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Senthil N, Pacifici N, Cruz-Acuña M, Diener A, Han H, Lewis JS. An Image Processing Algorithm for Facile and Reproducible Quantification of Vomocytosis. CHEMICAL & BIOMEDICAL IMAGING 2023; 1:831-842. [PMID: 38155727 PMCID: PMC10751783 DOI: 10.1021/cbmi.3c00102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Vomocytosis is a process that occurs when internalized fungal pathogens escape from phagocytes without compromising the viability of the pathogen and the host cell. Manual quantification of time-lapse microscopy videos is currently used as the standard to study pathogen behavior and vomocytosis incidence. However, human-driven quantification of vomocytosis (and the closely related phenomenon, exocytosis) is incredibly burdensome, especially when a large volume of cells and interactions needs to be analyzed. In this study, we designed a MATLAB algorithm that measures the extent of colocalization between the phagocyte and fungal cell (Cryptococcus neoformans; CN) and rapidly reports the occurrence of vomocytosis in a high throughput manner. Our code processes multichannel, time-lapse microscopy videos of cocultured CN and immune cells that have each been fluorescently stained with unique dyes and provides quantitative readouts of the spatiotemporally dynamic process that is vomocytosis. This study also explored metrics, such as the rate of change of pathogen colocalization with the host cell, that could potentially be used to predict vomocytosis occurrence based on the quantitative data collected. Ultimately, the algorithm quantifies vomocytosis events and reduces the time for video analysis from over 1 h to just 10 min, a reduction in labor of 83%, while simultaneously minimizing human error. This tool significantly minimizes the vomocytosis analysis pipeline, accelerates our ability to elucidate unstudied aspects of this phenomenon, and expedites our ability to characterize CN strains for the study of their epidemiology and virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeraj Senthil
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
California − Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Noah Pacifici
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
California − Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Melissa Cruz-Acuña
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
California − Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Agustina Diener
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
California − Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Hyunsoo Han
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
California − Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Jamal S. Lewis
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
California − Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
- J.
Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
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2
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González K, Gangapurwala G, Alex J, Vollrath A, Cseresnyés Z, Weber C, Czaplewska JA, Hoeppener S, Svensson CM, Orasch T, Heinekamp T, Guerrero-Sánchez C, Figge MT, Schubert US, Brakhage AA. Targeting of phagolysosomes containing conidia of the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus with polymeric particles. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 107:819-834. [PMID: 36480041 PMCID: PMC9842589 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12287-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Conidia of the airborne human-pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus are inhaled by humans. In the lung, they are phagocytosed by alveolar macrophages and intracellularly processed. In macrophages, however, conidia can interfere with the maturation of phagolysosomes to avoid their elimination. To investigate whether polymeric particles (PPs) can reach this intracellular pathogen in macrophages, we formulated dye-labeled PPs with a size allowing for their phagocytosis. PPs were efficiently taken up by RAW 264.7 macrophages and were found in phagolysosomes. When macrophages were infected with conidia prior to the addition of PPs, we found that they co-localized in the same phagolysosomes. Mechanistically, the fusion of phagolysosomes containing PPs with phagolysosomes containing conidia was observed. Increasing concentrations of PPs increased fusion events, resulting in 14% of phagolysosomes containing both conidia and PPs. We demonstrate that PPs can reach conidia-containing phagolysosomes, making these particles a promising carrier system for antimicrobial drugs to target intracellular pathogens. KEY POINTS: • Polymer particles of a size larger than 500 nm are internalized by macrophages and localized in phagolysosomes. • These particles can be delivered to Aspergillus fumigatus conidia-containing phagolysosomes of macrophages. • Enhanced phagolysosome fusion by the use of vacuolin1 can increase particle delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine González
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Adolf-Reichwein-Straße 23, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Neugasse 25, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Gauri Gangapurwala
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Julien Alex
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Antje Vollrath
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Zoltán Cseresnyés
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Adolf-Reichwein-Straße 23, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Christine Weber
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Justyna A. Czaplewska
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Stephanie Hoeppener
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Carl-Magnus Svensson
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Adolf-Reichwein-Straße 23, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Orasch
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Adolf-Reichwein-Straße 23, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Thorsten Heinekamp
