1
|
Silva LOS, Moreira TR, Gonçales RA, Tomazett MV, Parente-Rocha JA, Mattos K, Paccez JD, Ruiz OH, Pereira M, Soares CMDA, Weber SS, Cruz-Leite VRM, Borges CL. Paracoccidioides lutzii Formamidase Contributes to Fungal Survival in Macrophages. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10102011. [PMID: 36296287 PMCID: PMC9608497 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10102011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitrogen is a crucial nutrient for microorganisms that compose essential biomolecules. However, hosts limit this nutrient as a strategy to counter infections, therefore, pathogens use adaptive mechanisms to uptake nitrogen from alternative sources. In fungi, nitrogen catabolite repression (NCR) activates transcription factors to acquire nitrogen from alternative sources when preferential sources are absent. Formamidase has been related to nitrogen depletion in Aspergillus nidulans through formamide degradation to use the released ammonia as a nitrogen source. In Paracoccidioides spp., formamidase is highly expressed in transcriptomic and proteomic analyses. Here, we aim to investigate the importance of formamidase to Paracoccidioides lutzii. Thereby, we developed a P. lutzii silenced strain of fmd gene (AsFmd) by antisense RNA technology using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT). The AsFmd strain led to increased urease expression, an enzyme related to nitrogen assimilation in other fungi, suggesting that P. lutzii might explore urease as an alternative route for ammonia metabolism as a nitrogen source. Moreover, formamidase was important for fungal survival inside macrophages, as fungal recovery after macrophage infection was lower in AsFmd compared to wild-type (WT) strain. Our findings suggest potential alternatives of nitrogen acquisition regulation in P. lutzii, evidencing formamidase influence in fungal virulence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lana O’Hara Souza Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Thalison Rodrigues Moreira
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Relber Aguiar Gonçales
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4700-000 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4800-000 Braga, Portugal
| | - Mariana Vieira Tomazett
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Juliana Alves Parente-Rocha
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Karine Mattos
- Bioscience Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Juliano Domiraci Paccez
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Orville Hernandez Ruiz
- MICROBA Research Group—Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit—CIB, School of Microbiology, University of Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia
| | - Maristela Pereira
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Célia Maria de Almeida Soares
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Simone Schneider Weber
- Bioscience Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Rafaela Milhomem Cruz-Leite
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil
- Correspondence: (V.R.M.C.-L.); (C.L.B.); Tel.: +55-62-3521-1110 (C.L.B.)
| | - Clayton Luiz Borges
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil
- Correspondence: (V.R.M.C.-L.); (C.L.B.); Tel.: +55-62-3521-1110 (C.L.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zheng F, Gao W, Wang Y, Chen Q, Zhang Q, Jiang X, Hou B, Zhang Z. Map of dimorphic switching‑related signaling pathways in Sporothrix schenckii based on its transcriptome. Mol Med Rep 2021; 24:646. [PMID: 34278493 PMCID: PMC8299191 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Sporothrix schenckii (S. schenckii) induces sporotrichosis, which has gained attention in recent years due to its worldwide prevalence. The dimorphic switching process is essential for the pathogenesis of S. schenckii. Previously, overexpression of several signal transduction genes, including SsDRK1 and SsSte20, was observed during the mycelium‑to‑yeast transition; these were necessary for asexual development, yeast‑phase cell formation, cell wall integrity and melanin synthesis. However, the mechanisms of the signaling pathways during dimorphic switching of S. schenckii remain unclear. In the present study, transcriptome sequencing of the 48‑h induced yeast forms and mycelium of S. schenckii was performed. In total, 24,904,510 high‑quality clean reads were obtained from mycelium samples and 22,814,406 from 48‑h induced yeast form samples. Following assembly, 31,779 unigene sequences were obtained with 52.98% GC content (The proportion of guanine G and cytosine C to all bases in nucleic acid). The results demonstrated that 12,217 genes, including genes involved in signal transduction and chitin synthesis, were expressed differentially between the two stages. According to these results, a map of the signaling pathways, including two‑component and heterotrimeric G‑protein signaling systems, Ras and MAPK cascades associated with the dimorphic switch, was drawn. Taken together, the transcriptome data and analysis performed in the present study lay the foundation for further research into the molecular mechanisms controlling the dimorphic switch of S. schenckii and support the development of anti‑S. schenckii strategies targeting genes associated with signaling pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fangliang Zheng
- Academy of Life Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110036, P.R. China
| | - Wei Gao
- Academy of Life Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110036, P.R. China
| | - Ying Wang
- Academy of Life Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110036, P.R. China
| | - Qingyan Chen
- Academy of Life Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110036, P.R. China
| | - Qiuling Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Shenzhen Shekou People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518067, P.R. China
| | - Xiuyan Jiang
- Academy of Life Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110036, P.R. China
| | - Binbin Hou
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116021, P.R. China
| | - Zhenying Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zamith-Miranda D, Peres da Silva R, Couvillion SP, Bredeweg EL, Burnet MC, Coelho C, Camacho E, Nimrichter L, Puccia R, Almeida IC, Casadevall A, Rodrigues ML, Alves LR, Nosanchuk JD, Nakayasu ES. Omics Approaches for Understanding Biogenesis, Composition and Functions of Fungal Extracellular Vesicles. Front Genet 2021; 12:648524. [PMID: 34012462 PMCID: PMC8126698 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.648524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid bilayer structures released by organisms from all kingdoms of life. The diverse biogenesis pathways of EVs result in a wide variety of physical properties and functions across different organisms. Fungal EVs were first described in 2007 and different omics approaches have been fundamental to understand their composition, biogenesis, and function. In this review, we discuss the role of omics in elucidating fungal EVs biology. Transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics have each enabled the molecular characterization of fungal EVs, providing evidence that these structures serve a wide array of functions, ranging from key carriers of cell wall biosynthetic machinery to virulence factors. Omics in combination with genetic approaches have been instrumental in determining both biogenesis and cargo loading into EVs. We also discuss how omics technologies are being employed to elucidate the role of EVs in antifungal resistance, disease biomarkers, and their potential use as vaccines. Finally, we review recent advances in analytical technology and multi-omic integration tools, which will help to address key knowledge gaps in EVs biology and translate basic research information into urgently needed clinical applications such as diagnostics, and immuno- and chemotherapies to fungal infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Zamith-Miranda
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | | | - Sneha P. Couvillion
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, United States
| | - Erin L. Bredeweg
- Environmental and Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, United States
| | - Meagan C. Burnet
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, United States
| | - Carolina Coelho
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Camacho
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Leonardo Nimrichter
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia de Eucariotos, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rosana Puccia
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina-Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Igor C. Almeida
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Marcio L. Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Regulação da Expressão Gênica, Instituto Carlos Chagas-FIOCRUZ PR, Curitiba, Brazil
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lysangela R. Alves
- Laboratório de Regulação da Expressão Gênica, Instituto Carlos Chagas-FIOCRUZ PR, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Joshua D. Nosanchuk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Ernesto S. Nakayasu
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Baranov MV, Kumar M, Sacanna S, Thutupalli S, van den Bogaart G. Modulation of Immune Responses by Particle Size and Shape. Front Immunol 2021; 11:607945. [PMID: 33679696 PMCID: PMC7927956 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.607945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune system has to cope with a wide range of irregularly shaped pathogens that can actively move (e.g., by flagella) and also dynamically remodel their shape (e.g., transition from yeast-shaped to hyphal fungi). The goal of this review is to draw general conclusions of how the size and geometry of a pathogen affect its uptake and processing by phagocytes of the immune system. We compared both theoretical and experimental studies with different cells, model particles, and pathogenic microbes (particularly fungi) showing that particle size, shape, rigidity, and surface roughness are important parameters for cellular uptake and subsequent immune responses, particularly inflammasome activation and T cell activation. Understanding how the physical properties of particles affect immune responses can aid the design of better vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maksim V. Baranov
- Department of Molecular Immunology and Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Simons Center for the Study of Living Machines, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute for Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India
| | - Stefano Sacanna
- Molecular Design Institute, Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Shashi Thutupalli
- Simons Center for the Study of Living Machines, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute for Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India
- International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, Tata Institute for Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India
| | - Geert van den Bogaart
- Department of Molecular Immunology and Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Updates in Paracoccidioides Biology and Genetic Advances in Fungus Manipulation. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7020116. [PMID: 33557381 PMCID: PMC7915485 DOI: 10.3390/jof7020116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The dimorphic fungi of the Paracoccidioides genus are the causative agents of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). This disease is endemic in Latin America and primarily affects workers in rural areas. PCM is considered a neglected disease, despite being a disabling disease that has a notable impact on the public health system. Paracoccidioides spp. are thermally dimorphic fungi that present infective mycelia at 25 °C and differentiate into pathogenic yeast forms at 37 °C. This transition involves a series of morphological, structural, and metabolic changes which are essential for their survival inside hosts. As a pathogen, the fungus is subjected to several varieties of stress conditions, including the host immune response, which involves the production of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species, thermal stress due to temperature changes during the transition, pH alterations within phagolysosomes, and hypoxia inside granulomas. Over the years, studies focusing on understanding the establishment and development of PCM have been conducted with several limitations due to the low effectiveness of strategies for the genetic manipulation of Paracoccidioides spp. This review describes the most relevant biological features of Paracoccidioides spp., including aspects of the phylogeny, ecology, stress response, infection, and evasion mechanisms of the fungus. We also discuss the genetic aspects and difficulties of fungal manipulation, and, finally, describe the advances in molecular biology that may be employed in molecular research on this fungus in the future.
