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Wu B, Li J, Wang Y, Yang J, Ye Y, Sun J, Sheng L, Wu M, Zhang Y, Gong Y, Zhou J, Ji J, Sun X. Exploring the impact of fungal spores from agricultural environments on the mice lung microbiome and metabolic profile. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 264:115456. [PMID: 37714035 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to particulate matter (PM) from agricultural environments has been extensively reported to cause respiratory health concerns in both animals and agricultural workers. Furthermore, PM from agricultural environments, containing fungal spores, has emerged as a significant threat to public health and the environment. Despite its potential toxicity, the impact of fungal spores present in PM from agricultural environments on the lung microbiome and metabolic profile is not well understood. To address this gap in knowledge, we developed a mice model of immunodeficiency using cyclophosphamide and subsequently exposed the mice to fungal spores via the trachea. By utilizing metabolomics techniques and 16 S rRNA sequencing, we conducted a comprehensive investigation into the alterations in the lung microbiome and metabolic profile of mice exposed to fungal spores. Our study uncovered significant modifications in both the lung microbiome and metabolic profile post-exposure to fungal spores. Additionally, fungal spore exposure elicited noticeable changes in α and β diversity, with these microorganisms being closely associated with inflammatory factors. Employing non-targeted metabolomics analysis via GC-TOF-MS, a total of 215 metabolites were identified, among which 42 exhibited significant differences. These metabolites are linked to various metabolic pathways, with amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, as well as galactose metabolism, standing out as the most notable pathways. Cysteine and methionine metabolism, along with glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, emerged as particularly crucial pathways. Moreover, these metabolites demonstrated a strong correlation with inflammatory factors and exhibited significant associations with microbial production. Overall, our findings suggest that disruptions to the microbiome and metabolome may hold substantial relevance in the mechanism underlying fungal spore-induced lung damage in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Jinyou Li
- Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Yuting Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Jin Yang
- Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Yongli Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Jiadi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Lina Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Mengying Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Yinzhi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Yajun Gong
- College of Food Science and Pharmacy, Xinjiang Agricultural University, No. 311 Nongda Dong Road, Ürümqi 830052 Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Jianzhong Zhou
- College of Food Science and Pharmacy, Xinjiang Agricultural University, No. 311 Nongda Dong Road, Ürümqi 830052 Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Jian Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; College of Food Science and Pharmacy, Xinjiang Agricultural University, No. 311 Nongda Dong Road, Ürümqi 830052 Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
| | - Xiulan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
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2
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Galgiani JN, Hsu AP, Powell DA, Vyas JM, Holland SM. Genetic and Other Determinants for the Severity of Coccidioidomycosis: A Clinician's Perspective. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:554. [PMID: 37233265 PMCID: PMC10219288 DOI: 10.3390/jof9050554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The endemic fungal infection, coccidioidomycosis, occurs after inhalation of one or very few Coccidioides spp. spores. Infections produce diverse clinical manifestations, ranging from insignificant to extremely destructive, even fatal. Approaches to understanding this range of consequences have traditionally categorized patients into a small number of groups (asymptomatic, uncomplicated self-limited, fibro-cavitary, and extra-thoracic disseminated) and then looked for immunologic differences among them. Recently, variants within genes of innate pathways have been found to account, in part, for infections that result in disseminated disease. This discovery raises the very attractive theory that, in patients without severe immunosuppression, much of the disease spectrum can be accounted for by various combinations of such deleterious variants in innate pathways. In this review, we summarize what is known about genetic determinants that are responsible for the severity of coccidioidal infections and how complex innate genetic differences among different people might account for the spectrum of disease observed clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- John N. Galgiani
- Valley Fever Center for Excellence, College of Medicine-Tucson, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA;
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine-Tucson, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- Department of Immunobiology, College of Medicine-Tucson, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Amy P. Hsu
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.P.H.); (S.M.H.)
| | - Daniel A. Powell
- Valley Fever Center for Excellence, College of Medicine-Tucson, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA;
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, 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
| | - Steven M. Holland
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.P.H.); (S.M.H.)
