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Bertuzzi M, Howell GJ, Thomson DD, Fortune-Grant R, Möslinger A, Dancer P, Van Rhijn N, Motsi N, Codling A, Bignell EM. Epithelial uptake leads to fungal killing in vivo and is aberrant in COPD-derived epithelial cells. iScience 2024; 27:109939. [PMID: 38846001 PMCID: PMC11154633 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Hundreds of spores of Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) are inhaled daily by human beings, representing a constant, possibly fatal, threat to respiratory health. The small size of Af spores suggests that interactions with alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) are frequent; thus, we hypothesized that spore uptake by AECs is important for driving fungal killing and susceptibility to Aspergillus-related disease. Using single-cell approaches to measure spore uptake and its outcomes in vivo, we demonstrate that Af spores are internalized and killed by AECs during whole-animal infection. Moreover, comparative analysis of primary human AECs from healthy and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) donors revealed significant alterations in the uptake and killing of spores in COPD-derived AECs. We conclude that AECs contribute to the killing of Af spores and that dysregulation of curative AEC responses in COPD may represent a driver of Aspergillus-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Bertuzzi
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Core Technology Facility, Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Gareth J. Howell
- Flow Cytometry Core Facility, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Core Technology Facility, Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Darren D. Thomson
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Core Technology Facility, Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Rachael Fortune-Grant
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Core Technology Facility, Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Anna Möslinger
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Core Technology Facility, Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Patrick Dancer
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Core Technology Facility, Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Norman Van Rhijn
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Core Technology Facility, Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Natasha Motsi
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Core Technology Facility, Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Alice Codling
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Core Technology Facility, Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Elaine M. Bignell
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Core Technology Facility, Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
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2
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Shankar J, Thakur R, Clemons KV, Stevens DA. Interplay of Cytokines and Chemokines in Aspergillosis. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:251. [PMID: 38667922 PMCID: PMC11051073 DOI: 10.3390/jof10040251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Aspergillosis is a fungal infection caused by various species of Aspergillus, most notably A. fumigatus. This fungus causes a spectrum of diseases, including allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, aspergilloma, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, and invasive aspergillosis. The clinical manifestations and severity of aspergillosis can vary depending on individual immune status and the specific species of Aspergillus involved. The recognition of Aspergillus involves pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) such as glucan, galactomannan, mannose, and conidial surface proteins. These are recognized by the pathogen recognition receptors present on immune cells such as Toll-like receptors (TLR-1,2,3,4, etc.) and C-type lectins (Dectin-1 and Dectin-2). We discuss the roles of cytokines and pathogen recognition in aspergillosis from both the perspective of human and experimental infection. Several cytokines and chemokines have been implicated in the immune response to Aspergillus infection, including interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), CCR4, CCR17, and other interleukins. For example, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is characterized by Th2 and Th9 cell-type immunity and involves interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-10. In contrast, it has been observed that invasive aspergillosis involves Th1 and Th17 cell-type immunity via IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-17. These cytokines activate various immune cells and stimulate the production of other immune molecules, such as antimicrobial peptides and reactive oxygen species, which aid in the clearance of the fungal pathogen. Moreover, they help to initiate and coordinate the immune response, recruit immune cells to the site of infection, and promote clearance of the fungus. Insight into the host response from both human and animal studies may aid in understanding the immune response in aspergillosis, possibly leading to harnessing the power of cytokines or cytokine (receptor) antagonists and transforming them into precise immunotherapeutic strategies. This could advance personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jata Shankar
- Genomic Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Waknaghat Solan 173234, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Raman Thakur
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar 144001, Punjab, India;
| | - Karl V. Clemons
- California Institute for Medical Research, San Jose, CA 95128, USA; (K.V.C.); (D.A.S.)
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - David A. Stevens
- California Institute for Medical Research, San Jose, CA 95128, USA; (K.V.C.); (D.A.S.)
