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Paavanen-Huhtala S, Kalichamy K, Pessi AM, Häkkilä S, Saarto A, Tuomela M, Andersson MA, Koskinen PJ. Biomonitoring of Indoor Air Fungal or Chemical Toxins with Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020161. [PMID: 36839433 PMCID: PMC9964051 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020161] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Bad indoor air quality due to toxins and other impurities can have a negative impact on human well-being, working capacity and health. Therefore, reliable methods to monitor the health risks associated with exposure to hazardous indoor air agents are needed. Here, we have used transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans nematode strains carrying stress-responsive fluorescent reporters and evaluated their ability to sense fungal or chemical toxins, especially those that are present in moisture-damaged buildings. Liquid-based or airborne exposure of nematodes to mycotoxins, chemical agents or damaged building materials reproducibly resulted in time- and dose-dependent fluorescent responses, which could be quantitated by either microscopy or spectrometry. Thus, the C. elegans nematodes present an easy, ethically acceptable and comprehensive in vivo model system to monitor the response of multicellular organisms to indoor air toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anna-Mari Pessi
- Aerobiology Unit, Biodiversity Unit of the University of Turku, FI-20500 Turku, Finland
| | - Sirkku Häkkilä
- Aerobiology Unit, Biodiversity Unit of the University of Turku, FI-20500 Turku, Finland
| | - Annika Saarto
- Aerobiology Unit, Biodiversity Unit of the University of Turku, FI-20500 Turku, Finland
| | - Marja Tuomela
- Co-op Bionautit, Helsinki, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Microbiology, University of Helsinki, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maria A. Andersson
- Department of Microbiology, University of Helsinki, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, Aalto University, FI-02150 Espoo, Finland
| | - Päivi J. Koskinen
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, FI-20500 Turku, Finland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +358-29-450-4218
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Harpke M, Pietschmann S, Ueberschaar N, Krüger T, Kniemeyer O, Brakhage AA, Nietzsche S, Kothe E. Salt and Metal Tolerance Involves Formation of Guttation Droplets in Species of the Aspergillus versicolor Complex. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13091631. [PMID: 36140799 PMCID: PMC9498632 DOI: 10.3390/genes13091631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Three strains of the Aspergillus versicolor complex were isolated from a salty marsh at a former uranium mining site in Thuringia, Germany. The strains from a metal-rich environment were not only highly salt tolerant (up to 20% NaCl), but at the same time could sustain elevated Cs and Sr (both up to 100 mM) concentrations as well as other (heavy) metals present in the environment. During growth experiments when screening for differential cell morphology, the occurrence of guttation droplets was observed, specifically when elevated Sr concentrations of 25 mM were present in the media. To analyze the potential of metal tolerance being promoted by these excretions, proteomics and metabolomics of guttation droplets were performed. Indeed, proteins involved in up-regulated metabolic activities as well as in stress responses were identified. The metabolome verified the presence of amino sugars, glucose homeostasis-regulating substances, abscisic acid and bioactive alkaloids, flavones and quinones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Harpke
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Neugasse 25, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Sebastian Pietschmann
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Neugasse 25, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Nico Ueberschaar
- Mass Spectrometry Platform, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstr. 8, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Krüger
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Adolf-Reichwein-St. 23, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Olaf Kniemeyer
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Adolf-Reichwein-St. 23, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A. Brakhage
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Neugasse 25, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Adolf-Reichwein-St. 23, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Sandor Nietzsche
- Elektronenmikroskopisches Zentrum, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Ziegelmühlenweg 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Erika Kothe