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3
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Vaccines to Prevent Coccidioidomycosis: A Gene-Deletion Mutant of Coccidioides Posadasii as a Viable Candidate for Human Trials. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8080838. [PMID: 36012826 PMCID: PMC9410110 DOI: 10.3390/jof8080838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Coccidioidomycosis is an endemic fungal infection that is reported in up to 20,000 persons per year and has an economic impact close to $1.5 billion. Natural infection virtually always confers protection from future exposure, and this suggests that a preventative vaccine strategy is likely to succeed. We here review progress toward that objective. There has been ongoing research to discover a coccidioidal vaccine over the past seven decades, including one phase III clinical trial, but for reasons of either efficacy or feasibility, a safe and effective vaccine has not yet been developed. This review first summarizes the past research to develop a coccidioidal vaccine. It then details the evidence that supports a live, gene-deletion vaccine candidate as suitable for further development as both a veterinary and a human clinical product. Finally, a plausible vaccine development plan is described which would be applicable to this vaccine candidate and also useful to other future candidates. The public health and economic impact of coccidioidomycosis fully justifies a public private partnership for vaccine development, and the development of a vaccine for this orphan disease will likely require some degree of public funding.
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Bionized Nanoferrite Particles Alter the Course of Experimental Cryptococcus neoformans Pneumonia. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0239921. [PMID: 35293784 PMCID: PMC9017294 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02399-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a devastating fungal disease associated with high morbidity and mortality even when treated with antifungal drugs. Bionized nanoferrite (BNF) nanoparticles are powerful immunomodulators, but their efficacy for infectious diseases has not been investigated. Administration of BNF nanoparticles to mice with experimental cryptococcal pneumonia altered the outcome of infection in a dose response manner as measured by CFU and survival. The protective effects were higher at lower doses, with reductions in IL-2, IL-4, and TNF-α, consistent with immune modulation whereby reductions in inflammation translate into reduced host damage, clearance of infection, and longer survival.
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5
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O'Shaughnessy E, Yasinskaya Y, Dixon C, Higgins K, Moore J, Reynolds K, Ampel NM, Angulo D, Blair JE, Catanzaro A, Galgiani JN, Garvey E, Johnson R, Larwood DJ, Lewis G, Purdie R, Rex JH, Shubitz LF, Stevens DA, Page SJ, Shukla SJ, Farley JJ, Nambiar S. FDA Public Workshop Summary-Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever): Considerations for Development of Antifungal Drugs. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 74:2061-2066. [PMID: 34651656 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal disease endemic to the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central and South America. Prevalence rates are increasing steadily and new endemic areas of Coccidioides are emerging. Standard treatment is often administered for months to decades, and intolerance to medications and treatment failures are common. No new treatments for coccidioidomycosis have been approved in the U.S. in nearly 40 years. On August 5, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration convened experts in coccidioidomycosis from academia, industry, patient groups and other government agencies to discuss the disease landscape and strategies to facilitate product development for treatment of coccidioidomycosis. This paper summarizes the key topics concerning drug development for coccidioidomycosis presented by speakers and panelists during the workshop, such as unmet need, trial designs, endpoints, incentives, research and development support, and collaborations to facilitate antifungal drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth O'Shaughnessy
- Division of Anti-Infectives, Office of Infectious Diseases, Office of New Drugs, CDER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Yuliya Yasinskaya
- Division of Anti-Infectives, Office of Infectious Diseases, Office of New Drugs, CDER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Cheryl Dixon
- Division of Biometrics IV, Office of Translational Sciences, CDER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Karen Higgins
- Division of Biometrics IV, Office of Translational Sciences, CDER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Jason Moore
- Division of Infectious Disease Pharmacology, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, CDER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Kellie Reynolds
- Division of Infectious Disease Pharmacology, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, CDER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Neil M Ampel
- Valley Fever Center for Excellence, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | | | | | | | - John N Galgiani
- Valley Fever Center for Excellence, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | | | - Royce Johnson
- Valley Fever Institute, Kern Medical, Bakersfield, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Rob Purdie
- Valley Fever Institute, Kern Medical, Bakersfield, CA, USA
| | | | - Lisa F Shubitz
- Valley Fever Center for Excellence, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - David A Stevens
- California Institute for Medical Research, San Jose, CA, and Div. of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Dept. of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Sunita J Shukla
- Office of Infectious Diseases, Office of New Drugs, CDER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - John J Farley
- Office of Infectious Diseases, Office of New Drugs, CDER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Sumathi Nambiar
- Division of Anti-Infectives, Office of Infectious Diseases, Office of New Drugs, CDER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, USA
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6
