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Baker RP, Schachter M, Phillips S, Kandiah S, Farrque M, Casadevall A, Kandiah PA. Host and fungal factors both contribute to cryptococcosis-associated hyperammonemia (cryptammonia). Microbiol Spectr 2024:e0390223. [PMID: 38842310 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03902-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii are both known urease producers and have the potential to cause hyperammonemia. We hypothesized that the risk of hyperammonemia is increased by renal failure, burden of cryptococcal infection, and fungal strain characteristics. We performed a retrospective review of plasma ammonia levels in patients with cryptococcal infections. Risk factors for hyperammonemia were statistically compared between patients with and without hyperammonemia (>53 µmol/L). Cryptococcal cells from three patients included in the study were recovered from our biorepository. Strain characteristics including urease activity, ammonia production, growth curves, microscopy, melanin production, and M13 molecular typing were analyzed and compared with a wild-type (WT) C. neoformans strain. We included 29 patients, of whom 37.9% had hyperammonemia, 59% had disseminated cryptococcal infection (DCI), and 41% had isolated central nervous system infection. Thirty-eight percent of patients had renal failure and 28% had liver disease. Renal failure was associated with 4.4 times (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5, 13.0) higher risk of hyperammonemia. This risk was higher in DCIs (RR 6.2, 95% CI 1.0, 40.2) versus isolated cryptococcal meningitis (RR 2.5, 95% CI, 0.40, 16.0). Liver disease and cryptococcal titers were not associated with hyperammonemia. C. neoformans from one patient with extreme hyperammonemia demonstrated a 4- to 5-fold increase in extracellular urease activity, slow growth, enlarged cell size phenotypes, and diminished virulence factors. Hyperammonemia was strongly associated with renal failure in individuals with DCI, surpassing associations with liver failure or cryptococcal titers. However, profound hyperammonemia in one patient was attributable to high levels of urease secretion unique to that cryptococcal strain. Prospective studies are crucial to exploring the significance of this association.IMPORTANCECryptococcus produces and secretes the urease enzyme to facilitate its colonization of the host. Urease breaks down urea into ammonia, overwhelming the liver's detoxification process and leading to hyperammonemia in some hosts. This underrecognized complication exacerbates organ dysfunction alongside the infection. Our study investigated this intricate relationship, uncovering a strong association between the development of hyperammonemia and renal failure in patients with cryptococcal infections, particularly those with disseminated infections. We also explore mechanisms underlying increased urease activity, specifically in strains associated with extreme hyperammonemia. Our discoveries provide a foundation for advancing research into cryptococcal metabolism and identifying therapeutic targets to enhance patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna P Baker
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Maria Schachter
- Division of Neurocritical Care, Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Steven Phillips
- Division of Neurocritical Care, Department of Neurology, University of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Sheetal Kandiah
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Mirza Farrque
- Office of Vital Statistics, Tennessee Department of Health, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Prem A Kandiah
- Division of Neurocritical Care, Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Roosen L, Maes D, Musetta L, Himmelreich U. Preclinical Models for Cryptococcosis of the CNS and Their Characterization Using In Vivo Imaging Techniques. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:146. [PMID: 38392818 PMCID: PMC10890286 DOI: 10.3390/jof10020146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii remain a challenge to our healthcare systems as they are still difficult to treat. In order to improve treatment success, in particular for infections that have disseminated to the central nervous system, a better understanding of the disease is needed, addressing questions like how it evolves from a pulmonary to a brain disease and how novel treatment approaches can be developed and validated. This requires not only clinical research and research on the microorganisms in a laboratory environment but also preclinical models in order to study cryptococci in the host. We provide an overview of available preclinical models, with particular emphasis on models of cryptococcosis in rodents. In order to further improve the characterization of rodent models, in particular the dynamic aspects of disease manifestation, development, and ultimate treatment, preclinical in vivo imaging methods are increasingly used, mainly in research for oncological, neurological, and cardiac diseases. In vivo imaging applications for fungal infections are rather sparse. A second aspect of this review is how research on models of cryptococcosis can benefit from in vivo imaging methods that not only provide information on morphology and tissue structure but also on function, metabolism, and cellular properties in a non-invasive way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Roosen
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dries Maes
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luigi Musetta
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Uwe Himmelreich