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Adolf-Reichwein-Straße 23, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Carlos Guerrero-Sánchez
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Marc Thilo Figge
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Neugasse 25, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Adolf-Reichwein-Straße 23, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Ulrich S. Schubert
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A. Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Adolf-Reichwein-Straße 23, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Neugasse 25, 07745 Jena, Germany
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3
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Rafiq M, Rivieccio F, Zimmermann AK, Visser C, Bruch A, Krüger T, González Rojas K, Kniemeyer O, Blango MG, Brakhage AA. PLB-985 Neutrophil-Like Cells as a Model To Study Aspergillus fumigatus Pathogenesis. mSphere 2022; 7:e0094021. [PMID: 34986319 PMCID: PMC8730815 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00940-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections remain a major global concern. Emerging fungal pathogens and increasing rates of resistance mean that additional research efforts and resources must be allocated to advancing our understanding of fungal pathogenesis and developing new therapeutic interventions. Neutrophilic granulocytes are a major cell type involved in protection against the important fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus, where they employ numerous defense mechanisms, including production of antimicrobial extracellular vesicles. A major drawback to work with neutrophils is the lack of a suitable cell line system for the study of fungal pathogenesis. To address this problem, we assessed the feasibility of using differentiated PLB-985 neutrophil-like cells as an in vitro model to study A. fumigatus infection. We find that dimethylformamide-differentiated PLB-985 cells provide a useful recapitulation of many aspects of A. fumigatus interactions with primary human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. We show that differentiated PLB-985 cells phagocytose fungal conidia and acidify conidia-containing phagolysosomes similar to primary neutrophils, release neutrophil extracellular traps, and also produce antifungal extracellular vesicles in response to infection. In addition, we provide an improved method for the isolation of extracellular vesicles produced during infection by employing a size exclusion chromatography-based approach. Advanced liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) proteomics revealed an enrichment of extracellular vesicle marker proteins and a decrease of cytoplasmic proteins in extracellular vesicles isolated using this improved method. Ultimately, we find that differentiated PLB-985 cells can serve as a genetically tractable model to study many aspects of A. fumigatus pathogenesis. IMPORTANCE Polymorphonuclear leukocytes are an important defense against human fungal pathogens, yet our model systems to study this group of cells remain very limited in scope. In this study, we established that differentiated PLB-985 cells can serve as a model to recapitulate several important aspects of human polymorphonuclear leukocyte interactions with the important human fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. The proposed addition of a cultured neutrophil-like cell line to the experimental toolbox to study fungal pathogenesis will allow for a more mechanistic description of neutrophil antifungal biology. In addition, the easier handling of the cell line compared to primary human neutrophils allowed us to use PLB-985 cells to provide an improved method for isolation of neutrophil-derived extracellular vesicles using size exclusion chromatography. Together, these results provide significant tools and a baseline knowledge for the future study of neutrophil-derived extracellular vesicles in the laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Rafiq
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Flora Rivieccio
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Zimmermann
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Corissa Visser
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Alexander Bruch
- Junior Research Group RNA Biology of Fungal Infections, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Krüger
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Katherine González Rojas
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Olaf Kniemeyer
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Matthew G. Blango
- Junior Research Group RNA Biology of Fungal Infections, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A. Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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4
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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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5
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Stanford FA, Matthies N, Cseresnyés Z, Figge MT, Hassan MIA, Voigt K. Expression Patterns in Reductive Iron Assimilation and Functional Consequences during Phagocytosis of Lichtheimia corymbifera, an Emerging Cause of Mucormycosis. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7040272. [PMID: 33916756 PMCID: PMC8065604 DOI: 10.3390/jof7040272] [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: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron is an essential micronutrient for most organisms and fungi are no exception. Iron uptake by fungi is facilitated by receptor-mediated internalization of siderophores, heme and reductive iron assimilation (RIA). The RIA employs three protein groups: (i) the ferric reductases (Fre5 proteins), (ii) the multicopper ferroxidases (Fet3) and (iii) the high-affinity iron permeases (Ftr1). Phenotyping under different iron concentrations revealed detrimental effects on spore swelling and hyphal formation under iron depletion, but yeast-like morphology under iron excess. Since access to iron is limited during pathogenesis, pathogens are placed under stress due to nutrient limitations. To combat this, gene duplication and differential gene expression of key iron uptake genes are utilized to acquire iron against the deleterious effects of iron depletion. In the genome of the human pathogenic fungus L. corymbifera, three, four and three copies were identified for FRE5, FTR1 and FET3 genes, respectively. As in other fungi, FET3 and FTR1 are syntenic and co-expressed in L. corymbifera. Expression of FRE5, FTR1 and FET3 genes is highly up-regulated during iron limitation (Fe-), but lower during iron excess (Fe+). Fe- dependent upregulation of gene expression takes place in LcFRE5 II and III, LcFTR1 I and II, as well as LcFET3 I and II suggesting a functional role in pathogenesis. The syntenic LcFTR1 I–LcFET3 I gene pair is co-expressed during germination, whereas LcFTR1 II- LcFET3 II is co-expressed during hyphal proliferation. LcFTR1 I, II and IV were overexpressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to represent high and moderate expression of intracellular transport of Fe3+, respectively. Challenge of macrophages with the yeast mutants revealed no obvious role for LcFTR1 I, but possible functions of LcFTR1 II and IVs in recognition by macrophages. RIA expression pattern was used for a new model of interaction between L. corymbifera and macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Adelina Stanford
- Jena Microbial Resource Collection, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research, and Infection Biology—Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany; (F.A.S.); (N.M.); (M.I.A.H.)
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany;
| | - Nina Matthies
- Jena Microbial Resource Collection, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research, and Infection Biology—Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany; (F.A.S.); (N.M.); (M.I.A.H.)
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany;
| | - Zoltán Cseresnyés
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research, and Infection Biology—Hans Knöll Institute, 12622 Jena, Germany;
| | - Marc Thilo Figge
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany;
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research, and Infection Biology—Hans Knöll Institute, 12622 Jena, Germany;
| | - Mohamed I. Abdelwahab Hassan
- Jena Microbial Resource Collection, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research, and Infection Biology—Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany; (F.A.S.); (N.M.); (M.I.A.H.)
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany;
- National Research Centre, Pests & Plant Protection Department, 33rd El Buhouth St., Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Kerstin Voigt
- Jena Microbial Resource Collection, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research, and Infection Biology—Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany; (F.A.S.); (N.M.); (M.I.A.H.)
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany;
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +49-3641-532-1395
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6
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Bertuzzi M, van Rhijn N, Krappmann S, Bowyer P, Bromley MJ, Bignell EM. On the lineage of Aspergillus fumigatus isolates in common laboratory use. Med Mycol 2021; 59:7-13. [PMID: 32944768 PMCID: PMC7779236 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myaa075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The origin of isolates routinely used by the community of Aspergillus fumigatus researchers is periodically a matter of intense discussion at our centre, as the construction of recombinant isolates have sometimes followed convoluted routes, the documentation describing their lineages is fragmented, and the nomenclature is confusing. As an aide memoir, not least for our own benefit, we submit the following account and tabulated list of strains (Table 1) in an effort to collate all of the relevant information in a single, easily accessible document. To maximise the accuracy of this record we have consulted widely amongst the community of Medical Mycologists using these strains. All the strains described are currently available from one of these organisations, namely the Fungal Genetics Stock Centre (FGSC), FungiDB, Ensembl Fungi and The National Collection of Pathogenic Fungi (NCPF) at Public Health England. Display items from this manuscript are also featured on FungiDB. LAY ABSTRACT We present a concise overview on the definition, origin and unique genetic makeup of the Aspergillus fumigatus isolates routinely in use by the fungal research community, to aid researchers to describe past and new strains and the experimental differences observed more accurately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Bertuzzi
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Manchester, UK
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Biology, Medicine and Health. The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Norman van Rhijn
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Manchester, UK
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Biology, Medicine and Health. The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Sven Krappmann
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Paul Bowyer
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Manchester, UK
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Biology, Medicine and Health. The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Michael J Bromley
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Manchester, UK
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Biology, Medicine and Health. The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Elaine M Bignell
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Manchester, UK
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Biology, Medicine and Health. The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
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7
