1
|
Chu YJ, Zhou J. A case of primary cutaneous Cryptococcus neoformans infection. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:822. [PMID: 39138408 PMCID: PMC11321228 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09696-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptococcosis is an infectious disease caused by encapsulated heterobasidiomycete yeasts. As an opportunistic pathogen, cryptococcal inhalation infection is the most common. While Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis is extremely uncommon. CASE PRESENTATION A 61-year-old woman with a history of rheumatoid arthritis on long-term prednisone developed a red plaque on her left thigh. Despite initial antibiotic treatment, the erythema worsened, leading to rupture and fever. Microbiological analysis of the lesion's secretion revealed Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis. Skin biopsy showed thick-walled spores, and culture confirmed primary cutaneous infection with Cryptococcus neoformans. Histopathological stains were positive, and mass spectrometry identified serotype A of the pathogen. The patient was treated with oral fluconazole and topical nystatin, resulting in significant improvement and near-complete healing of the skin lesion within 2.5 months. CONCLUSIONS Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis was a primary skin infection exclusively located on the skin. It has no typical clinical manifestation of cutaneous infection of Cryptococcus, and culture and histopathology remain the gold standard for diagnosing. The recommended medication for Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis is fluconazole. When patients at risk for opportunistic infections develop skin ulcers that are unresponsive to antibiotic, the possibility of primary cutaneous cryptococcosis needs to be considered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Jun Chu
- Department of Dermatology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiong Zhou
- Department of Dermatology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Muselius B, Geddes-McAlister J. In Vivo Modeling of Cryptococcus neoformans Infection and Collection of Murine Samples. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2775:47-55. [PMID: 38758310 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3722-7_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
In vivo models provide advantages to study the progression of disease and to identify potential biomarkers to detect and monitor infections. For the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, murine intranasal models aim to recapitulate natural infection from inhalation of desiccated fungal cells from the environment and permit monitoring of disease over time. In this chapter, we describe the establishment of a murine model for cryptococcosis and the subsequent collection of organs, tissues, and fluids for sampling. These samples may support novel diagnostic strategies and opportunities to monitor dissemination of the fungal cells throughout the host and propose new treatment options to combat disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ben Muselius
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Department, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Deng B, Vanagas L, Alonso AM, Angel SO. Proteomics Applications in Toxoplasma gondii: Unveiling the Host-Parasite Interactions and Therapeutic Target Discovery. Pathogens 2023; 13:33. [PMID: 38251340 PMCID: PMC10821451 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite with the ability to infect various warm-blooded vertebrates, including humans, is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis. This infection poses significant risks, leading to severe complications in immunocompromised individuals and potentially affecting the fetus through congenital transmission. A comprehensive understanding of the intricate molecular interactions between T. gondii and its host is pivotal for the development of effective therapeutic strategies. This review emphasizes the crucial role of proteomics in T. gondii research, with a specific focus on host-parasite interactions, post-translational modifications (PTMs), PTM crosstalk, and ongoing efforts in drug discovery. Additionally, we provide an overview of recent advancements in proteomics techniques, encompassing interactome sample preparation methods such as BioID (BirA*-mediated proximity-dependent biotin identification), APEX (ascorbate peroxidase-mediated proximity labeling), and Y2H (yeast two hybrid), as well as various proteomics approaches, including single-cell analysis, DIA (data-independent acquisition), targeted, top-down, and plasma proteomics. Furthermore, we discuss bioinformatics and the integration of proteomics with other omics technologies, highlighting its potential in unraveling the intricate mechanisms of T. gondii pathogenesis and identifying novel therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Deng
- Department of Biology and VBRN Proteomics Facility, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Laura Vanagas
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús 7130, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina; (L.V.); (S.O.A.); (A.M.A.)
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), 25 de Mayo y Francia. C.P., San Martín 1650, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andres M. Alonso
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús 7130, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina; (L.V.); (S.O.A.); (A.M.A.)
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), 25 de Mayo y Francia. C.P., San Martín 1650, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sergio O. Angel
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús 7130, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina; (L.V.); (S.O.A.); (A.M.A.)