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Serna-Espinosa BN, Forero-Castro M, Morales-Puentes ME, Parra-Giraldo CM, Escandón P, Sánchez-Quitian ZA. First report of environmental isolation of Cryptococcus and Cryptococcus-like yeasts from Boyacá, Colombia. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15755. [PMID: 37735454 PMCID: PMC10514045 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41994-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The Cryptococcus genus comprises more than 100 species, of which C. neoformans and C. gattii are the leading cause of cryptococcosis. The distribution of C. gattii and C. neoformans species complexes has been extensively studied and widely reported globally. Other species such as Naganishia albida, Papiliotrema laurentii, and Papiliotrema flavescens have been reported as pathogenic yeasts. Since there are no reports of environmental isolation in the Boyacá region (Colombia), this study aimed to isolate and characterize Cryptococcus and Cryptococcus-like yeasts from pigeon feces, Eucalyptus, and olive trees distributed in the municipalities of Tunja and Ricaute Alto. The environmental data was recovered, and the isolations obtained were identified by microscopy, biochemical test, MALDI-TOF MS, URA5-RFLP, and sequencing of the ITS and LSU loci. For the 93 pigeon dropping samples collected in Tunja, 23 yielded to C. neoformans, 3 to N. globosa, 2 N. albida and 1 to P. laurentii. Of the 1188 samples collected from olive trees, 17 (1.43%) positive samples were identified as C. gattii species complex (4), C. neoformans species complex (2), P. laurentii (3), N. albida (2), N. globosa (5) and P. flavescens (1). Likewise, specimens of C. neoformans presented molecular type VNI and molecular type VNII; for C. gattii the molecular types found were VGIII and one VGIV by URA5-RFLP but VGIII by MALDI-TOF and sequencing of the ITS and LSU. Therefore, it can be concluded that the species of Cryptococcus, Naganishia and Papiliotrema genera, are present in the environment of Boyacá, and show a predilection for climate conditions that are typical of this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Briggith-Nathalia Serna-Espinosa
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Avenida Central del Norte 39-115, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia
| | - Maribel Forero-Castro
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Avenida Central del Norte 39-115, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia
| | - María Eugenia Morales-Puentes
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Avenida Central del Norte 39-115, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia
| | - Claudia Marcela Parra-Giraldo
- Unidad de Proteómica y Micosis Humanas, Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, 110231, Colombia
| | - Patricia Escandón
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Calle 26 # 51-20, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
| | - Zilpa Adriana Sánchez-Quitian
- Grupo de Investigación Gestión Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias e Ingeniería, Departamento de Biología y Microbiología, Universidad de Boyacá, Carrera 2ª Este No. 64-169, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia.
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de Almeida Campos L, Fin MT, Santos KS, de Lima Gualque MW, Freire Cabral AKL, Khalil NM, Fusco-Almeida AM, Mainardes RM, Mendes-Giannini MJS. Nanotechnology-Based Approaches for Voriconazole Delivery Applied to Invasive Fungal Infections. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15010266. [PMID: 36678893 PMCID: PMC9863752 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections increase mortality and morbidity rates worldwide. The treatment of these infections is still limited due to the low bioavailability and toxicity, requiring therapeutic monitoring, especially in the most severe cases. Voriconazole is an azole widely used to treat invasive aspergillosis, other hyaline molds, many dematiaceous molds, Candida spp., including those resistant to fluconazole, and for infections caused by endemic mycoses, in addition to those that occur in the central nervous system. However, despite its broad activity, using voriconazole has limitations related to its non-linear pharmacokinetics, leading to supratherapeutic doses and increased toxicity according to individual polymorphisms during its metabolism. In this sense, nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems have successfully improved the physicochemical and biological aspects of different classes of drugs, including antifungals. In this review, we highlighted recent work that has applied nanotechnology to deliver voriconazole. These systems allowed increased permeation and deposition of voriconazole in target tissues from a controlled and sustained release in different routes of administration such as ocular, pulmonary, oral, topical, and parenteral. Thus, nanotechnology application aiming to delivery voriconazole becomes a more effective and safer therapeutic alternative in the treatment of fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laís de Almeida Campos
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Midwest State University (UNICENTRO), Alameda Élio Antonio Dalla Vecchia St, 838, Guarapuava 85040-167, PR, Brazil
| | - Margani Taise Fin
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Midwest State University (UNICENTRO), Alameda Élio Antonio Dalla Vecchia St, 838, Guarapuava 85040-167, PR, Brazil
| | - Kelvin Sousa Santos
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rodovia Araraquara Jaú, Km 01, Araraquara 14801-902, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos William de Lima Gualque
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rodovia Araraquara Jaú, Km 01, Araraquara 14801-902, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Karla Lima Freire Cabral
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rodovia Araraquara Jaú, Km 01, Araraquara 14801-902, SP, Brazil
| | - Najeh Maissar Khalil
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Midwest State University (UNICENTRO), Alameda Élio Antonio Dalla Vecchia St, 838, Guarapuava 85040-167, PR, Brazil
| | - Ana Marisa Fusco-Almeida
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rodovia Araraquara Jaú, Km 01, Araraquara 14801-902, SP, Brazil
| | - Rubiana Mara Mainardes
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Midwest State University (UNICENTRO), Alameda Élio Antonio Dalla Vecchia St, 838, Guarapuava 85040-167, PR, Brazil
- Correspondence: (R.M.M.); (M.J.S.M.-G.)