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Vanherp L, Ristani A, Poelmans J, Hillen A, Lagrou K, Janbon G, Brock M, Himmelreich U, Vande Velde G. Sensitive bioluminescence imaging of fungal dissemination to the brain in mouse models of cryptococcosis. Dis Model Mech 2019; 12:dmm.039123. [PMID: 31101657 PMCID: PMC6602310 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.039123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a leading cause of fungal brain infection, but the mechanism of dissemination and dynamics of cerebral infection following pulmonary disease are poorly understood. To address these questions, non-invasive techniques that can study the dynamic processes of disease development and progression in living animal models or patients are required. As such, bioluminescence imaging (BLI) has emerged as a powerful tool to evaluate the spatial and temporal distribution of infection in living animals. We aimed to study the time profile of the dissemination of cryptococcosis from the lung to the brain in murine models by engineering the first bioluminescent C. neoformans KN99α strain, expressing a sequence-optimized red-shifted luciferase. The high pathogen specificity and sensitivity of BLI was complemented by the three-dimensional anatomical information from micro-computed tomography (μCT) of the lung and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. These non-invasive imaging techniques provided longitudinal readouts on the spatial and temporal distribution of infection following intravenous, intranasal or endotracheal routes of inoculation. Furthermore, the imaging results correlated strongly with the fungal load in the respective organs. By obtaining dynamic and quantitative information about the extent and timing of brain infections for individual animals, we found that dissemination to the brain after primary infection of the lung is likely a late-stage event with a timeframe that is variable between animals. This novel tool in Cryptococcus research can aid the identification of host and pathogen factors involved in this process, and supports development of novel preventive or therapeutic approaches. Summary: A novel combination of bioluminescence and anatomical imaging non-invasively identified the timeframe and extent of Cryptococcus neoformans dissemination to the brain in animal models of systemic and pulmonary fungal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesbeth Vanherp
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.,Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center (MoSAIC), KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alexandra Ristani
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.,Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center (MoSAIC), KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jennifer Poelmans
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.,Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center (MoSAIC), KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Amy Hillen
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.,Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center (MoSAIC), KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guilhem Janbon
- RNA Biology of Fungal Pathogens, Department of Mycology, Pasteur Institute, Paris 75015, France
| | - Matthias Brock
- Fungal Biology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Uwe Himmelreich
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.,Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center (MoSAIC), KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Greetje Vande Velde
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium .,Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center (MoSAIC), KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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7
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Junqueira JC, Mylonakis E. Current Status and Trends in Alternative Models to Study Fungal Pathogens. J Fungi (Basel) 2019; 5:jof5010012. [PMID: 30691083 PMCID: PMC6463159 DOI: 10.3390/jof5010012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections affect over a billion people, with mortality rates estimated at 1⁻2 million per year [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Campos Junqueira
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University/UNESP, São José dos Campos, SP 12245-000, Brazil.
| | - Eleftherios Mylonakis
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA.
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8
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Immune Response to Coccidioidomycosis and the Development of a Vaccine. Microorganisms 2017; 5:microorganisms5010013. [PMID: 28300772 PMCID: PMC5374390 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms5010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection caused by Coccidioides posadasii and Coccidioides immitis. It is estimated that 150,000 new infections occur in the United States each year. The incidence of this infection continues to rise in endemic regions. There is an urgent need for the development of better therapeutic drugs and a vaccine against coccidioidomycosis. This review discusses the features of host innate and adaptive immune responses to Coccidioides infection. The focus is on the recent advances in the immune response and host-pathogen interactions, including the recognition of spherules by the host and defining the signal pathways that guide the development of the adaptive T-cell response to Coccidioides infection. Also discussed is an update on progress in developing a vaccine against these fungal pathogens.
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9
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Sreeram S, Lobo FD, Acharya V, Saralaya V. A Fortuitous Turn of Evidence in an Elderly Female - A Case of Pulmonary Fusariosis. J Clin Diagn Res 2017; 11:ED04-ED05. [PMID: 28384871 DOI: 10.7860/jcdr/2017/24736.9191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary mycosis is seen infrequently in our country. It is more common in the immunocompromised. The infections caused by less known species like Fusarium have been found to be increasing in incidence in other parts of the world. We hereby report its occurrence in a 79-year-old, non-immunocompromised female who presented with pyrexia of unknown origin. Her Alanine Phosphatase (ALP) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LHD) levels were raised. CT scan showed interstitial thickening in subpleural aspect of lungs and multiple enlarged lymph nodes in mediastinum. Liver showed multiple hypodense lesions. Metastasis was suspected for which Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) of liver was done which showed foci of regenerative hepatocytes with desmoplastic stromal tissue fragments and negative for tumour. Her Alpha Fetoprotein (AFP) was normal. The bronchial tree cytology showed endobronchial cells, dust-laden macrophages and chronic inflammatory cells along with fungi on Pap smear studies. This was confirmed by culture that grew Fusarium species. after one week of incubation. The acutely branching septate hyphae of Fusarium species are identical to those of Aspergillus species. In a patient who has a disseminated infection with a septate fungus, growth in culture is important to identify the specific organism and subsequently treatment with appropriate antifungals. In cases like ours, where the infection simulates malignancy, it is even more important to make the correct diagnosis to give the appropriate treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saraswathy Sreeram
- Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Manipal University , Mangaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Flora Dorothy Lobo
- Professor, Department of Pathology, Manipal University , Mangaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Vishak Acharya
- Professor and Head of the Department, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Manipal University , Mangaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Vishwas Saralaya
- Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Manipal University , Mangaluru, Karnataka, India
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10
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Hung CY, Castro-Lopez N, Cole GT. Card9- and MyD88-Mediated Gamma Interferon and Nitric Oxide Production Is Essential for Resistance to Subcutaneous Coccidioides posadasii Infection. Infect Immun 2016; 84:1166-75. [PMID: 26857574 PMCID: PMC4807486 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01066-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Coccidioidomycosis is a potentially life-threatening respiratory disease which is endemic to the southwestern United States and arid regions of Central and South America. It is responsible for approximately 150,000 infections annually in the United States alone. Almost every human organ has been reported to harbor parasitic cells of Coccidioides spp. in collective cases of the disseminated form of this mycosis. Current understanding of the mechanisms of protective immunity against lung infection has been largely derived from murine models of pulmonary coccidioidomycosis. However, little is known about the nature of the host response to Coccidioides in extrapulmonary tissue. Primary subcutaneous coccidioidal infection is rare but has been reported to result in disseminated disease. Here, we show that activation of MyD88 and Card9 signal pathways are required for resistance to Coccidioides infection following subcutaneous challenge of C57BL/6 mice, which correlates with earlier findings of the protective response to pulmonary infection. MyD88(-/-) andCard9(-/-) mice recruited reduced numbers of T cells, B cells, and neutrophils to the Coccidioides-infected hypodermis com pared to wild-type mice; however, neutrophils were dispensable for resistance to skin infection. Further studies have shown that gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production and activation of Th1 cells characterize resistance to subcutaneous infection. Furthermore, activation of a phagosomal enzyme, inducible nitric oxide synthase, which is necessary for NO production, is a requisite for fungal clearance in the hypodermis. Collectively, our data demonstrate that MyD88- and Card9-mediated IFN-γ and nitric oxide production is essential for protection against subcutaneous Coccidioides infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiung-Yu Hung
- Department of Biology and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Natalia Castro-Lopez
- Department of Biology and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Garry T Cole
- Department of Biology and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Differences in Host Innate Responses among Coccidioides Isolates in a Murine Model of Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2015; 14:1043-53. [PMID: 26275879 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00122-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii are soil-dwelling fungi and the causative agents of coccidioidomycosis, a mycosis endemic to certain semiarid regions in the Americas. The most common route of infection is by inhalation of airborne Coccidioides arthroconidia. Once a susceptible host inhales the conidia, a transition to mature endosporulated spherules can occur within the first 5 days of infection. For this study, we examined the host response in a murine model of coccidioidomycosis during a time period of infection that has not been well characterized. We collected lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from BALB/c mice that were infected with a C. immitis pure strain, a C. immitis hybrid strain, or a C. posadasii strain as well as uninfected mice. We compared the host responses to the Coccidioides strains used in this study by assessing the level of transcription of selected cytokine genes in lung tissues and characterized host and fungal proteins present in BALF. Host response varied depending on the Coccidioides strain that was used and did not appear to be overly robust. This study provides a foundation to begin to dissect the host immune response early in infection, to detect abundant Coccidioides proteins, and to develop diagnostics that target these early time points of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric R. G. Lewis
- Pathogen Genomics Division, Translational Genomics Institute, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
- Northern Arizona Center for Valley Fever Research, Translational Genomics Institute, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
- * E-mail: (ERGL); (JRB); (BMB)
| | - Jolene R. Bowers
- Pathogen Genomics Division, Translational Genomics Institute, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
- * E-mail: (ERGL); (JRB); (BMB)
| | - Bridget M. Barker
- Pathogen Genomics Division, Translational Genomics Institute, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
- Northern Arizona Center for Valley Fever Research, Translational Genomics Institute, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
- Center for Microbial Genetic and Genomics, Department of Biology, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
- * E-mail: (ERGL); (JRB); (BMB)
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13
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Hohl TM. Overview of vertebrate animal models of fungal infection. J Immunol Methods 2014; 410:100-12. [PMID: 24709390 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2014.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2014] [Revised: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Fungi represent emerging infectious threats to human populations worldwide. Mice and other laboratory animals have proved invaluable in modeling clinical syndromes associated with superficial and life-threatening invasive mycoses. This review outlines salient features of common vertebrate animal model systems to study fungal pathogenesis, host antifungal immune responses, and antifungal compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias M Hohl
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, Box 9, New York, NY 10075, United States.