Collapse
|
6
|
Seki Kioshima E, de Souza Bonfim de Mendonça P, de Melo Teixeira M, Grenier Capoci IR, Amaral A, Vilugron Rodrigues-Vendramini FA, Lauton Simões B, Rodrigues Abadio AK, Fernandes Matos L, Soares Felipe MS. One Century of Study: What We Learned about Paracoccidioides and How This Pathogen Contributed to Advances in Antifungal Therapy. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:106. [PMID: 33540749 PMCID: PMC7913102 DOI: 10.3390/jof7020106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a notable fungal infection restricted to Latin America. Since the first description of the disease by Lutz up to the present day, Brazilian researchers have contributed to the understanding of the life cycle of this pathogen and provided the possibility of new targets for antifungal therapy based on the structural and functional genomics of Paracoccidioides. In this context, in silico approaches have selected molecules that act on specific targets, such as the thioredoxin system, with promising antifungal activity against Paracoccidioides. Some of these are already in advanced development stages. In addition, the application of nanostructured systems has addressed issues related to the high toxicity of conventional PCM therapy. Thus, the contribution of molecular biology and biotechnology to the advances achieved is unquestionable. However, it is still necessary to transcend the boundaries of synthetic chemistry, pharmaco-technics, and pharmacodynamics, aiming to turn promising molecules into newly available drugs for the treatment of fungal diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erika Seki Kioshima
- Program in Biosciences and Pathophysiology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringa (UEM), Maringa, Parana 87020-900, Brazil; (P.d.S.B.d.M.); (I.R.G.C.); (F.A.V.R.-V.); (B.L.S.)
| | - Patrícia de Souza Bonfim de Mendonça
- Program in Biosciences and Pathophysiology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringa (UEM), Maringa, Parana 87020-900, Brazil; (P.d.S.B.d.M.); (I.R.G.C.); (F.A.V.R.-V.); (B.L.S.)
| | - Marcus de Melo Teixeira
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília (UnB), Brasilia, Distrito Federal 70910-900, Brazil;
| | - Isis Regina Grenier Capoci
- Program in Biosciences and Pathophysiology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringa (UEM), Maringa, Parana 87020-900, Brazil; (P.d.S.B.d.M.); (I.R.G.C.); (F.A.V.R.-V.); (B.L.S.)
| | - André Amaral
- Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil;
| | - Franciele Abigail Vilugron Rodrigues-Vendramini
- Program in Biosciences and Pathophysiology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringa (UEM), Maringa, Parana 87020-900, Brazil; (P.d.S.B.d.M.); (I.R.G.C.); (F.A.V.R.-V.); (B.L.S.)
| | - Bruna Lauton Simões
- Program in Biosciences and Pathophysiology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringa (UEM), Maringa, Parana 87020-900, Brazil; (P.d.S.B.d.M.); (I.R.G.C.); (F.A.V.R.-V.); (B.L.S.)
| | - Ana Karina Rodrigues Abadio
- Faculty of Agricultural Social Sciences, Mato Grosso State University, Nova Mutum, Mato Grosso 78450-000, Brazil;
| | - Larissa Fernandes Matos
- Faculty of Ceilandia, University of Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Distrito Federal 72220-275, Brazil;
- Program in Microbial Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Maria Sueli Soares Felipe
- Program of Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasilia, Brasília 70790-160, Brazil;
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Interacting with Hemoglobin: Paracoccidioides spp. Recruits hsp30 on Its Cell Surface for Enhanced Ability to Use This Iron Source. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7010021. [PMID: 33401497 PMCID: PMC7823998 DOI: 10.3390/jof7010021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioides spp. are thermally dimorphic fungi that cause paracoccidioidomycosis and can affect both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. The infection can lead to moderate or severe illness and death. Paracoccidioides spp. undergo micronutrients deprivation within the host, including iron. To overcome such cellular stress, this genus of fungi responds in multiple ways, such as the utilization of hemoglobin. A glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored fungal receptor, Rbt5, has the primary role of acquiring the essential nutrient iron from hemoglobin. Conversely, it is not clear if additional proteins participate in the process of using hemoglobin by the fungus. Therefore, in order to investigate changes in the proteomic level of P. lutzii cell wall, we deprived the fungus of iron and then treated those cells with hemoglobin. Deprived iron cells were used as control. Next, we performed cell wall fractionation and the obtained proteins were submitted to nanoUPLC-MSE. Protein expression levels of the cell wall F1 fraction of cells exposed to hemoglobin were compared with the protein expression of the cell wall F1 fraction of iron-deprived cells. Our results showed that P. lutzii exposure to hemoglobin increased the level of adhesins expression by the fungus, according to the proteomic data. We confirmed that the exposure of the fungus to hemoglobin increased its ability to adhere to macrophages by flow cytometry. In addition, we found that HSP30 of P. lutzii is a novel hemoglobin-binding protein and a possible heme oxygenase. In order to investigate the importance of HSP30 in the Paracoccidioides genus, we developed a Paracoccidioides brasiliensis knockdown strain of HSP30 via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation and demonstrated that silencing this gene decreases the ability of P. brasiliensis to use hemoglobin as a nutrient source. Additional studies are needed to establish HSP30 as a virulence factor, which can support the development of new therapeutic and/or diagnostic approaches.
Collapse
|
8
|
Gonçales RA, Ricci-Azevedo R, Vieira VCS, Fernandes FF, Thomaz SMDO, Carvalho A, Vendruscolo PE, Cunha C, Roque-Barreira MC, Rodrigues F. Paracoccin Overexpression in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Enhances Fungal Virulence by Remodeling Chitin Properties of the Cell Wall. J Infect Dis 2020; 224:164-174. [PMID: 33201217 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The thermodimorphic fungi Paracoccidioides spp. are the etiological agents of paracoccidioidomycosis. Although poorly studied, paracoccin (PCN) from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis has been shown to harbor lectinic, enzymatic, and immunomodulatory properties that affect disease development. METHODS Mutants of P. brasiliensis overexpressing PCN (ov-PCN) were constructed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. ov-PCN strains were analyzed and inoculated intranasally or intravenously to mice. Fungal burden, lung pathology, and survival were monitored to evaluate virulence. Electron microscopy was used to evaluate the size of chito-oligomer particles released by ov-PCN or wild-type strains to growth media. RESULTS ov-PCN strains revealed no differences in cell growth and viability, although PCN overexpression favored cell separation, chitin processing that results in the release of smaller chito-oligomer particles, and enhanced virulence. Our data show that PCN triggers a critical effect in the cell wall biogenesis through the chitinase activity resulting from overexpression of PCN. As such, PCN overexpression aggravates the disease caused by P. brasiliensis. CONCLUSIONS Our data are consistent with a model in which PCN modulates the cell wall architecture via its chitinase activity. These findings highlight the potential for exploiting PCN function in future therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Relber Aguiar Gonçales
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto/São Paulo, Brazil.,Life and Health Sciences Research Institute School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rafael Ricci-Azevedo
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto/São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanessa C S Vieira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Fabrício F Fernandes
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto/São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sandra M de O Thomaz
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto/São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Agostinho Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Patrícia E Vendruscolo
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto/São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristina Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Maria Cristina Roque-Barreira
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto/São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernando Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Silva MG, de Curcio JS, Silva-Bailão MG, Lima RM, Tomazett MV, de Souza AF, Cruz-Leite VRM, Sbaraini N, Bailão AM, Rodrigues F, Pereira M, Gonçales RA, de Almeida Soares CM. Molecular characterization of siderophore biosynthesis in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. IMA Fungus 2020; 11:11. [PMID: 32742914 PMCID: PMC7359926 DOI: 10.1186/s43008-020-00035-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron is an essential nutrient for all organisms. For pathogenic fungi, iron is essential for the success of infection. Thus, these organisms have developed high affinity iron uptake mechanisms to deal with metal deprivation imposed by the host. Siderophore production is one of the mechanisms that fungal pathogens employ for iron acquisition. Paracoccidioides spp. present orthologous genes encoding the enzymes necessary for the biosynthesis of hydroxamates, and plasma membrane proteins related to the transport of these molecules. All these genes are induced in iron deprivation. In addition, it has been observed that Paracoccidioides spp. are able to use siderophores to scavenge iron. Here we observed that addition of the xenosiderophore ferrioxamine B FOB) to P. brasiliensis culture medium results in repression (at RNA and protein levels) of the SidA, the first enzyme of the siderophore biosynthesis pathway. Furthermore, SidA activity was reduced in the presence of FOB, suggesting that P. brasiliensis blocks siderophores biosynthesis and can explore siderophores in the environment to scavenge iron. In order to support the importance of siderophores on Paracoccidioides sp. life and infection cycle, silenced mutants for the sidA gene were obtained by antisense RNA technology. The obtained AsSidA strains displayed decreased siderophore biosynthesis in iron deprivation conditions and reduced virulence to an invertebrate model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marielle Garcia Silva
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, ICB II, Campus II, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF 70910-900 Brazil
| | - Juliana Santana de Curcio
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, ICB II, Campus II, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO Brazil
| | - Mirelle Garcia Silva-Bailão
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, ICB II, Campus II, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO Brazil
| | - Raisa Melo Lima
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, ICB II, Campus II, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO Brazil
| | - Mariana Vieira Tomazett
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, ICB II, Campus II, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO Brazil
| | - Aparecido Ferreira de Souza
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, ICB II, Campus II, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO Brazil
| | | | - Nicolau Sbaraini
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS Brazil
| | - Alexandre Melo Bailão
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, ICB II, Campus II, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO Brazil
| | - Fernando Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Maristela Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, ICB II, Campus II, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO Brazil
| | - Relber Aguiar Gonçales
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Célia Maria de Almeida Soares
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, ICB II, Campus II, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Copper overload in Paracoccidioides lutzii results in the accumulation of ergosterol and melanin. Microbiol Res 2020; 239:126524. [PMID: 32570056 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2020.126524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Paracoccidioidomycosis is a highly prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America, caused by fungi of the genus Paracoccidioides. Copper is essential for eukaryotes and bacteria. This micronutrient is used in many vital biochemical processes, although metal excess levels can be toxic for organisms. Pathways underlying copper overload are poorly understood in members of the Paracoccidioides complex. The responses of Paracoccidioides lutzii yeast cells to copper overload were here evaluated. The results showed that under copper overload, cells presented a dark brown pigment, identified as melanin. Proteomic analyses identified mainly the accumulation of proteins related to amino acids metabolism, ergosterol synthesis and melanin production, suggesting that P. lutzii responds to copper overload by changing aspects of its metabolism and also plasma membrane and cell wall remodeling. Proteomic data were confirmed by biochemical analysis.
