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Saffer C, Timme S, Rudolph P, Figge MT. Surrogate infection model predicts optimal alveolar macrophage number for clearance of Aspergillus fumigatus infections. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2023; 9:12. [PMID: 37037824 PMCID: PMC10086013 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-023-00272-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune system has to fight off hundreds of microbial invaders every day, such as the human-pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. The fungal conidia can reach the lower respiratory tract, swell and form hyphae within six hours causing life-threatening invasive aspergillosis. Invading pathogens are continuously recognized and eliminated by alveolar macrophages (AM). Their number plays an essential role, but remains controversial with measurements varying by a factor greater than ten for the human lung. We here investigate the impact of the AM number on the clearance of A. fumigatus conidia in humans and mice using analytical and numerical modeling approaches. A three-dimensional to-scale hybrid agent-based model (hABM) of the human and murine alveolus allowed us to simulate millions of virtual infection scenarios, and to gain quantitative insights into the infection dynamics for varying AM numbers and infection doses. Since hABM simulations are computationally expensive, we derived and trained an analytical surrogate infection model on the large dataset of numerical simulations. This enables reducing the number of hABM simulations while still providing (i) accurate and immediate predictions on infection progression, (ii) quantitative hypotheses on the infection dynamics under healthy and immunocompromised conditions, and (iii) optimal AM numbers for combating A. fumigatus infections in humans and mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Saffer
- Research Group Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Sandra Timme
- Research Group Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Paul Rudolph
- Research Group Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Marc Thilo Figge
- Research Group Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany.
- Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.
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2
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Sedono R, Adisasmita A, Djuwita R, Sjaaf A, Nadjib M, Syarif S, Alisjahbana B, Karuniawati A, Wahyuningsih R. Risk Factors for development of invasive candidiasis in critically ill patients: A prospective observational study in intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital. BALI JOURNAL OF ANESTHESIOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.4103/bjoa.bjoa_255_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
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3
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D’Auria FD, Casciaro B, De Angelis M, Marcocci ME, Palamara AT, Nencioni L, Mangoni ML. Antifungal Activity of the Frog Skin Peptide Temporin G and Its Effect on Candida albicans Virulence Factors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116345. [PMID: 35683025 PMCID: PMC9181532 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing resistance to conventional antifungal drugs is a widespread concern, and a search for new compounds, active against different species of fungi, is demanded. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) hold promises in this context. Here we investigated the activity of the frog skin AMP Temporin G (TG) against a panel of fungal strains, by following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute protocols. TG resulted to be active against (i) Candida species and Cryptococcus neoformans, with MIC50 between 4 µM and 64 µM after 24 h of incubation; (ii) dermatophytes with MIC80 ranging from 4 to 32 µM, and (iii) Aspergillus strains with MIC80 of 128 µM. In addition, our tests revealed that TG reduced the metabolic activity of Candida albicans cells, with moderate membrane perturbation, as proven by XTT and Sytox Green assays, respectively. Furthermore, TG was found to be effective against some C. albicans virulence factors; indeed, at 64 µM it was able to inhibit ~90% of yeast-mycelial switching, strongly prevented biofilm formation, and led to a 50% reduction of metabolic activity in mature biofilm cells, and ~30-35% eradication of mature biofilm biomass. Even though further studies are needed to deepen our knowledge of the mechanisms of TG antifungal activity, our results suggest this AMP as an attractive lead compound for treatment of fungal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Diodata D’Auria
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
| | - Bruno Casciaro
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Marta De Angelis
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
| | - Maria Elena Marcocci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Nencioni
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
- Correspondence: (L.N.); (M.L.M.); Tel.: +39-0649914608 (L.N.); +39-0649910838 (M.L.M.)
| | - Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: (L.N.); (M.L.M.); Tel.: +39-0649914608 (L.N.); +39-0649910838 (M.L.M.)
