1
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Bose S, Sahu SR, Dutta A, Acharya N. A chemically induced attenuated strain of Candida albicans generates robust protective immune responses and prevents systemic candidiasis development. eLife 2024; 13:RP93760. [PMID: 38787374 PMCID: PMC11126311 DOI: 10.7554/elife.93760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite current antifungal therapy, invasive candidiasis causes >40% mortality in immunocompromised individuals. Therefore, developing an antifungal vaccine is a priority. Here, we could for the first time successfully attenuate the virulence of Candida albicans by treating it with a fungistatic dosage of EDTA and demonstrate it to be a potential live whole cell vaccine by using murine models of systemic candidiasis. EDTA inhibited the growth and biofilm formation of C. albicans. RNA-seq analyses of EDTA-treated cells (CAET) revealed that genes mostly involved in metal homeostasis and ribosome biogenesis were up- and down-regulated, respectively. Consequently, a bulky cell wall with elevated levels of mannan and β-glucan, and reduced levels of total monosomes and polysomes were observed. CAET was eliminated faster than the untreated strain (Ca) as found by differential fungal burden in the vital organs of the mice. Higher monocytes, granulocytes, and platelet counts were detected in Ca- vs CAET-challenged mice. While hyper-inflammation and immunosuppression caused the killing of Ca-challenged mice, a critical balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines-mediated immune responses are the likely reasons for the protective immunity in CAET-infected mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swagata Bose
- Department of Infectious Disease Biology, Institute of Life SciencesBhubaneswarIndia
| | - Satya Ranjan Sahu
- Department of Infectious Disease Biology, Institute of Life SciencesBhubaneswarIndia
| | - Abinash Dutta
- Department of Infectious Disease Biology, Institute of Life SciencesBhubaneswarIndia
| | - Narottam Acharya
- Department of Infectious Disease Biology, Institute of Life SciencesBhubaneswarIndia
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2
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Sadek AA, Nasr MMM, Badawi AAM, Esmaeel TEZ, Awad OG. Pediatric Unilateral Chronic Sinusitis: Clinical and Radiological Patterns Compared to Adults. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY 2024; 36:443-449. [PMID: 38745689 PMCID: PMC11090097 DOI: 10.22038/ijorl.2024.75788.3539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Upper respiratory tract infections and sinusitis are more prevalent in children than in adults. Unilateral sinusitis is not uncommon disease. Our aim was to analyze the disease characteristics in children with unilateral sinusitis and compare them with those of adults. Materials and Methods This study included 124 patients with unilateral chronic sinusitis divided according to age into two groups: pediatric group ≤18 years (66 cases) and adult group >18 years (58 cases). The groups were compared in terms of demographic data, side, clinical manifestations and radiological findings. Results In pediatric patients, the most common inflammatory pathology was antrochoanal polyps, followed by allergic fungal sinusitis. On the other hand, chronic sinusitis without nasal polyps is the most common in adults, followed by antrochoanal polyps. The mean duration of clinical manifestations before diagnosis in pediatric patients was significantly shorter than that in adults (P=0.001). The most common symptoms in both pediatric and adult patients were anterior nasal discharge and nasal obstruction. Proptosis was significantly higher in pediatric group than in adult group (P=0.015). On computed tomography (CT), the most commonly affected sinus in both pediatric and adult patients was the maxillary sinus followed by the anterior ethmoid sinus. Bone expansion, erosion and involvement of adjacent structures were significantly higher in pediatric patients (P=0.028, 0.027 respectively). Conclusion Pediatric patients have a high incidence of antrochoanal polyps and allergic fungal sinusitis as unilateral inflammatory lesions. These lesions require surgical management. Inflammatory paranasal sinus lesions in pediatric patients have a shorter duration of clinical manifestations and a higher incidence of bone erosion and involvement of adjacent structures; therefore, early diagnosis and management prevent complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Adel Sadek
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Egypt.
| | | | | | | | - Osama Galal Awad
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Egypt.
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3
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Blancett LT, Evans HM, Candor K, Buesing WR, Figueroa JAL, Deepe Jr GS. Utilization of a Histoplasma capsulatum zinc reporter reveals the complexities of fungal sensing of metal deprivation. mSphere 2024; 9:e0070423. [PMID: 38259064 PMCID: PMC10900905 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00704-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungal pathogen acquired via inhalation of soil-resident spores. Upon exposure to mammalian body temperatures, these fungal elements transform into yeasts that reside primarily within phagocytes. Macrophages (MΦ) provide a permissive environment for fungal replication until T cell-dependent immunity is engaged. MΦ activated by granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) induces metallothioneins (MTs) that bind zinc (Zn) and deprive yeast cells of labile Zn, thereby disabling fungal growth. Prior work demonstrated that the zinc transporter, ZRT2, was important for fungal survival in vivo. Hence, we constructed a yeast cell reporter strain that expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP) under control of the ZRT2 zinc-regulated promoter. This reporter accurately responds to a medium devoid of Zn. ZRT2 expression increased in GM-CSF, but not interferon-γ, stimulated MΦ. To examine the in vivo response, we infected mice with a reporter yeast strain and assessed ZRT2 expression at 0, 3, 7, and 14 days post-infection (dpi). ZRT2 expression minimally increased at 3 dpi and peaked at 7 dpi, corresponding with the onset of adaptive immunity. We discovered that the major MΦ populations that restrict Zn from the fungus are interstitial MΦ and exudate MΦ. Neutralizing GM-CSF blunted the control of infection but unexpectedly increased ZRT2 expression. This increase was dependent on another cytokine that activates MΦ to control H. capsulatum replication, M-CSF. These findings illustrate the reporter's ability to sense Zn in vitro and in vivo and correlate ZRT2 expression with GM-CSF and M-CSF activation of MΦ.IMPORTANCEPhagocytes use an arsenal of defenses to control the replication of Histoplasma yeasts, one of which is the limitation of trace metals. On the other hand, H. capsulatum combats metal restriction by upregulating metal importers such as the Zn importer ZRT2. This transporter contributes to H. capsulatum pathogenesis upon activation of adaptive immunity. We constructed a fluorescent ZRT2 transcriptional reporter to probe H. capsulatum Zn sensing during infection and exposed the role for M-CSF activation of macrophages when GM-CSF is absent. These data highlight the ways in which fungal pathogens sense metal deprivation in vivo and reveal the potential of metal-sensing reporters. The work adds a new dimension to study how intracellular pathogens sense and respond to the changing environments of the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan T. Blancett
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Heather M. Evans
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Kathleen Candor
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Immunology Graduate Program, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - William R. Buesing
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Julio A. Landero Figueroa
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - George S. Deepe Jr
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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4
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Santos TADO, Soares LW, Oliveira LN, Moraes D, Mendes MS, Soares CMDA, Bailão AM, Bailão MGS. Zinc Starvation Induces Cell Wall Remodeling and Activates the Antioxidant Defense System in Fonsecaea pedrosoi. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:118. [PMID: 38392790 PMCID: PMC10890210 DOI: 10.3390/jof10020118] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The survival of pathogenic fungi in the host after invasion depends on their ability to obtain nutrients, which include the transition metal zinc. This essential micronutrient is required to maintain the structure and function of various proteins and, therefore, plays a critical role in various biological processes. The host's nutritional immunity limits the availability of zinc to pathogenic fungi mainly by the action of calprotectin, a component of neutrophil extracellular traps. Here we investigated the adaptive responses of Fonsecaea pedrosoi to zinc-limiting conditions. This black fungus is the main etiological agent of chromoblastomycosis, a chronic neglected tropical disease that affects subcutaneous tissues. Following exposure to a zinc-limited environment, F. pedrosoi induces a high-affinity zinc uptake machinery, composed of zinc transporters and the zincophore Pra1. A proteomic approach was used to define proteins regulated by zinc deprivation. Cell wall remodeling, changes in neutral lipids homeostasis, and activation of the antioxidant system were the main strategies for survival in the hostile environment. Furthermore, the downregulation of enzymes required for sulfate assimilation was evident. Together, the adaptive responses allow fungal growth and development and reveals molecules that may be related to fungal persistence in the host.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucas Weba Soares
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Lucas Nojosa Oliveira
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil
| | - Dayane Moraes
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil
| | - Millena Silva Mendes
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil
| | - Célia Maria de Almeida Soares
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Melo Bailão
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil
| | - Mirelle Garcia Silva Bailão
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil
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5