Collapse
|
11
|
Hernández-Chávez MJ, Pérez-García LA, Niño-Vega GA, Mora-Montes HM. Fungal Strategies to Evade the Host Immune Recognition. J Fungi (Basel) 2017; 3:jof3040051. [PMID: 29371567 PMCID: PMC5753153 DOI: 10.3390/jof3040051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The recognition of fungal cells by the host immune system is key during the establishment of a protective anti-fungal response. Even though the immune system has evolved a vast number of processes to control these organisms, they have developed strategies to fight back, avoiding the proper recognition by immune components and thus interfering with the host protective mechanisms. Therefore, the strategies to evade the immune system are as important as the virulence factors and attributes that damage the host tissues and cells. Here, we performed a thorough revision of the main fungal tactics to escape from the host immunosurveillance processes. These include the composition and organization of the cell wall, the fungal capsule, the formation of titan cells, biofilms, and asteroid bodies; the ability to undergo dimorphism; and the escape from nutritional immunity, extracellular traps, phagocytosis, and the action of humoral immune effectors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco J Hernández-Chávez
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato Gto. 36050, México.
| | - Luis A Pérez-García
- Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Zona Huasteca, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Romualdo del Campo 501, Fracc. Rafael Curiel, C.P., Cd. Valle SLP. 79060, México.
| | - Gustavo A Niño-Vega
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato Gto. 36050, México.
| | - Héctor M Mora-Montes
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato Gto. 36050, México.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Turissini DA, Gomez OM, Teixeira MM, McEwen JG, Matute DR. Species boundaries in the human pathogen Paracoccidioides. Fungal Genet Biol 2017; 106:9-25. [PMID: 28602831 PMCID: PMC8335726 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2017.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The use of molecular taxonomy for identifying recently diverged species has transformed the study of speciation in fungi. The pathogenic fungus Paracoccidioides spp has been hypothesized to be composed of five phylogenetic species, four of which compose the brasiliensis species complex. Nuclear gene genealogies support this divergence scenario, but mitochondrial loci do not; while all species from the brasiliensis complex are differentiated at nuclear coding loci, they are not at mitochondrial loci. We addressed the source of this incongruity using 11 previously published gene fragments, 10 newly-sequenced nuclear non-coding loci, and 10 microsatellites. We hypothesized and further demonstrated that the mito-nuclear incongruence in the brasiliensis species complex results from interspecific hybridization and mitochondrial introgression, a common phenomenon in eukaryotes. Additional population genetic analyses revealed possible nuclear introgression but much less than that seen in the mitochondrion. Our results are consistent with a divergence scenario of secondary contact and subsequent mitochondrial introgression despite the continued persistence of species boundaries. We also suggest that yeast morphology slightly-but significantly-differs across all five Paracoccidioides species and propose to elevate four of these phylogenetic species to formally described taxonomic species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David A Turissini
- Biology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Oscar M Gomez
- Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB), Medellín, Colombia; Biology Institute, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Marcus M Teixeira
- Northern Arizona Center for Valley Fever Research, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Juan G McEwen
- Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB), Medellín, Colombia; School of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Daniel R Matute
- Biology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
Among the endemic deep mycoses in Latin America, paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), caused by thermodimorphic fungi of the Paracoccidioides genus, is a major cause of morbidity. Disease development and its manifestations are associated with both host and fungal factors. Concerning the latter, several recent studies have employed the methodology of gene modulation in P. brasiliensis using antisense RNA (AsRNA) and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) to identify proteins that influence fungus virulence. Our previous observations suggested that paracoccin (PCN), a multidomain fungal protein with both lectin and enzymatic activities, may be a potential P. brasiliensis virulence factor. To explore this, we used AsRNA and ATMT methodology to obtain three independent PCN-silenced P. brasiliensis yeast strains (AsPCN1, AsPCN2, and AsPCN3) and characterized them with regard to P. brasiliensis biology and pathogenicity. AsPCN1, AsPCN2, and AsPCN3 showed relative PCN expression levels that were 60%, 40%, and 60% of that of the wild-type (WT) strain, respectively. PCN silencing led to the aggregation of fungal cells, blocked the morphological yeast-to-mycelium transition, and rendered the yeast less resistant to macrophage fungicidal activity. In addition, mice infected with AsPCN1, AsPCN2, and AsPCN3 showed a reduction in fungal burden of approximately 96% compared with those inoculated with the WT strain, which displayed a more extensive destruction of lung tissue. Finally, mice infected with the PCN-silenced yeast strains had lower mortality than those infected with the WT strain. These data demonstrate that PCN acts as a P. brasiliensis contributory virulence factor directly affecting fungal pathogenesis. The nonexistence of efficient genetic transformation systems has hampered studies in the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, the etiological agent of the most frequent systemic mycosis in Latin America. The recent development of a method for gene expression knockdown by antisense RNA technology, associated with an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation system, provides new strategies for studying P. brasiliensis. Through this technology, we generated yeasts that were silenced for paracoccin (PCN), a P. brasiliensis component that has lectin and enzymatic properties. By comparing the phenotypes of PCN-silenced and wild-type strains of P. brasiliensis, we identified PCN as a virulence factor whose absence renders the yeasts unable to undergo the transition to mycelium and causes a milder pulmonary disease in mice, with a lower mortality rate. Our report highlights the importance of the technology used for P. brasiliensis transformation and demonstrates that paracoccin is a virulence factor acting on fungal biology and pathogenesis.
Collapse
|
14
|
Camacho E, Niño-Vega GA. Paracoccidioides Spp.: Virulence Factors and Immune-Evasion Strategies. Mediators Inflamm 2017; 2017:5313691. [PMID: 28553014 PMCID: PMC5434249 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5313691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Revised: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioides spp. are dimorphic fungal pathogens responsible for one of the most relevant systemic mycoses in Latin America, paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). Their exact ecological niche remains unknown; however, they have been isolated from soil samples and armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus), which have been proposed as animal reservoir for these fungi. Human infection occurs by inhalation of conidia or mycelia fragments and is mostly associated with immunocompetent hosts inhabiting and/or working in endemic rural areas. In this review focusing on the pathogen perspective, we will discuss some of the microbial attributes and molecular mechanisms that enable Paracoccidioides spp. to tolerate, adapt, and ultimately avoid the host immune response, establishing infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma Camacho
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunobiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gustavo A. Niño-Vega
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, GTO, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Tamayo D, Muñoz JF, Almeida AJ, Puerta JD, Restrepo Á, Cuomo CA, McEwen JG, Hernández O. Paracoccidioides spp. catalases and their role in antioxidant defense against host defense responses. Fungal Genet Biol 2017; 100:22-32. [PMID: 28093309 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2017.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2016] [Revised: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Dimorphic human pathogenic fungi interact with host effector cells resisting their microbicidal mechanisms. Yeast cells are able of surviving within the tough environment of the phagolysosome by expressing an antioxidant defense system that provides protection against host-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS). This includes the production of catalases (CATs). Here we identified and analyzed the role of CAT isoforms in Paracoccidioides, the etiological agent of paracoccidioidomycosis. Firstly, we found that one of these isoforms was absent in the closely related dimorphic pathogen Coccidioides and dermatophytes, but all of them were conserved in Paracoccidioides, Histoplasma and Blastomyces species. We probed the contribution of CATs in Paracoccidioides by determining the gene expression levels of each isoform through quantitative RT-qPCR, in both the yeast and mycelia phases, and during the morphological switch (transition and germination), as well as in response to oxidative agents and during interaction with neutrophils. PbCATP was preferentially expressed in the pathogenic yeast phase, and was associated to the response against exogenous H2O2. Therefore, we created and analyzed the virulence defects of a knockdown strain for this isoform, and found that CATP protects yeast cells from H2O2 generated in vitro and is relevant during lung infection. On the other hand, CATA and CATB seem to contribute to ROS homeostasis in Paracoccidioides cells, during endogenous oxidative stress. CAT isoforms in Paracoccidioides might be coordinately regulated during development and dimorphism, and differentially expressed in response to different stresses to control ROS homeostasis during the infectious process, contributing to the virulence of Paracoccidioides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana Tamayo
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia; Institute of Biology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia; School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - José F Muñoz
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia; Institute of Biology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Agostinho J Almeida
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia; Department of Biological Sciences, School of Sciences, Universidad EAFIT, Medellín, Colombia; Instituto Universitario da Maia, Maia, Portugal
| | - Juan D Puerta
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Ángela Restrepo
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia
| | | | - Juan G McEwen
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia; School of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Orville Hernández
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia; School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia; MICROBA Research Group, School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Marcos CM, de Oliveira HC, de Melo WDCMA, da Silva JDF, Assato PA, Scorzoni L, Rossi SA, de Paula E Silva ACA, Mendes-Giannini MJS, Fusco-Almeida AM. Anti-Immune Strategies of Pathogenic Fungi. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2016; 6:142. [PMID: 27896220 PMCID: PMC5108756 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2016.00142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic fungi have developed many strategies to evade the host immune system. Multiple escape mechanisms appear to function together to inhibit attack by the various stages of both the adaptive and the innate immune response. Thus, after entering the host, such pathogens fight to overcome the immune system to allow their survival, colonization and spread to different sites of infection. Consequently, the establishment of a successful infectious process is closely related to the ability of the pathogen to modulate attack by the immune system. Most strategies employed to subvert or exploit the immune system are shared among different species of fungi. In this review, we summarize the main strategies employed for immune evasion by some of the major pathogenic fungi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M Marcos
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Univ Estadual Paulista São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Haroldo C de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Univ Estadual Paulista São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Wanessa de Cássia M Antunes de Melo
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Univ Estadual Paulista São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Julhiany de Fátima da Silva
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Univ Estadual Paulista São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Patrícia A Assato
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Univ Estadual Paulista São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Liliana Scorzoni
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Univ Estadual Paulista São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Suélen A Rossi