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4
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Ewald J, Sieber P, Garde R, Lang SN, Schuster S, Ibrahim B. Trends in mathematical modeling of host-pathogen interactions. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:467-480. [PMID: 31776589 PMCID: PMC7010650 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03382-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Pathogenic microorganisms entail enormous problems for humans, livestock, and crop plants. A better understanding of the different infection strategies of the pathogens enables us to derive optimal treatments to mitigate infectious diseases or develop vaccinations preventing the occurrence of infections altogether. In this review, we highlight the current trends in mathematical modeling approaches and related methods used for understanding host-pathogen interactions. Since these interactions can be described on vastly different temporal and spatial scales as well as abstraction levels, a variety of computational and mathematical approaches are presented. Particular emphasis is placed on dynamic optimization, game theory, and spatial modeling, as they are attracting more and more interest in systems biology. Furthermore, these approaches are often combined to illuminate the complexities of the interactions between pathogens and their host. We also discuss the phenomena of molecular mimicry and crypsis as well as the interplay between defense and counter defense. As a conclusion, we provide an overview of method characteristics to assist non-experts in their decision for modeling approaches and interdisciplinary understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Ewald
- Matthias Schleiden Institute, Bioinformatics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Ernst-Abbe-Platz 2, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Patricia Sieber
- Matthias Schleiden Institute, Bioinformatics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Ernst-Abbe-Platz 2, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Ravindra Garde
- Matthias Schleiden Institute, Bioinformatics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Ernst-Abbe-Platz 2, 07743, Jena, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Str. 8, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Stefan N Lang
- Matthias Schleiden Institute, Bioinformatics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Ernst-Abbe-Platz 2, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Stefan Schuster
- Matthias Schleiden Institute, Bioinformatics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Ernst-Abbe-Platz 2, 07743, Jena, Germany.
| | - Bashar Ibrahim
- Matthias Schleiden Institute, Bioinformatics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Ernst-Abbe-Platz 2, 07743, Jena, Germany.
- Centre for Applied Mathematics and Bioinformatics, Gulf University for Science and Technology, 32093, Hawally, Kuwait.
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5
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Hummert S, Glock C, Lang SN, Hummert C, Skerka C, Zipfel PF, Germerodt S, Schuster S. Playing 'hide-and-seek' with factor H: game-theoretical analysis of a single nucleotide polymorphism. J R Soc Interface 2019; 15:rsif.2017.0963. [PMID: 29720453 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2017.0963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
As a part of the complement system, factor H regulates phagocytosis and helps differentiate between a body's own and foreign cells. Owing to mimicry efforts, some pathogenic microorganisms such as Candida albicans are able to bind factor H on their cell surfaces and, thus, become similar to host cells. This implies that the decision between self and foreign is not clear-cut, which leads to a classification problem for the immune system. Here, two different alleles determining the binding affinity of factor H are relevant. Those alleles differ in the SNP Y402H; they are known to be associated with susceptibility to certain diseases. Interestingly, the fraction of both alleles differs in ethnic groups. The game-theoretical model proposed in this article explains the coexistence of both alleles by a battle of the sexes game and investigates the trade-off between pathogen detection and protection of host cells. Further, we discuss the ethnicity-dependent frequencies of the alleles. Moreover, the model elucidates the mimicry efforts by pathogenic microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Hummert
- Institute of Physiology 2, Universitätsklinikum, Friedrich Schiller University, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Christina Glock
- Department of Bioinformatics, Friedrich Schiller University, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Stefan N Lang
- Department of Bioinformatics, Friedrich Schiller University, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Hummert
- Department of Applied Computer Sciences and Biosciences, Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, 09648 Mittweida, Germany
| | - Christine Skerka
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany
| | | | - Sebastian Germerodt
- Department of Bioinformatics, Friedrich Schiller University, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Stefan Schuster
- Department of Bioinformatics, Friedrich Schiller University, 07743 Jena, Germany
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6
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Dühring S, Ewald J, Germerodt S, Kaleta C, Dandekar T, Schuster S. Modelling the host-pathogen interactions of macrophages and Candida albicans using Game Theory and dynamic optimization. J R Soc Interface 2018; 14:rsif.2017.0095. [PMID: 28701506 PMCID: PMC5550964 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2017.0095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The release of fungal cells following macrophage phagocytosis, called non-lytic expulsion, is reported for several fungal pathogens. On one hand, non-lytic expulsion may benefit the fungus in escaping the microbicidal environment of the phagosome. On the other hand, the macrophage could profit in terms of avoiding its own lysis and being able to undergo proliferation. To analyse the causes of non-lytic expulsion and the relevance of macrophage proliferation in the macrophage–Candida albicans interaction, we employ Evolutionary Game Theory and dynamic optimization in a sequential manner. We establish a game-theoretical model describing the different strategies of the two players after phagocytosis. Depending on the parameter values, we find four different Nash equilibria and determine the influence of the systems state of the host upon the game. As our Nash equilibria are a direct consequence of the model parameterization, we can depict several biological scenarios. A parameter region, where the host response is robust against the fungal infection, is determined. We further apply dynamic optimization to analyse whether macrophage mitosis is relevant in the host–pathogen interaction of macrophages and C. albicans. For this, we study the population dynamics of the macrophage–C. albicans interactions and the corresponding optimal controls for the macrophages, indicating the best macrophage strategy of switching from proliferation to attacking fungal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sybille Dühring
