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Cunha MM, Pereira ABM, Lino RC, da Silva PR, Andrade-Silva LE, de Vito FB, de Souza HM, Silva-Vergara ML, Rogério AP. Effects of combination of Cryptococcus gattii and IFN-γ, IL-4 or IL-27 on human bronchial epithelial cells. Immunobiology 2023; 228:152312. [PMID: 36577248 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2022.152312] [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: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Airway epithelial cells are crucial for the establishment of cryptococcosis. In experimental cryptococcosis, the Th2 immune response is associated with host susceptibility, while Th1 cells are associated with protection. The absence of IL-27 receptor alpha in mice favor the increase Cryptococcus neoformans burden in the lung. Here, we evaluated the effects of the combination of IL-4, IFN-γ or IL-27 with C. gattii on human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B). METHODS BEAS-2B were stimulated with IL-4, IFN-γ or IL-27 (100 ng/mL) and/or live yeast forms of C. gattii (multiplicities of infection (MOI) of 1-100) and vice-versa, as well as with heat-killed cells of C. gattii for 24 h. RESULTS None of the C. gattii MOIs had cytotoxic effects on BEAS-2B when compared to control. The cells stimulated by cytokines (IL-4, IFN-γ or IL-27) followed by live yeast forms of C. gattii (MOI of 100) infection and vice-versa demonstrated a reduction in IL-6, IL-8 and/or CCL2 production and activation of STAT6 (induced by IL-4) and STAT1 (induced by IL-27 or IFN-γ) when compared to cells stimulated with C. gattii, IL-4, IFN-γ or IL-27. In the combination of cytokines and heat-killed cells of C. gattii, no inhibition of these inflammatory parameters was observed. The growth of C. gattii was increased while the phagocytosis of live yeast forms of C. gattii in the BEAS-2B were reduced in the presence of IL-4, IFN-γ or IL-27. Conclusion The association of live yeast forms, but not heat-killed yeast forms, of C. gattii with IL-4, IFN-γ or IL-27 induced an anti-inflammatory effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiara Medeiros Cunha
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Medicine, Laboratory of Experimental Immunopharmacology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, USA
| | - Aline Beatriz Mahler Pereira
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Medicine, Laboratory of Experimental Immunopharmacology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, USA
| | - Roberta Campos Lino
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Medicine, Laboratory of Experimental Immunopharmacology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, USA
| | - Paulo Roberto da Silva
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Medicine, Laboratory of Experimental Immunopharmacology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, USA
| | - Leonardo Euripedes Andrade-Silva
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Medicine, Laboratory of Mycology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, USA
| | - Fernanda Bernadelli de Vito
- Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, USA
| | - Hélio Moraes de Souza
- Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, USA
| | - Mario Leon Silva-Vergara
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Medicine, Laboratory of Mycology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, USA
| | - Alexandre Paula Rogério
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Medicine, Laboratory of Experimental Immunopharmacology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, USA.
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2
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Strickland AB, Shi M. Mechanisms of fungal dissemination. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:3219-3238. [PMID: 33449153 PMCID: PMC8044058 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03736-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fungal infections are an increasing threat to global public health. There are more than six million fungal species worldwide, but less than 1% are known to infect humans. Most of these fungal infections are superficial, affecting the hair, skin and nails, but some species are capable of causing life-threatening diseases. The most common of these include Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans. These fungi are typically innocuous and even constitute a part of the human microbiome, but if these pathogens disseminate throughout the body, they can cause fatal infections which account for more than one million deaths worldwide each year. Thus, systemic dissemination of fungi is a critical step in the development of these deadly infections. In this review, we discuss our current understanding of how fungi disseminate from the initial infection sites to the bloodstream, how immune cells eliminate fungi from circulation and how fungi leave the blood and enter distant organs, highlighting some recent advances and offering some perspectives on future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley B Strickland
- Division of Immunology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
| | - Meiqing Shi
- Division of Immunology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
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3