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Blancett LT, Evans HM, Candor K, Buesing WR, Landero Figueroa JA, Deepe GS. Utilization of a Histoplasma capsulatum zinc reporter reveals the complexities of fungal sensing of metal deprivation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.14.567133. [PMID: 38014056 PMCID: PMC10680740 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.14.567133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungal pathogen acquired via inhalation of soil-resident spores. Upon exposure to mammalian body temperatures, these fungal elements transform into yeasts that reside primarily within phagocytes. Macrophages (MΦ) provide a permissive environment for fungal replication until T cell-dependent immunity is engaged. MΦ activated by granulocyte-MΦ colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) induce metallothioneins (MTs) that bind zinc (Zn) and deprive yeast cells of labile Zn, thereby disabling fungal growth. Prior work demonstrated that the high affinity zinc importer, ZRT2, was important for fungal survival in vivo. Hence, we constructed a yeast cell reporter strain that expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of this importer. This reporter accurately responds to medium devoid of Zn. ZRT2 expression increased (∼5-fold) in GM-CSF, but not interferon-γ, stimulated MΦ. To examine the in vivo response, we infected mice with reporter yeasts and assessed ZRT2 expression at 0-, 3-, 7-, and 14-days post-infection (dpi). ZRT2 expression minimally increased at 3-dpi and peaked on 7-dpi, corresponding with onset of adaptive immunity. We discovered that the major phagocyte populations that restrict Zn to the fungus are interstitial MΦ and exudate MΦ. Neutralizing GM-CSF blunted control of infection but unexpectedly increased ZRT2 expression. This increase was dependent on another cytokine that activates MΦ to control H. capsulatum replication, M-CSF. These findings illustrate the reporter's ability to sense Zn in vitro and in vivo and correlate ZRT2 activity with GM-CSF and M-CSF activation of MΦ. Importance Phagocytes use an arsenal of defenses to control replication of Histoplasma yeasts, one of which is limitation of trace metals. On the other hand, H. capsulatum combats metal restriction by upregulating metal importers such as the Zn importer ZRT2. This transporter contributes to H. capsulatum pathogenesis upon activation of adaptive immunity. We constructed a fluorescent ZRT2 reporter to probe H. capsulatum Zn sensing during infection and exposed a role for M-CSF activation of macrophages when GM-CSF is absent. These data highlight the ways in which fungal pathogens sense metal deprivation in vivo and reveal the potential of metal-sensing reporters. The work adds a new dimension to studying how intracellular pathogens sense and respond to the changing environments of the host.
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6
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Alselami A, Drummond RA. How metals fuel fungal virulence, yet promote anti-fungal immunity. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm050393. [PMID: 37905492 PMCID: PMC10629672 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections represent a significant global health problem, and present several clinical challenges, including limited treatment options, increasing rates of antifungal drug resistance and compounding comorbidities in affected patients. Metals, such as copper, iron and zinc, are critical for various biological and cellular processes across phyla. In mammals, these metals are important determinants of immune responses, but pathogenic microbes, including fungi, also require access to these metals to fuel their own growth and drive expression of major virulence traits. Therefore, host immune cells have developed strategies to either restrict access to metals to induce starvation of invading pathogens or deploy toxic concentrations within phagosomes to cause metal poisoning. In this Review, we describe the mechanisms regulating fungal scavenging and detoxification of copper, iron and zinc and the importance of these mechanisms for virulence and infection. We also outline how these metals are involved in host immune responses and the consequences of metal deficiencies or overloads on how the host controls invasive fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alanoud Alselami
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Rebecca A. Drummond
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
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Faiyazuddin M, Sophia A, Ashique S, Gholap AD, Gowri S, Mohanto S, Karthikeyan C, Nag S, Hussain A, Akhtar MS, Bakht MA, Ahmed MG, Rustagi S, Rodriguez-Morales AJ, Salas-Matta LA, Mohanty A, Bonilla-Aldana DK, Sah R. Virulence traits and novel drug delivery strategies for mucormycosis post-COVID-19: a comprehensive review. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1264502. [PMID: 37818370 PMCID: PMC10561264 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1264502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of a fatal black fungus infection after the resurgence of the cadaverous COVID-19 has exhorted scientists worldwide to develop a nutshell by repurposing or designing new formulations to address the crisis. Patients expressing COVID-19 are more susceptible to Mucormycosis (MCR) and thus fall easy prey to decease accounting for this global threat. Their mortality rates range around 32-70% depending on the organs affected and grow even higher despite the treatment. The many contemporary recommendations strongly advise using liposomal amphotericin B and surgery as first-line therapy whenever practicable. MCR is a dangerous infection that requires an antifungal drug administration on appropriate prescription, typically one of the following: Amphotericin B, Posaconazole, or Isavuconazole since the fungi that cause MCR are resistant to other medications like fluconazole, voriconazole, and echinocandins. Amphotericin B and Posaconazole are administered through veins (intravenously), and isavuconazole by mouth (orally). From last several years so many compounds are developed against invasive fungal disease but only few of them are able to induce effective treatment against the micorals. Adjuvant medicines, more particularly, are difficult to assess without prospective randomized controlled investigations, which are challenging to conduct given the lower incidence and higher mortality from Mucormycosis. The present analysis provides insight into pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, underlying fungal virulence, and growth mechanisms. In addition, current therapy for MCR in Post Covid-19 individuals includes conventional and novel nano-based advanced management systems for procuring against deadly fungal infection. The study urges involving nanomedicine to prevent fungal growth at the commencement of infection, delay the progression, and mitigate fatality risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Faiyazuddin
- School of Pharmacy, Al – Karim University, Katihar, Bihar, India
- Nano Drug Delivery®, Raleigh-Durham, NC, United States
| | - A. Sophia
- PG & Research Department of Physics, Cauvery College for Women (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sumel Ashique
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Pandaveswar School of Pharmacy, Pandaveswar, West Bengal, India
| | - Amol D. Gholap
- Department of Pharmaceutics, St. John Institute of Pharmacy and Research, Palghar, Maharashtra, India
| | - S. Gowri
- PG & Research Department of Physics, Cauvery College for Women (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sourav Mohanto
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Yenepoya Pharmacy College & Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - C. Karthikeyan
- Department of Chemical & Biochemical Engineering, Dongguk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sagnik Nag
- Department of Bio-Sciences, School of Biosciences & Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Arif Hussain
- School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammad Shabib Akhtar
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Md. Afroz Bakht
- Chemistry Department, College of Science and Humanity Studies, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Gulzar Ahmed
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Yenepoya Pharmacy College & Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Sarvesh Rustagi
- School of Applied and Life Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales
- Grupo de Investigación Biomedicina, Faculty of Medicine, Fundación Universitaria Autónoma de las Américas—Institución Universitaria Visión de las Américas, Pereira, Colombia
- Faculties of Health Sciences and Environmental Sciences, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Luis Andres Salas-Matta
- Faculties of Health Sciences and Environmental Sciences, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru
| | - Aroop Mohanty
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Gorakhpur, India
| | | | - Ranjit Sah
- Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, DY Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, India
- Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Wardha, India
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8
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Bose S, Singh DV, Adhya TK, Acharya N. Escherichia coli, but Not Staphylococcus aureus, Functions as a Chelating Agent That Exhibits Antifungal Activity against the Pathogenic Yeast Candida albicans. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9030286. [PMID: 36983454 PMCID: PMC10057578 DOI: 10.3390/jof9030286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans are colonized by diverse populations of microbes. Infections by Candida albicans, an opportunistic fungal pathogen, are a result of imbalances in the gut microbial ecosystem and are due to the suppressed immunity of the host. Here, we explored the potential effects of the polymicrobial interactions of C. albicans with Staphylococcus aureus, a Gram-positive bacterium, and Escherichia coli, a Gram-negative bacterium, in dual and triple in vitro culture systems on their respective growth, morphology, and biofilms. We found that S. aureus promoted the fungal growth and hyphal transition of C. albicans through cell-to-cell contacts; contrarily, both the cell and cell-free culture filtrate of E. coli inhibited fungal growth. A yet to be identified secretory metabolite of E. coli functionally mimicked EDTA and EGTA to exhibit antifungal activity. These findings suggested that E. coli, but not S. aureus, functions as a chelating agent and that E. coli plays a dominant role in regulating excessive growth and, potentially, the commensalism of C. albicans. Using animal models of systemic candidiasis, we found that the E. coli cell-free filtrate suppressed the virulence of C. albicans. In general, this study unraveled a significant antimicrobial activity and a potential role in the nutritional immunity of E. coli, and further determining the underlying processes behind the E. coli–C. albicans interaction could provide critical information in understanding the pathogenicity of C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swagata Bose