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Univ Estadual Paulista São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Ana C A de Paula E Silva
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Univ Estadual Paulista São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Maria J S Mendes-Giannini
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Univ Estadual Paulista São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Ana M Fusco-Almeida
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Univ Estadual Paulista São Paulo, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Chaves AFA, Navarro MV, Castilho DG, Calado JCP, Conceição PM, Batista WL. A conserved dimorphism-regulating histidine kinase controls the dimorphic switching in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. FEMS Yeast Res 2016; 16:fow047. [PMID: 27268997 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/fow047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and P. lutzii, thermally dimorphic fungi, are the causative agents of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). Paracoccidioides infection occurs when conidia or mycelium fragments are inhaled by the host, which causes the Paracoccidioides cells to transition to the yeast form. The development of disease requires conidia inside the host alveoli to differentiate into yeast cells in a temperature-dependent manner. We describe the presence of a two-component signal transduction system in P. brasiliensis, which we investigated by expression analysis of a hypothetical protein gene (PADG_07579) that showed high similarity with the dimorphism-regulating histidine kinase (DRK1) gene of Blastomyces dermatitidis and Histoplasma capsulatum This gene was sensitive to environmental redox changes, which was demonstrated by a dose-dependent decrease in transcript levels after peroxide stimulation and a subtler decrease in transcript levels after NO stimulation. Furthermore, the higher PbDRK1 levels after treatment with increasing NaCl concentrations suggest that this histidine kinase can play a role as osmosensing. In the mycelium-yeast (M→Y) transition, PbDRK1 mRNA expression increased 14-fold after 24 h incubation at 37°C, consistent with similar observations in other virulent fungi. These results demonstrate that the PbDRK1 gene is differentially expressed during the dimorphic M→Y transition. Finally, when P. brasiliensis mycelium cells were exposed to a histidine kinase inhibitor and incubated at 37°C, there was a delay in the dimorphic M→Y transition, suggesting that histidine kinases could be targets of interest for PCM therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alison F A Chaves
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Unidade José Alencar, Street São Nicolau, nº210, 4º floor, São Paulo 04023-900, Brazil
| | - Marina V Navarro
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Unidade José Alencar, Street São Nicolau, nº210, 4º floor, São Paulo 04023-900, Brazil
| | - Daniele G Castilho
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Unidade José Alencar, Street São Nicolau, nº210, 4º floor, São Paulo 04023-900, Brazil
| | - Juliana C P Calado
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Unidade José Alencar, Street São Nicolau, nº210, 4º floor, São Paulo 04023-900, Brazil
| | - Palloma M Conceição
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09913-030, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wagner L Batista
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Unidade José Alencar, Street São Nicolau, nº210, 4º floor, São Paulo 04023-900, Brazil Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09913-030, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Gonzalez A, Hernandez O. New insights into a complex fungal pathogen: the case of Paracoccidioides spp. Yeast 2016; 33:113-28. [PMID: 26683539 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic mycosis endemic to Latin America, with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and P. lutzii being the causal agents of this disorder. Several issues have been raised in the 100 years since its discovery and in this article we discuss features of this fascinating fungal pathogen, including its biology, eco-epidemiology and aspects of its pathogenicity. We also consider some of its virulence determinants, the most recent advances in the study of its metabolic pathways and the molecular and genetic research tools developed for this research. We also review the animal models used to study host-fungal interactions and how the host defence mechanisms against this pathogen work.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angel Gonzalez
- Basic and Applied Microbiology Research Group (MICROBA), School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Orville Hernandez
- Basic and Applied Microbiology Research Group (MICROBA), School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Lima PDS, Chung D, Bailão AM, Cramer RA, Soares CMDA. Characterization of the Paracoccidioides Hypoxia Response Reveals New Insights into Pathogenesis Mechanisms of This Important Human Pathogenic Fungus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0004282. [PMID: 26659387 PMCID: PMC4686304 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypoxic microenvironments are generated during fungal infection. It has been described that to survive in the human host, fungi must also tolerate and overcome in vivo microenvironmental stress conditions including low oxygen tension; however nothing is known how Paracoccidioides species respond to hypoxia. The genus Paracoccidioides comprises human thermal dimorphic fungi and are causative agents of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), an important mycosis in Latin America. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In this work, a detailed hypoxia characterization was performed in Paracoccidioides. Using NanoUPLC-MSE proteomic approach, we obtained a total of 288 proteins differentially regulated in 12 and 24 h of hypoxia, providing a global view of metabolic changes during this stress. In addition, a functional characterization of the homologue to the most important molecule involved in hypoxia responses in other fungi, the SREBP (sterol regulatory element binding protein) was performed. We observed that Paracoccidioides species have a functional homologue of SREBP, named here as SrbA, detected by using a heterologous genetic approach in the srbA null mutant in Aspergillus fumigatus. Paracoccidioides srbA (PbsrbA), in addition to involvement in hypoxia, is probable involved in iron adaptation and azole drug resistance responses. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE In this study, the hypoxia was characterized in Paracoccidioides. The first results can be important for a better understanding of the fungal adaptation to the host and improve the arsenal of molecules for the development of alternative treatment options in future, since molecules related to fungal adaptation to low oxygen levels are important to virulence and pathogenesis in human pathogenic fungi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia de Sousa Lima
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Dawoon Chung
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Alexandre Melo Bailão
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Robert A. Cramer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Célia Maria de Almeida Soares
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Marcos CM, da Silva JDF, de Oliveira HC, Assato PA, Singulani JDL, Lopez AM, Tamayo DP, Hernandez-Ruiz O, McEwen JG, Mendes-Giannini MJS, Fusco-Almeida AM. Decreased expression of 14-3-3 in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis confirms its involvement in fungal pathogenesis. Virulence 2015; 7:72-84. [PMID: 26646480 PMCID: PMC4994830 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2015.1122166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Revised: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction between the fungal pathogen Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and host cells is usually mediated by specific binding events between adhesins on the fungal surface and receptors on the host extracellular matrix or cell surface. One molecule implicated in the P. brasiliensis-host interaction is the 14-3-3 protein. The 14-3-3 protein belongs to a family of conserved regulatory molecules that are expressed in all eukaryotic cells and are involved in diverse cellular functions. Here, we investigated the relevance of the 14-3-3 protein to the virulence of P. brasiliensis. Using antisense RNA technology and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation, we generated a 14-3-3-silenced strain (expression reduced by ˜55%). This strain allowed us to investigate the interaction between 14-3-3 and the host and to correlate the functions of P. brasiliensis 14-3-3 with cellular features, such as morphological characteristics and virulence, that are important for pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Maria Marcos
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Araraquara; UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista; Departamento de Análises Clínicas; Laboratório de Micologia Clínica; Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Julhiany de Fátima da Silva
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Araraquara; UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista; Departamento de Análises Clínicas; Laboratório de Micologia Clínica; Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Haroldo Cesar de Oliveira
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Araraquara; UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista; Departamento de Análises Clínicas; Laboratório de Micologia Clínica; Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Akemi Assato
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Araraquara; UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista; Departamento de Análises Clínicas; Laboratório de Micologia Clínica; Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Junya de Lacorte Singulani
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Araraquara; UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista; Departamento de Análises Clínicas; Laboratório de Micologia Clínica; Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Angela Maria Lopez
- Unidad de Biología Celular y Molecular; Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB) - Medellín, Colombia
| | - Diana Patricia Tamayo
- Unidad de Biología Celular y Molecular; Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB) - Medellín, Colombia
| | - Orville Hernandez-Ruiz
- Unidad de Biología Celular y Molecular; Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB) - Medellín, Colombia
- Escuela de Microbiología; Universidad de Antioquia; Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juan G McEwen
- Unidad de Biología Celular y Molecular; Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB) - Medellín, Colombia
- Facultad de Medicina; Universidad de Antioquia; Medellín, Colombia
| | - Maria José Soares Mendes-Giannini
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Araraquara; UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista; Departamento de Análises Clínicas; Laboratório de Micologia Clínica; Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Marisa Fusco-Almeida
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Araraquara; UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista; Departamento de Análises Clínicas; Laboratório de Micologia Clínica; Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
de Oliveira HC, Assato PA, Marcos CM, Scorzoni L, de Paula E Silva ACA, Da Silva JDF, Singulani JDL, Alarcon KM, Fusco-Almeida AM, Mendes-Giannini MJS. Paracoccidioides-host Interaction: An Overview on Recent Advances in the Paracoccidioidomycosis. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:1319. [PMID: 26635779 PMCID: PMC4658449 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and P. lutzii are etiologic agents of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), an important endemic mycosis in Latin America. During its evolution, these fungi have developed characteristics and mechanisms that allow their growth in adverse conditions within their host through which they efficiently cause disease. This process is multi-factorial and involves host-pathogen interactions (adaptation, adhesion, and invasion), as well as fungal virulence and host immune response. In this review, we demonstrated the glycoproteins and polysaccharides network, which composes the cell wall of Paracoccidioides spp. These are important for the change of conidia or mycelial (26°C) to parasitic yeast (37°C). The morphological switch, a mechanism for the pathogen to adapt and thrive inside the host, is obligatory for the establishment of the infection and seems to be related to pathogenicity. For these fungi, one of the most important steps during the interaction with the host is the adhesion. Cell surface proteins called adhesins, responsible for the first contact with host cells, contribute to host colonization and invasion by mediating this process. These fungi also present the capacity to form biofilm and through which they may evade the host's immune system. During infection, Paracoccidioides spp. can interact with different host cell types and has the ability to modulate the host's adaptive and/or innate immune response. In addition, it participates and interferes in the coagulation system and phenomena like cytoskeletal rearrangement and apoptosis. In recent years, Paracoccidioides spp. have had their endemic areas expanding in correlation with the expansion of agriculture. In response, several studies were developed to understand the infection using in vitro and in vivo systems, including alternative non-mammal models. Moreover, new advances were made in treating these infections using both well-established and new antifungal agents. These included natural and/or derivate synthetic substances as well as vaccines, peptides, and anti-adhesins sera. Because of all the advances in the PCM study, this review has the objective to summarize all of the recent discoveries on Paracoccidioides-host interaction, with particular emphasis on fungi surface proteins (molecules that play a fundamental role in the adhesion and/or dissemination of the fungi to host-cells), as well as advances in the treatment of PCM with new and well-established antifungal agents and approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haroldo C de Oliveira