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Normile TG, Bryan AM, Del Poeta M. Animal Models of Cryptococcus neoformans in Identifying Immune Parameters Associated With Primary Infection and Reactivation of Latent Infection. Front Immunol 2020; 11:581750. [PMID: 33042164 PMCID: PMC7522366 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.581750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus species are environmental fungal pathogens and the causative agents of cryptococcosis. Infection occurs upon inhalation of infectious particles, which proliferate in the lung causing a primary infection. From this primary lung infection, fungal cells can eventually disseminate to other organs, particularly the brain, causing lethal meningoencephalitis. However, in most cases, the primary infection resolves with the formation of a lung granuloma. Upon severe immunodeficiency, dormant cryptococcal cells will start proliferating in the lung granuloma and eventually will disseminate to the brain. Many investigators have sought to study the protective host immune response to this pathogen in search of host parameters that keep the proliferation of cryptococcal cells under control. The majority of the work assimilates research carried out using the primary infection animal model, mainly because a reactivation model has been available only very recently. This review will focus on anti-cryptococcal immunity in both the primary and reactivation models. An understanding of the differences in host immunity between the primary and reactivation models will help to define the key host parameters that control the infections and are important for the research and development of new therapeutic and vaccine strategies against cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler G Normile
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Arielle M Bryan
- Ingenious Targeting Laboratory Incorporated, Ronkonkoma, NY, United States
| | - Maurizio Del Poeta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States.,Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States.,Veterans Administration Medical Center, Northport, NY, United States
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4
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Contribution of Laccase Expression to Immune Response against Cryptococcus gattii Infection. Infect Immun 2020; 88:IAI.00712-19. [PMID: 31871099 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00712-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is an infectious disease caused by two fungal species, Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii While C. neoformans affects mainly immunocompromised patients, C. gattii infects both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. Laccase is an important virulence factor that contributes to the virulence of C. neoformans by promoting pulmonary growth and dissemination to the brain. The presence of laccase in C. neoformans can shift the host immune response toward a nonprotective Th2-type response. However, the role of laccase in the immune response against C. gattii remains unclear. In this study, we characterized laccase activity in C. neoformans and C. gattii isolates from Thailand and investigated whether C. gattii that is deficient in laccase might modulate immune responses during infection. C. gattii was found to have higher laccase activity than C. neoformans, indicating the importance of laccase in the pathogenesis of C. gattii infection. The expression of laccase promoted intracellular proliferation in macrophages and inhibited in vitro fungal clearance. Mice infected with a lac1Δ mutant strain of C. gattii had reduced lung burdens at the early but not the late stage of infection. Without affecting type-1 and type-2 responses, the deficiency of laccase in C. gattii induced cryptococcus-specific interleukin-17 (IL-17) cytokine, neutrophil accumulation, and expression of the neutrophil-associated cytokine gene Csf3 and chemokine genes Cxcl1, Cxcl2, and Cxcl5 in vivo, as well as enhanced neutrophil-mediated phagocytosis and killing in vitro Thus, our data suggest that laccase constitutes an important virulence factor of C. gattii that plays roles in attenuating Th17-type immunity, neutrophil recruitment, and function during the early stage of infection.
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5
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Lopes JP, Stylianou M, Backman E, Holmberg S, Ekoff M, Nilsson G, Urban CF. Cryptococcus neoformans Induces MCP-1 Release and Delays the Death of Human Mast Cells. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:289. [PMID: 31456952 PMCID: PMC6700240 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis, caused by the basidiomycete Cryptococcus neoformans, is a life-threatening disease affecting approximately one million people per year worldwide. Infection can occur when C. neoformans cells are inhaled by immunocompromised people. In order to establish infection, the yeast must bypass recognition and clearance by immune cells guarding the tissue. Using in vitro infections, we characterized the role of mast cells (MCs) in cryptococcosis. We found that MCs recognize C. neoformans and release inflammatory mediators such as tryptase and cytokines. From the latter group MCs released mainly CCL-2/MCP-1, a strong chemoattractant for monocytic cells. We demonstrated that supernatants of infected MCs recruit monocytes but not neutrophils. During infection with C. neoformans, MCs have a limited ability to kill the yeast depending on the serotype. C. neoformans, in turn, modulates the lifespan of MCs both, by presence of its polysaccharide capsule and by secreting soluble modulators. Taken together, MCs might have important contributions to fungal clearance during early stages of cryptocococis where these cells regulate recruitment of monocytes to mucosal tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Pedro Lopes