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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3
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Earle K, Valero C, Conn DP, Vere G, Cook PC, Bromley MJ, Bowyer P, Gago S. Pathogenicity and virulence of Aspergillus fumigatus. Virulence 2023; 14:2172264. [PMID: 36752587 PMCID: PMC10732619 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2172264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary infections caused by the mould pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus are a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Compromised lung defences arising from immunosuppression, chronic respiratory conditions or more recently, concomitant viral or bacterial pulmonary infections are recognised risks factors for the development of pulmonary aspergillosis. In this review, we will summarise our current knowledge of the mechanistic basis of pulmonary aspergillosis with a focus on emerging at-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayleigh Earle
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Clara Valero
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Daniel P. Conn
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - George Vere
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Peter C. Cook
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Michael J. Bromley
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Paul Bowyer
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Sara Gago
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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4
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Liu H, Lin J, Phan QT, Gravelat FN, Sheppard DC, Filler SG. Use of a human small airway epithelial cell line to study the interactions of Aspergillus fumigatus with pulmonary epithelial cells. mSphere 2023; 8:e0031423. [PMID: 37578262 PMCID: PMC10597448 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00314-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
During the initiation of invasive aspergillosis, inhaled Aspergillus fumigatus conidia are deposited on the epithelial cells lining the bronchi, terminal bronchioles, and alveoli. While the interactions of A. fumigatus with bronchial and type II alveolar cell lines have been investigated in vitro, little is known about the interactions of this fungus with terminal bronchiolar epithelial cells. Using the HSAEC1-KT human small airway epithelial (HSAE) cell line, we developed an in vitro model to study the interaction of two strains of A. fumigatus with these cells. We then compared the interactions of A. fumigatus with the A549 type II alveolar epithelial cell line and the HSAE cell line. We found that A. fumigatus conidia were poorly endocytosed by A549 cells, but avidly endocytosed by HSAE cells. A. fumigatus germlings invaded both cell types by induced endocytosis, but not by active penetration. A549 cell endocytosis of A. fumigatus was independent of fungal viability, more dependent on host microfilaments than microtubules, and induced by A. fumigatus CalA interacting with host cell integrin α5β1. By contrast, HSAE cell endocytosis required fungal viability, was more dependent on microtubules than microfilaments, and did not require CalA or integrin α5β1. HSAE cells were more susceptible than A549 cells to damage caused by direct contact with killed A. fumigatus germlings and by secreted fungal products. In response to A. fumigatus infection, A549 cells secreted a broader profile of cytokines and chemokines than HSAE cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that studies of HSAE cells provide complementary data to A549 cells and thus represent a useful model for probing the interactions of A. fumigatus with bronchiolar epithelial cells in vitro. Importance During the initiation of invasive aspergillosis, Aspergillus fumigatus interacts with the epithelial cells that line the airways and alveoli. Previous studies of A. fumigatus-epithelial cell interactions in vitro used either large airway epithelial cell lines or the A549 type II alveolar epithelial cell line; the interactions of fungi with terminal bronchiolar epithelial cells were not investigated. Using the TERT-immortalized human small airway epithelial HSAEC1-KT (HSAE) cell line, we developed an in vitro model of the interactions of A. fumigatus with bronchiolar epithelial cells. We discovered that A. fumigatus invades and damages A549 and HSAE cell lines by distinct mechanisms. Also, the proinflammatory responses of the cell lines to A. fumigatus are different. These results provide insight into how A. fumigatus interacts with different types of epithelial cells during invasive aspergillosis and demonstrate that HSAE cells are useful in vitro model for investigating the interactions of this fungus with bronchiolar epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Liu
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, USA
| | - Jianfeng Lin
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, USA
| | - Quynh T. Phan
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, USA
| | - Fabrice N. Gravelat
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases, and Immunity in Global Health Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Donald C. Sheppard
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases, and Immunity in Global Health Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Scott G. Filler
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
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5