- Department of Infectious Disease Biology, Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar 751023, India
- KIIT School of Biotechnology, Bhubaneswar 751021, India
| | - Durg Vijai Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Earth, Biological and Environmental Sciences, Central University of South Bihar, Gaya 824236, India
| | | | - Narottam Acharya
- Department of Infectious Disease Biology, Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar 751023, India
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +91-674-230-4278; Fax: +91-674-230-0728
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9
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Brown AJP. Fungal resilience and host-pathogen interactions: Future perspectives and opportunities. Parasite Immunol 2023; 45:e12946. [PMID: 35962618 PMCID: PMC10078341 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
We are constantly exposed to the threat of fungal infection. The outcome-clearance, commensalism or infection-depends largely on the ability of our innate immune defences to clear infecting fungal cells versus the success of the fungus in mounting compensatory adaptive responses. As each seeks to gain advantage during these skirmishes, the interactions between host and fungal pathogen are complex and dynamic. Nevertheless, simply compromising the physiological robustness of fungal pathogens reduces their ability to evade antifungal immunity, their virulence, and their tolerance against antifungal therapy. In this article I argue that this physiological robustness is based on a 'Resilience Network' which mechanistically links and controls fungal growth, metabolism, stress resistance and drug tolerance. The elasticity of this network probably underlies the phenotypic variability of fungal isolates and the heterogeneity of individual cells within clonal populations. Consequently, I suggest that the definition of the fungal Resilience Network represents an important goal for the future which offers the clear potential to reveal drug targets that compromise drug tolerance and synergise with current antifungal therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alistair J P Brown
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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10
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Gupta A, Dubey P, Kumar M, Roy A, Sharma D, Khan MM, Bajpai AB, Shukla RP, Pathak N, Hasanuzzaman M. Consequences of Arsenic Contamination on Plants and Mycoremediation-Mediated Arsenic Stress Tolerance for Sustainable Agriculture. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:plants11233220. [PMID: 36501260 PMCID: PMC9735799 DOI: 10.3390/plants11233220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic contamination in water and soil is becoming a severe problem. It is toxic to the environment and human health. It is usually found in small quantities in rock, soil, air, and water which increase due to natural and anthropogenic activities. Arsenic exposure leads to several diseases such as vascular disease, including stroke, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral vascular disease, and also increases the risk of liver, lungs, kidneys, and bladder tumors. Arsenic leads to oxidative stress that causes an imbalance in the redox system. Mycoremediation approaches can potentially reduce the As level near the contaminated sites and are procuring popularity as being eco-friendly and cost-effective. Many fungi have specific metal-binding metallothionein proteins, which are used for immobilizing the As concentration from the soil, thereby removing the accumulated As in crops. Some fungi also have other mechanisms to reduce the As contamination, such as biosynthesis of glutathione, cell surface precipitation, bioaugmentation, biostimulation, biosorption, bioaccumulation, biovolatilization, methylation, and chelation of As. Arsenic-resistant fungi and recombinant yeast have a significant potential for better elimination of As from contaminated areas. This review discusses the relationship between As exposure, oxidative stress, and signaling pathways. We also explain how to overcome the detrimental effects of As contamination through mycoremediation, unraveling the mechanism of As-induced toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anmol Gupta
- IIRC-3, Plant-Microbe Interaction and Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Integral University, Lucknow 226026, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Priya Dubey
- CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel
- Correspondence: (M.K.); (M.H.)
| | - Aditi Roy
- CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Deeksha Sharma
- Plant Molecular Biology Laboratory, CSIR National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Mohammad Mustufa Khan
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Integral Institute of Allied Health Sciences & Research (IIAHS&R), Integral University, Lucknow 226026, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Atal Bihari Bajpai
- Department of Botany, D.B.S. (PG) College, Dehradun 248001, Uttarakhand, India
| | | | - Neelam Pathak
- Department of Biochemistry, Dr. Rammanohar Lohia Avadh University, Ayodhya 224001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Mirza Hasanuzzaman
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
- Correspondence: (M.K.); (M.H.)
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Mahajan N, Khan NA, Khatri A, Bano S, Gupta CR, Sengar M, Saigal K, Chattopadhyay A, Gupta N. Gastrointestinal mucormycosis in the pediatric age group: an evolving disease. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2022; 15:323-331. [PMID: 36106073 PMCID: PMC9441857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mucormycosis is a devastating opportunistic fungal infection resulting in significant mortality, especially in pediatric patients with predisposing risk factors. MATERIALS & METHODS Biopsies and surgical specimens reported and proven as Mucormycosis in children under 12 years of age were retrieved from the records for three years (January 2018 to January 2021). Complete data, predisposing factors, treatment, and clinical outcome were recorded. RESULTS 15 cases were identified, ranging from 9 days to 5 years. The male-female ratio was 3:1; three children were preterm. Fourteen children were diagnosed with gastrointestinal Mucormycosis (14/15), and one had palatal and sinusoidal involvement. Abdominal pain with distention was the most typical complaint. On microscopy, biopsies and surgical specimens showed extensive liquefactive necrosis with broad aseptate fungal hyphae. An intraoperative diagnosis was rendered in two cases. All neonates underwent exploratory laparotomy with surgical debridement and were administered Liposomal Amphotericin B. However, only two neonates survived out of the fifteen cases, one with disease limited to the appendix and pouch colon. The others succumbed to the disease despite antifungal therapy and surgical debridement. Thus, the overall mortality in the current study was calculated to be 86%, with neonatal mortality of 75%. CONCLUSION Gastrointestinal involvement is more common in neonates and infants with a male preponderance. The diagnosis relies on direct microscopy, histopathology, and fungal culture. Intraoperative tissue may be sent in all suspected cases for direct microscopic examination for rapid diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Mahajan
- Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya Geeta Colony, Delhi 110031, India
| | | | - Arti Khatri
- Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya Geeta Colony, Delhi 110031, India
| | - Shafqat Bano
- Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya Geeta Colony, Delhi 110031, India
| | | | - Mamta Sengar
- Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya Geeta Colony, Delhi 110031, India
| | - Karnika Saigal
- Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya Geeta Colony, Delhi 110031, India
| | | | - Natasha Gupta
- Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya Geeta Colony, Delhi 110031, India
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12
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Kikuta S, Han B, Yoshihara S, Nishijima H, Kondo K, Yamasoba T. High CT Attenuation Values Relative to the Brainstem Predict Fungal Hyphae Within the Sinus. Front Surg 2022; 9:876340. [PMID: 35784936 PMCID: PMC9243468 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.876340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives There is currently no established objective diagnostic indicator for the differentiation of sinus fungal ball (SFB) from unilateral nonfungal chronic sinusitis (UCRS). This study evaluated whether computed tomography (CT) attenuation values relative to those of the brainstem (relative CT number) are useful for differentiating SFB from UCRS. Materials and Methods Consecutive patients who were pathologically diagnosed with SFB or UCRS between 2013 and 2021 were retrospectively identified. The relative CT numbers of region of interest (ROIs) within the sinuses were compared between the two patient groups. Factors with predictive power for differentiating SFBs from UCRSs were identified by uni/multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results One hundred and eighty-three patients with unilateral chronic sinusitis were finally analyzed (SFB, 86 cases; UCRS, 97 cases). Regardless of the presence or absence of calcified lesions, the relative CT numbers in SFB were significantly higher than those in UCRS. ROIs showing high relative CT numbers were those where fungal hyphae were present. In the uni/multivariable logistic regression analysis, age (p < 0.001), relative CT number (p < 0.001), and calcification (p = 0.002) had predictive value for distinguishing SFB from UCRS. Within those cases not showing calcification, age (p = 0.004) and relative CT number (p < 0.001) were predictive factors for differentiating SFB from UCRS. A relative CT number >1.5 was significantly associated with SFB (sensitivity, 70%; specificity, 91%), with a significantly larger area under the receiver operating characteristics curve than age. Conclusions High relative CT numbers within the sinus are strongly associated with the presence of fungal hyphae, and measurement of relative CT number is a powerful adjunctive diagnostic method for distinguishing between SFB and UCRS.
