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Ke W, Xie Y, Chen Y, Ding H, Ye L, Qiu H, Li H, Zhang L, Chen L, Tian X, Shen Z, Song Z, Fan X, Zong JF, Guo Z, Ma X, Xiao M, Liao G, Liu CH, Yin WB, Dong Z, Yang F, Jiang YY, Perlin DS, Chen Y, Fu YV, Wang L. Fungicide-tolerant persister formation during cryptococcal pulmonary infection. Cell Host Microbe 2024; 32:276-289.e7. [PMID: 38215741 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.12.012] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial persisters, a subpopulation of genetically susceptible cells that are normally dormant and tolerant to bactericides, have been studied extensively because of their clinical importance. In comparison, much less is known about the determinants underlying fungicide-tolerant fungal persister formation in vivo. Here, we report that during mouse lung infection, Cryptococcus neoformans forms persisters that are highly tolerant to amphotericin B (AmB), the standard of care for treating cryptococcosis. By exploring stationary-phase indicator molecules and developing single-cell tracking strategies, we show that in the lung, AmB persisters are enriched in cryptococcal cells that abundantly produce stationary-phase molecules. The antioxidant ergothioneine plays a specific and key role in AmB persistence, which is conserved in phylogenetically distant fungi. Furthermore, the antidepressant sertraline (SRT) shows potent activity specifically against cryptococcal AmB persisters. Our results provide evidence for and the determinant of AmB-tolerant persister formation in pulmonary cryptococcosis, which has potential clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weixin Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yuyan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yingying Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hao Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Leixin Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Haoning Qiu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Lanyue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiuyun Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zhenghao Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zili Song
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xin Fan
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Jian-Fa Zong
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zhengyan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiaoyu Ma
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Meng Xiao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases (BZ0447), Beijing 100730, China
| | - Guojian Liao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Cui Hua Liu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Wen-Bing Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhiyang Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Feng Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Yuan-Ying Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - David S Perlin
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA
| | - Yihua Chen
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yu V Fu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Linqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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The Dynamics of Cryptococcus neoformans Cell and Transcriptional Remodeling during Infection. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233896. [PMID: 36497155 PMCID: PMC9740611 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The phenotypic plasticity of Cryptococcus neoformans is widely studied and demonstrated in vitro, but its influence on pathogenicity remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the dynamics of cryptococcal cell and transcriptional remodeling during pulmonary infection in a murine model. We showed that in Cryptococcus neoformans, cell size reduction (cell body ≤ 3 µm) is important for initial adaptation during infection. This change was associated with reproductive fitness and tissue invasion. Subsequently, the fungus develops mechanisms aimed at resistance to the host’s immune response, which is determinant for virulence. We investigated the transcriptional changes involved in this cellular remodeling and found an upregulation of transcripts related to ribosome biogenesis at the beginning (6 h) of infection and a later (10 days) upregulation of transcripts involved in the inositol pathway, energy production, and the proteasome. Consistent with a role for the proteasome, we found that its inhibition delayed cell remodeling during infection with the H99 strain. Altogether, these results further our understanding of the infection biology of C. neoformans and provide perspectives to support therapeutic and diagnostic targets for cryptococcosis.