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Hassan MIA, Kruse JM, Krüger T, Dahse HM, Cseresnyés Z, Blango MG, Slevogt H, Hörhold F, Ast V, König R, Figge MT, Kniemeyer O, Brakhage AA, Voigt K. Functional surface proteomic profiling reveals the host heat-shock protein A8 as a mediator of Lichtheimia corymbifera recognition by murine alveolar macrophages. Environ Microbiol 2020; 22:3722-3740. [PMID: 32583550 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mucormycosis is an emergent, fatal fungal infection of humans and warm-blooded animals caused by species of the order Mucorales. Immune cells of the innate immune system serve as the first line of defence against inhaled spores. Alveolar macrophages were challenged with the mucoralean fungus Lichtheimia corymbifera and subjected to biotinylation and streptavidin enrichment procedures followed by LC-MS/MS analyses. A total of 28 host proteins enriched for binding to macrophage-L. corymbifera interaction. Among those, the HSP70-family protein Hspa8 was found to be predominantly responsive to living and heat-killed spores of a virulent and an attenuated strain of L. corymbifera. Confocal scanning laser microscopy of infected macrophages revealed colocalization of Hspa8 with phagocytosed spores of L. corymbifera. The amount of detectable Hspa8 was dependent on the multiplicity of infection. Incubation of alveolar macrophages with an anti-Hspa8 antibody prior to infection reduced their capability to phagocytose spores of L. corymbifera. In contrast, anti-Hspa8 antibodies did not abrogate the phagocytosis of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia by macrophages. These results suggest an important contribution of the heat-shock family protein Hspa8 in the recognition of spores of the mucoralean fungus L. corymbifera by host alveolar macrophages and define a potential immunomodulatory therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed I Abdelwahab Hassan
- Jena Microbial Resource Collection, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.,Pests and Plant Protection Department, National Research Centre, 33rd El Buhouth St., Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| | - Janis M Kruse
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Krüger
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Hans-Martin Dahse
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Zoltán Cseresnyés
- Department of Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Matthew G Blango
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Hortense Slevogt
- Host Septomics Group, Centre for Innovation Competence (ZIK) Septomics, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Franziska Hörhold
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center, Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Volker Ast
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center, Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Rainer König
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center, Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Marc Thilo Figge
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.,Department of Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Olaf Kniemeyer
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.,Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Kerstin Voigt
- Jena Microbial Resource Collection, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
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8
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Cseresnyes Z, Hassan MIA, Dahse HM, Voigt K, Figge MT. Quantitative Impact of Cell Membrane Fluorescence Labeling on Phagocytosis Measurements in Confrontation Assays. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1193. [PMID: 32582113 PMCID: PMC7289966 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Phagocytosis is series of steps where the pathogens and the immune cells interact during an invasion. This starts with the adhesion process between the host and pathogen cells, and is followed by the engulfment of the pathogens. Many analytical methods that are applied to characterize phagocytosis based on imaging the host-pathogen confrontation assays rely on the fluorescence labeling of cells. However, the potential effect of the membrane labeling on the quantitative results of the confrontation assays has not been studied in detail. In this study, we determine whether the fluorescence labeling processes themselves influence the results of the phagocytosis measurements. Here, alveolar macrophages, which form one of the most important compartments of the innate immune system, were used as an example of host cells, whereas Aspergillus fumigatus and Lichtheimia corymbifera that cause aspergillosis and mucormycosis, respectively, were studied as examples for pathogens. At first, our study investigated the importance of the sequence of steps of the fixation process when preparing the confrontation assay sample for microscopy studies. Here we showed that applying the fixation agent before the counter-staining causes miscalculations during the determination of the phagocytic measures. Furthermore, we also found that staining the macrophages with various concentrations of DID, as a typical membrane label, in most cases altered the capability of macrophages to phagocytose FITC-stained A. fumigatus and L. corymbifera spores in comparison with unlabeled macrophages. This effect of the DID staining showed a differential character dependent upon the labeling status and the specific type of pathogen. Moreover, labeling the spores of A. fumigatus and L. corymbifera with FITC increased the phagocytic measures during confrontation with unlabeled macrophages when compared to label-free spores. Overall, our study confirms that the staining process itself may significantly manipulate the quantitative outcome of the confrontation assay. As a result of our study, we also developed a user-friendly image analysis tool that analyses confrontation assays both with and without fluorescence labeling of the host cells and of the pathogens. Our image analysis algorithm saves experimental work effort and time, provides more precise results when calculating the phagocytic measures, and delivers a convenient analysis tool for the biologists to monitor host-pathogen interactions as they happen without the artifacts that fluorescence labeling imposes on biological interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoltan Cseresnyes