| | - Maria José Soares Mendes-Giannini
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rodovia Araraquara Jaú, Km 01, Araraquara 14801-902, SP, Brazil
- Correspondence: (R.M.M.); (M.J.S.M.-G.)
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Andriani GM, Spoladori LFDA, Fabris M, Camargo PG, Pereira PML, Santos JP, Bartolomeu-Gonçalves G, Alonso L, Lancheros CAC, Alonso A, Nakamura CV, Macedo F, Pinge-Filho P, Yamauchi LM, Bispo MDLF, Tavares ER, Yamada-Ogatta SF. Synergistic antifungal interaction of N-(butylcarbamothioyl) benzamide and amphotericin B against Cryptococcus neoformans. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1040671. [PMID: 36960287 PMCID: PMC10028264 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1040671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cryptococcus neoformans is one of the leading causes of invasive fungal infections worldwide. Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis is the main challenge of antifungal therapy due to high morbidity and mortality rates, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This can be partly attributed to the lack of specific diagnosis difficulty accessing treatment, antifungal resistance and antifungal toxicity. Methods In the present study, the effect of the synthetic thiourea derivative N-(butylcarbamothioyl) benzamide (BTU-01), alone and combined with amphotericin B (AmB), was evaluated in planktonic and sessile (biofilm) cells of C. neoformans. Results BTU-01 alone exhibited a fungistatic activity with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 31.25 to 62.5 μg/mL for planktonic cells; and sessile MICs ranging from 125.0 to 1000.0 μg/mL. BTU-01 caused a concentration-dependent inhibitory activity on cryptococcal urease and did not interfere with plasma membrane fluidity. Molecular docking was performed on Canavalia ensiformis urease, and BTU-01 showed relevant interactions with the enzyme. The combination of BTU-01 and AmB exhibited synergistic fungicidal activity against planktonic and sessile cells of C. neoformans. Microscopic analysis of C. neoformans treated with BTU-01, alone or combined with AmB, revealed a reduction in cell and capsule sizes, changes in the morphology of planktonic cells; a significant decrease in the number of cells within the biofilm; and absence of exopolymeric matrix surrounding the sessile cells. Neither hemolytic activity nor cytotoxicity to mammalian cells was detected for BTU-01, alone or combined with AmB, at concentrations that exhibited antifungal activity. BTU-01 also displayed drug-likeness properties. Conclusion These results indicate the potential of BTU-01, for the development of new strategies for controlling C. neoformans infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Maria Andriani
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Lais Fernanda de Almeida Spoladori
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Marciéli Fabris
- Laboratório de Síntese de Moléculas Medicinais, Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Priscila Goes Camargo
- Laboratório de Síntese de Moléculas Medicinais, Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Morais Lopes Pereira
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Jussevania Pereira Santos
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Bartolomeu-Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Fisiopatologia Clínica e Laboratorial, Departamento de Patología, Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Lais Alonso
- Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Cesar Armando Contreras Lancheros
- Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Antonio Alonso
- Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Celso Vataru Nakamura
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Fernando Macedo
- Laboratório de Síntese de Moléculas Medicinais, Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Phileno Pinge-Filho
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia Experimental, Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Lucy Megumi Yamauchi
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Marcelle de Lima Ferreira Bispo
- Laboratório de Síntese de Moléculas Medicinais, Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Eliandro Reis Tavares
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Sueli Fumie Yamada-Ogatta
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Fisiopatologia Clínica e Laboratorial, Departamento de Patología, Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Sueli Fumie Yamada-Ogatta,