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Liu H, Lin J, Phan QT, Gravelat FN, Sheppard DC, Filler SG. Use of a human small airway epithelial cell line to study the interactions of Aspergillus fumigatus with pulmonary epithelial cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.18.537379. [PMID: 37131584 PMCID: PMC10153395 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.18.537379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
During the initiation of invasive aspergillosis, inhaled Aspergillus fumigatus conidia are deposited on the epithelial cells lining the bronchi, terminal bronchioles, and alveoli. While the interactions of A. fumigatus with bronchial and type II alveolar cell lines have been investigated in vitro , little is known about the interactions of this fungus with terminal bronchiolar epithelial cells. We compared the interactions of A. fumigatus with the A549 type II alveolar epithelial cell line and the HSAEC1-KT human small airway epithelial (HSAE) cell line. We found that A. fumigatus conidia were poorly endocytosed by A549 cells, but avidly endocytosed by HSAE cells. A. fumigatus germlings invaded both cell types by induced endocytosis, but not by active penetration. A549 cell endocytosis of A. fumigatus was independent of fungal viability, more dependent on host microfilaments than microtubules, and induced by A. fumigatus CalA interacting with host cell integrin α5β1. By contrast, HSAE cell endocytosis required fungal viability, was more dependent on microtubules than microfilaments, and did not require CalA or integrin α5β1. HSAE cells were more susceptible than A549 cells to damage caused by direct contact with killed A. fumigatus germlings and by secreted fungal products. In response to A. fumigatus infection, A549 cells secreted a broader profile of cytokines and chemokines than HSAE cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that studies of HSAE cells provide complementary data to A549 cells and thus represent a useful model for probing the interactions of A. fumigatus with bronchiolar epithelial cells in vitro . Importance During the initiation of invasive aspergillosis, Aspergillus fumigatus invades, damages, and stimulates the epithelial cells that line the airways and alveoli. Previous studies of A. fumigatus - epithelial cell interactions in vitro have used either large airway epithelial cell lines or the A549 type II alveolar epithelial cell line. The interactions of fungi with terminal bronchiolar epithelial cells have not been investigated. Here, we compared the interactions of A. fumigatus with A549 cells and the Tert-immortalized human small airway epithelial HSAEC1-KT (HSAE) cell line. We discovered that A. fumigatus invades and damages these two cell lines by distinct mechanisms. Also, the proinflammatory responses of the cell lines to A. fumigatus are different. These results provide insight into how A. fumigatus interacts with different types of epithelial cells during invasive aspergillosis and demonstrate that HSAE cells are useful in vitro model for investigating the interactions of this fungus with bronchiolar epithelial cells.
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6
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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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7
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Crossen AJ, Ward RA, Reedy JL, Surve MV, Klein BS, Rajagopal J, Vyas JM. Human Airway Epithelium Responses to Invasive Fungal Infections: A Critical Partner in Innate Immunity. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 9:40. [PMID: 36675861 PMCID: PMC9862202 DOI: 10.3390/jof9010040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The lung epithelial lining serves as the primary barrier to inhaled environmental toxins, allergens, and invading pathogens. Pulmonary fungal infections are devastating and carry high mortality rates, particularly in those with compromised immune systems. While opportunistic fungi infect primarily immunocompromised individuals, endemic fungi cause disease in immune competent and compromised individuals. Unfortunately, in the case of inhaled fungal pathogens, the airway epithelial host response is vastly understudied. Furthering our lack of understanding, very few studies utilize primary human models displaying pseudostratified layers of various epithelial cell types at air-liquid interface. In this review, we focus on the diversity of the human airway epithelium and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of oncological cell lines, immortalized epithelial cells, and primary epithelial cell models. Additionally, the responses by human respiratory epithelial cells to invading fungal pathogens will be explored. Future investigations leveraging current human in vitro model systems will enable identification of the critical pathways that will inform the development of novel vaccines and therapeutics for pulmonary fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianne J. Crossen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Rebecca A. Ward
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Jennifer L. Reedy
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Manalee V. Surve
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Bruce S. Klein
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Jayaraj Rajagopal
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jatin M. Vyas
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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8