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Neugasse 25, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Vaali K, Tuomela M, Mannerström M, Heinonen T, Tuuminen T. Toxic Indoor Air Is a Potential Risk of Causing Immuno Suppression and Morbidity—A Pilot Study. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8020104. [PMID: 35205859 PMCID: PMC8877819 DOI: 10.3390/jof8020104] [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: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
We aimed to establish an etiology-based connection between the symptoms experienced by the occupants of a workplace and the presence in the building of toxic dampness microbiota. The occupants (5/6) underwent a medical examination and urine samples (2/6) were analyzed by LC-MS/MS for mycotoxins at two time-points. The magnitude of inhaled water was estimated. Building-derived bacteria and fungi were identified and assessed for toxicity. Separate cytotoxicity tests using human THP-1 macrophages were performed from the office’s indoor air water condensates. Office-derived indoor water samples (n = 4/4) were toxic to human THP-1 macrophages. Penicillium, Acremonium sensu lato, Aspergillus ochraceus group and Aspergillus section Aspergillus grew from the building material samples. These colonies were toxic in boar sperm tests (n = 11/32); four were toxic to BHK-21 cells. Mycophenolic acid, which is a potential immunosuppressant, was detected in the initial and follow-up urine samples of (2/2) office workers who did not take immunosuppressive drugs. Their urinary mycotoxin profiles differed from household and unrelated controls. Our study suggests that the presence of mycotoxins in indoor air is linked to the morbidity of the occupants. The cytotoxicity test of the indoor air condensate is a promising tool for risk assessment in moisture-damaged buildings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsi Vaali
- SelexLab Oy, Kalevankatu 17 A, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +358-50-550-1131
| | - Marja Tuomela
- Co-op Bionautit, Viikinkaari 9, 00790 Helsinki, Finland;
- Department of Microbiology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marika Mannerström
- The Finnish Centre for Alternative Methods, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, 33014 Tampere, Finland; (M.M.); (T.H.)
| | - Tuula Heinonen
- The Finnish Centre for Alternative Methods, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, 33014 Tampere, Finland; (M.M.); (T.H.)
| | - Tamara Tuuminen
- Medical Center Kruunuhaka Oy, Kaisaniemenkatu 8B a, 00100 Helsinki, Finland;
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The Toxicity of Wiped Dust and Airborne Microbes in Individual Classrooms Increase the Risk of Teachers' Work-Related Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111360. [PMID: 34832514 PMCID: PMC8624243 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The causes and pathophysiological mechanisms of building-related symptoms (BRS) remain open. Objective: We aimed to investigate the association between teachers’ individual work-related symptoms and intrinsic in vitro toxicity in classrooms. This is a further analysis of a previously published dataset. Methods: Teachers from 15 Finnish schools in Helsinki responded to the symptom survey. The boar sperm motility inhibition assay, a sensitive indicator of mitochondrial dysfunction, was used to measure the toxicity of wiped dust and cultured microbial fallout samples collected from the teachers’ classrooms. Results: 231 teachers whose classroom toxicity data had been collected responded to the questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, gender, smoking, and atopy showed that classroom dust intrinsic toxicity was statistically significantly associated with the following 12 symptoms reported by teachers (adjusted ORs in parentheses): nose stuffiness (4.1), runny nose (6.9), hoarseness (6.4), globus sensation (9.0), throat mucus (7.6), throat itching (4.4), shortness of breath (12.2), dry cough (4.7), wet eyes (12.7), hypersensitivity to sound (7.9), difficulty falling asleep (7.6), and increased need for sleep (7.7). Toxicity of cultured microbes was found to be associated with nine symptoms (adjusted ORs in parentheses): headache (2.3), nose stuffiness (2.2), nose dryness (2.2), mouth dryness (2.8), hoarseness (2.2), sore throat (2.8), throat mucus (2.3), eye discharge (10.2), and increased need for sleep (3.5). Conclusions: The toxicity of classroom dust and airborne microbes in boar sperm motility inhibition assay significantly increased teachers’ risk of work-related respiratory and ocular symptoms. Potential pathophysiological mechanisms of BRS are discussed.