- Department of Bioinformatics, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Jan Ewald
- Department of Bioinformatics, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Sebastian Germerodt
- Department of Bioinformatics, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Christoph Kaleta
- Research Group Medical Systems Biology, Institute for Experimental Medicine, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Thomas Dandekar
- Biocenter, Department of Bioinformatics, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Schuster
- Department of Bioinformatics, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
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7
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Malavia D, Lehtovirta-Morley LE, Alamir O, Weiß E, Gow NAR, Hube B, Wilson D. Zinc Limitation Induces a Hyper-Adherent Goliath Phenotype in Candida albicans. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2238. [PMID: 29184547 PMCID: PMC5694484 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic microorganisms often face acute micronutrient limitation during infection due to the action of host-mediated nutritional immunity. The human fungal pathogen Candida albicans is polymorphic and its morphological plasticity is one of its most widely recognized pathogenicity attributes. Here we investigated the effect of zinc, iron, manganese, and copper limitation on C. albicans morphology. Restriction of zinc specifically resulted in the formation of enlarged, spherical yeasts, a phenotype which we term Goliath cells. This cellular response to zinc restriction was conserved in C. albicans, C. dubliniensis and C. tropicalis, but not in C. parapsilosis, C. lusitaniae or Debaryomyces hansenii, suggesting that it may have emerged in the last common ancestor of these related pathogenic species. Cell wall analysis revealed proportionally more chitin exposure on the Goliath cell surface. Importantly, these cells were hyper-adherent, suggesting a possible role in pathogenicity. Interestingly, the zincophore-encoding gene PRA1 was expressed by Goliath cells in zinc limited media and lack of Pra1 inhibited both cellular enlargement and adhesion. Goliath cells represent a further layer of Candida phenotypic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhara Malavia
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Fungal Group, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Laura E Lehtovirta-Morley
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Fungal Group, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.,School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Omran Alamir
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Fungal Group, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Elisabeth Weiß
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Neil A R Gow
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Fungal Group, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany.,Center for Sepsis Control and Care, University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Microbial Pathogenicity, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Duncan Wilson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Fungal Group, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
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8
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Schleicher J, Conrad T, Gustafsson M, Cedersund G, Guthke R, Linde J. Facing the challenges of multiscale modelling of bacterial and fungal pathogen-host interactions. Brief Funct Genomics 2017; 16:57-69. [PMID: 26857943 PMCID: PMC5439285 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elv064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent and rapidly evolving progress on high-throughput measurement techniques and computational performance has led to the emergence of new disciplines, such as systems medicine and translational systems biology. At the core of these disciplines lies the desire to produce multiscale models: mathematical models that integrate multiple scales of biological organization, ranging from molecular, cellular and tissue models to organ, whole-organism and population scale models. Using such models, hypotheses can systematically be tested. In this review, we present state-of-the-art multiscale modelling of bacterial and fungal infections, considering both the pathogen and host as well as their interaction. Multiscale modelling of the interactions of bacteria, especially Mycobacterium tuberculosis, with the human host is quite advanced. In contrast, models for fungal infections are still in their infancy, in particular regarding infections with the most important human pathogenic fungi, Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus. We reflect on the current availability of computational approaches for multiscale modelling of host-pathogen interactions and point out current challenges. Finally, we provide an outlook for future requirements of multiscale modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jörg Linde
- Corresponding author: Jörg Linde, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology—Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany. Tel.: +49-3641-532-1290; E-mail:
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9