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Mohamed I. Abdelwahab Hassan
- Jena Microbial Resource Collection, 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
- Department of Pests and Plant Protection, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Hans-Martin Dahse
- Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Kerstin Voigt
- Jena Microbial Resource Collection, 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
| | - Marc Thilo Figge
- 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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9
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Alex J, González K, Kindel T, Bellstedt P, Weber C, Heinekamp T, Orasch T, Guerrero-Sanchez C, Schubert US, Brakhage AA. Caspofungin Functionalized Polymethacrylates with Antifungal Properties. Biomacromolecules 2020; 21:2104-2115. [PMID: 32286800 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c00096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We describe the synthesis of hydrophilic poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (PmPEGMA) and hydrophobic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) caspofungin conjugates by a post-polymerization modification of copolymers containing 10 mol % pentafluorophenyl methacrylate (PFPMA), which were obtained via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer copolymerization. The coupling of the clinically used antifungal caspofungin was confirmed and quantified in detail by a combination of 1H-, 19F- and diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, and size exclusion chromatography. The trifunctional amine-containing antifungal was attached via several amide bonds to the hydrophobic PMMA, but sterical hindrance induced by the mPEGMA side chains prohibited intramolecular double functionalization. Both polymer-drug conjugates revealed activity against important human-pathogenic fungi, that is, two strains of Aspergillus fumigatus and one strain of Candida albicans (2.5 mg L-1 < MEC < 8 mg L-1, MIC50 = 4 mg L-1), whereas RAW 264.7 macrophages as well as HeLa cells remained unaffected at these concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Alex
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstr. 10, 07743 Jena, Germany.,Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Katherine González
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Till Kindel
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Peter Bellstedt
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstr. 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Christine Weber
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstr. 10, 07743 Jena, Germany.,Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Thorsten Heinekamp
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Orasch
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Carlos Guerrero-Sanchez
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstr. 10, 07743 Jena, Germany.,Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Ulrich S Schubert
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstr. 10, 07743 Jena, Germany.,Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743 Jena, Germany.,Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
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10
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Deinhardt-Emmer S, Rennert K, Schicke E, Cseresnyés Z, Windolph M, Nietzsche S, Heller R, Siwczak F, Haupt KF, Carlstedt S, Schacke M, Figge MT, Ehrhardt C, Löffler B, Mosig AS. Co-infection with Staphylococcus aureus after primary influenza virus infection leads to damage of the endothelium in a human alveolus-on-a-chip model. Biofabrication 2020; 12:025012. [PMID: 31994489 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ab7073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Pneumonia is one of the most common infectious diseases worldwide. The influenza virus can cause severe epidemics, which results in significant morbidity and mortality. Beyond the virulence of the virus itself, epidemiological data suggest that bacterial co-infections are the major cause of increased mortality. In this context, Staphylococcus aureus represents a frequent causative bacterial pathogen. Currently available models have several limitations in the analysis of the pathogenesis of infections, e.g. some bacterial toxins strongly act in a species-specific manner. Human 2D mono-cell culture models often fail to maintain the differentiation of alveolus-specific functions. A detailed investigation of the underlying pathogenesis mechanisms requires a physiological interaction of alveolus-specific cell types. The aim of the present work was to establish a human in vitro alveolus model system composed of vascular and epithelial cell structures with cocultured macrophages resembling the human alveolus architecture and functions. We demonstrate that high barrier integrity maintained for up to 14 d in our model containing functional tissue-resident macrophages. We show that flow conditions and the presence of macrophages increased the barrier function. The infection of epithelial cells induced a high inflammatory response that spread to the endothelium. Although the integrity of the epithelium was not compromised by a single infection or co-infection, we demonstrated significant endothelial cell damage associated with loss of barrier function. We established a novel immune-responsive model that reflects the complex crosstalk between pathogens and host. The in vitro model allows for the monitoring of spatiotemporal spreading of the pathogens and the characterization of morphological and functional alterations attributed to infection. The alveolus-on-a-chip represents a promising platform for mechanistic studies of host-pathogen interactions and the identification of molecular and cellular targets of novel treatment strategies in pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Deinhardt-Emmer