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13
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Guo C, Yang X, Shi H, Chen C, Hu Z, Zheng X, Yang X, Xie C. Identification of VdASP F2-interacting protein as a regulator of microsclerotial formation in Verticillium dahliae. Microb Biotechnol 2022; 15:2040-2054. [PMID: 35478269 PMCID: PMC9249328 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Verticillium dahliae, a notorious phytopathogenic fungus, causes vascular wilt diseases in many plant species. The melanized microsclerotia enable V. dahliae to survive for years in soil and are crucial for its disease cycle. In a previous study, we characterized the secretory protein VdASP F2 from V. dahliae and found that VdASP F2 deletion significantly affected the formation of microsclerotia under adverse environmental conditions. In this study, we clarified that VdASP F2 is localized to the cell wall. However, the underlying mechanism of VdASP F2 in microsclerotial formation remains unclear. Transmembrane ion channel protein VdTRP was identified as a candidate protein that interacts with VdASP F2 using pull‐down assays followed by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) analysis, and interaction of VdASP F2 and VdTRP was confirmed by bimolecular fluorescence complementary and coimmunoprecipitation assays. The deletion mutant was analysed to reveal that VdTRP is required for microsclerotial production, but it is not essential for stress resistance, carbon utilization and pathogenicity of V. dahliae. RNA‐seq revealed some differentially expressed genes related to melanin synthesis and microsclerotial formation were significantly downregulated in the VdTRP deletion mutants. Taken together, these results indicate that VdASP F2 regulates the formation of melanized microsclerotia by interacting with VdTRP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuimei Guo
- The Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Plant Environmental Adaptations, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China.,Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Specialty Crop Resources and The College of Life Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Xing Yang
- The Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Plant Environmental Adaptations, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China.,Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Specialty Crop Resources and The College of Life Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Hongli Shi
- The Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Plant Environmental Adaptations, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China.,Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Specialty Crop Resources and The College of Life Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Chi Chen
- The Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Plant Environmental Adaptations, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China.,Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Specialty Crop Resources and The College of Life Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Zhijuan Hu
- The Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Plant Environmental Adaptations, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China.,Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Specialty Crop Resources and The College of Life Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Xinyao Zheng
- The Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Plant Environmental Adaptations, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China.,Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Specialty Crop Resources and The College of Life Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Xingyong Yang
- College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, China
| | - Chengjian Xie
- The Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Plant Environmental Adaptations, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China.,Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Specialty Crop Resources and The College of Life Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China
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14
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15
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Aron AT, Petras D, Schmid R, Gauglitz JM, Büttel I, Antelo L, Zhi H, Nuccio SP, Saak CC, Malarney KP, Thines E, Dutton RJ, Aluwihare LI, Raffatellu M, Dorrestein PC. Native mass spectrometry-based metabolomics identifies metal-binding compounds. Nat Chem 2022; 14:100-109. [PMID: 34795435 PMCID: PMC8959065 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-021-00803-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Although metals are essential for the molecular machineries of life, systematic methods for discovering metal-small molecule complexes from biological samples are limited. Here, we describe a two-step native electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry method, in which post-column pH adjustment and metal infusion are combined with ion identity molecular networking, a rule-based data analysis workflow. This method enabled the identification of metal-binding compounds in complex samples based on defined mass (m/z) offsets of ion species with the same chromatographic profiles. As this native electrospray metabolomics approach is suited to the use of any liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry system to explore the binding of any metal, this method has the potential to become an essential strategy for elucidating metal-binding molecules in biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allegra T Aron
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Petras
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- CMFI Cluster of Excellence, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Robin Schmid
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Julia M Gauglitz
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Sapient Bioanalytics, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Isabell Büttel
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Microbiology and Wine Research, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Luis Antelo
- Institute of Biotechnology and Drug Research (IBWF gGmbH), Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Hui Zhi
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems & Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sean-Paul Nuccio
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems & Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Christina C Saak
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kien P Malarney
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Eckhard Thines
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Microbiology and Wine Research, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Biotechnology and Drug Research (IBWF gGmbH), Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Rachel J Dutton
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lihini I Aluwihare
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Manuela Raffatellu
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems & Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Chiba University-University of California San Diego Center for Mucosal Immunology, Allergy, and Vaccines (CU-UCSD cMAV), La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Pieter C Dorrestein
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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16
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Ball B, Woroszchuk E, Sukumaran A, West H, Afaq A, Carruthers-Lay D, Muselius B, Gee L, Langille M, Pladwig S, Kazi S, Hendriks A, Geddes-McAlister J. Proteome and secretome profiling of zinc availability in Cryptococcus neoformans identifies Wos2 as a subtle influencer of fungal virulence determinants. BMC Microbiol 2021; 21:341. [PMID: 34903172 PMCID: PMC8667453 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-021-02410-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fungal infections impact over 25% of the global population. For the opportunistic fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans, infection leads to cryptococcosis. In the presence of the host, disease is enabled by elaboration of sophisticated virulence determinants, including polysaccharide capsule, melanin, thermotolerance, and extracellular enzymes. Conversely, the host protects itself from fungal invasion by regulating and sequestering transition metals (e.g., iron, zinc, copper) important for microbial growth and survival. RESULTS Here, we explore the intricate relationship between zinc availability and fungal virulence via mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics. We observe a core proteome along with a distinct zinc-regulated protein-level signature demonstrating a shift away from transport and ion binding under zinc-replete conditions towards transcription and metal acquisition under zinc-limited conditions. In addition, we revealed a novel connection among zinc availability, thermotolerance, as well as capsule and melanin production through the detection of a Wos2 ortholog in the secretome under replete conditions. CONCLUSIONS Overall, we provide new biological insight into cellular remodeling at the protein level of C. neoformans under regulated zinc conditions and uncover a novel connection between zinc homeostasis and fungal virulence determinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Ball
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - E Woroszchuk
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - A Sukumaran
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - H West
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - A Afaq
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - D Carruthers-Lay
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - B Muselius
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - L Gee
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - M Langille
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - S Pladwig
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - S Kazi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - A Hendriks
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - J Geddes-McAlister
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada.
