1
|
Massri M, Toonen EJ, Sarg B, Kremser L, Grasse M, Fleischer V, Torres-Quesada O, Hengst L, Skjoedt MO, Bayarri-Olmos R, Rosbjerg A, Garred P, Orth-Höller D, Prohászka Z, Würzner R. Complement C7 and clusterin form a complex in circulation. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1330095. [PMID: 38333209 PMCID: PMC10850381 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1330095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The complement system is part of innate immunity and is comprised of an intricate network of proteins that are vital for host defense and host homeostasis. A distinct mechanism by which complement defends against invading pathogens is through the membrane attack complex (MAC), a lytic structure that forms on target surfaces. The MAC is made up of several complement components, and one indispensable component of the MAC is C7. The role of C7 in MAC assembly is well documented, however, inherent characteristics of C7 are yet to be investigated. Methods To shed light on the molecular characteristics of C7, we examined the properties of serum-purified C7 acquired using polyclonal and novel monoclonal antibodies. The properties of serum‑purified C7 were investigated through a series of proteolytic analyses, encompassing Western blot and mass spectrometry. The nature of C7 protein-protein interactions were further examined by a novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), as well as size‑exclusion chromatography. Results Protein analyses showcased an association between C7 and clusterin, an inhibitory complement regulator. The distinct association between C7 and clusterin was also demonstrated in serum-purified clusterin. Further assessment revealed that a complex between C7 and clusterin (C7-CLU) was detected. The C7-CLU complex was also identified in healthy serum and plasma donors, highlighting the presence of the complex in circulation. Discussion Clusterin is known to dissociate the MAC structure by binding to polymerized C9, nevertheless, here we show clusterin binding to the native form of a terminal complement protein in vivo. The presented data reveal that C7 exhibits characteristics beyond that of MAC assembly, instigating further investigation of the effector role that the C7-CLU complex plays in the complement cascade.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Massri
- Institute of Hygiene & Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Bettina Sarg
- Institute of Medical Biochemsitry, Protein Core Facility, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Leopold Kremser
- Institute of Medical Biochemsitry, Protein Core Facility, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Marco Grasse
- Institute of Hygiene & Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Verena Fleischer
- Institute of Hygiene & Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Omar Torres-Quesada
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Innsbruck, Biocenter, Innsbruck, Austria
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ludger Hengst
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Innsbruck, Biocenter, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mikkel-Ole Skjoedt
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Institute of Immunology & Microbiology , University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rafael Bayarri-Olmos
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Rosbjerg
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Garred
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dorothea Orth-Höller
- Institute of Hygiene & Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- MB-LAB Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Zoltán Prohászka
- Department of Internal Medicine and Hematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Research Group for Immunology and Hematology, Semmelweis University-Eötvös Loránd Research Network (Office for Supported Research Groups), Budapest, Hungary
| | - Reinhard Würzner
- Institute of Hygiene & Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kellnerová S, Huber S, Massri M, Fleischer V, Losso K, Sarg B, Kremser L, Talasz H, He X, Varrone E, Brigotti M, Ardissino G, Orth-Höller D, Würzner R. Enzymatic Cleavage of Stx2a in the Gut and Identification of Pancreatic Elastase and Trypsin as Possible Main Cleavers. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2487. [PMID: 37894145 PMCID: PMC10609011 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxins (Stxs), especially the Stx2a subtype, are the major virulence factors involved in enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC)-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (eHUS), a life-threatening disease causing acute kidney injury, especially in children. After oral transmission and colonization in the gut, EHEC release Stx. Intracellular cleavage of the Stx A subunit, when followed by reduction, boosts the enzymatic activity that causes damage to targeted cells. This cleavage was assumed to be mostly mediated by furin during Stx intracellular trafficking. To investigate whether this cleavage could occur in the intestine, even prior to entering target cells, Stx2a A subunit structure (intact or cleaved) was characterized after its exposure to specific host factors present in human stool. The molecular weight of Stx2a A subunit/fragments was determined by immunoblotting after electrophoretic separation under reducing conditions. In this study, it was demonstrated that Stx2a is cleaved by certain human stool components. Trypsin and chymotrypsin-like elastase 3B (CELA3B), two serine proteases, were identified as potential candidates that can trigger the extracellular cleavage of Stx2a A subunit directly after its secretion by EHEC in the gut. Whether the observed cleavage indeed translates to natural infections and plays a role in eHUS pathogenesis has yet to be determined. If so, it seems likely that a host's protease profile could affect disease development by changing the toxin's biological features.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sára Kellnerová
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.K.); (S.H.); (M.M.); (V.F.)