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), 25 de Mayo y Francia. C.P., San Martín 1650, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Muselius B, Roux-Dalvai F, Droit A, Geddes-McAlister J. Resolving the Temporal Splenic Proteome during Fungal Infection for Discovery of Putative Dual Perspective Biomarker Signatures. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2023; 34:1928-1940. [PMID: 37222660 PMCID: PMC10487597 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.3c00114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Fungal pathogens are emerging threats to global health with the rise of incidence associated with climate change and increased geographical distribution; factors also influencing host susceptibility to infection. Accurate detection and diagnosis of fungal infections is paramount to offer rapid and effective therapeutic options. For improved diagnostics, the discovery and development of protein biomarkers presents a promising avenue; however, this approach requires a priori knowledge of infection hallmarks. To uncover putative novel biomarkers of disease, profiling of the host immune response and pathogen virulence factor production is indispensable. In this study, we use mass-spectrometry-based proteomics to resolve the temporal proteome of Cryptococcus neoformans infection of the spleen following a murine model of infection. Dual perspective proteome profiling defines global remodeling of the host over a time course of infection, confirming activation of immune associated proteins in response to fungal invasion. Conversely, pathogen proteomes detect well-characterized C. neoformans virulence determinants, along with novel mapped patterns of pathogenesis during the progression of disease. Together, our innovative systematic approach confirms immune protection against fungal pathogens and explores the discovery of putative biomarker signatures from complementary biological systems to monitor the presence and progression of cryptococcal disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Muselius
- Department
of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University
of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Florence Roux-Dalvai
- Proteomics
platform, CHU de Québec - Université
Laval Research Center, Québec
City, Québec G1
V 4G2, Canada
- Computational
Biology Laboratory, CHU de Québec
- Université Laval Research Center, Québec City, Québec G1 V 4G2, Canada
- Canadian
Proteomics and Artificial Intelligence Consortium, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Arnaud Droit
- Proteomics
platform, CHU de Québec - Université
Laval Research Center, Québec
City, Québec G1
V 4G2, Canada
- Computational
Biology Laboratory, CHU de Québec
- Université Laval Research Center, Québec City, Québec G1 V 4G2, Canada
- Canadian
Proteomics and Artificial Intelligence Consortium, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Jennifer Geddes-McAlister
- Department
of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University
of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
- Canadian
Proteomics and Artificial Intelligence Consortium, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhang L, Xiao J, Du M, Lei W, Yang W, Xue X. Post-translational modifications confer amphotericin B resistance in Candida krusei isolated from a neutropenic patient. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1148681. [PMID: 36936926 PMCID: PMC10015421 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1148681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neutropenia is a common complication in the treatment of hematological diseases and the most common predisposing factor for invasion by fungi, such as Candida krusei. Recent studies have shown that C. krusei, a life-threatening pathogen, has developed resistance to amphotericin B (AMB). However, the mechanisms that led to the rapid emergence of this AMB-resistant phenotype are unclear. In this study, we found the sensitivity for AMB could be promoted by inhibiting histone acyltransferase activity and western blot analysis revealed differences in the succinylation levels of C. krusei isolated from immunocompromised patients and of the corresponding AMB-resistant mutant. By comparative succinyl-proteome analysis, we identified a total of 383 differentially expressed succinylated sites in with 344 sites in 134 proteins being upregulated in the AMB-resistant mutant, compared to 39 sites in 23 proteins in the wild-type strain. These differentially succinylated proteins were concentrated in the ribosome and cell wall. The critical pathways associated with these proteins included those involved in glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, the ribosome, and fructose and mannose metabolism. In particular, AMB resistance was found to be associated with enhanced ergosterol synthesis and aberrant amino acid and glucose metabolism. Analysis of whole-cell proteomes, confirmed by parallel reaction monitoring, showed that the key enzyme facilitating lysine acylation was significantly upregulated in the AMB-resistant strain. Our results suggest that lysine succinylation may play an indispensable role in the development of AMB resistance in C. krusei. Our study provides mechanistic insights into the development of drug resistance in fungi and can aid in efforts to stifle the emergence of AMB-resistant pathogenic fungi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- Institute of Dermatology, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinzhou Xiao
- Institute of Dermatology, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingwei Du
- Department of Cardiology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenzhi Lei
- Institute of Dermatology, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Wenzhi Lei, ; Weiwei Yang, ; Xiaochun Xue,