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus Araraquara, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Laboratório de Micologia Clínica São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patrícia A Assato
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus Araraquara, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Laboratório de Micologia Clínica São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Caroline M Marcos
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus Araraquara, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Laboratório de Micologia Clínica São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Liliana Scorzoni
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus Araraquara, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Laboratório de Micologia Clínica São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana C A de Paula E Silva
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus Araraquara, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Laboratório de Micologia Clínica São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Julhiany De Fátima Da Silva
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus Araraquara, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Laboratório de Micologia Clínica São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Junya de Lacorte Singulani
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus Araraquara, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Laboratório de Micologia Clínica São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kaila M Alarcon
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus Araraquara, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Laboratório de Micologia Clínica São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana M Fusco-Almeida
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus Araraquara, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Laboratório de Micologia Clínica São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria J S Mendes-Giannini
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus Araraquara, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Laboratório de Micologia Clínica São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Boyce KJ, Andrianopoulos A. Fungal dimorphism: the switch from hyphae to yeast is a specialized morphogenetic adaptation allowing colonization of a host. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2015; 39:797-811. [DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuv035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
|
23
|
Parente AF, Naves PE, Pigosso LL, Casaletti L, McEwen JG, Parente-Rocha JA, Soares CM. The response of Paracoccidioides spp. to nitrosative stress. Microbes Infect 2015; 17:575-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2015.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Revised: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
|
24
|
Bugeja HE, Andrianopoulos A. Morphogenesis and pathogenesis: control of cell identity in a dimorphic pathogen. MICROBIOLOGY AUSTRALIA 2015. [DOI: 10.1071/ma15031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
|
25
|
Sil A, Andrianopoulos A. Thermally Dimorphic Human Fungal Pathogens--Polyphyletic Pathogens with a Convergent Pathogenicity Trait. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2014; 5:a019794. [PMID: 25384771 PMCID: PMC4526722 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a019794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Fungi are adept at changing their cell shape and developmental program in response to signals in their surroundings. Here we focus on a group of evolutionarily related fungal pathogens of humans known as the thermally dimorphic fungi. These organisms grow in a hyphal form in the environment but shift their morphology drastically within a mammalian host. Temperature is one of the main host signals that initiates their conversion to the "host" form and is sufficient in the laboratory to trigger establishment of this host-adapted developmental program. Here we discuss the major human pathogens in this group, which are Blastomyces dermatiditis, Coccidioides immitis/posadasii, Histoplasma capsulatum, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis/lutzii, Sporothrix schenckii, and Talaromyces marneffei (formerly known as Penicillium marneffei). The majority of these organisms are primary pathogens, with the ability to cause disease in healthy humans who encounter them in endemic areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anita Sil
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Alex Andrianopoulos
- Department of Genetics, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
New developments of RNAi in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis: prospects for high-throughput, genome-wide, functional genomics. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3173. [PMID: 25275433 PMCID: PMC4183473 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Accepted: 08/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Fungal Genome Initiative of the Broad Institute, in partnership with the Paracoccidioides research community, has recently sequenced the genome of representative isolates of this human-pathogen dimorphic fungus: Pb18 (S1), Pb03 (PS2) and Pb01. The accomplishment of future high-throughput, genome-wide, functional genomics will rely upon appropriate molecular tools and straightforward techniques to streamline the generation of stable loss-of-function phenotypes. In the past decades, RNAi has emerged as the most robust genetic technique to modulate or to suppress gene expression in diverse eukaryotes, including fungi. These molecular tools and techniques, adapted for RNAi, were up until now unavailable for P. brasiliensis. Methodology/Principal Findings In this paper, we report Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation of yeast cells for high-throughput applications with which higher transformation frequencies of 150±24 yeast cell transformants per 1×106 viable yeast cells were obtained. Our approach is based on a bifunctional selective marker fusion protein consisted of the Streptoalloteichus hindustanus bleomycin-resistance gene (Shble) and the intrinsically fluorescent monomeric protein mCherry which was codon-optimized for heterologous expression in P. brasiliensis. We also report successful GP43 gene knock-down through the expression of intron-containing hairpin RNA (ihpRNA) from a Gateway-adapted cassette (cALf) which was purpose-built for gene silencing in a high-throughput manner. Gp43 transcript levels were reduced by 73.1±22.9% with this approach. Conclusions/Significance We have a firm conviction that the genetic transformation technique and the molecular tools herein described will have a relevant contribution in future Paracoccidioides spp. functional genomics research. Diverse eukaryotes, including various fungi, utilize RNA interference (RNAi) pathways to regulate genome-wide gene expression. Since the initial characterization of these pathways and the demonstration of its artificial induction in the filamentous ascomycete Neurospora crassa, RNAi has emerged as the most robust reverse-genetic technique to scrutinize the function of genes and has been increasingly adopted in high-throughput functional genomics in search of new insights into fungal pathobiology. Herein, we have developed appropriate molecular tools and straightforward techniques to streamline the generation of stable loss-of-function phenotypes for the human-pathogen Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, which is phylogenetically related to Blastomyces dermatitidis, Coccidioides immitis and Histoplasma capsulatum. Likewise these thermo-dimorphic fungi, P. brasiliensis infection in immunocompetent or immunocompromised individuals ensue in a life-threatening systemic mycosis known as Paracoccidioidomycosis.
Collapse
|
27
|
Teixeira MM, Theodoro RC, Nino-Vega G, Bagagli E, Felipe MSS. Paracoccidioides species complex: ecology, phylogeny, sexual reproduction, and virulence. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1004397. [PMID: 25357210 PMCID: PMC4214758 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marcus M. Teixeira
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
| | - Raquel C. Theodoro
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Nino-Vega
- Centro de Microbiología y Biología Celular, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Eduardo Bagagli
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Maria S. S. Felipe
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
- Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Castilho DG, Chaves AFA, Xander P, Zelanis A, Kitano ES, Serrano SMT, Tashima AK, Batista WL. Exploring Potential Virulence Regulators in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Isolates of Varying Virulence through Quantitative Proteomics. J Proteome Res 2014; 13:4259-71. [DOI: 10.1021/pr5002274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniele G. Castilho
- Departamento
de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Mirassol, 207, São Paulo, 04044-010 SP, Brazil
| | - Alison F. A. Chaves
- Departamento
de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Mirassol, 207, São Paulo, 04044-010 SP, Brazil
| | - Patricia Xander
- Departamento
de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Campus Diadema, Rua São Nicolau, 210, Diadema, 09913-030 SP, Brazil
| | - André Zelanis
- Instituto
de Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Campus São José dos Campos, Rua Talim, 330, São José dos Campos, 12231-280 SP, Brazil
| | - Eduardo S. Kitano
- Laboratório
Especial de Toxinologia Aplicada − CeTICS, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo, 05503-900 SP, Brazil
| | - Solange M. T. Serrano
- Laboratório
Especial de Toxinologia Aplicada − CeTICS, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo, 05503-900 SP, Brazil
| | - Alexandre K. Tashima
- Departamento
de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua 3 de maio, 100 - Vila Clementino, São
Paulo, 04023-062 SP, Brazil
| | - Wagner L. Batista
- Departamento
de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Mirassol, 207, São Paulo, 04044-010 SP, Brazil
- Departamento
de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Campus Diadema, Rua São Nicolau, 210, Diadema, 09913-030 SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Hemoglobin uptake by Paracoccidioides spp. is receptor-mediated. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e2856. [PMID: 24831516 PMCID: PMC4022528 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron is essential for the proliferation of fungal pathogens during infection. The availability of iron is limited due to its association with host proteins. Fungal pathogens have evolved different mechanisms to acquire iron from host; however, little is known regarding how Paracoccidioides species incorporate and metabolize this ion. In this work, host iron sources that are used by Paracoccidioides spp. were investigated. Robust fungal growth in the presence of the iron-containing molecules hemin and hemoglobin was observed. Paracoccidioides spp. present hemolytic activity and have the ability to internalize a protoporphyrin ring. Using real-time PCR and nanoUPLC-MSE proteomic approaches, fungal growth in the presence of hemoglobin was shown to result in the positive regulation of transcripts that encode putative hemoglobin receptors, in addition to the induction of proteins that are required for amino acid metabolism and vacuolar protein degradation. In fact, one hemoglobin receptor ortholog, Rbt5, was identified as a surface GPI-anchored protein that recognized hemin, protoporphyrin and hemoglobin in vitro. Antisense RNA technology and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation were used to generate mitotically stable Pbrbt5 mutants. The knockdown strain had a lower survival inside macrophages and in mouse spleen when compared with the parental strain, which suggested that Rbt5 could act as a virulence factor. In summary, our data indicate that Paracoccidioides spp. can use hemoglobin as an iron source most likely through receptor-mediated pathways that might be relevant for pathogenic mechanisms. Fungal infections contribute substantially to human morbidity and mortality. During infectious processes, fungi have evolved mechanisms to obtain iron from high-affinity iron-binding proteins. In the current study, we demonstrated that hemoglobin is the preferential host iron source for the thermodimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides spp. To acquire hemoglobin, the fungus presents hemolytic activity and the ability to internalize protoporphyrin rings. A putative hemoglobin receptor, Rbt5, was demonstrated to be GPI-anchored at the yeast cell surface. Rbt5 was able to bind to hemin, protoporphyrin and hemoglobin in vitro. When rbt5 expression was inhibited, the survival of Paracoccidioides sp. inside macrophages and the fungal burden in mouse spleen diminished, which indicated that Rbt5 could participate in the establishment of the fungus inside the host. Drugs or vaccines could be developed against Paracoccidioides spp. Rbt5 to disturb iron uptake of this micronutrient and, thus, the proliferation of the fungus. Moreover, this protein could be used in routes to introduce antifungal agents into fungal cells.