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Toplis B, Bosch C, Stander M, Taylor M, Perfect JR, Botha A. A link between urease and polyamine metabolism in Cryptococcus neoformans. Microb Pathog 2021; 158:105076. [PMID: 34216740 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.105076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The urease enzyme of Cryptococcus neoformans is linked to different metabolic pathways within the yeast cell, several of which are involved in polyamine metabolism. Cryptococcal biogenic amine production is, however, largely unexplored and is yet to be investigated in relation to urease. The aim of this study was therefore to explore and compare polyamine metabolism in wild-type, urease-negative and urease-reconstituted strains of C. neoformans. Mass spectrometry analysis showed that agmatine and spermidine were the major extra- and intracellular polyamines of C. neoformans and significant differences were observed between 26 and 37 °C. In addition, compared to the wild-type, the relative percentages of extracellular putrescine and spermidine were found to be lower and agmatine higher in cultures of the urease-deficient mutant. The inverse was true for intracellular spermidine and agmatine. Cyclohexylamine was a more potent polyamine inhibitor compared to DL-α-difluoromethylornithine and inhibitory effects were more pronounced at 37 °C than at 26 °C. At both temperatures, the urease-deficient mutant was less susceptible to cyclohexylamine treatment compared to the wild-type. For both inhibitors, growth inhibition was alleviated with polyamine supplementation. This study has provided novel insight into the polyamine metabolism of C. neoformans, highlighting the involvement of urease in biogenic amine production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbra Toplis
- Department of Microbiology, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland, 7602, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Caylin Bosch
- Department of Microbiology, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland, 7602, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Marietjie Stander
- Mass Spectrometry Unit, Central Analytical Facilities, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland, 7602, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Malcolm Taylor
- Mass Spectrometry Unit, Central Analytical Facilities, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland, 7602, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - John R Perfect
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University Medical Centre, Durham, NC, 27710-1000, USA
| | - Alfred Botha
- Department of Microbiology, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland, 7602, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
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Huang YM, Tao XH, Xu DF, Yu Y, Teng Y, Xie WQ, Fan YB. HOG1 has an essential role in the stress response, virulence and pathogenicity of Cryptococcus gattii. Exp Ther Med 2021; 21:476. [PMID: 33767771 PMCID: PMC7976431 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.9907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus gattii (C. gattii) is a lethal pathogen that causes the majority of cryptococcosis cases in previously healthy individuals. This pathogen poses an increasing threat to global public health, but the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis have remained to be fully elucidated. In the present study, the role of high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG)1 in the stress reaction and virulence control of C. gattii was characterized by deleting the HOG1 gene using the clinical isolate strain CZ2012, and finally, the virulence and pathogenic traits of the deletion strain were defined. Deletion of the HOG1 gene resulted in notable growth defects under stress conditions (high salt and antifungal drugs), but different traits were observed under oxidative stress conditions (hydrogen peroxide). Similarly, the C. gattii hog1Δ strains (deletion of HOG1) also displayed decreased capsule production and melanin synthesis. Furthermore, mice infected with the hog1Δ strain had longer survival times than those infected with the wild-type strain and the reconstituted strain. The hog1Δ strain recovered from infected organs exhibited significant growth defects in terms of decreased colony count and size. The present results suggested that HOG1 has a significant role in the virulence of C. gattii and these results may help to elucidate the pathogenesis of C. gattii.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Ming Huang
- Department of Dermatology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Hua Tao
- Department of Dermatology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Dan-Feng Xu
- Department of Dermatology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Yong Yu
- Department of Dermatology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Yan Teng
- Department of Dermatology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Wen-Qing Xie
- Department of Orthopedics, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, P.R. China
| | - Yi-Bin Fan
- Department of Dermatology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
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