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14
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Clothier KA, Villanueva M, Torain A, Reinl S, Barr B. Disseminated histoplasmosis in two juvenile raccoons (Procyon lotor) from a nonendemic region of the United States. J Vet Diagn Invest 2014; 26:297-301. [DOI: 10.1177/1040638714521207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Two 6-month-old raccoon kits, which had been rescued and fostered in preparation for return to the wild, became acutely ill and died 3 weeks before scheduled release. At necropsy, the kits had grossly enlarged livers and spleens, diffusely consolidated lungs, and generalized lymphadenopathy. Histologically, extensive infiltrates of macrophages containing yeast organisms were identified in lung, liver, kidney, spleen, lymph nodes, intestinal tissues, brain, adrenal gland, bone marrow, and thymus of both animals. Histiocytic inflammation with accompanying fibrosis was widespread, with necrotic foci evident in lungs, spleen, and intestinal sections. Fungal organisms were observed on sheep blood agar plates; however, repeated subcultures to fungal media designed to induce conidial structures for fungal identification were unsuccessful. Partial DNA sequencing of the 28S ribosomal RNA gene of the blood agar isolate identified 100% homology with Ajellomyces capsulatus (anamorphic name Histoplasma capsulatum). The kits were rescued and fostered in the San Francisco Bay area and it is likely that the exposure to H. capsulatum occurred in this area. Histoplasma sp. infection in wild mammal species is often used as an indication of spore contamination of a geographic region. Northern California is not known to be an endemic region for H. capsulatum, which is not a reportable disease in this state. The presence of severe, disseminated disease and the need for molecular identification associated with the isolate from a nonendemic region identified in the present report may indicate genetic adaptation and altered characteristics of this agent and may warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin A. Clothier
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (Clothier, Villanueva, Torain, Reinl, Barr), University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology (Clothier, Barr), University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA
| | - Michelle Villanueva
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (Clothier, Villanueva, Torain, Reinl, Barr), University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology (Clothier, Barr), University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA
| | - Andrea Torain
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (Clothier, Villanueva, Torain, Reinl, Barr), University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology (Clothier, Barr), University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA
| | - Steve Reinl
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (Clothier, Villanueva, Torain, Reinl, Barr), University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology (Clothier, Barr), University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA
| | - Bradd Barr
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (Clothier, Villanueva, Torain, Reinl, Barr), University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology (Clothier, Barr), University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA
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Wise HZ, Hung CY, Whiston E, Taylor JW, Cole GT. Extracellular ammonia at sites of pulmonary infection with Coccidioides posadasii contributes to severity of the respiratory disease. Microb Pathog 2013; 59-60:19-28. [PMID: 23583291 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2013.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2013] [Revised: 04/01/2013] [Accepted: 04/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Coccidioides is the causative agent of a potentially life-threatening respiratory disease of humans. A feature of this mycosis is that pH measurements of the microenvironment of pulmonary abscesses are consistently alkaline due to ammonia production during the parasitic cycle. We previously showed that enzymatically active urease is partly responsible for elevated concentrations of extracellular ammonia at sites of lung infection and contributes to both localized host tissue damage and exacerbation of the respiratory disease in BALB/c mice. Disruption of the urease gene (URE) of Coccidioides posadasii only partially reduced the amount of ammonia detected during in vitro growth of the parasitic phase, suggesting that other ammonia-producing pathways exist that may also contribute to the virulence of this pathogen. Ureidoglycolate hydrolase (Ugh) expressed by bacteria, fungi and higher plants catalyzes the hydrolysis of ureidoglycolate to yield glyoxylate and the release CO2 and ammonia. This enzymatic pathway is absent in mice and humans. Ureidoglycolate hydrolase gene deletions were conducted in a wild type (WT) isolate of C. posadasii as well as the previously generated Δure knock-out strain. Restorations of UGH in the mutant stains were performed to generate and evaluate the respective revertants. The double mutant revealed a marked decrease in the amount of extracellular ammonia without loss of reproductive competence in vitro compared to both the WT and Δure parental strains. BALB/c mice challenged intranasally with the Δugh/Δure mutant showed 90% survival after 30 days, decreased fungal burden, and well-organized pulmonary granulomas. We conclude that loss of both Ugh and Ure activity significantly reduced the virulence of this fungal pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Zhang Wise
- Department of Biology and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
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