Collapse
|
30
|
Jiang SS, Yin YP, Song ZY, Zhou GL, Wang ZK. RacA and Cdc42 regulate polarized growth and microsclerotium formation in the dimorphic fungus Nomuraea rileyi. Res Microbiol 2014; 165:233-42. [PMID: 24657749 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2014.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Small GTPases, RacA and Cdc42, act as molecular switches in fungi, regulating cell signaling, cytoskeletal organization, polar growth and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, the latter by influencing the activity of the NADPH oxidase complex. In this study, the racA and cdc42 genes from Nomuraea rileyi were cloned and shown to encode 218 and 184 amino acid proteins, respectively. To determine the functions of racA and cdc42, gene-silencing mutants (racARM, cdc42RM and racA&cdc42RM, respectively) were generated using RNA silencing technology. In racARM and cdc42RM, the conidial and microsclerotium (MS) yields, ROS production and virulence were reduced, the hyphal extension rate was decreased and the dimorphic switch was delayed. On the other hand, the double-silencing mutants showed growth retardation and virtually no conidia, MS or ROS production. The transcription levels of the noxA and noxR genes that regulate ROS generation were reduced in the three RNAi-silenced strains. Interestingly, when compared with the controls, racARM exhibited thicker hyphae and bigger conidia; moreover, the MS produced by racARM were bigger than those of the control and smaller than those of cdc42RM. Thus RacA and Cdc42 appear to share some essential functions in N. rileyi, including hyphal growth, conidiation, MS formation, ROS generation and virulence. Yet RacA appears to play a more pivotal role in the polar growth of N. rileyi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sha-sha Jiang
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fungal Insecticides, School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China.
| | - You-ping Yin
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fungal Insecticides, School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China.
| | - Zhang-yong Song
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fungal Insecticides, School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China.
| | - Gui-lin Zhou
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fungal Insecticides, School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China.
| | - Zhong-kang Wang
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fungal Insecticides, School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Torres I, Hernandez O, Tamayo D, Muñoz JF, García AM, Gómez BL, Restrepo A, McEwen JG. Paracoccidioides brasiliensis PbP27gene: knockdown procedures and functional characterization. FEMS Yeast Res 2013; 14:270-80. [DOI: 10.1111/1567-1364.12099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2013] [Revised: 09/16/2013] [Accepted: 09/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Isaura Torres
- Unidad de Biología Celular y Molecular; Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB); Medellín Colombia
- Instituto de Biología; Universidad de Antioquia; Medellín Colombia
| | - Orville Hernandez
- Unidad de Biología Celular y Molecular; Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB); Medellín Colombia
- Grupo de Investigación en Biociencias; Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud; Institución Universitaria Colegio Mayor de Antioquia; Medellín Colombia
| | - Diana Tamayo
- Unidad de Biología Celular y Molecular; Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB); Medellín Colombia
- Instituto de Biología; Universidad de Antioquia; Medellín Colombia
| | - Jose F. Muñoz
- Unidad de Biología Celular y Molecular; Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB); Medellín Colombia
- Instituto de Biología; Universidad de Antioquia; Medellín Colombia
| | - Ana M. García
- Unidad de Biología Celular y Molecular; Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB); Medellín Colombia
| | - Beatriz L. Gómez
- Unidad de Biología Celular y Molecular; Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB); Medellín Colombia
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences; Universidad del Rosario; Bogotá Colombia
| | - Angela Restrepo
- Unidad de Biología Celular y Molecular; Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB); Medellín Colombia
| | - Juan G. McEwen
- Unidad de Biología Celular y Molecular; Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB); Medellín Colombia
- Facultad de Medicina; Universidad de Antioquia; Medellín Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Menino JF, Saraiva M, Gomes-Rezende J, Sturme M, Pedrosa J, Castro AG, Ludovico P, Goldman GH, Rodrigues F. P. brasiliensis virulence is affected by SconC, the negative regulator of inorganic sulfur assimilation. PLoS One 2013; 8:e74725. [PMID: 24066151 PMCID: PMC3774720 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2013] [Accepted: 08/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Conidia/mycelium-to-yeast transition of Paracoccidioidesbrasiliensis is a critical step for the establishment of paracoccidioidomycosis, a systemic mycosis endemic in Latin America. Thus, knowledge of the factors that mediate this transition is of major importance for the design of intervention strategies. So far, the only known pre-requisites for the accomplishment of the morphological transition are the temperature shift to 37°C and the availability of organic sulfur compounds. In this study, we investigated the auxotrophic nature to organic sulfur of the yeast phase of Paracoccidioides, with special attention to P. brasiliensis species. For this, we addressed the role of SconCp, the negative regulator of the inorganic sulfur assimilation pathway, in the dimorphism and virulence of this pathogen. We show that down-regulation of SCONC allows initial steps of mycelium-to-yeast transition in the absence of organic sulfur compounds, contrarily to the wild-type fungus that cannot undergo mycelium-to-yeast transition under such conditions. However, SCONC down-regulated transformants were unable to sustain yeast growth using inorganic sulfur compounds only. Moreover, pulses with inorganic sulfur in SCONC down-regulated transformants triggered an increase of the inorganic sulfur metabolism, which culminated in a drastic reduction of the ATP and NADPH cellular levels and in higher oxidative stress. Importantly, the down-regulation of SCONC resulted in a decreased virulence of P. brasiliensis, as validated in an in vivo model of infection. Overall, our findings shed light on the inability of P. brasiliensis yeast to rely on inorganic sulfur compounds, correlating its metabolism with cellular energy and redox imbalances. Furthermore, the data herein presented reveal SconCp as a novel virulence determinant of P. brasiliensis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João Filipe Menino
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Margarida Saraiva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Jéssica Gomes-Rezende
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Mark Sturme
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Jorge Pedrosa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - António Gil Castro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Paula Ludovico
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Gustavo H. Goldman
- Laboratório Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Bioetanol, CTBE, Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Fernando Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Menino JF, Saraiva M, Gomes-Alves AG, Lobo-Silva D, Sturme M, Gomes-Rezende J, Saraiva AL, Goldman GH, Cunha C, Carvalho A, Romani L, Pedrosa J, Castro AG, Rodrigues F. TLR9 activation dampens the early inflammatory response to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, impacting host survival. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2013; 7:e2317. [PMID: 23936560 PMCID: PMC3723571 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2013] [Accepted: 06/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paracoccidioides brasiliensis causes paracoccidioidomycosis, one of the most prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America. Thus, understanding the characteristics of the protective immune response to P. brasiliensis is of interest, as it may reveal targets for disease control. The initiation of the immune response relies on the activation of pattern recognition receptors, among which are TLRs. Both TLR2 and TLR4 have been implicated in the recognition of P. brasiliensis and regulation of the immune response. However, the role of TLR9 during the infection by this fungus remains unclear. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We used in vitro and in vivo models of infection by P. brasiliensis, comparing wild type and TLR9 deficient ((-/-)) mice, to assess the contribution of TLR9 on cytokine induction, phagocytosis and outcome of infection. We show that TLR9 recognizes either the yeast form or DNA from P. brasiliensis by stimulating the expression/production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by bone marrow derived macrophages, also increasing their phagocytic ability. We further show that TLR9 plays a protective role early after intravenous infection with P. brasiliensis, as infected TLR9(-/-) mice died at higher rate during the first 48 hours post infection than wild type mice. Moreover, TLR9(-/-) mice presented tissue damage and increased expression of several cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6. The increased pattern of cytokine expression was also observed during intraperitoneal infection of TLR9(-/-) mice, with enhanced recruitment of neutrophils. The phenotype of TLR9(-/-) hosts observed during the early stages of P. brasiliensis infection was reverted upon a transient, 48 hours post-infection, neutrophil depletion. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Our results suggest that TLR9 activation plays an early protective role against P. brasiliensis, by avoiding a deregulated type of inflammatory response associated to neutrophils that may lead to tissue damage. Thus modulation of TLR9 may be of interest to potentiate the host response against this pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João Filipe Menino
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Margarida Saraiva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana G. Gomes-Alves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Diogo Lobo-Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Mark Sturme
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Jéssica Gomes-Rezende
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana Laura Saraiva
- EUVG - Escola Universitária Vasco da Gama, Castelo Viegas, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Gustavo H. Goldman
- Laboratório Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Bioetanol – CTBE, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, and Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Cristina Cunha
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Agostinho Carvalho
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Luigina Romani
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Jorge Pedrosa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - António Gil Castro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Fernando Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Inhibition of PbGP43 expression may suggest that gp43 is a virulence factor in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. PLoS One 2013; 8:e68434. [PMID: 23874627 PMCID: PMC3708949 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2013] [Accepted: 05/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycoprotein gp43 is an immunodominant diagnostic antigen for paracoccidioidomycosis caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. It is abundantly secreted in isolates such as Pb339. It is structurally related to beta-1,3-exoglucanases, however inactive. Its function in fungal biology is unknown, but it elicits humoral, innate and protective cellular immune responses; it binds to extracellular matrix-associated proteins. In this study we applied an antisense RNA (aRNA) technology and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation to generate mitotically stable PbGP43 mutants (PbGP43 aRNA) derived from wild type Pb339 to study its role in P. brasiliensis biology and during infection. Control PbEV was transformed with empty vector. Growth curve, cell vitality and morphology of PbGP43 aRNA mutants were indistinguishable from those of controls. PbGP43 expression was reduced 80–85% in mutants 1 and 2, as determined by real time PCR, correlating with a massive decrease in gp43 expression. This was shown by immunoblotting of culture supernatants revealed with anti-gp43 mouse monoclonal and rabbit polyclonal antibodies, and also by affinity-ligand assays of extracellular molecules with laminin and fibronectin. In vitro, there was significantly increased TNF-α production and reduced yeast recovery when PbGP43 aRNA1 was exposed to IFN-γ-stimulated macrophages, suggesting reduced binding/uptake and/or increased killing. In vivo, fungal burden in lungs of BALB/c mice infected with silenced mutant was negligible and associated with decreased lung ΙΛ−10 and IL-6. Therefore, our results correlated low gp43 expression with lower pathogenicity in mice, but that will be definitely proven when PbGP43 knockouts become available. This is the first study of gp43 using genetically modified P. brasiliensis.