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, D-07747 Jena, Germany. Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, D-07747 Jena, Germany. Section of Experimental Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jena University Hospital, Hans-Knöll-Str. 2, D-07745, Jena, Germany
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11
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Hassan MIA, Cseresnyes Z, Al-Zaben N, Dahse HM, Vilela de Oliveira RJ, Walther G, Voigt K, Figge MT. The geographical region of origin determines the phagocytic vulnerability of Lichtheimia strains. Environ Microbiol 2019; 21:4563-4581. [PMID: 31330072 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Mucormycoses are life-threatening infections that affect patients suffering from immune deficiencies. We performed phagocytosis assays confronting various strains of Lichtheimia species with alveolar macrophages, which form the first line of defence of the innate immune system. To investigate 17 strains from four different continents in a comparative fashion, transmitted light and confocal fluorescence microscopy was applied in combination with automated image analysis. This interdisciplinary approach enabled the objective and quantitative processing of the big volume of image data. Applying machine-learning supported methods, a spontaneous clustering of the strains was revealed in the space of phagocytic measures. This clustering was not driven by measures of fungal morphology but rather by the geographical origin of the fungal strains. Our study illustrates the crucial contribution of machine-learning supported automated image analysis to the qualitative discovery and quantitative comparison of major factors affecting host-pathogen interactions. We found that the phagocytic vulnerability of Lichtheimia species depends on their geographical origin, where strains within each geographic region behaved similarly, but strongly differed amongst the regions. Based on this clustering, we were able to also classify clinical isolates with regard to their potential geographical origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed I Abdelwahab Hassan
- Jena Microbial Resource Collection, 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.,Pests & Plant Protection Department, National Research Centre, 33rd El Buhouth St., 12622 Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Zoltan Cseresnyes
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Naim Al-Zaben
- Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.,Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Hans-Martin Dahse
- Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Rafael J Vilela de Oliveira
- Post-Graduate Course in the Biology of Fungi, Department of Mycology, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Nelson Chaves, s/n, Recife, Prince Edward Island, Brazil
| | - Grit Walther
- National Reference Center for Invasive Fungal Infections, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Kerstin Voigt
- Jena Microbial Resource Collection, 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
| | - Marc Thilo Figge
- Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.,Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
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12
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Montel L, Pinon L, Fattaccioli J. A Multiparametric and High-Throughput Assay to Quantify the Influence of Target Size on Phagocytosis. Biophys J 2019; 117:408-419. [PMID: 31301802 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Phagocytosis by macrophages represents a fundamental process essential for both immunity and tissue homeostasis. It consists in the uptake of pathogenic or cellular targets larger than 0.5 μm. For the biggest particles, the phagocytic process involves a massive reorganization of membrane and actin cytoskeleton as well as an important intracellular deformation all in a matter of minutes. The study of the role of the size of objects in their phagocytosis has led to contradictory results in the last decades. We designed a method using confocal microscopy, automated image analysis, and databases for fast quantitative analysis of phagocytosis assays. It yields comprehensive data on the cells and targets geometric and fluorescence intensity parameters, automatically discriminates internalized from external targets, and stores the relationship between a cell and the targets it has engulfed. We used two types of targets (solid polystyrene beads and liquid lipid droplets) to investigate the influence of size on the phagocytic uptake of macrophages. The method made it possible not only to perform phagocytic assays with functionalized droplets and beads of different sizes but to use polydisperse particles to further our understanding of the role of size in phagocytosis. The use of monodisperse and polydisperse objects shows that whereas smaller monodisperse objects are internalized in greater numbers, objects of different sizes presented simultaneously are internalized without preferred size. The total surface engulfed by the cell is thus the main factor limiting the uptake of particles, regardless of their nature or size. A meta-analysis of the literature reveals that this dependence in surface is consistently conserved throughout cell types, targets' nature, or activated receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorraine Montel
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, École Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Paris, France; Institut Pierre-Gilles de Gennes pour la Microfluidique, Paris, France
| | - Léa Pinon
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, École Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Paris, France; Institut Curie, PSL University, INSERM U932, Paris, France; Institut Pierre-Gilles de Gennes pour la Microfluidique, Paris, France
| | - Jacques Fattaccioli
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, École Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Paris, France; Institut Pierre-Gilles de Gennes pour la Microfluidique, Paris, France.