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17
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Dai P, Lv Y, Gong X, Han J, Gao P, Xu H, Zhang Y, Zhang X. RNA-Seq Analysis of the Effect of Zinc Deficiency on Microsporum canis, ZafA Gene Is Important for Growth and Pathogenicity. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:727665. [PMID: 34604111 PMCID: PMC8481874 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.727665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Microsporum canis, a common pathogenic skin fungus, can cause dermatophytosis in humans and animals. Zinc is an important trace element and plays an important role in the growth and metabolism of fungi. Currently, the effects of zinc deficiency on growth, gene expression, and metabolic pathway have not been clarified in M. canis. Therefore, M. canis was cultured under zinc restriction, and RNA-Seq was conducted in this study. The growth of M. canis was severely inhibited, and many genes showed significant upregulation and downregulation in M. canis with zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency could negatively affect the gene expression and biological metabolic pathway in M. canis. The zinc-responsiveness transcriptional activator (ZafA) gene was significantly upregulated and shared homology with Zap1. Thus, the ZafA gene might be the main transcription factor regulating M. canis zinc homeostasis. The ZafA gene knockout strain, ZafA-hph, was constructed via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) in M. canis for the first time to assess its function. In vitro growth ability, hair biodegradation ability, virulence test, and zinc absorption capacity in ZafA-hph and wild-type M. canis strains were compared. Results showed that the ZafA gene plays an important role in zinc absorption, expression of zinc transporter genes, and growth and pathogenicity in M. canis and can be used as a new drug target. Cutting off the zinc absorption pathway can be used as a way to prevent and control infection in M. canis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengxiu Dai
- The College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, China
| | - Yangou Lv
- The College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, China
| | - Xiaowen Gong
- The College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, China
| | - Jianye Han
- The Animal Health Supervision Institute of Xi'an, Xi'an, China
| | - Peng Gao
- The Animal Health Supervision Institute of Yanta, Xi'an, China
| | - Haojie Xu
- The College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, China
| | - Yihua Zhang
- The College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, China
| | - Xinke Zhang
- The College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, China
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Jy Ong J, Cy Chan A, Sharma AK, Sharma S, Sharma VK. The mucormycosis epidemic within COVID-19 pandemic- lessons from India. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 97:4-5. [PMID: 34371133 PMCID: PMC8349392 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Jy Ong
- Department of Medicine, National University Hospital and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Amanda Cy Chan
- Department of Medicine, National University Hospital and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Arvind K Sharma
- Department of Neurology, Zydus Hospitals, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Sanjay Sharma
- Department of Neurology, Ramkrishna Care Hospitals, Raipur, India
| | - Vijay K Sharma
- Department of Medicine, National University Hospital and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
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19
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Alamir OF, Oladele RO, Ibe C. Nutritional immunity: targeting fungal zinc homeostasis. Heliyon 2021; 7:e07805. [PMID: 34466697 PMCID: PMC8384899 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Transition metals, such as Zn2+, are essential dietary constituents of all biological life, including mammalian hosts and the pathogens that infect them. Therefore, to thrive and cause infection, pathogens must successfully assimilate these elements from the host milieu. Consequently, mammalian immunity has evolved to actively restrict and/or pool metals to toxic concentrations in an effort to attenuate microbial pathogenicity - a process termed nutritional immunity. Despite host-induced Zn2+ nutritional immunity, pathogens such as Candida albicans, are still capable of causing disease and thus must be equipped with robust Zn2+ sensory, uptake and detoxification machinery. This review will discuss the strategies employed by mammalian hosts to limit Zn2+ during infection, and the subsequent fungal interventions that counteract Zn2+ nutritional immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omran F Alamir
- Department of Natural Sciences, College of Health Sciences, The Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, Al Asimah, Kuwait
| | - Rita O Oladele
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
| | - C Ibe
- Department of Microbiology, Abia State University, PMB 2000, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria
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20
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Priyadarshini E, Priyadarshini SS, Cousins BG, Pradhan N. Metal-Fungus interaction: Review on cellular processes underlying heavy metal detoxification and synthesis of metal nanoparticles. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 274:129976. [PMID: 33979913 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.129976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The most adverse outcome of increasing industrialization is contamination of the ecosystem with heavy metals. Toxic heavy metals possess a deleterious effect on all forms of biota; however, they affect the microbial system directly. These heavy metals form complexes with the microbial system by forming covalent and ionic bonds and affecting them at the cellular level and biochemical and molecular levels, ultimately leading to mutation affecting the microbial population. Microbes, in turn, have developed efficient resistance mechanisms to cope with metal toxicity. This review focuses on the vital tolerance mechanisms employed by the fungus to resist the toxicity caused by heavy metals. The tolerance mechanisms have been basically categorized into biosorption, bioaccumulation, biotransformation, and efflux of metal ions. The mechanisms of tolerance to some toxic metals as copper, arsenic, zinc, cadmium, and nickel have been discussed. The article summarizes and provides a detailed illustration of the tolerance means with specific examples in each case. Exposure of metals to fungal cells leads to a response that may lead to the formation of metal nanoparticles to overcome the toxicity by immobilization in less toxic forms. Therefore, fungal-mediated green synthesis of metal nanoparticles, their mechanism of synthesis, and applications have also been discussed. An understanding of how fungus resists metal toxicity can provide insights into the development of adaption techniques and methodologies for detoxification and removal of metals from the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eepsita Priyadarshini
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751013, India
| | - Sushree Sangita Priyadarshini
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751013, India; Environment & Sustainability Department, CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751013, India
| | - Brian G Cousins
- Biomaterials & Nanoscience, Interdisciplinary Science Centre from Laboratory to Fabrication (Lab2Fab), Loughborough University, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
| | - Nilotpala Pradhan
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751013, India; Environment & Sustainability Department, CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751013, India.
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21
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王 磊, 袁 英, 于 学, 韩 玉, 岳 建, 李 龙, 刘 文. [Analysis of clinical characteristics of fungal ball in unilateral maxillary sinus]. LIN CHUANG ER BI YAN HOU TOU JING WAI KE ZA ZHI = JOURNAL OF CLINICAL OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY, HEAD, AND NECK SURGERY 2021; 35:328-332. [PMID: 33794631 PMCID: PMC10128434 DOI: 10.13201/j.issn.2096-7993.2021.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Objective:The aim of this study is to investigate the pathological characteristics of unilateralmaxillary sinus fungus ball(UMFB) in order to improve the accuracy of clinical diagnosis. Methods:A total of 86 patients with unilateral maxillary sinus lesions who underwent nasal endoscopic surgery in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University(Qingdao) from January 2017 to June 2019 were included. Those patients were confirmed UMFB or unilateral chronic maxillary sinusitis(UCMS) by pathology. The characteristics including age, sex, diabetes mellitus or no, CT features of the diseased maxillary sinus and GOSS osteitis score of the posterolateral wall of the maxillary sinus were analyzed, and the differences between the two groups were compared. CT features include: ①intralesional hyperdensity(calcification); ②maxillary sinus full haziness with or without mass effect; ③the irregular lobulated protruding lesion(fuzzy appearance) or smooth. Chi-square, independent sample t test and Mann-Whitney U test were performed. Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating Characteristic(ROC) curve analysis were used to find the best cutoff value for UMFB diagnosis. Results:Among the 86 cases of unilateral maxillary sinus lesions, 62 cases were UMFB, which accounted for 72.1%, and 24 cases were UCMS, which accounted for 27.9%. UMFB usually occurs in middle-aged and elderly patients, and there are more females than males. There was no statistical difference between the two groups with or without diabetes. In terms of CT characteristics of paranasal sinuses, intergroup comparison and binary Logistic regression analysis, intralesional hyperdensity, maxillary sinus full haziness with mass effect, the irregular lobulated protruding lesion(fuzzy appearance) were significant predictors of MFB(all P<0.05). The score of osteitis in UMFB was significantly higher than that in UCMS(P<0.001). ROC curve analysis showed that when the cutoff value was more than 3.5(the area under the curve was 0.824), the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 0.516 and 0.958, respectively. Conclusion:The age, gender, CT characteristics and maxillary sinus osteitis score can distinguish UMFB from unilateral maxillary sinus chronic inflammation, and improve the accuracy of clinical diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- 磊 王
- 山东大学齐鲁医院(青岛)耳鼻咽喉头颈外科(山东青岛,266035)Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Qilu Hospital[Qingdao], Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266035, China
| | - 英 袁
- 山东大学齐鲁医院(青岛)耳鼻咽喉头颈外科(山东青岛,266035)Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Qilu Hospital[Qingdao], Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266035, China
- 国家卫生健康委员会耳鼻咽喉科学重点实验室(山东大学)NHC Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology[Shandong University]
| | - 学民 于
- 山东大学齐鲁医院(青岛)耳鼻咽喉头颈外科(山东青岛,266035)Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Qilu Hospital[Qingdao], Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266035, China
- 国家卫生健康委员会耳鼻咽喉科学重点实验室(山东大学)NHC Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology[Shandong University]
| | - 玉娥 韩
- 山东大学齐鲁医院(青岛)耳鼻咽喉头颈外科(山东青岛,266035)Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Qilu Hospital[Qingdao], Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266035, China
| | - 建林 岳
- 山东大学齐鲁医院(青岛)耳鼻咽喉头颈外科(山东青岛,266035)Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Qilu Hospital[Qingdao], Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266035, China
- 国家卫生健康委员会耳鼻咽喉科学重点实验室(山东大学)NHC Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology[Shandong University]
| | - 龙 李
- 山东大学齐鲁医院(青岛)耳鼻咽喉头颈外科(山东青岛,266035)Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Qilu Hospital[Qingdao], Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266035, China
| | - 文杰 刘
- 山东大学齐鲁医院(青岛)耳鼻咽喉头颈外科(山东青岛,266035)Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Qilu Hospital[Qingdao], Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266035, China
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Robinson JR, Isikhuemhen OS, Anike FN. Fungal-Metal Interactions: A Review of Toxicity and Homeostasis. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:225. [PMID: 33803838 PMCID: PMC8003315 DOI: 10.3390/jof7030225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Metal nanoparticles used as antifungals have increased the occurrence of fungal-metal interactions. However, there is a lack of knowledge about how these interactions cause genomic and physiological changes, which can produce fungal superbugs. Despite interest in these interactions, there is limited understanding of resistance mechanisms in most fungi studied until now. We highlight the current knowledge of fungal homeostasis of zinc, copper, iron, manganese, and silver to comprehensively examine associated mechanisms of resistance. Such mechanisms have been widely studied in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but limited reports exist in filamentous fungi, though they are frequently the subject of nanoparticle biosynthesis and targets of antifungal metals. In most cases, microarray analyses uncovered resistance mechanisms as a response to metal exposure. In yeast, metal resistance is mainly due to the down-regulation of metal ion importers, utilization of metallothionein and metallothionein-like structures, and ion sequestration to the vacuole. In contrast, metal resistance in filamentous fungi heavily relies upon cellular ion export. However, there are instances of resistance that utilized vacuole sequestration, ion metallothionein, and chelator binding, deleting a metal ion importer, and ion storage in hyphal cell walls. In general, resistance to zinc, copper, iron, and manganese is extensively reported in yeast and partially known in filamentous fungi; and silver resistance lacks comprehensive understanding in both.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Omoanghe S. Isikhuemhen
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, 1601 East Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA; (J.R.R.); (F.N.A.)