| | - Silke Huber
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.K.); (S.H.); (M.M.); (V.F.)
| | - Mariam Massri
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.K.); (S.H.); (M.M.); (V.F.)
| | - Verena Fleischer
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.K.); (S.H.); (M.M.); (V.F.)
| | - Klemens Losso
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Radiochemistry, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
- Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, MCI|The Entrepreneurial School, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Bettina Sarg
- Protein Core Facility, Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Center of Chemistry and Biomedicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (B.S.); (L.K.); (H.T.)
| | - Leopold Kremser
- Protein Core Facility, Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Center of Chemistry and Biomedicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (B.S.); (L.K.); (H.T.)
| | - Heribert Talasz
- Protein Core Facility, Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Center of Chemistry and Biomedicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (B.S.); (L.K.); (H.T.)
| | - Xiaohua He
- Western Regional Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Albany, CA 74710, USA;
| | - Elisa Varrone
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (E.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Maurizio Brigotti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (E.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Gianluigi Ardissino
- Center for HUS Prevention, Control and Management at Pediatric Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplant Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Dorothea Orth-Höller
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.K.); (S.H.); (M.M.); (V.F.)
- MB-LAB–Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Reinhard Würzner
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.K.); (S.H.); (M.M.); (V.F.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Harthaller T, Falkensammer B, Bante D, Huber M, Schmitt M, Benainouna H, Rössler A, Fleischer V, von Laer D, Kimpel J, Würzner R, Borena W. Retained avidity despite reduced cross-binding and cross-neutralizing antibody levels to Omicron after SARS-COV-2 wild-type infection or mRNA double vaccination. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1196988. [PMID: 37545492 PMCID: PMC10401431 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1196988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The rapid evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has posed a challenge to long-lasting immunity against the novel virus. Apart from neutralizing function, binding antibodies induced by vaccination or infection play an important role in containing the infection. Methods To determine the proportion of wild-type (WT)-generated antibodies recognizant of more recent variants, plasma samples from either SARS-CoV-2 WT-infected (n = 336) or double-mRNA (Comirnaty)-vaccinated individuals (n = 354, age and sex matched to the convalescent group) were analyzed for binding antibody capacity against the S1 protein of the BA.1 omicron variant. Results Overall, 38.59% (95% CI, 37.01- 40.20) of WT-generated antibodies recognized Omicron BA.1 S1 protein [28.83% (95% CI, 26.73-30.91) after infection and 43.46% (95% CI, 41.61-45.31) after vaccination; p < 0.001]. Although the proportion of WT-generated binding and neutralizing antibodies also binding to BA.1 is substantially reduced, the avidity of the remaining antibodies against the Omicron variant was non-inferior to that of the ancestral virus: Omicron: 39.7% (95% CI: 38.1-41.3) as compared to the avidity to WT: 27.0% (95% CI, 25.5-28.4), respectively (p < 0.001). Furthermore, we noticed a modestly yet statistically significant higher avidity toward the Omicron epitopes among the vaccinated group (42.2%; 95% CI, 40.51-43.94) as compared to the convalescent counterparts (36.4%; 95% CI, 33.42-38.76) (p = 0.003), even after adjusting for antibody concentration. Discussion Our results suggest that an aspect of functional immunity against the novel strain was considerably retained after WT contact, speculatively counteracting the impact of immune evasion toward neutralization of the strain. Higher antibody levels and cross-binding capacity among vaccinated individuals suggest an advantage of repeated exposure in generating robust immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Harthaller
- Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Public Health, Institute of Virology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Barbara Falkensammer
- Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Public Health, Institute of Virology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - David Bante
- Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Public Health, Institute of Virology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Maria Huber
- Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Public Health, Institute of Virology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Melanie Schmitt
- Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Public Health, Institute of Virology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Habib Benainouna
- Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Public Health, Institute of Virology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Annika Rössler
- Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Public Health, Institute of Virology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Verena Fleischer
- Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Public Health, Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dorothee von Laer
- Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Public Health, Institute of Virology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Janine Kimpel
- Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Public Health, Institute of Virology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Reinhard Würzner
- Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Public Health, Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Wegene Borena
- Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Public Health, Institute of Virology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rössler A, Kimpel J, Fleischer V, Huber S, von Laer D, Borena W, Würzner R. Regimen of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination Influences Extent and Kinetics of Antibody Avidity. J Infect Dis 2022; 226:1909-1912. [PMID: 36111560 PMCID: PMC9494481 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated antibody titers and avidity after heterologous versus homologous coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination over 6 months after the second dose. We found a significantly higher avidity in regimens including at least 1 dose of the adenoviral vector vaccine ChAdOx1-S compared with 2 doses of the mRNA vaccine BNT162b2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Verena Fleischer
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Public Health, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Silke Huber
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Public Health, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dorothee von Laer
- Institute of Virology, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Public Health, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Wegene Borena
- Correspondence: Wegene Borena, MD, PhD, Institute of Virology, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Public Health, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria ()
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Harpf V, Kenno S, Rambach G, Fleischer V, Parth N, Weichenberger CX, Garred P, Huber S, Lass-Flörl C, Speth C, Würzner R. Influence of Glucose on Candida albicans and the Relevance of the Complement FH-Binding Molecule Hgt1 in a Murine Model of Candidiasis. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11020257. [PMID: 35203859 PMCID: PMC8868559 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11020257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Candidiasis is common in diabetic patients. Complement evasion is facilitated by binding complement factor H (FH). Since the expression of high-affinity glucose transporter 1 (Hgt1), a FH-binding molecule, is glucose-dependent, we aimed to study its relevance to the pathogenesis of Candida albicans. Euglycemic and diabetic mice were intravenously challenged with either Candida albicans lacking Hgt1 (hgt1-/-) or its parental strain (SN152). Survival and clinical status were monitored over 14 days. In vitro, Candida albicans strains were grown at different glucose concentrations, opsonized with human serum, and checked for C3b/iC3b and FH deposition. Phagocytosis was studied by fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled opsonized yeast cells incubated with granulocytes. The murine model demonstrated a significantly higher virulence of SN152 in diabetic mice and an overall increased lethality of mice challenged with hgt1-/-. In vitro lower phagocytosis and C3b/iC3b deposition and higher FH deposition were demonstrated for SN152 incubated at higher glucose concentrations, while there was no difference on hgt1-/- at physiological glucose concentrations. Despite C3b/iC3b and FH deposition being glucose-dependent, this effect has a minor influence on phagocytosis. The absence of Hgt1 is diminishing this dependency on complement deposition, but it cannot be attributed to being beneficial in a murine model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Verena Harpf
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (V.H.); (S.K.); (G.R.); (V.F.); (N.P.); (S.H.); (C.L.-F.); (C.S.)
| | - Samyr Kenno
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (V.H.); (S.K.); (G.R.); (V.F.); (N.P.); (S.H.); (C.L.-F.); (C.S.)
| | - Günter Rambach
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (V.H.); (S.K.); (G.R.); (V.F.); (N.P.); (S.H.); (C.L.-F.); (C.S.)
| | - Verena Fleischer
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (V.H.); (S.K.); (G.R.); (V.F.); (N.P.); (S.H.); (C.L.-F.); (C.S.)
| | - Nadia Parth
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (V.H.); (S.K.); (G.R.); (V.F.); (N.P.); (S.H.); (C.L.-F.); (C.S.)
| | - Christian X. Weichenberger
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, 39100 Bolzano, Italy;
| | - Peter Garred
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology Section 7631, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark;
| | - Silke Huber
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (V.H.); (S.K.); (G.R.); (V.F.); (N.P.); (S.H.); (C.L.-F.); (C.S.)
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (V.H.); (S.K.); (G.R.); (V.F.); (N.P.); (S.H.); (C.L.-F.); (C.S.)
| | - Cornelia Speth
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (V.H.); (S.K.); (G.R.); (V.F.); (N.P.); (S.H.); (C.L.-F.); (C.S.)