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13
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Svensson CM, Shvydkiv O, Dietrich S, Mahler L, Weber T, Choudhary M, Tovar M, Figge MT, Roth M. Coding of Experimental Conditions in Microfluidic Droplet Assays Using Colored Beads and Machine Learning Supported Image Analysis. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2019; 15:e1802384. [PMID: 30549235 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201802384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
To efficiently exploit the potential of several millions of droplets that can be considered as individual bioreactors in microfluidic experiments, methods to encode different experimental conditions in droplets are needed. The approach presented here is based on coencapsulation of colored polystyrene beads with biological samples. The decoding of the droplets, as well as content quantification, are performed by automated analysis of triggered images of individual droplets in-flow using bright-field microscopy. The decoding strategy combines bead classification using a random forest classifier and Bayesian inference to identify different codes and thus experimental conditions. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of nine different antibiotics and the determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration of a specific antibiotic against a laboratory strain of Escherichia coli are presented as a proof-of-principle. It is demonstrated that this method allows successful encoding and decoding of 20 different experimental conditions within a large droplet population of more than 105 droplets per condition. The decoding strategy correctly assigns 99.6% of droplets to the correct condition and a method for the determination of minimal inhibitory concentration using droplet microfluidics is established. The current encoding and decoding pipeline can readily be extended to more codes by adding more bead colors or color combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl-Magnus Svensson
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Oksana Shvydkiv
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Stefanie Dietrich
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Lisa Mahler
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Weber
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Mahipal Choudhary
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Miguel Tovar
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Marc Thilo Figge
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Martin Roth
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, 07745, Jena, Germany
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14
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Hartung S, Rauh C, Hoang TNM, Jahreis S, Wagner K, Macheleidt J, Brakhage AA, Rummler S, Hochhaus A, von Lilienfeld-Toal M. Fast and Quantitative Evaluation of Human Leukocyte Interaction with Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia by Flow Cytometry. Cytometry A 2018; 95:332-338. [PMID: 30450827 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.23653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Systemic infections with the opportunistic mold Aspergillus fumigatus are a great threat to immunocompromised patients such as transplant recipients. Immunological research on A. fumigatus involves the measurement of phagocytosis of fungal conidia (spores) by human phagocytes. Here, we present a fast and flexible way to analyze phagocytosis by flow cytometry using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeling of conidia prior to co-incubation with human leukocytes and an anti-FITC counterstaining step postincubation to allow the discrimination of internalized and adherent conidia. In contrast to many other protocols, this method can be combined with further surface marker analyses. We sought to determine phagocytosis rates of A. fumigatus conidia in different stages and after several incubation times using this method. Moreover, we provide an example of application by comparing phagocytosis of A. fumigatus mutants to the wild type. © 2018 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susann Hartung
- Hematology and Medical Oncology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Leibniz Institute for Infection Biology and Natural Product Research, Jena, Germany
| | - Christopher Rauh
- Hematology and Medical Oncology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Thi Ngoc Mai Hoang
- Leibniz Institute for Infection Biology and Natural Product Research, Jena, Germany.,Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Susanne Jahreis
- Hematology and Medical Oncology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Leibniz Institute for Infection Biology and Natural Product Research, Jena, Germany
| | - Kathleen Wagner
- Hematology and Medical Oncology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Leibniz Institute for Infection Biology and Natural Product Research, Jena, Germany
| | - Juliane Macheleidt
- Leibniz Institute for Infection Biology and Natural Product Research, Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Leibniz Institute for Infection Biology and Natural Product Research, Jena, Germany.,Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Silke Rummler
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Andreas Hochhaus
- Hematology and Medical Oncology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Marie von Lilienfeld-Toal
- Hematology and Medical Oncology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Leibniz Institute for Infection Biology and Natural Product Research, Jena, Germany
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15
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Thilo Figge
- Applied Systems Biology, HKI-Center for Systems Biology of Infection, Leibniz-Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI); Jena Germany