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Marios Stylianou
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Emelie Backman
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Sandra Holmberg
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Maria Ekoff
- Immunology and Allergy Division, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Nilsson
- Immunology and Allergy Division, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Constantin F Urban
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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6
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Luberto C, Haley JD, Del Poeta M. Imaging with mass spectrometry, the next frontier in sphingolipid research? A discussion on where we stand and the possibilities ahead. Chem Phys Lipids 2019; 219:1-14. [PMID: 30641043 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2019.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In the last ten years, mass spectrometry (MS) has become the favored analytical technique for sphingolipid (SPL) analysis and measurements. Indeed MS has the unique ability to both acquire sensitive and quantitative measurements and to resolve the molecular complexity characteristic of SPL molecules, both across the different SPL families and within the same SPL family. Currently, two complementary MS-based approaches are used for lipid research: analysis of lipid extracts, mainly by infusion electrospray ionization (ESI), and mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) from a sample surface (i.e. intact tissue sections, cells, model membranes, thin layer chromatography plates) (Fig. 1). The first allows for sensitive and quantitative information about total lipid molecular species from a given specimen from which lipids have been extracted and chromatographically separated prior to the analysis; the second, albeit generally less quantitative and less specific in the identification of molecular species due to the complexity of the sample, allows for spatial information of lipid molecules from biological specimens. In the field of SPL research, MS analysis of lipid extracts from biological samples has been commonly utilized to implicate the role of these lipids in specific biological functions. On the other hand, the utilization of MSI in SPL research represents a more recent development that has started to provide interesting descriptive observations regarding the distribution of specific classes of SPLs within tissues. Thus, it is the aim of this review to discuss how MSI technology has been employed to extend the study of SPL metabolism and the type of information that has been obtained from model membranes, single cells and tissues. We envision this discussion as a complementary compendium to the excellent technical reviews recently published about the specifics of MSI technologies, including their application to SPL analysis (Fuchs et al., 2010; Berry et al., 2011; Ellis et al., 2013; Eberlin et al., 2011; Kraft and Klitzing, 2014).
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Luberto
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States.
| | - John D Haley
- Department of Pathology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Maurizio Del Poeta
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States; Division of Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States; Institute of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States; Veterans Administrations Medical Center, Northport, NY, United States
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7
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Dutra FF, Albuquerque PC, Rodrigues ML, Fonseca FL. Warfare and defense: The host response to Cryptococcus infection. FUNGAL BIOL REV 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbr.2017.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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8
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Innate host defenses against Cryptococcus neoformans. J Microbiol 2016; 54:202-11. [PMID: 26920880 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-016-5625-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Revised: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans, the predominant etiological agent of cryptococcosis, can cause life-threatening infections of the central nervous system in immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis is the most common disseminated fungal infection in AIDS patients, and remains the third most common invasive fungal infection among organ transplant recipients. The administration of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has resulted in a decrease in the number of cases of AIDS-related cryptococcosis in developed countries, but in developing countries where HAART is not readily available, Cryptococcus is still a major concern. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of novel therapies and/or vaccines to combat cryptococcosis. Understanding the protective immune responses against Cryptococcus is critical for development of vaccines and immunotherapies to combat cryptococcosis. Consequently, this review focuses on our current knowledge of protective immune responses to C. neoformans, with an emphasis on innate immune responses.