| | - Reinhard Würzner
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (V.H.); (S.K.); (G.R.); (V.F.); (N.P.); (S.H.); (C.L.-F.); (C.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-512-90030-70707
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pichler D, Baumgartner M, Kimpel J, Rössler A, Riepler L, Bates K, Fleischer V, von Laer D, Borena W, Würzner R. Marked Increase in Avidity of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies 7-8 Months After Infection Is Not Diminished in Old Age. J Infect Dis 2021; 224:764-770. [PMID: 34086960 PMCID: PMC8195195 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The kinetics of immunoglobulin G (IgG) avidity maturation during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection obtained from 217 participants of the Ischgl cohort, Austria, was studied 0.5-1.5 months (baseline) and 7-8 months (follow-up) after infection. The IgG avidity assay, using a modified IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and 5.5 M urea, revealed that old age does not diminish the increase in avidity, detected in all participants positive at both time points, from 18% to 42%. High avidity was associated with a marked residual neutralization capacity in 97.2.% of participants (211/217), which was even higher in the older age group, revealing an important role of avidity assays as easy and cheap surrogate tests for assessing the maturation of the immune system conveying potential protection against further SARS-CoV-2 infections without necessitating expensive and laborious neutralization assays.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Pichler
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology, and Public Health, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Matthias Baumgartner
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology, and Public Health, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Janine Kimpel
- Institute of Virology, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology, and Public Health, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Annika Rössler
- Institute of Virology, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology, and Public Health, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lydia Riepler
- Institute of Virology, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology, and Public Health, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Katie Bates
- Department of Medical Statistics, Informatics, and Health Economics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Verena Fleischer
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology, and Public Health, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dorothee von Laer
- Institute of Virology, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology, and Public Health, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Wegene Borena
- Institute of Virology, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology, and Public Health, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Reinhard Würzner
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology, and Public Health, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Rambach G, Fleischer V, Harpf V, Lackner M, Meinitzer A, Maier H, Engesser J, Lass-Flörl C, Speth C. Comparative immunopathogenesis in a murine model of inhalative infection with the mucormycetes Lichtheimia corymbifera and Rhizopus arrhizus. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234063. [PMID: 32555589 PMCID: PMC7299637 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic mucormycetes induce diseases with considerable morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Virulence data comparing different Mucorales species and various underlying risk factors are limited. We therefore compared the pathogenesis of inhalative infection by Rhizopus (R.) arrhizus and Lichtheimia (L.) corymbifera in murine models for predominant risk factors for onset of infection. Mice with diabetes or treated with cyclophosphamide or cortisone acetate were challenged via the intranasal route with an isolate of R. arrhizus or L. corymbifera, respectively. Clinical, immunological and inflammation parameters as well as efficacy of posaconazole prophylaxis were monitored over 14 days. Whereas immunocompetent mice showed no clinical symptoms after mucormycete infection, mice treated with either cyclophosphamide (CP) or cortisone acetate (CA) were highly susceptible. Animals infected with the isolate of R. arrhizus showed prolonged survival and lower mortality, compared to those exposed to the L. corymbifera isolate. This lower virulence of R. arrhizus was risk factor-dependent, since diabetic mice died only after infection with Rhizopus, whereas all Lichtheimia-infected diabetic animals survived. Under posaconazole prophylaxis, both mucormycetes were able to establish breakthrough infections in CA- and CP-treated mice, but the course of infection was significantly delayed. Detailed analysis revealed that susceptibility of CA- and CP-treated mice could not be mimicked by exclusive lack or downmodulation of neutrophils, platelets or complement, but can be supposed to be the consequence of a broad immunosuppressive effect induced by the drugs. Both Lichtheimia corymbifera and Rhizopus arrhizus induce invasive mycoses in immunocompromised hosts after inhalative infection. Key parameters such as virulence and immunopathogenesis vary strongly according to fungal species and underlying risk group. Selected neutropenia is no sufficient risk factor for onset of inhalative mucormycosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Günter Rambach
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Invasive Fungal Infections, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Verena Fleischer
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Invasive Fungal Infections, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Verena Harpf
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Invasive Fungal Infections, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michaela Lackner
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Invasive Fungal Infections, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andreas Meinitzer
- Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Hans Maier
- INNPATH GmbH–Institute of Pathology, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Johannes Engesser
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Invasive Fungal Infections, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Invasive Fungal Infections, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Cornelia Speth
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Invasive Fungal Infections, Innsbruck, Austria
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Peintner U, Knapp M, Fleischer V, Walch G, Dresch P. Corrigendum: Myrmecridium hiemale sp. nov. from snow-covered alpine soil is the first eurypsychrophile in this genus of anamorphic fungi. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2018; 68:1408. [DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.002696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ursula Peintner
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Maria Knapp
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Verena Fleischer
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Georg Walch
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Philipp Dresch
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Koirala N, Fleischer V, Granert O, Deuschl G, Muthuraman M, Groppa S. Network effects and pathways in Deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease. Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2017; 2016:5533-5536. [PMID: 28269510 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2016.7591980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Deep brain stimulation of subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) became a standard therapeutic option in Parkinson's disease (PD), even though the underlying modulated network of STN-DBS is still poorly described. Probabilistic tractography and connectivity analysis as derived from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were performed together with modelling of implanted electrode positions and linked postoperative clinical outcome. Fifteen patients with idiopathic PD without dementia were selected for DBS treatment. After pre-processing, probabilistic tractography was run from cortical and subcortical seeds of the hypothesized network to targets represented by the positions of the active DBS contacts. The performed analysis showed that the projections of the stimulation site to supplementary motor area (SMA) and primary motor cortex (M1) are mainly involved in the network effects of STN-DBS. An involvement of the "hyperdirected pathway" and a clear delimitation of the cortico-spinal tract were demonstrated. This study shows the effects of STN-DBS in PD distinctly rely on the network connections of the stimulated region to M1 and SMA, motor and premotor regions.