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Liu J, Ling Z, Wang J, Xiang T, Xu L, Gu C, Liu R, Xu J, Xu C, Zhou W, Liu Y, Jin Z, Wan Y. In vitro transcriptomes analysis identifies some special genes involved in pathogenicity difference of the Beauveria bassiana against different insect hosts. Microb Pathog 2021; 154:104824. [PMID: 33691180 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.104824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Typical entomopathogenic filamentous fungi such as Beauveria bassiana infect susceptible hosts via penetration of insect cuticle. The pathogenicity of B. bassiana strain to diverse insect hosts is different. While the molecular mechanisms of B. bassiana adapt to different insects are not well clear. B. bassiana GXsk1011 is a hyper-virulent strain from silkworm, which was investigated on the metabolic responses to three cuticle extracts of Bombyx mori, Helicoverpa armigera and Clanis bilineata at 24 h by RNA-seq method. A total of 638 up- and 400 down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in B. bassiana grown on H. armigera compared with B. mori, and 910 up- and 401 down-regulated genes for C. bilineata compared with B. mori. Functional categorization showed that DEGs are mainly involved in metabolic processes, localization, catalytic activity and transporter activity. Analysis of 20 highest fold change genes in DEGs showed that when B. bassiana transferred to non-original hosts as H. armigera and C. bilineata, the adhesion (Mad1), protease (Pr2) and cell surface protein (BBA_09174), etc. were down-regulated. While the class III chitinase ChiA2 (BBA_05353, Bbchi-17), major allergen Asp f 2-like protein (BBA_05395, Bb-f2) and nonribosomal peptide synthase, etc. were up-regulated. The secretory lipase that responded to H. armigera and the phosphate permease responded to C. bilineata were also up-regulated in the Top 20 DEGs. These special expressed genes indicate when the B. bassiana transferred to non-original hosts (or called as non-natural hosts), the strain appeared the changes of metabolic response and infection strategies to adapt to new hosts, and implied the key actions of infected adaptation were to break the barrier of different cuticle chitin component and against the immune stress of hosts. This study provided an insight into the B. bassiana that with wide host ranges how to adapt to infect different insect hosts, which will help us to further understand the pathogenesis of B. bassiana infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Pathology and Applied Microbiology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Ziqi Ling
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Pathology and Applied Microbiology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Jingjie Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China
| | - Tingting Xiang
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Pathology and Applied Microbiology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Liang Xu
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Pathology and Applied Microbiology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Caixia Gu
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Pathology and Applied Microbiology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Pathology and Applied Microbiology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Pathology and Applied Microbiology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Cailing Xu
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Pathology and Applied Microbiology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Pathology and Applied Microbiology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Pathology and Applied Microbiology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Zhixiong Jin
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China
| | - Yongji Wan
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Pathology and Applied Microbiology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China.
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Sukumaran A, Pladwig S, Geddes-McAlister J. Zinc limitation in Klebsiella pneumoniae profiled by quantitative proteomics influences transcriptional regulation and cation transporter-associated capsule production. BMC Microbiol 2021; 21:43. [PMID: 33568055 PMCID: PMC7874612 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-021-02091-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Microbial organisms encounter a variety of environmental conditions, including changes to metal ion availability. Metal ions play an important role in many biological processes for growth and survival. As such, microbes alter their cellular protein levels and secretion patterns in adaptation to a changing environment. This study focuses on Klebsiella pneumoniae, an opportunistic bacterium responsible for nosocomial infections. By using K. pneumoniae, we aim to determine how a nutrient-limited environment (e.g., zinc depletion) modulates the cellular proteome and secretome of the bacterium. By testing virulence in vitro, we provide novel insight into bacterial responses to limited environments in the presence of the host. Results Analysis of intra- and extracellular changes identified 2380 proteins from the total cellular proteome (cell pellet) and 246 secreted proteins (supernatant). Specifically, HutC, a repressor of the histidine utilization operon, showed significantly increased abundance under zinc-replete conditions, which coincided with an expected reduction in expression of genes within the hut operon from our validating qRT-PCR analysis. Additionally, we characterized a putative cation transport regulator, ChaB that showed significantly higher abundance under zinc-replete vs. -limited conditions, suggesting a role in metal ion homeostasis. Phenotypic analysis of a chaB deletion strain demonstrated a reduction in capsule production, zinc-dependent growth and ion utilization, and reduced virulence when compared to the wild-type strain. Conclusions This is first study to comprehensively profile the impact of zinc availability on the proteome and secretome of K. pneumoniae and uncover a novel connection between zinc transport and capsule production in the bacterial system. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12866-021-02091-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Sukumaran
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - S Pladwig
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - J Geddes-McAlister
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada.
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25
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Contrasting Role of Fungal Siderophore in Metal Ion Complex Formation. Fungal Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-53077-8_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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26
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Assunção LDP, Moraes D, Soares LW, Silva-Bailão MG, de Siqueira JG, Baeza LC, Báo SN, Soares CMDA, Bailão AM. Insights Into Histoplasma capsulatum Behavior on Zinc Deprivation. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:573097. [PMID: 33330123 PMCID: PMC7734293 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.573097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Histoplasma capsulatum is a thermodimorphic fungus that causes histoplasmosis, a mycosis of global incidence. The disease is prevalent in temperate and tropical regions such as North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. It is known that during infection macrophages restrict Zn availability to H. capsulatum as a microbicidal mechanism. In this way the present work aimed to study the response of H. capsulatum to zinc deprivation. In silico analyses showed that H. capsulatum has eight genes related to zinc homeostasis ranging from transcription factors to CDF and ZIP family transporters. The transcriptional levels of ZAP1, ZRT1, and ZRT2 were induced under zinc-limiting conditions. The decrease in Zn availability increases fungicidal macrophage activity. Proteomics analysis during zinc deprivation at 24 and 48 h showed 265 proteins differentially expressed at 24 h and 68 at 48 h. Proteins related to energy production pathways, oxidative stress, and cell wall remodeling were regulated. The data also suggested that low metal availability increases the chitin and glycan content in fungal cell wall that results in smoother cell surface. Metal restriction also induces oxidative stress triggered, at least in part, by reduction in pyridoxin synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro do Prado Assunção
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences II, Federal University of Goias (UFG), Goiania, Brazil
| | - Dayane Moraes
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences II, Federal University of Goias (UFG), Goiania, Brazil
| | - Lucas Weba Soares
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences II, Federal University of Goias (UFG), Goiania, Brazil
| | - Mirelle Garcia Silva-Bailão
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences II, Federal University of Goias (UFG), Goiania, Brazil
| | - Janaina Gomes de Siqueira
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences II, Federal University of Goias (UFG), Goiania, Brazil
| | - Lilian Cristiane Baeza
- Laboratory of Experimental Microbiology, State University of Western Paraná (Unioeste), Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Sônia Nair Báo