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9
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Leopold Wager CM, Hole CR, Wozniak KL, Wormley FL. Cryptococcus and Phagocytes: Complex Interactions that Influence Disease Outcome. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:105. [PMID: 26903984 PMCID: PMC4746234 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii are fungal pathogens that cause life-threatening disease. These fungi commonly enter their host via inhalation into the lungs where they encounter resident phagocytes, including macrophages and dendritic cells, whose response has a pronounced impact on the outcome of disease. Cryptococcus has complex interactions with the resident and infiltrating innate immune cells that, ideally, result in destruction of the yeast. These phagocytic cells have pattern recognition receptors that allow recognition of specific cryptococcal cell wall and capsule components. However, Cryptococcus possesses several virulence factors including a polysaccharide capsule, melanin production and secretion of various enzymes that aid in evasion of the immune system or enhance its ability to thrive within the phagocyte. This review focuses on the intricate interactions between the cryptococci and innate phagocytic cells including discussion of manipulation and evasion strategies used by Cryptococcus, anti-cryptococcal responses by the phagocytes and approaches for targeting phagocytes for the development of novel immunotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrissy M Leopold Wager
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX, USA; The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Camaron R Hole
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX, USA; The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Karen L Wozniak
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX, USA; The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Floyd L Wormley
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX, USA; The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX, USA
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10
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Real-Time Imaging of Interactions of Neutrophils with Cryptococcus neoformans Demonstrates a Crucial Role of Complement C5a-C5aR Signaling. Infect Immun 2015; 84:216-29. [PMID: 26502909 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01197-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Neutrophils have been shown to efficiently kill Cryptococcus neoformans, a causative agent of meningoencephalitis. Here, using live-cell imaging, we characterize the dynamic interactions of neutrophils with C. neoformans and the underlying mechanisms in real time. Neutrophils were directly seen to chase C. neoformans cells and then rapidly internalize them. Complement C5a-C5aR signaling guided neutrophils to migrate to the yeast cells, resulting in optimal phagocytosis and subsequent killing of the organisms. The addition of recombinant complement C5a enhanced neutrophil movement but did not induce chemotaxis, suggesting that the C5a gradient is crucial. Incubation with C. neoformans resulted in enhanced activation of Erk and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases (MAPKs) in neutrophils. Inhibition of the p38 MAPK pathway, but not the Erk pathway, significantly impaired neutrophil migration and its subsequent killing of C. neoformans. Deficiency of CD11b or blocking of CD11b did not affect the migration of neutrophils toward C. neoformans but almost completely abolished phagocytosis and killing of the organisms by neutrophils. C5a-C5aR signaling induced enhanced surface expression of CD11b. Interestingly, the original surface expression of CD11b was essential and sufficient for neutrophils to attach to C. neoformans but was unable to mediate phagocytosis. In contrast, the enhanced surface expression of CD11b induced by C5a-C5aR signaling was essential for neutrophil phagocytosis and subsequent killing of yeast cells. Collectively, this is the first report of the dynamic interactions of neutrophils with C. neoformans, demonstrating a crucial role of C5a-C5aR signaling in neutrophil killing of C. neoformans in real time.
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Sato K, Yamamoto H, Nomura T, Matsumoto I, Miyasaka T, Zong T, Kanno E, Uno K, Ishii K, Kawakami K. Cryptococcus neoformans Infection in Mice Lacking Type I Interferon Signaling Leads to Increased Fungal Clearance and IL-4-Dependent Mucin Production in the Lungs. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0138291. [PMID: 26384031 PMCID: PMC4575107 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2015] [Accepted: 08/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFNs) are secreted by many cell types upon stimulation via pattern recognition receptors and bind to IFN-α/β receptor (IFNAR), which is composed of IFNAR1 and IFNAR2. Although type I IFNs are well known as anti-viral cytokines, limited information is available on their role during fungal infection. In the present study, we addressed this issue by examining the effect of IFNAR1 defects on the host defense response to Cryptococcus neoformans. In IFNAR1KO mice, the number of live colonies was lower and the host immune response mediated not only by Th1 but also by Th2 and Th17-related cytokines was more accelerated in the infected lungs than in WT mice. In addition, mucin production by bronchoepithelial cells and expression of MUC5AC, a major core protein of mucin in the lungs, were significantly higher in IFNAR1KO mice than in WT mice. This increase in mucin and MUC5AC production was significantly inhibited by treatment with neutralizing anti-IL-4 mAb. In contrast, administration of recombinant IFN-αA/D significantly suppressed the production of IL-4, but not of IFN-γ and IL-17A, in the lungs of WT mice after cryptococcal infection. These results indicate that defects of IFNAR1 led to improved clearance of infection with C. neoformans and enhanced synthesis of IFN-γ and the IL-4-dependent production of mucin. They also suggest that type I IFNs may be involved in the negative regulation of early host defense to this infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ko Sato
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Mycology and Immunology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Hideki Yamamoto
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Mycology and Immunology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Toshiki Nomura
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Mycology and Immunology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Ikumi Matsumoto