- Faculty of Biological Sciences; Friedrich Schiller University; Jena Germany
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16
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Prauße MTE, Lehnert T, Timme S, Hünniger K, Leonhardt I, Kurzai O, Figge MT. Predictive Virtual Infection Modeling of Fungal Immune Evasion in Human Whole Blood. Front Immunol 2018; 9:560. [PMID: 29619027 PMCID: PMC5871695 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bloodstream infections by the human-pathogenic fungi Candida albicans and Candida glabrata increasingly occur in hospitalized patients and are associated with high mortality rates. The early immune response against these fungi in human blood comprises a concerted action of humoral and cellular components of the innate immune system. Upon entering the blood, the majority of fungal cells will be eliminated by innate immune cells, i.e., neutrophils and monocytes. However, recent studies identified a population of fungal cells that can evade the immune response and thereby may disseminate and cause organ dissemination, which is frequently observed during candidemia. In this study, we investigate the so far unresolved mechanism of fungal immune evasion in human whole blood by testing hypotheses with the help of mathematical modeling. We use a previously established state-based virtual infection model for whole-blood infection with C. albicans to quantify the immune response and identified the fungal immune-evasion mechanism. While this process was assumed to be spontaneous in the previous model, we now hypothesize that the immune-evasion process is mediated by host factors and incorporate such a mechanism in the model. In particular, we propose, based on previous studies that the fungal immune-evasion mechanism could possibly arise through modification of the fungal surface by as of yet unknown proteins that are assumed to be secreted by activated neutrophils. To validate or reject any of the immune-evasion mechanisms, we compared the simulation of both immune-evasion models for different infection scenarios, i.e., infection of whole blood with either C. albicans or C. glabrata under non-neutropenic and neutropenic conditions. We found that under non-neutropenic conditions, both immune-evasion models fit the experimental data from whole-blood infection with C. albicans and C. glabrata. However, differences between the immune-evasion models could be observed for the infection outcome under neutropenic conditions with respect to the distribution of fungal cells across the immune cells. Based on these predictions, we suggested specific experimental studies that might allow for the validation or rejection of the proposed immune-evasion mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria T E Prauße
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Teresa Lehnert
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Sandra Timme
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Kerstin Hünniger
- Fungal Septomics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ines Leonhardt
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Fungal Septomics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Oliver Kurzai
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Fungal Septomics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Marc Thilo Figge
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.,Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
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17
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Hessian-based quantitative image analysis of host-pathogen confrontation assays. Cytometry A 2017; 93:346-356. [DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.23201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Revised: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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18
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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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19
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Vermamoeba vermiformis-Aspergillus fumigatus relationships and comparison with other phagocytic cells. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:4097-4105. [PMID: 27381330 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5182-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Free living amoebae (FLA) are protists ubiquitously present in the environment. Aspergillus fumigatus is a mould responsible for severe deep-seated infections, and that can be recovered in the same habitats as the FLA. By conducting coculture experiments and fungal incubation with amoebal supernatants, we report herein that Vermamoeba vermiformis, a FLA present in hospital water systems, promotes filamentation and growth of A. fumigatus. This finding is of particular importance to institutions whose water systems might harbor FLA and could potentially be used by immunocompromised patients. Also, the relationships between V. vermiformis and A. fumigatus were compared to those between this fungus and two other phagocytic cells: Acanthamoeba castellanii, another FLA, and macrophage-like THP-1 cells. After 4 h of coincubation, the percentages of the three phagocytic cell types with adhered conidia were similar, even though the types of receptors between FLA and macrophagic cell seemed different. However, the percentage of THP-1 with internalized conidia was considerably lower (40 %) in comparison with the two other cell types (100 %). Thus, this study revealed that interactions between A. fumigatus and these three phagocytic cell types show similarities, even though it is premature to extrapolate these results to interpret relationships between A. fumigatus and macrophages.
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