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Salin J, Ohtonen P, Syrjälä H. Teachers' work-related non-literature-known building-related symptoms are also connected to indoor toxicity: A cross-sectional study. INDOOR AIR 2021; 31:1533-1539. [PMID: 33729611 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A previous study showed that classical building-related symptoms (BRS) were related to indoor dust and microbial toxicity via boar sperm motility assay, a sensitive method for measuring mitochondrial toxicity. In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed whether teachers' most common work-related non-literature-known BRS (nBRS) were also associated with dust or microbial toxicity. Teachers from 15 schools in Finland completed a questionnaire evaluating 20 nBRS including general, eye, respiratory, hearing, sleep, and mental symptoms. Boar sperm motility assay was used to measure the toxicity of extracts from wiped dust and microbial fallout samples collected from teachers' classrooms. 231 teachers answered a questionnaire and their classroom toxicity data were recorded. A negative binomial mixed model showed that teachers' work-related nBRS were 2.9-fold (95% CI: 1.2-7.3) higher in classrooms with highly toxic dust samples compared to classrooms with non-toxic dust samples (p = 0.024). The RR of work-related nBRS was 1.8 (95% CI: 1.1-2.9) for toxic microbial samples (p = 0.022). Teachers' BRS appeared to be broader than reported in the literature, and the work-related nBRS were associated with toxic dusts and microbes in classrooms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janne Salin
- The Departments of Infection Control, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Pasi Ohtonen
- Division of Operative Care, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
- Research Unit of Surgery, Anesthesia and Intensive Care, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Hannu Syrjälä
- The Departments of Infection Control, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
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Krain A, Siupka P. Fungal Guttation, a Source of Bioactive Compounds, and Its Ecological Role-A Review. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11091270. [PMID: 34572483 PMCID: PMC8467351 DOI: 10.3390/biom11091270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Guttation is a common phenomenon in the fungal kingdom. Its occurrence and intensity depend largely on culture conditions, such as growth medium composition or incubation temperature. As filamentous fungi are a rich source of compounds, possessing various biological activities, guttation exudates could also contain bioactive substances. Among such molecules, researchers have already found numerous mycotoxins, antimicrobials, insecticides, bioherbicides, antiviral, and anticancer agents in exudate droplets. They belong to either secondary metabolites (SMs) or proteins and are secreted with different intensities. The background of guttation, in terms of its biological role, in vivo, and promoting factors, has been explored only partially. In this review, we describe the metabolites present in fungal exudates, their diversity, and bioactivities. Pointing to the significance of fungal ecology and natural products discovery, selected aspects of guttation in the fungi are discussed.
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Andersson (AMA, Salo J, Mikkola R, Marik T, Kredics L, Kurnitski J, Salonen H. Melinacidin-Producing Acrostalagmus luteoalbus, a Major Constituent of Mixed Mycobiota Contaminating Insulation Material in an Outdoor Wall. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10070843. [PMID: 34357993 PMCID: PMC8308789 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10070843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Occupants may complain about indoor air quality in closed spaces where the officially approved standard methods for indoor air quality risk assessment fail to reveal the cause of the problem. This study describes a rare genus not previously detected in Finnish buildings, Acrostalagmus, and its species A. luteoalbus as the major constituents of the mixed microbiota in the wet cork liner from an outdoor wall. Representatives of the genus were also present in the settled dust in offices where occupants suffered from symptoms related to the indoor air. One strain, POB8, was identified as A. luteoalbus by ITS sequencing. The strain produced the immunosuppressive and cytotoxic melinacidins II, III, and IV, as evidenced by mass spectrometry analysis. In addition, the classical toxigenic species indicating water damage, mycoparasitic Trichoderma, Aspergillus section Versicolores, Aspergillus section Circumdati, Aspergillus section Nigri, and Chaetomium spp., were detected in the wet outdoor wall and settled dust from the problematic rooms. The offices exhibited no visible signs of microbial growth, and the airborne load of microbial conidia was too low to explain the reported symptoms. In conclusion, we suggest the possible migration of microbial bioactive metabolites from the wet outdoor wall into indoor spaces as a plausible explanation for the reported complaints.
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Affiliation(s)
- (Aino) Maria A. Andersson
- Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 12100, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland; (J.S.); (R.M.); (J.K.); (H.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +358-405508934
| | - Johanna Salo
- Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 12100, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland; (J.S.); (R.M.); (J.K.); (H.S.)
| | - Raimo Mikkola
- Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 12100, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland; (J.S.); (R.M.); (J.K.); (H.S.)
| | - Tamás Marik
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (T.M.); (L.K.)
| | - László Kredics
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (T.M.); (L.K.)
| | - Jarek Kurnitski
- Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 12100, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland; (J.S.); (R.M.); (J.K.); (H.S.)
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Heidi Salonen
- Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 12100, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland; (J.S.); (R.M.); (J.K.); (H.S.)
- International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
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