Collapse
|
35
|
Gómez IT, Ruiz OH, Muñoz JF, Garcia AM, Restrepo A, McEwen JG. RNAi technology targeting Pb<i>GP</i>43 and Pb<i>P</i>27 in <i>Paracoccidioides brasiliensis</i>. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.4236/ojgen.2013.32a2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
36
|
Affiliation(s)
| | - Xiaorong Lin
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Tamayo D, Muñoz JF, Torres I, Almeida AJ, Restrepo A, McEwen JG, Hernández O. Involvement of the 90 kDa heat shock protein during adaptation of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis to different environmental conditions. Fungal Genet Biol 2012. [PMID: 23207691 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2012.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
HSP90 is a molecular chaperone that participates in folding, stabilization, activation, and assembly of several proteins, all of which are key regulators in cell signaling. In dimorphic pathogenic fungi such as Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, the adaptation to a higher temperature, acid pH and oxidative stress, is an essential event for fungal survival and also for the establishing of the infectious process. To further understand the role of this protein, we used antisense RNA technology to generate a P. brasiliensis isolate with reduced PbHSP90 gene expression (PbHSP90-aRNA). Reduced expression of HSP90 decreased yeast cell viability during batch culture growth and increased susceptibility to acid pH environments and imposed oxidative stress. Also, PbHSP90-aRNA yeast cells presented reduced viability upon interaction with macrophages. The findings presented here suggest a protective role for HSP90 during adaptation to hostile environments, one that promotes survival of the fungus during host-pathogen interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana Tamayo
- Unidad de Biología Celular y Molecular, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Gomes-Rezende JA, Gomes-Alves AG, Menino JF, Coelho MA, Ludovico P, Gonçalves P, Sturme MHJ, Rodrigues F. Functionality of the Paracoccidioides mating α-pheromone-receptor system. PLoS One 2012; 7:e47033. [PMID: 23056569 PMCID: PMC3464258 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2012] [Accepted: 09/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that Paracoccidioides species have the potential to undergo sexual reproduction, although no sexual cycle has been identified either in nature or under laboratory conditions. In the present work we detected low expression levels of the heterothallic MAT loci genes MAT1-1 and MAT1-2, the α-pheromone (PBα) gene, and the α- and a-pheromone receptor (PREB and PREA) genes in yeast and mycelia forms of several Paracoccidioides isolates. None of the genes were expressed in a mating type dependent manner. Stimulation of P. brasiliensis MAT1-2 strains with the synthetic α-pheromone peptide failed to elicit transcriptional activation of MAT1-2, PREB or STE12, suggesting that the strains tested are insensitive to α-pheromone. In order to further evaluate the biological functionality of the pair α-pheromone and its receptor, we took advantage of the heterologous expression of these Paracoccidioides genes in the corresponding S. cerevisiae null mutants. We show that S. cerevisiae strains heterologously expressing PREB respond to Pbα pheromone either isolated from Paracoccidioides culture supernatants or in its synthetic form, both by shmoo formation and by growth and cell cycle arrests. This allowed us to conclude that Paracoccidioides species secrete an active α-pheromone into the culture medium that is able to activate its cognate receptor. Moreover, expression of PREB or PBα in the corresponding null mutants of S. cerevisiae restored mating in these non-fertile strains. Taken together, our data demonstrate pheromone signaling activation by the Paracoccidioides α-pheromone through its receptor in this yeast model, which provides novel evidence for the existence of a functional mating signaling system in Paracoccidioides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica A. Gomes-Rezende
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana G. Gomes-Alves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - João F. Menino
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Marco A. Coelho
- Centro de Recursos Microbiológicos (CREM), Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Paula Ludovico
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Paula Gonçalves
- Centro de Recursos Microbiológicos (CREM), Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Mark H. J. Sturme
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Fernando Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Menino JF, Osório NS, Sturme MHJ, Barros D, Gomes-Alves AG, Almeida AJ, Ludovico P, Costa P, Goldman GH, Rodrigues F. Morphological heterogeneity of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis: relevance of the Rho-like GTPase PbCDC42. Med Mycol 2012; 50:768-74. [PMID: 22493946 DOI: 10.3109/13693786.2012.665614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis budding pattern and polymorphic growth were previously shown to be closely linked to the expression of PbCDC42 and to influence the pathogenesis of the fungus. In this work we conducted a detailed morphogenetic evaluation of the yeast-forms of 11 different clinical and environmental P. brasiliensis isolates comprising four phylogenetic lineages (S1, PS2, PS3 and Pb01-like), as well as a PbCDC42 knock-down strain. High variations in the shape and size of mother and bud cells of each isolate were observed but we did not find a characteristic morphologic profile for any of the phylogenetic groups. In all isolates studied, the bud size and shape were demonstrated to be highly dependent on the mother cell. Importantly, we found strong correlations between PbCDC42 expression and both the shape of mother and bud cells and the size of the buds in all isolates and the knock-down strain. Our results suggested that PbCDC42 expression can explain approximately 80% of mother and bud cell shape and 19% of bud cell size. This data support PbCDC42 expression level as being a relevant predictor of P. brasiliensis morphology. Altogether, these findings quantitatively describe the polymorphic nature of the P. brasiliensis yeast form and provide additional support for the key role of PbCDC42 expression on yeast cell morphology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João F Menino
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Vallejo MC, Nakayasu ES, Matsuo AL, Sobreira TJP, Longo LVG, Ganiko L, Almeida IC, Puccia R. Vesicle and vesicle-free extracellular proteome of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis: comparative analysis with other pathogenic fungi. J Proteome Res 2012; 11:1676-85. [PMID: 22288420 DOI: 10.1021/pr200872s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Microorganisms release effector molecules that modulate the host machinery enabling survival, replication, and dissemination of a pathogen. Here we characterized the extracellular proteome of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis at its pathogenic yeast phase. Cell-free culture supernatants from the Pb18 isolate, cultivated in defined medium, were separated into vesicle and vesicle-free fractions, digested with trypsin, and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In vesicle and vesicle-free preparations we identified, respectively, 205 and 260 proteins with two or more peptides, including 120 overlapping identifications. Almost 70% of the sequences were predicted as secretory, mostly using nonconventional secretory pathways, and many have previously been localized to fungal cell walls. A total of 72 proteins were considered as commonly transported by extracellular vesicles, considering that orthologues have been reported in at least two other fungal species. These sequences were mostly related to translation, carbohydrate and protein metabolism, oxidation/reduction, transport, response to stress, and signaling. This unique proteomic analysis of extracellular vesicles and vesicle-free released proteins in a pathogenic fungus provides full comparison with other fungal extracellular vesicle proteomes and broadens the current view on fungal secretomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Milene C Vallejo
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo , UNIFESP, 04023-062 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Menino JF, Almeida AJ, Rodrigues F. Gene knockdown in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis using antisense RNA. Methods Mol Biol 2012; 845:187-198. [PMID: 22328375 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-61779-539-8_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a thermal dimorphic fungus which in the host environment exhibits a multinucleated and multibudding yeast form. The cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these phenotypes remain to be clarified, mostly due to the absence of efficient classical genetic and molecular techniques. Here we describe a method for gene expression knockdown in P. brasiliensis by antisense RNA (aRNA) technology taking advantage of an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) system. Together, these techniques represent a reliable toolbox that can be employed for functional genetic analysis of putative virulence factors and morphogenic regulators, aiming to the identification of new potential drug targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João F Menino
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Puccia R, Vallejo MC, Matsuo AL, Longo LVG. The paracoccidioides cell wall: past and present layers toward understanding interaction with the host. Front Microbiol 2011; 2:257. [PMID: 22194733 PMCID: PMC3243086 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2011.00257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2011] [Accepted: 12/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell wall of pathogenic fungi plays import roles in the interaction with the host, so that its composition and structure may determine the course of infection. Here we present an overview of the current and past knowledge on the cell wall constituents of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and P. lutzii. These are temperature-dependent dimorphic fungi that cause paracoccidioidomycosis, a systemic granulomatous, and debilitating disease. Focus is given on cell wall carbohydrate and protein contents, their immune-stimulatory features, adhesion properties, drug target characteristics, and morphological phase specificity. We offer a journey toward the future understanding of the dynamic nature of the cell wall and of the changes that may occur when the fungus infects the human host.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosana Puccia