Collapse
|
10
|
Chirumamilla VC, Fleischer V, Droby A, Anjum T, Muthuraman M, Zipp F, Groppa S. Functional connectivity analysis using whole brain and regional network metrics in MS patients. Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2017; 2016:4039-4042. [PMID: 28269169 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2016.7591613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In the present study we investigated brain network connectivity differences between patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and healthy controls (HC) as derived from functional resonance magnetic imaging (fMRI) using graph theory. Resting state fMRI data of 18 RRMS patients (12 female, mean age ± SD: 42 ± 12.06 years) and 25 HC (8 female, 29.2 ± 5.38 years) were analyzed. In order to obtain information of differences in entire brain network, we focused on both, local and global network connectivity parameters. And the regional connectivity differences were assessed using regional network parameters. RRMS patients presented a significant increase of modularity in comparison to HC, pointing towards a network structure with densely interconnected nodes within one module, while the number of connections with other modules outside decreases. This higher decomposable network favours cost-efficient local information processing and promotes long-range disconnection. In addition, at the regional anatomical level, the network parameters clustering coefficient and local efficiency were increased in the insula, the superior parietal gyrus and the temporal pole. Our study indicates that modularity as derived from fMRI can be seen as a characteristic connectivity feature that is increased in MS patients compared to HC. Furthermore, specific anatomical regions linked to perception, motor function and cognition were mainly involved in the enhanced local information processing.
Collapse
|
11
|
Peintner U, Knapp M, Fleischer V, Walch G, Dresch P. Myrmecridium hiemale sp. nov. from snow-covered alpine soil is the first eurypsychrophile in this genus of anamorphic fungi. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2016; 66:2592-2598. [PMID: 27088455 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.001090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Myrmecridium hiemale sp. nov. was isolated from snow-covered alpine bare soil and is described as the first eurypsychrophilic species of this genus of filamentous fungi. Colony growth temperature experiments were carried out in the range 4-37 °C. Morphological characteristics and colony appearance were in accordance with characteristics typical for Myrmecridium, but M. hiemale does not grow at temperatures of 25 °C and above. Sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacer and LSU rRNA D1/D2 regions indicated that the strain in question represents a distinct taxon within the genus Myrmecridium (Myrmecridiaceae, Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota). The type strain of M. hiemale is CBS 141017T(=JMRC 12083T). A morphological description is provided, and a key is presented for the currently known taxa of Myrmecridium, a group of interesting fungi that are either saprobes or plant endophytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ursula Peintner
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Maria Knapp
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Verena Fleischer
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Georg Walch
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Philipp Dresch
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kolber P, Luessi F, Meuth S, Klotz L, Korn T, Trebst C, Tackenberg B, Kieseier B, Kümpfel T, Fleischer V, Tumani H, Wildemann B, Lang M, Flachenecker P, Meier U, Brück W, Limmroth V, Haghikia A, Hartung HP, Stangel M, Hohlfeld R, Hemmer B, Gold R, Wiendl H, Zipp F. Aktuelles zur Therapieumstellung bei Multipler Sklerose. Nervenarzt 2015; 86:1236-47. [DOI: 10.1007/s00115-015-4368-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
13
|
Muthuraman M, Anjum T, Droby A, Fleischer V, Reitz S, Mideksa K, Schmidt G, Zipp F, Groppa S. Testing different ICA algorithms and connectivity analyses on MS patients. Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2015; 2015:4314-4317. [PMID: 26737249 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2015.7319349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been employed to track the course and disease progression in patients with MS. The two main aims of this study were to apply in a data-driven approach the independent component analysis (ICA) in the spatial domain to depict the active sources and to look at the effective connectivity between the identified spatial sources. Several ICA algorithms have been proposed for fMRI data analysis. In this study, we aimed to test two well characterized algorithms, namely, the fast ICA and the complex infomax algorithms, followed by two effective connectivity algorithms, namely, Granger causality (GC) and generalized partial directed coherence (GPDC), to illustrate the connections between the spatial sources in patients with MS. The results obtained from the ICA analyses showed the involvement of the default mode network sources. The connectivity analyses depicted significant changes between the two applied algorithms. The significance of this study was to demonstrate the robustness of the analyzed algorithms in patients with MS and to validate them before applying them on larger datasets of patients with MS.
Collapse
|
14
|
Fleischer V, Steuer R, Schomäcker R. Pulse Experiments in Oxidative Coupling of Methane. CHEM-ING-TECH 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/cite.201450680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|