- Microscopy and Microanalysis Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Brasília University (UnB), Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Célia Maria de Almeida Soares
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences II, Federal University of Goias (UFG), Goiania, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Melo Bailão
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences II, Federal University of Goias (UFG), Goiania, Brazil
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27
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Gonçalves LNC, Costa-Orlandi CB, Bila NM, Vaso CO, Da Silva RAM, Mendes-Giannini MJS, Taylor ML, Fusco-Almeida AM. Biofilm Formation by Histoplasma capsulatum in Different Culture Media and Oxygen Atmospheres. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1455. [PMID: 32754126 PMCID: PMC7365857 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus that causes an important systemic mycosis called histoplasmosis. It is an infectious disease with high prevalence and morbidity that affects the general population. Recently, the ability of these fungi to form biofilms, a phenotype that can induce resistance and enhance virulence, has been described. Despite some efforts, data regarding the impact of nutrients and culture media that affect the H. capsulatum biofilm development in vitro are not yet available. This work aimed to study H. capsulatum biofilms, by checking the influence of different culture media and oxygen atmospheres in the development of these communities. The biofilm formation by two strains (EH-315 and G186A) was characterized under different culture media: [Brain and Heart Infusion (BHI), Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) with 2% glucose, Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and nutrient medium HAM-F12 (HAM-F12) supplemented with glucose (18.2 g/L), glutamic acid (1 g/L), HEPES (6 g/L) and L-cysteine (8.4 mg/L)] and oxygen atmospheres (aerobiosis and microaerophilia), using the XTT reduction assay to quantify metabolic activities, crystal violet staining for biomass, safranin staining for the quantification of polysaccharide material and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the observation of topographies. Results indicated that although all culture mediums have stimulated the maturation of the communities, HAM-F12 provided the best development of biomass and polysaccharide material when compared to others. Regarding the oxygen atmospheres, both stimulated an excellent development of the communities, however in low oxygen conditions an exuberant amount of extracellular matrix was observed when compared to biofilms formed in aerobiosis, mainly in the HAM-F12 media. SEM images showed yeasts embedded by an extracellular matrix in several points, corroborating the colorimetric assays. However, biofilms formed in BHI, RPMI, and DMEM significantly induced yeast to hyphae reversal, requiring further investigation. The results obtained so far contribute to in vitro study of biofilms formed by these fungi and show that nutrition promoted by different media modifies the development of these communities. These data represent advances in the field of biofilms and contribute to future studies that can prove the role of these communities in the fungi-host interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Caroline Barcelos Costa-Orlandi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Clinical Analysis, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Níura Madalena Bila
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Clinical Analysis, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil.,School of Veterinary, Department of Para Clinic, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Carolina Orlando Vaso
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Clinical Analysis, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
| | | | | | - Maria Lucia Taylor
- School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ana Marisa Fusco-Almeida
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Clinical Analysis, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
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Beekman CN, Ene IV. Short-term evolution strategies for host adaptation and drug escape in human fungal pathogens. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008519. [PMID: 32407384 PMCID: PMC7224449 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chapman N. Beekman
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Iuliana V. Ene
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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The Transcriptional Aftermath in Two Independently Formed Hybrids of the Opportunistic Pathogen Candida orthopsilosis. mSphere 2020; 5:5/3/e00282-20. [PMID: 32376704 PMCID: PMC7203458 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00282-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
How new pathogens emerge is an important question that remains largely unanswered. Some emerging yeast pathogens are hybrids originated through the crossing of two different species, but how hybridization contributes to higher virulence is unclear. Here, we show that hybrids selectively retain gene regulation plasticity inherited from the two parents and that this plasticity affects genes involved in virulence. Interspecific hybridization can drive evolutionary adaptation to novel environments. The Saccharomycotina clade of budding yeasts includes many hybrid lineages, and hybridization has been proposed as a source for new pathogenic species. Candida orthopsilosis is an emerging opportunistic pathogen for which most clinical isolates are hybrids, each derived from one of at least four independent crosses between the same two parental lineages. To gain insight into the transcriptomic aftermath of hybridization in these pathogens, we analyzed allele-specific gene expression in two independently formed hybrid strains and in a homozygous strain representative of one parental lineage. Our results show that the effect of hybridization on overall gene expression is rather limited, affecting ∼4% of the genes studied. However, we identified a larger effect in terms of imbalanced allelic expression, affecting ∼9.5% of the heterozygous genes in the hybrids. This effect was larger in the hybrid with more extensive loss of heterozygosity, which may indicate a tendency to avoid loss of heterozygosity in these genes. Consistently, the number of shared genes with allele-specific expression in the two independently formed hybrids was higher than random expectation, suggesting selective retention. Some of the imbalanced genes have functions related to pathogenicity, including zinc transport and superoxide dismutase activities. While it remains unclear whether the observed imbalanced genes play a role in virulence, our results suggest that differences in allele-specific expression may add an additional layer of phenotypic plasticity to traits related to virulence in C. orthopsilosis hybrids. IMPORTANCE How new pathogens emerge is an important question that remains largely unanswered. Some emerging yeast pathogens are hybrids originated through the crossing of two different species, but how hybridization contributes to higher virulence is unclear. Here, we show that hybrids selectively retain gene regulation plasticity inherited from the two parents and that this plasticity affects genes involved in virulence.
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T Cell Antifungal Immunity and the Role of C-Type Lectin Receptors. Trends Immunol 2019; 41:61-76. [PMID: 31813764 PMCID: PMC7427322 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2019.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Fungi can cause disease in humans, from mucocutaneous to life-threatening systemic infections. Initiation of antifungal immunity involves fungal recognition by pattern recognition receptors such as C-type lectin receptors (CLRs). These germline-encoded receptors trigger a multitude of innate responses including phagocytosis, fungal killing, and antigen presentation which can also shape the development of adaptive immunity. Recently, studies have shed light on how CLRs directly or indirectly modulate lymphocyte function. Moreover, CLR-mediated recognition of commensal fungi maintains homeostasis and prevents invasion from opportunistic commensals. We present an overview of current knowledge of antifungal T cell immune responses, with emphasis on the role of C-type lectins, and discuss how these receptors modulate these responses at different levels. CLRs are essential pattern recognition receptors involved in fungal recognition and initiation of protective antifungal immunity. CLRs promote the differentiation of mammalian T helper cell subsets essential for the control of systemic (Th1) and mucosal (Th17) fungal infections. CLRs are involved in antigen presentation, the expression of co-stimulatory molecules, and cytokine secretion; therefore, they can regulate lymphocyte function and adaptive immune responses at different levels. Fungal morphological changes, such as the transition from yeast to hyphae in Candida albicans during tissue invasion, affects recognition by CLRs and impacts on adaptive immune responses. CLRs recognize the fungal component of the microbiome that can influence T cell responses during infection at intestinal and peripheral sites.