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Goldenbogen B, Giese W, Hemmen M, Uhlendorf J, Herrmann A, Klipp E. Dynamics of cell wall elasticity pattern shapes the cell during yeast mating morphogenesis. Open Biol 2016; 6:160136. [PMID: 27605377 PMCID: PMC5043577 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.160136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell wall defines cell shape and maintains integrity of fungi and plants. When exposed to mating pheromone, Saccharomyces cerevisiae grows a mating projection and alters in morphology from spherical to shmoo form. Although structural and compositional alterations of the cell wall accompany shape transitions, their impact on cell wall elasticity is unknown. In a combined theoretical and experimental approach using finite-element modelling and atomic force microscopy (AFM), we investigated the influence of spatially and temporally varying material properties on mating morphogenesis. Time-resolved elasticity maps of shmooing yeast acquired with AFM in vivo revealed distinct patterns, with soft material at the emerging mating projection and stiff material at the tip. The observed cell wall softening in the protrusion region is necessary for the formation of the characteristic shmoo shape, and results in wider and longer mating projections. The approach is generally applicable to tip-growing fungi and plants cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn Goldenbogen
- Theoretical Biophysics, Institute of Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstraße 42, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Giese
- Theoretical Biophysics, Institute of Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstraße 42, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marie Hemmen
- Theoretical Biophysics, Institute of Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstraße 42, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jannis Uhlendorf
- Theoretical Biophysics, Institute of Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstraße 42, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Herrmann
- Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstraße 42, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Edda Klipp
- Theoretical Biophysics, Institute of Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstraße 42, 10115 Berlin, Germany
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10
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Pollmächer J, Timme S, Schuster S, Brakhage AA, Zipfel PF, Figge MT. Deciphering the Counterplay of Aspergillus fumigatus Infection and Host Inflammation by Evolutionary Games on Graphs. Sci Rep 2016; 6:27807. [PMID: 27291424 PMCID: PMC4904243 DOI: 10.1038/srep27807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial invaders are ubiquitously present and pose the constant risk of infections that are opposed by various defence mechanisms of the human immune system. A tight regulation of the immune response ensures clearance of microbial invaders and concomitantly limits host damage that is crucial for host viability. To investigate the counterplay of infection and inflammation, we simulated the invasion of the human-pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus in lung alveoli by evolutionary games on graphs. The layered structure of the innate immune system is represented by a sequence of games in the virtual model. We show that the inflammatory cascade of the immune response is essential for microbial clearance and that the inflammation level correlates with the infection-dose. At low infection-doses, corresponding to daily inhalation of conidia, the resident alveolar macrophages may be sufficient to clear infections, however, at higher infection-doses their primary task shifts towards recruitment of neutrophils to infection sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Pollmächer
- Research Group Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
- Faculty of Biology and Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany
| | - Sandra Timme
- Research Group Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
- Faculty of Biology and Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany
| | - Stefan Schuster
- Department of Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology and Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A. Brakhage
- Faculty of Biology and Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Peter F. Zipfel
- Faculty of Biology and Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Marc Thilo Figge
- Research Group Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
- Faculty of Biology and Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany
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11
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Dühring S, Germerodt S, Skerka C, Zipfel PF, Dandekar T, Schuster S. Host-pathogen interactions between the human innate immune system and Candida albicans-understanding and modeling defense and evasion strategies. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:625. [PMID: 26175718 PMCID: PMC4485224 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The diploid, polymorphic yeast Candida albicans is one of the most important human pathogenic fungi. C. albicans can grow, proliferate and coexist as a commensal on or within the human host for a long time. However, alterations in the host environment can render C. albicans virulent. In this review, we describe the immunological cross-talk between C. albicans and the human innate immune system. We give an overview in form of pairs of human defense strategies including immunological mechanisms as well as general stressors such as nutrient limitation, pH, fever etc. and the corresponding fungal response and evasion mechanisms. Furthermore, Computational Systems Biology approaches to model and investigate these complex interactions are highlighted with a special focus on game-theoretical methods and agent-based models. An outlook on interesting questions to be tackled by Systems Biology regarding entangled defense and evasion mechanisms is given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sybille Dühring
- Department of Bioinformatics, Friedrich-Schiller-University JenaJena, Germany
| | - Sebastian Germerodt
- Department of Bioinformatics, Friedrich-Schiller-University JenaJena, Germany
| | - Christine Skerka
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll InstituteJena, Germany
| | - Peter F. Zipfel
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll InstituteJena, Germany
- Friedrich-Schiller-University JenaJena, Germany
| | - Thomas Dandekar
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biozentrum, Universitaet WuerzburgWuerzburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Schuster
- Department of Bioinformatics, Friedrich-Schiller-University JenaJena, Germany
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