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Slarve M, Holznecht N, Reza H, Gilkes A, Slarve I, Olson J, Ernst W, Ho SO, Adler-Moore J, Fujii G. Recombinant Aspergillus fumigatus antigens Asp f 3 and Asp f 9 in liposomal vaccine protect mice against invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Vaccine 2022; 40:4160-4168. [PMID: 35680499 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.05.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis caused by the ubiquitous mold Aspergillus fumigatus is a major threat to immunocompromised patients, causing unacceptably high mortality despite standard of care treatment, and costing an estimated $1.2 billion annually. Treatment for this disease has been complicated by the emergence of azole resistant strains of A. fumigatus, rendering first-line antifungal therapy ineffective. The difficulties in treating infected patients using currently available drugs make immunotherapeutic vaccination an attractive option. Here, we demonstrate the efficacy of VesiVax® adjuvant liposomes, consisting of a combination of two individual liposome preparations, to which two recombinant A. fumigatus surface antigens, Asp f 3 and Asp f 9 (VesiVax® Af3/9), have been chemically conjugated. Using a murine model, we demonstrate that VesiVax® Af3/9 is protective against infection by azole resistant strains of A. fumigatus in both steroid-suppressed and neutropenic mice as quantified by improved survival and reduced fungal burden in the lungs. This protection correlates with upregulation of IL-4 produced by splenocytes, and the presence of Asp f 3 and Asp f 9 specific IgG2a antibodies in the serum of mice given VesiVax® Af3/9. Furthermore, mice given VesiVax® Af3/9 with a subsequent course of liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome®) had improved survival over those given either treatment alone, indicating a benefit to VesiVax® Af3/9 vaccination even in the case of infections that require follow-up antifungal treatment. These data demonstrate that prophylactic vaccination with VesiVax® Af3/9 is a promising method of protection against invasive pulmonary aspergillosis even as the changing face of the disease renders current therapies ineffective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Slarve
- California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Biological Sciences Department, Pomona, CA, United States
| | - Nickolas Holznecht
- California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Biological Sciences Department, Pomona, CA, United States
| | - Hernan Reza
- California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Biological Sciences Department, Pomona, CA, United States
| | - Adrienne Gilkes
- California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Biological Sciences Department, Pomona, CA, United States
| | - Ielyzaveta Slarve
- California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Biological Sciences Department, Pomona, CA, United States
| | - Jon Olson
- California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Biological Sciences Department, Pomona, CA, United States
| | - William Ernst
- Molecular Express, Inc, Rancho Dominguez, CA, United States
| | - Sam On Ho
- Molecular Express, Inc, Rancho Dominguez, CA, United States
| | - Jill Adler-Moore
- California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Biological Sciences Department, Pomona, CA, United States
| | - Gary Fujii
- Molecular Express, Inc, Rancho Dominguez, CA, United States
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9
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Barros BCSC, Almeida BR, Barros DTL, Toledo MS, Suzuki E. Respiratory Epithelial Cells: More Than Just a Physical Barrier to Fungal Infections. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8060548. [PMID: 35736031 PMCID: PMC9225092 DOI: 10.3390/jof8060548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The respiratory epithelium is highly complex, and its composition varies along the conducting airways and alveoli. In addition to their primary function in maintaining the respiratory barrier and lung homeostasis for gas exchange, epithelial cells interact with inhaled pathogens, which can manipulate cell signaling pathways, promoting adhesion to these cells or hosting tissue invasion. Moreover, pathogens (or their products) can induce the secretion of chemokines and cytokines by epithelial cells, and in this way, these host cells communicate with the immune system, modulating host defenses and inflammatory outcomes. This review will focus on the response of respiratory epithelial cells to two human fungal pathogens that cause systemic mycoses: Aspergillus and Paracoccidioides. Some of the host epithelial cell receptors and signaling pathways, in addition to fungal adhesins or other molecules that are responsible for fungal adhesion, invasion, or induction of cytokine secretion will be addressed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca C. S. C. Barros
- Laboratory of Applied Toxinology, Center of Toxins, Immune-Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, SP, Brazil;
| | - Bruna R. Almeida
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Ed. Antonio C. M. Paiva, São Paulo 04023-062, SP, Brazil; (B.R.A.); (D.T.L.B.)
| | - Debora T. L. Barros
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Ed. Antonio C. M. Paiva, São Paulo 04023-062, SP, Brazil; (B.R.A.); (D.T.L.B.)
| | - Marcos S. Toledo
- Department of Biochemistry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Ed. Leal Prado, São Paulo 04023-062, SP, Brazil;
| | - Erika Suzuki
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Ed. Antonio C. M. Paiva, São Paulo 04023-062, SP, Brazil; (B.R.A.); (D.T.L.B.)