| | - Weiwei Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Lung Transplantation, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Wenzhi Lei, ; Weiwei Yang, ; Xiaochun Xue,
| | - Xiaochun Xue
- Department of Pharmacy, 905th Hospital of PLA Navy, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Wenzhi Lei, ; Weiwei Yang, ; Xiaochun Xue,
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Belda W, Casolato ATS, Luppi JB, Passero LFD, Criado PR. Primary Cutaneous Cryptococcosis Caused by Cryptococcus gatti in an Elderly Patient. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7090206. [PMID: 36136617 PMCID: PMC9501260 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7090206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
According to the spread of Cryptococcus sp., fungal infections can be classified as primary or secondary. In primary cutaneous cryptococcosis, the fungi are restricted to the skin of the patients, without systemic involvement. The incidence of primary cutaneous cryptococcosis is high in patients with immunosuppression, and this type of infection is rarely observed in patients who are immunocompetent. In the present case report, a patient who is immunocompetent and has systemic comorbidity reported that, after skin trauma, ulcerovegetative lesions appeared in the right upper arm; the etiologic agent was identified as Cryptococcus gatti, serotype B. The cutaneous lesions healed completely after 5 months of fluconazole treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Walter Belda
- Dermatology Department, Medical School, University of São Paulo, Clinics Hospital, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil
- Laboratory of Pathology of Infectious Diseases, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 01246-000, Brazil
- Correspondence:
| | - Ana T. S. Casolato
- Dermatology Department, Medical School, University of São Paulo, Clinics Hospital, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Juliana B. Luppi
- Dermatology Department, Medical School, University of São Paulo, Clinics Hospital, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Luiz Felipe D. Passero
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Vicente 11330-900, Brazil
- Institute for Advanced Studies of Ocean, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Vicente 11350-011, Brazil
| | - Paulo R. Criado
- ABC School of Medicine, Fundação Universitária do ABC (FUABC), Santo André 09060-870, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gutierrez-Gongora D, Geddes-McAlister J. Peptidases: promising antifungal targets of the human fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans. Facets (Ott) 2022. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2021-0157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a globally important fungal pathogen, primarily inflicting disease on immunocompromised individuals. The widespread use of antifungal agents in medicine and agriculture supports the development of antifungal resistance through evolution, and the emergence of new strains with intrinsic resistance drives the need for new therapeutics. For C. neoformans, the production of virulence factors, including extracellular peptidases (e.g., CnMpr-1 and May1) with mechanistic roles in tissue invasion and fungal survival, constitute approximately 2% of the fungal proteome and cover five classes of enzymes. Given their role in fungal virulence, peptidases represent promising targets for anti-virulence discovery in the development of new approaches against C. neoformans. Additionally, intracellular peptidases, which are involved in resistance mechanisms against current treatment options (e.g., azole drugs), as well as capsule biosynthesis and elaboration of virulence factors, present additional opportunities to combat the pathogen. In this review, we highlight key cryptococcal peptidases with defined or predicted roles in fungal virulence and assess sequence alignments against their human homologs. With this information, we define the feasibility of the select peptidases as “druggable” targets for inhibition, representing prospective therapeutic options against the deadly fungus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Davier Gutierrez-Gongora
- The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Jennifer Geddes-McAlister
- The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
- Canadian Proteomics and Artificial Intelligence Research and Training Consortium
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
From Naturally-Sourced Protease Inhibitors to New Treatments for Fungal Infections. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7121016. [PMID: 34946998 PMCID: PMC8704869 DOI: 10.3390/jof7121016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteases are involved in a broad range of physiological processes, including host invasion by fungal pathogens, and enzymatic inhibition is a key molecular mechanism controlling proteolytic activity. Importantly, inhibitors from natural or synthetic sources have demonstrated applications in biochemistry, biotechnology, and biomedicine. However, the need to discover new reservoirs of these inhibitory molecules with improved efficacy and target range has been underscored by recent protease characterization related to infection and antimicrobial resistance. In this regard, naturally-sourced inhibitors show promise for application in diverse biological systems due to high stability at physiological conditions and low cytotoxicity. Moreover, natural sources (e.g., plants, invertebrates, and microbes) provide a large reservoir of undiscovered and/or uncharacterized bioactive molecules involved in host defense against predators and pathogens. In this Review, we highlight discoveries of protease inhibitors from environmental sources, propose new opportunities for assessment of antifungal activity, and discuss novel applications to combat biomedically-relevant fungal diseases with in vivo and clinical purpose.
Collapse
|