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Fan HH, Fang SB, Chang YC, Huang ST, Huang CH, Chang PR, Chang WC, Yang LTL, Lin PC, Cheng HY. Effects of colonization-associated gene yqiC on global transcriptome, cellular respiration, and oxidative stress in Salmonella Typhimurium. J Biomed Sci 2022; 29:102. [PMID: 36457101 PMCID: PMC9714038 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00885-0] [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: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND yqiC is required for colonizing the Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) in human cells; however, how yqiC regulates nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) genes to influence bacteria-host interactions remains unclear. METHODS The global transcriptomes of S. Typhimurium yqiC-deleted mutant (ΔyqiC) and its wild-type strain SL1344 after 2 h of in vitro infection with Caco-2 cells were obtained through RNA sequencing to conduct comparisons and identify major yqiC-regulated genes, particularly those involved in Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPIs), ubiquinone and menaquinone biosynthesis, electron transportation chains (ETCs), and carbohydrate/energy metabolism. A Seahorse XFp Analyzer and assays of NADH/NAD+ and H2O2 were used to compare oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification, glycolysis parameters, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation, NADH/NAD+ ratios, and H2O2 production between ΔyqiC and SL1344. RESULTS After S. Typhimurium interacts with Caco-2 cells, yqiC represses gene upregulation in aspartate carbamoyl transferase, type 1 fimbriae, and iron-sulfur assembly, and it is required for expressing ilvB operon, flagellin, tdcABCD, and dmsAB. Furthermore, yqiC is required for expressing mainly SPI-1 genes and specific SPI-4, SPI-5, and SPI-6 genes; however, it diversely regulates SPI-2 and SPI-3 gene expression. yqiC significantly contributes to menD expression in menaquinone biosynthesis. A Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis revealed the extensive association of yqiC with carbohydrate and energy metabolism. yqiC contributes to ATP generation, and the analyzer results demonstrate that yqiC is required for maintaining cellular respiration and metabolic potential under energy stress and for achieving glycolysis, glycolytic capacity, and glycolytic reserve. yqiC is also required for expressing ndh, cydA, nuoE, and sdhB but suppresses cyoC upregulation in the ETC of aerobically and anaerobically grown S. Typhimurium; priming with Caco-2 cells caused a reversed regulation of yiqC toward upregulation in these ETC complex genes. Furthermore, yqiC is required for maintaining NADH/NAD+ redox status and H2O2 production. CONCLUSIONS Specific unreported genes that were considerably regulated by the colonization-associated gene yqiC in NTS were identified, and the key role and tentative mechanisms of yqiC in the extensive modulation of virulence factors, SPIs, ubiquinone and menaquinone biosynthesis, ETCs, glycolysis, and oxidative stress were discovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Hao Fan
- grid.412955.e0000 0004 0419 7197Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Pediatrics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, No. 291, Jhong Jheng Road, Jhong Ho, New Taipei City, 23561 Taiwan ,grid.412896.00000 0000 9337 0481Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan ,grid.412955.e0000 0004 0419 7197Department of Emergency Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Shiuh-Bin Fang
- grid.412955.e0000 0004 0419 7197Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Pediatrics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, No. 291, Jhong Jheng Road, Jhong Ho, New Taipei City, 23561 Taiwan ,grid.412896.00000 0000 9337 0481Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan ,grid.412896.00000 0000 9337 0481Master Program for Clinical Genomics and Proteomics, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chu Chang
- grid.412896.00000 0000 9337 0481Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Tung Huang
- grid.412087.80000 0001 0001 3889Graduate Institute of Biochemical and Biomedical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hung Huang
- grid.412087.80000 0001 0001 3889Graduate Institute of Biochemical and Biomedical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ru Chang
- grid.412955.e0000 0004 0419 7197Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Pediatrics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, No. 291, Jhong Jheng Road, Jhong Ho, New Taipei City, 23561 Taiwan ,grid.412896.00000 0000 9337 0481Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chiao Chang
- grid.412896.00000 0000 9337 0481Master Program for Clinical Genomics and Proteomics, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Lauderdale Tsai-Ling Yang
- grid.59784.370000000406229172National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chun Lin
- grid.412955.e0000 0004 0419 7197Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Pediatrics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, No. 291, Jhong Jheng Road, Jhong Ho, New Taipei City, 23561 Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yen Cheng
- grid.412955.e0000 0004 0419 7197Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Pediatrics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, No. 291, Jhong Jheng Road, Jhong Ho, New Taipei City, 23561 Taiwan