- Correspondence:
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10
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Ortiz SC, Pennington K, Thomson DD, Bertuzzi M. Novel Insights into Aspergillus fumigatus Pathogenesis and Host Response from State-of-the-Art Imaging of Host-Pathogen Interactions during Infection. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:264. [PMID: 35330266 PMCID: PMC8954776 DOI: 10.3390/jof8030264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus spores initiate more than 3,000,000 chronic and 300,000 invasive diseases annually, worldwide. Depending on the immune status of the host, inhalation of these spores can lead to a broad spectrum of disease, including invasive aspergillosis, which carries a 50% mortality rate overall; however, this mortality rate increases substantially if the infection is caused by azole-resistant strains or diagnosis is delayed or missed. Increasing resistance to existing antifungal treatments is becoming a major concern; for example, resistance to azoles (the first-line available oral drug against Aspergillus species) has risen by 40% since 2006. Despite high morbidity and mortality, the lack of an in-depth understanding of A. fumigatus pathogenesis and host response has hampered the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the clinical management of fungal infections. Recent advances in sample preparation, infection models and imaging techniques applied in vivo have addressed important gaps in fungal research, whilst questioning existing paradigms. This review highlights the successes and further potential of these recent technologies in understanding the host-pathogen interactions that lead to aspergillosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien C. Ortiz
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK; (S.C.O.); (K.P.)
| | - Katie Pennington
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK; (S.C.O.); (K.P.)
| | - Darren D. Thomson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK;
| | - Margherita Bertuzzi
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK; (S.C.O.); (K.P.)
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Arunachalam D, Ramanathan SM, Menon A, Madhav L, Ramaswamy G, Namperumalsamy VP, Prajna L, Kuppamuthu D. Expression of immune response genes in human corneal epithelial cells interacting with Aspergillus flavus conidia. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:5. [PMID: 34983375 PMCID: PMC8728928 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-08218-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aspergillus flavus, one of the causative agents of human fungal keratitis, can be phagocytosed by human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells and the conidia containing phagosomes mature into phagolysosomes. But the immunological responses of human corneal epithelial cells interacting with A. flavus are not clear. In this study, we report the expression of immune response related genes of HCE cells exposed to A. flavus spores using targeted transcriptomics. Methods Human corneal epithelial cell line and primary cultures were grown in a six-well plate and used for coculture experiments. Internalization of the conidia was confirmed by immunofluorescence microscopy of the colocalized endosomal markers CD71 and LAMP1. Total RNA was isolated, and the quantity and quality of the isolated RNA were assessed using Qubit and Bioanalyzer. NanoString nCounter platform was used for the analysis of mRNA abundance using the Human Immunology panel. R-package and nSolver software were used for data analysis. KEGG and FunRich 3.1.3 tools were used to analyze the differentially expressed genes. Results Different morphotypes of conidia were observed after 6 h of coculture with human corneal epithelial cells and found to be internalized by epithelial cells. NanoString profiling showed more than 20 differentially expressed genes in immortalized human corneal epithelial cell line and more than ten differentially expressed genes in primary corneal epithelial cells. Distinct set of genes were altered in their expression in cell line and primary corneal epithelial cells. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that genes associated with TNF signaling, NF-KB signaling, and Th17 signaling were up-regulated, and genes associated with chemokine signaling and B cell receptor signaling were down regulated. FunRich pathway analysis showed that pathways such as CDC42 signaling, PI3K signaling, and Arf6 trafficking events were activated by the clinical isolates CI1123 and CI1698 in both type of cells. Conclusions Combining the transcript analysis data from cell lines and primary cultures, we showed the up regulation of immune defense genes in A. flavus infected cells. At the same time, chemokine signaling and B cell signaling pathways are downregulated. The variability in the expression levels in the immortalized cell line and the primary cultures is likely due to the variable epigenetic reprogramming in the immortalized cells and primary cultures in the absence of any changes in the genome. It highlights the importance of using both cell types in host-pathogen interaction studies. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-08218-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Arunachalam