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Mycology and Immunology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Tomomitsu Miyasaka
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Mycology and Immunology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Tong Zong
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Mycology and Immunology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Emi Kanno
- Department of Science of Nursing Practice, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Kazuko Uno
- Louis Pasteur Center for Medical Research, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Keiko Ishii
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Mycology and Immunology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Kawakami
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Mycology and Immunology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Zhang M, Sun D, Shi M. Dancing cheek to cheek: Cryptococcus neoformans and phagocytes. SPRINGERPLUS 2015; 4:410. [PMID: 26266081 PMCID: PMC4531118 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-1192-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Meningoencephalitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) has become one of the leading causes of mortality in AIDS patients. Understanding the interactions between Cn and phagocytes is fundamental in exploring the pathogenicity of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis. Cn may be extracellular or contained in the monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells and even endothelial cells. The internalized Cn may proliferate inside the host cells, or cause the lysis of host cells, or leave the host cells via non-lytic exocytosis, or even hijack the host cells (Trojan horse) for the brain dissemination, which are regulated by microbe factors and also immune molecules. Coexistence of protective and deleterious roles of phagocytes in the progression of cryptococcosis warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingshun Zhang
- Division of Immunology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, MD USA ; Department of Immunology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu China
| | - Donglei Sun
- Division of Immunology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, MD USA
| | - Meiqing Shi
- Division of Immunology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, MD USA
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13
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The Granuloma Response Controlling Cryptococcosis in Mice Depends on the Sphingosine Kinase 1-Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Pathway. Infect Immun 2015; 83:2705-13. [PMID: 25895971 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00056-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen that causes pulmonary infections, which may progress into life-threatening meningitis. In commonly used mouse models of C. neoformans infections, fungal cells are not contained in the lungs, resulting in dissemination to the brain. We have previously reported the generation of an engineered C. neoformans strain (C. neoformans Δgcs1) which can be contained in lung granulomas in the mouse model and have shown that granuloma formation is dependent upon the enzyme sphingosine kinase 1 (SK1) and its product, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). In this study, we have used four mouse models, CBA/J and C57BL6/J (both immunocompetent), Tgε26 (an isogenic strain of strain CBA/J lacking T and NK cells), and SK(-/-) (an isogenic strain of strain C57BL6/J lacking SK1), to investigate how the granulomatous response and SK1-S1P pathway are interrelated during C. neoformans infections. S1P and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) levels were significantly elevated in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of all mice infected with C. neoformans Δgcs1 but not in mice infected with the C. neoformans wild type. SK1(-/-) mice did not show elevated levels of S1P or MCP-1. Primary neutrophils isolated from SK1(-/-) mice showed impaired antifungal activity that could be restored by the addition of extracellular S1P. In addition, high levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha were found in the mice infected with C. neoformans Δgcs1 in comparison to the levels found in mice infected with the C. neoformans wild type, and their levels were also dependent on the SK1-S1P pathway. Taken together, these results suggest that the SK1-S1P pathway promotes host defense against C. neoformans infections by regulating cytokine levels, promoting extracellular killing by phagocytes, and generating a granulomatous response.
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Gibson JF, Johnston SA. Immunity to Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii during cryptococcosis. Fungal Genet Biol 2014; 78:76-86. [PMID: 25498576 PMCID: PMC4503824 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2014.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2014] [Revised: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 11/29/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The vast majority of infection with cryptococcal species occurs with Cryptococcus neoformans in the severely immunocompromised. A significant exception to this is the infections of those with apparently normal immune systems by Cryptococcus gattii. Susceptibility to cryptococcosis can be broadly categorised as a defect in adaptive immune responses, especially in T cell immunity. However, innate immune cells such as macrophages play a key role and are likely the primary effector cell in the killing and ultimate clearance of cryptococcal infection. In this review we discuss the current state of our understanding of how the immune system responds to cryptococcal infection in health and disease, with reference to the work communicated at the 9th International Conference on Cryptococcus and Cryptococcosis (ICCC9). We have focussed on cell mediated responses, particularly early in infection, but with the aim of presenting a broad overview of our understanding of immunity to cryptococcal infection, highlighting some recent advances and offering some perspectives on future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josie F Gibson
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Medical School, University of Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK; Bateson Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Simon A Johnston
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Medical School, University of Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK; Bateson Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK.
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