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Simm C, Weerasinghe H, Thomas DR, Harrison PF, Newton HJ, Beilharz TH, Traven A. Disruption of Iron Homeostasis and Mitochondrial Metabolism Are Promising Targets to Inhibit Candida auris. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0010022. [PMID: 35412372 PMCID: PMC9045333 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00100-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are a global threat, but treatments are limited due to a paucity in antifungal drug targets and the emergence of drug-resistant fungi such as Candida auris. Metabolic adaptations enable microbial growth in nutrient-scarce host niches, and they further control immune responses to pathogens, thereby offering opportunities for therapeutic targeting. Because it is a relatively new pathogen, little is known about the metabolic requirements for C. auris growth and its adaptations to counter host defenses. Here, we establish that triggering metabolic dysfunction is a promising strategy against C. auris. Treatment with pyrvinium pamoate (PP) induced metabolic reprogramming and mitochondrial dysfunction evident in disrupted mitochondrial morphology and reduced tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle enzyme activity. PP also induced changes consistent with disrupted iron homeostasis. Nutrient supplementation experiments support the proposition that PP-induced metabolic dysfunction is driven by disrupted iron homeostasis, which compromises carbon and lipid metabolism and mitochondria. PP inhibited C. auris replication in macrophages, which is a relevant host niche for this yeast pathogen. We propose that PP causes a multipronged metabolic hit to C. auris: it restricts the micronutrient iron to potentiate nutritional immunity imposed by immune cells, and it further causes metabolic dysfunction that compromises the utilization of macronutrients, thereby curbing the metabolic plasticity needed for growth in host environments. Our study offers a new avenue for therapeutic development against drug-resistant C. auris, shows how complex metabolic dysfunction can be caused by a single compound triggering antifungal inhibition, and provides insights into the metabolic needs of C. auris in immune cell environments. IMPORTANCE Over the last decade, Candida auris has emerged as a human pathogen around the world causing life-threatening infections with wide-spread antifungal drug resistance, including pandrug resistance in some cases. In this study, we addressed the mechanism of action of the antiparasitic drug pyrvinium pamoate against C. auris and show how metabolism could be inhibited to curb C. auris proliferation. We show that pyrvinium pamoate triggers sweeping metabolic and mitochondrial changes and disrupts iron homeostasis. PP-induced metabolic dysfunction compromises the utilization of both micro- and macronutrients by C. auris and reduces its growth in vitro and in immune phagocytes. Our findings provide insights into the metabolic requirements for C. auris growth and define the mechanisms of action of pyrvinium pamoate against C. auris, demonstrating how this compound works by inhibiting the metabolic flexibility of the pathogen. As such, our study characterizes credible avenues for new antifungal approaches against C. auris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Simm
- Infection Program and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
- Centre to Impact AMR, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Harshini Weerasinghe
- Infection Program and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
- Centre to Impact AMR, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - David R. Thomas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Hayley J. Newton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Traude H. Beilharz
- Development and Stem Cells Program and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ana Traven
- Infection Program and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
- Centre to Impact AMR, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
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Fungicidal Activity of Recombinant Javanicin against Cryptococcus neoformans Is Associated with Intracellular Target(s) Involved in Carbohydrate and Energy Metabolic Processes. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26227011. [PMID: 34834105 PMCID: PMC8618071 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26227011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of Cryptococcus neoformans, the human fungal pathogen that primarily infects immunocompromised individuals, has been progressing at an alarming rate. The increased incidence of infection of C. neoformans with antifungal drugs resistance has become a global concern. Potential antifungal agents with extremely low toxicity are urgently needed. Herein, the biological activities of recombinant javanicin (r-javanicin) against C. neoformans were evaluated. A time-killing assay was performed and both concentration- and time-dependent antifungal activity of r-javanicin were indicated. The inhibitory effect of the peptide was initially observed at 4 h post-treatment and ultimately eradicated within 36 to 48 h. Fungal outer surface alteration was characterized by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) whereas a negligible change with slight shrinkage of external morphology was observed in r-javanicin treated cells. Confocal laser scanning microscopic analysis implied that the target(s) of r-javanicin is conceivably resided in the cell thereby allowing the peptide to penetrate across the membrane and accumulate throughout the fungal body. Finally, cryptococcal cells coped with r-javanicin were preliminarily investigated using label-free mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Combined with microscopic and proteomics analysis, it was clearly elucidated the peptide localized in the intracellular compartment where carbohydrate metabolism and energy production associated with glycolysis pathway and mitochondrial respiration, respectively, were principally interfered. Overall, r-javanicin would be an alternative candidate for further development of antifungal agents.