- Proteomics Department, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Dr. G. Venkataswamy Eye Research Institute, Aravind Eye Care System, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.,Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Shruthi Mahalakshmi Ramanathan
- Proteomics Department, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Dr. G. Venkataswamy Eye Research Institute, Aravind Eye Care System, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Athul Menon
- Theracues Innovations Private Limited, Bangalore, India, Karnataka
| | - Lekshmi Madhav
- Theracues Innovations Private Limited, Bangalore, India, Karnataka
| | | | | | - Lalitha Prajna
- Department of Ocular Microbiology, Aravind Eye Hospital, Aravind Eye Care System, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Dharmalingam Kuppamuthu
- Proteomics Department, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Dr. G. Venkataswamy Eye Research Institute, Aravind Eye Care System, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. .,Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India. .,Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Dr. G.Venkataswamy Eye Research Institute, Aravind Eye Care System, No.1 Anna Nagar, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Rahman S, van Rhijn N, Papastamoulis P, Thomson DD, Carter Z, Fortune-Grant R, Rattray M, Bromley MJ, Bignell E. Distinct Cohorts of Aspergillus fumigatus Transcription Factors Are Required for Epithelial Damage Occurring via Contact- or Soluble Effector-Mediated Mechanisms. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:907519. [PMID: 35982778 PMCID: PMC9379863 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.907519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Damage to the lung epithelium is a unifying feature of disease caused by the saprophytic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. However, the mechanistic basis and the regulatory control of such damage is poorly characterized. Previous studies have identified A. fumigatus mediated pathogenesis as occurring at early (≤ 16 hours) or late (>16 hours) phases of the fungal interaction with epithelial cells, and respectively involve direct contact with the host cell or the action of soluble factors produced by mature fungal hyphae. Both early and late phases of epithelial damage have been shown to be subject to genetic regulation by the pH-responsive transcription factor PacC. This study sought to determine whether other transcriptional regulators play a role in modulating epithelial damage. In particular, whether the early and late phases of epithelial damage are governed by same or distinct regulators. Furthermore, whether processes such as spore uptake and hyphal adhesion, that have previously been documented to promote epithelial damage, are governed by the same cohorts of epithelial regulators. Using 479 strains from the recently constructed library of A. fumigatus transcription factor null mutants, two high-throughput screens assessing epithelial cell detachment and epithelial cell lysis were conducted. A total of 17 transcription factor mutants were found to exhibit reproducible deficits in epithelial damage causation. Of these, 10 mutants were defective in causing early phase damage via epithelial detachment and 8 mutants were defective in causing late phase damage via epithelial lysis. Remarkably only one transcription factor, PacC, was required for causation of both phases of epithelial damage. The 17 mutants exhibited varied and often unique phenotypic profiles with respect to fitness, epithelial adhesion, cell wall defects, and rates of spore uptake by epithelial cells. Strikingly, 9 out of 10 mutants deficient in causing early phase damage also exhibited reduced rates of hyphal extension, and culture supernatants of 7 out of 8 mutants deficient in late phase damage were significantly less cytotoxic. Our study delivers the first high-level overview of A. fumigatus regulatory genes governing lung epithelial damage, suggesting highly coordinated genetic orchestration of host-damaging activities that govern epithelial damage in both space and time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayema Rahman
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Norman van Rhijn
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | | | - Darren D Thomson
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Zorana Carter
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Rachael Fortune-Grant
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Magnus Rattray
- Division of Informatics, School of Heath Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Michael John Bromley
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Elaine Bignell
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
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