V1W8Ireland
| | - Philip C. Calder
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonSO16 6YDUK
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research CentreUniversity Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation TrustUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonSO16 6YDUK
| | - Helen M. Roche
- Nutrigenomics Research GroupSchool of Public Health, Physiotherapy, and Sports ScienceConway Institute, and Institute of Food and HealthUniversity College DublinDublin 4D04 V1W8Ireland
- Diabetes Complications Research CentreConway InstituteUniversity College DublinDublin 4D04 V1W8Ireland
- Institute for Global Food SecurityQueens University BelfastBelfastNorthern IrelandBT9 5DLUK
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