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Kaya A, Phua CZJ, Lee M, Wang L, Tyshkovskiy A, Ma S, Barre B, Liu W, Harrison BR, Zhao X, Zhou X, Wasko BM, Bammler TK, Promislow DEL, Kaeberlein M, Gladyshev VN. Evolution of natural lifespan variation and molecular strategies of extended lifespan in yeast. eLife 2021; 10:e64860. [PMID: 34751131 PMCID: PMC8612763 DOI: 10.7554/elife.64860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
To understand the genetic basis and selective forces acting on longevity, it is useful to examine lifespan variation among closely related species, or ecologically diverse isolates of the same species, within a controlled environment. In particular, this approach may lead to understanding mechanisms underlying natural variation in lifespan. Here, we analyzed 76 ecologically diverse wild yeast isolates and discovered a wide diversity of replicative lifespan (RLS). Phylogenetic analyses pointed to genes and environmental factors that strongly interact to modulate the observed aging patterns. We then identified genetic networks causally associated with natural variation in RLS across wild yeast isolates, as well as genes, metabolites, and pathways, many of which have never been associated with yeast lifespan in laboratory settings. In addition, a combined analysis of lifespan-associated metabolic and transcriptomic changes revealed unique adaptations to interconnected amino acid biosynthesis, glutamate metabolism, and mitochondrial function in long-lived strains. Overall, our multiomic and lifespan analyses across diverse isolates of the same species shows how gene-environment interactions shape cellular processes involved in phenotypic variation such as lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaattin Kaya
- Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondUnited States
| | - Cheryl Zi Jin Phua
- Genetics, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)SingaporeSingapore
| | - Mitchell Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Alexander Tyshkovskiy
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State UniversityMoscowRussian Federation
| | - Siming Ma
- Genetics, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)SingaporeSingapore
| | - Benjamin Barre
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Weiqiang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of ZoologyBeijingChina
| | - Benjamin R Harrison
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Xiaqing Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Xuming Zhou
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Brian M Wasko
- Department of Biology, University of Houston - Clear LakeHoustonUnited States
| | - Theo K Bammler
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Daniel EL Promislow
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
- Department of Biology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Matt Kaeberlein
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Vadim N Gladyshev
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
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Discovery of Fungus-Specific Targets and Inhibitors Using Chemical Phenotyping of Pathogenic Spore Germination. mBio 2021; 12:e0167221. [PMID: 34311572 PMCID: PMC8406298 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01672-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a critical need for new antifungal drugs; however, the lack of available fungus-specific targets is a major hurdle in the development of antifungal therapeutics. Spore germination is a differentiation process absent in humans that could harbor uncharacterized fungus-specific targets. To capitalize on this possibility, we developed novel phenotypic assays to identify and characterize inhibitors of spore germination of the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus. Using these assays, we carried out a high-throughput screen of ∼75,000 drug-like small molecules and identified and characterized 191 novel inhibitors of spore germination, many of which also inhibited yeast replication and demonstrated low cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. Using an automated, microscopy-based, quantitative germination assay (QGA), we discovered that germinating spore populations can exhibit unique phenotypes in response to chemical inhibitors. Through the characterization of these spore population dynamics in the presence of the newly identified inhibitors, we classified 6 distinct phenotypes based on differences in germination synchronicity, germination rates, and overall population behavior. Similar chemical phenotypes were induced by inhibitors that targeted the same cellular function or had shared substructures. Leveraging these features, we used QGAs to identify outliers among compounds that fell into similar structural groups and thus refined relevant structural moieties, facilitating target identification. This approach led to the identification of complex II of the electron transport chain as the putative target of a promising structural cluster of germination inhibitory compounds. These inhibitors showed high potency against Cryptococcus spore germination while maintaining low cytotoxicity against mammalian cells, making them prime candidates for development into novel antifungal therapeutics.
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Cryptococcal Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome: From Blood and Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers to Treatment Approaches. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11020095. [PMID: 33514007 PMCID: PMC7912256 DOI: 10.3390/life11020095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) presents as an exaggerated immune reaction that occurs during dysregulated immune restoration in immunocompromised patients in late-stage human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who have commenced antiretroviral treatments (ART). Virtually any opportunistic pathogen can provoke this type of immune restoration disorder. In this review, we focus on recent developments in the identification of risk factors for Cryptococcal IRIS and on advancements in our understanding of C-IRIS immunopathogenesis. We overview new findings in blood and cerebrospinal fluid which can potentially be useful in the prediction and diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis IRIS (CM-IRIS). We assess current therapeutic regimens and novel treatment approaches to combat CM-IRIS. We discuss the utility of biomarkers for clinical monitoring and adjusting treatment modalities in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients co-infected with Cryptococcus who have initiated ART.
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