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Shankar J, Wu TD, Clemons KV, Monteiro JP, Mirels LF, Stevens DA. Influence of 17β-estradiol on gene expression of Paracoccidioides during mycelia-to-yeast transition. PLoS One 2011; 6:e28402. [PMID: 22194832 PMCID: PMC3237447 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0028402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2011] [Accepted: 11/07/2011] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paracoccidioides is the causative agent of paracoccidioidomycosis, a systemic mycosis endemic to Latin America. Infection is initiated by inhalation of conidia (C) or mycelial (M) fragments, which subsequently differentiate into yeast (Y). Epidemiological studies show a striking predominance of paracoccidioidomycosis in adult men compared to premenopausal women. In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that the female hormone (17β-estradiol, E(2)) regulates or inhibits M-or-C-to-Y transition. In this study we have profiled transcript expression to understand the molecular mechanism of how E(2) inhibits M-to-Y transition. METHODOLOGY We assessed temporal gene expression in strain Pb01 in the presence or absence of E(2) at various time points through 9 days of the M-to-Y transition using an 11,000 element random-shear genomic DNA microarray and verified the results using quantitative real time-PCR. E(2)-regulated clones were sequenced to identify genes and biological function. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS E(2)-treatment affected gene expression of 550 array elements, with 331 showing up-regulation and 219 showing down-regulation at one or more time points (p≤0.001). Genes with low expression after 4 or 12 h exposure to E(2) belonged to pathways involved in heat shock response (hsp90 and hsp70), energy metabolism, and several retrotransposable elements. Y-related genes, α-1,3-glucan synthase, mannosyltransferase and Y20, demonstrated low or delayed expression in E(2)-treated cultures. Genes potentially involved in signaling, such as palmitoyltransferase (erf2), small GTPase RhoA, phosphatidylinositol-4-kinase, and protein kinase (serine/threonine) showed low expression in the presence of E(2), whereas a gene encoding for an arrestin domain-containing protein showed high expression. Genes related to ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation, and oxidative stress response genes were up-regulated by E(2). CONCLUSION This study characterizes the effect of E(2) at the molecular level on the inhibition of the M-to-Y transition and is indicative that the inhibitory actions of E(2) may be working through signaling genes that regulate dimorphism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jata Shankar
- California Institute for Medical Research, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, California, United States of America
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Ruiz OH, Gonzalez A, Almeida AJ, Tamayo D, Garcia AM, Restrepo A, McEwen JG. Alternative oxidase mediates pathogen resistance in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2011; 5:e1353. [PMID: 22039556 PMCID: PMC3201906 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2011] [Accepted: 08/25/2011] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a human thermal dimorphic pathogenic fungus. Survival of P. brasiliensis inside the host depends on the adaptation of this fungal pathogen to different conditions, namely oxidative stress imposed by immune cells. AIMS AND METHODOLOGY In this study, we evaluated the role of alternative oxidase (AOX), an enzyme involved in the intracellular redox balancing, during host-P. brasiliensis interaction. We generated a mitotically stable P. brasiliensis AOX (PbAOX) antisense RNA (aRNA) strain with a 70% reduction in gene expression. We evaluated the relevance of PbAOX during interaction of conidia and yeast cells with IFN-γ activated alveolar macrophages and in a mouse model of infection. Additionally, we determined the fungal cell's viability and PbAOX in the presence of H₂O₂. RESULTS Interaction with IFN-γ activated alveolar macrophages induced higher levels of PbAOX gene expression in PbWt conidia than PbWt yeast cells. PbAOX-aRNA conidia and yeast cells had decreased viability after interaction with macrophages. Moreover, in a mouse model of infection, we showed that absence of wild-type levels of PbAOX in P. brasiliensis results in a reduced fungal burden in lungs at weeks 8 and 24 post-challenge and an increased survival rate. In the presence of H₂O₂, we observed that PbWt yeast cells increased PbAOX expression and presented a higher viability in comparison with PbAOX-aRNA yeast cells. CONCLUSIONS These data further support the hypothesis that PbAOX is important in the fungal defense against oxidative stress imposed by immune cells and is relevant in the virulence of P. brasiliensis.
Collapse
|
45
|
Axl2 integrates polarity establishment, maintenance, and environmental stress response in the filamentous fungus Ashbya gossypii. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2011; 10:1679-93. [PMID: 21984708 DOI: 10.1128/ec.05183-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In budding yeast, new sites of polarity are chosen with each cell cycle and polarization is transient. In filamentous fungi, sites of polarity persist for extended periods of growth and new polarity sites can be established while existing sites are maintained. How the polarity establishment machinery functions in these distinct growth forms found in fungi is still not well understood. We have examined the function of Axl2, a transmembrane bud site selection protein discovered in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in the filamentous fungus Ashbya gossypii. A. gossypii does not divide by budding and instead exhibits persistent highly polarized growth, and multiple axes of polarity coexist in one cell. A. gossypii axl2Δ (Agaxl2Δ) cells have wavy hyphae, bulbous tips, and a high frequency of branch initiations that fail to elongate, indicative of a polarity maintenance defect. Mutant colonies also have significantly lower radial growth and hyphal tip elongation speeds than wild-type colonies, and Agaxl2Δ hyphae have depolarized actin patches. Consistent with a function in polarity, AgAxl2 localizes to hyphal tips, branches, and septin rings. Unlike S. cerevisiae Axl2, AgAxl2 contains a Mid2 homology domain and may function to sense or respond to environmental stress. In support of this idea, hyphae lacking AgAxl2 also display hypersensitivity to heat, osmotic, and cell wall stresses. Axl2 serves to integrate polarity establishment, polarity maintenance, and environmental stress response for optimal polarized growth in A. gossypii.
Collapse
|
46
|
|
47
|
Response of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Pb01 to stressor agents and cell wall osmoregulators. Fungal Biol 2011; 115:62-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2010.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2010] [Revised: 10/14/2010] [Accepted: 10/15/2010] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
48
|
San-Blas G, Burger E. Experimental medical mycological research in Latin America - a 2000-2009 overview. Rev Iberoam Micol 2010; 28:1-25. [PMID: 21167301 DOI: 10.1016/j.riam.2010.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2010] [Revised: 11/24/2010] [Accepted: 11/24/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
An overview of current trends in Latin American Experimental Medical Mycological research since the beginning of the 21(st) century is done (search from January 2000 to December 2009). Using the PubMed and LILACS databases, the authors have chosen publications on medically important fungi which, according to our opinion, are the most relevant because of their novelty, interest, and international impact, based on research made entirely in the Latin American region or as part of collaborative efforts with laboratories elsewhere. In this way, the following areas are discussed: 1) molecular identification of fungal pathogens; 2) molecular and clinical epidemiology on fungal pathogens of prevalence in the region; 3) cell biology; 4) transcriptome, genome, molecular taxonomy and phylogeny; 5) immunology; 6) vaccines; 7) new and experimental antifungals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gioconda San-Blas
- Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Caracas, Venezuela.
| | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
A 32-kilodalton hydrolase plays an important role in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis adherence to host cells and influences pathogenicity. Infect Immun 2010; 78:5280-6. [PMID: 20876288 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00692-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most crucial events during infection with the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is adhesion to pulmonary epithelial cells, a pivotal step in the establishment of disease. In this study, we have evaluated the relevance of a 32-kDa protein, a putative adhesion member of the haloacid dehalogenase (HAD) superfamily of hydrolases, in the virulence of this fungus. Protein sequence analyses have supported the inclusion of PbHad32p as a hydrolase and have revealed a conserved protein only among fungal dimorphic and filamentous pathogens that are closely phylogenetically related. To evaluate its role during the host-pathogen interaction, we have generated mitotically stable P. brasiliensis HAD32 (PbHAD32) antisense RNA (aRNA) strains with consistently reduced gene expression. Knockdown of PbHAD32 did not alter cell vitality or viability but induced morphological alterations in yeast cells. Moreover, yeast cells with reduced PbHAD32 expression were significantly affected in their capacity to adhere to human epithelial cells and presented decreased virulence in a mouse model of infection. These data support the hypothesis that PbHad32p binds to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and modulates the initial immune response for evasion of host defenses. Our findings point to PbHAD32 as a novel virulence factor active during the initial interaction with host cells in P. brasiliensis.
Collapse
|
50
|
Seider K, Heyken A, Lüttich A, Miramón P, Hube B. Interaction of pathogenic yeasts with phagocytes: survival, persistence and escape. Curr Opin Microbiol 2010; 13:392-400. [PMID: 20627672 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2010.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2010] [Revised: 05/05/2010] [Accepted: 05/06/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Pathogenic yeasts, either from the environment or the normal flora, have to face phagocytic cells that constitute the first line of defence during infection. In order to evade or counteract attack by phagocytes, pathogenic yeasts have acquired a repertoire of strategies to survive, colonize and infect the host. In this review we focus on the interaction of yeasts, such as Candida, Histoplasma or Cryptococcus species, with macrophages or neutrophils. We discuss strategies used by these fungi to prevent phagocytosis or to counteract phagocytic activities. We go on to describe the strategies that permit intracellular survival within phagocytes and that may eventually lead to damage of and escape from the phagocyte.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katja Seider
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute Jena (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|