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Martha-Paz AM, Eide D, Mendoza-Cózatl D, Castro-Guerrero NA, Aréchiga-Carvajal ET. Zinc uptake in the Basidiomycota: Characterization of zinc transporters in Ustilago maydis. Mol Membr Biol 2019; 35:39-50. [PMID: 31617434 PMCID: PMC6816022 DOI: 10.1080/09687688.2019.1667034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
At present, the planet faces a change in the composition and bioavailability of nutrients. Zinc deficiency is a widespread problem throughout the world. It is imperative to understand the mechanisms that organisms use to adapt to the deficiency of this micronutrient. In the Ascomycetes fungi, the ZIP family of proteins is one of the most important for zinc transport and includes high affinity Zrt1p and low zinc affinity Zrt2p transporters. After identification and characterization of ZRT1/ZRT2-like genes in Ustilago maydis we conclude that they encode for high and low zinc affinity transporters, with no apparent iron transport activity. These conclusions were supported by the gene deletion in Ustilago and the functional characterization of ZRT1/ZRT2-like genes by measuring the intracellular zinc content over a range of zinc availability. The functional complementation of the S. cerevisiae ZRT1Δ ZRT2Δ mutant with U. maydis genes supports this as well. U. maydis ZRT2 gene, was found to be regulated by pH through Rim101 pathway, thus providing novel insights into how this Basidiomycota fungus can adapt to different levels of Zn availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana M. Martha-Paz
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, UANL, Facultad Ciencias Biológicas, LMYF, Unidad de Manipulación Genética, Unidad C. Av. Universidad S/N Cd. Universitaria, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León. México. C.P. 66451
| | - David Eide
- University of Wisconsin-Madison. Department of Nutritional Sciences. 1415 Linden Drive, Madison WI, USA 53706
| | - David Mendoza-Cózatl
- Division of Plant Sciences, C.S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA 65211
| | - Norma A. Castro-Guerrero
- Division of Plant Sciences, C.S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA 65211
| | - Elva T. Aréchiga-Carvajal
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, UANL, Facultad Ciencias Biológicas, LMYF, Unidad de Manipulación Genética, Unidad C. Av. Universidad S/N Cd. Universitaria, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León. México. C.P. 66451
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32
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Cha H, Song Y, Bae YJ, Won TB, Kim JW, Cho SW, Rhee CS. Clinical Characteristics Other Than Intralesional Hyperdensity May Increase the Preoperative Diagnostic Accuracy of Maxillary Sinus Fungal Ball. Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol 2019; 13:157-163. [PMID: 31674170 PMCID: PMC7248610 DOI: 10.21053/ceo.2019.00836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of maxillary sinus fungus ball (MFB) to increase the preoperative diagnostic accuracy. Methods A retrospective review of 247 patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery for unilateral maxillary sinusitis from January 2015 to December 2017 at a single institution was performed. Patients with pathologically proven MFB were compared to those with unilateral chronic maxillary sinusitis (CMS). Patient demographics and computed tomography (CT) findings were evaluated. The CT features were categorized as intralesional hyperdensity (calcification), the irregular lobulated protruding lesion (fuzzy appearance), maxillary sinus full haziness without mass effect, maxillary sinus full haziness with mass effect, and others. A regression tree analysis was performed. Results In total, 247 patients were analyzed; among them, 179 (72.5%) had MFB and 68 (27.5%) had CMS. MFB showed predominance in older individuals. Among the radiological features, intralesional hyperdensity was most commonly associated with MFB. The presence of a fuzzy appearance or full opacity with mass effect was also associated with MFB. The highest area under the curve was noted with the regression tree analysis based on the model, which included the presence of intralesional hyperdensity, demographic data (age), and presence of fuzzy appearance or maxillary sinus full haziness with mass effect in case of absence of intralesional hyperdensity (0.904). Conclusion A simple algorithm to optimize the preoperative diagnosis of MFB was developed. Physicians should be aware of such findings in the management of patients presenting with unilateral CMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunkyung Cha
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yoonjae Song
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Yun Jung Bae
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Tae-Bin Won
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeong-Whun Kim
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Sung-Woo Cho
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Chae-Seo Rhee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Shen Q, Beucler MJ, Ray SC, Rappleye CA. Macrophage activation by IFN-γ triggers restriction of phagosomal copper from intracellular pathogens. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007444. [PMID: 30452484 PMCID: PMC6277122 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Copper toxicity and copper limitation can both be effective host defense mechanisms against pathogens. Tolerance of high copper by fungi makes toxicity as a defense mechanism largely ineffective against fungal pathogens. A forward genetic screen for Histoplasma capsulatum mutant yeasts unable to replicate within macrophages showed the Ctr3 copper transporter is required for intramacrophage proliferation. Ctr3 mediates copper uptake and is required for growth in low copper. Transcription of the CTR3 gene is induced by differentiation of H. capsulatum into pathogenic yeasts and by low available copper, but not decreased iron. Low expression of a CTR3 transcriptional reporter by intracellular yeasts implies that phagosomes of non-activated macrophages have moderate copper levels. This is further supported by the replication of Ctr3-deficient yeasts within the phagosome of non-activated macrophages. However, IFN-γ activation of phagocytes causes restriction of phagosomal copper as shown by upregulation of the CTR3 transcriptional reporter and by the failure of Ctr3-deficient yeasts, but not Ctr3 expressing yeasts, to proliferate within these macrophages. Accordingly, in a respiratory model of histoplasmosis, Ctr3-deficient yeasts are fully virulent during phases of the innate immune response but are attenuated after the onset of adaptive immunity. Thus, while technical limitations prevent direct measurement of phagosomal copper concentrations and copper-independent factors can influence gene expression, both the CTR3 promoter induction and the attenuation of Ctr3-deficient yeasts indicate activation of macrophages switches the phagosome from a copper-replete to a copper-depleted environment, forcing H. capsulatum reliance on Ctr3 for copper acquisition. Control of primary pathogens that infect phagocytes often requires adaptive immunity, but the mechanisms that convert host cells from permissive to antimicrobial states are only partially understood. The intracellular fungal pathogen Histoplasma capsulatum resides and proliferates within the macrophage phagosome. During innate immunity, macrophages which normally control fungi prove ineffective against H. capsulatum yeasts. At this stage, the phagosome of unactivated macrophages has ample copper that facilitates intracellular growth of Histoplasma but does not cause copper toxicity. However, the onset of adaptive immunity and the subsequent activation of macrophages decreases phagosomal copper and macrophages become less permissive to Histoplasma proliferation. IFN-γ acts as a key cytokine for switching the macrophage strategy by changing phagosomes from a copper-sufficient to a copper-depleted state in order to control intracellular pathogens. In such activated macrophages, H. capsulatum yeasts upregulate expression of the Ctr3 copper transporter to enable continued acquisition of essential copper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Shen
- Department of Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Matthew J. Beucler
- Department of Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Stephanie C. Ray
- Department of Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Chad A. Rappleye
- Department of Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Ballard E, Melchers WJG, Zoll J, Brown AJP, Verweij PE, Warris A. In-host microevolution of Aspergillus fumigatus: A phenotypic and genotypic analysis. Fungal Genet Biol 2018; 113:1-13. [PMID: 29477713 PMCID: PMC5883321 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
In order to survive, Aspergillus fumigatus must adapt to specific niche environments. Adaptation to the human host includes modifications facilitating persistent colonisation and the development of azole resistance. The aim of this study is to advance understanding of the genetic and physiological adaptation of A. fumigatus in patients during infection and treatment. Thirteen A. fumigatus strains were isolated from a single chronic granulomatous disease patient suffering from persistent and recurrent invasive aspergillosis over a period of 2 years. All strains had identical microsatellite genotypes and were considered isogenic. Whole genome comparisons identified 248 non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms. These non-synonymous mutations have potential to play a role in in-host adaptation. The first 2 strains isolated were azole susceptible, whereas later isolates were itraconazole, voriconazole and/or posaconazole resistant. Growth assays in the presence and absence of various antifungal stressors highlighted minor changes in growth rate and stress resistance, with exception of one isolate showing a significant growth defect. Poor conidiation was observed in later isolates. In certain drug resistant isolates conidiation was restored in the presence of itraconazole. Differences in virulence were observed as demonstrated in a Galleria mellonella infection model. We conclude that the microevolution of A. fumigatus in this patient has driven the emergence of both Cyp51A-independent and Cyp51A-dependent, azole resistance mechanisms, and additional phenotypes that are likely to have promoted fungal persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloise Ballard
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Willem J G Melchers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Centre of Expertise in Mycology, Radboudumc/CWZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Zoll
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Centre of Expertise in Mycology, Radboudumc/CWZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Alistair J P Brown
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Paul E Verweij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Centre of Expertise in Mycology, Radboudumc/CWZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Adilia Warris
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, Aberdeen, UK.
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Ben Yaakov D, Shadkchan Y, Albert N, Kontoyiannis DP, Osherov N. The quinoline bromoquinol exhibits broad-spectrum antifungal activity and induces oxidative stress and apoptosis in Aspergillus fumigatus. J Antimicrob Chemother 2018; 72:2263-2272. [PMID: 28475687 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkx117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Over the last 30 years, the number of invasive fungal infections among immunosuppressed patients has increased significantly, while the number of effective systemic antifungal drugs remains low. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize antifungal compounds that inhibit fungus-specific metabolic pathways not conserved in humans. Methods We screened a diverse compound library for antifungal activity in the pathogenic mould Aspergillus fumigatus . We determined the in vitro activity of bromoquinol by MIC determination against a panel of fungi, bacteria and cell lines. The mode of action of bromoquinol was determined by screening an Aspergillus nidulans overexpression genomic library for resistance-conferring genes and by RNAseq analysis in A. fumigatus . In vivo efficacy was tested in Galleria mellonella and murine models of A. fumigatus infection. Results Screening of a diverse chemical library identified three compounds interfering with fungal iron utilization. The most potent, bromoquinol, shows potent wide-spectrum antifungal activity that was blocked in the presence of exogenous iron. Mode-of-action analysis revealed that overexpression of the dba secondary metabolite cluster gene dbaD , encoding a metabolite transporter, confers bromoquinol resistance in A. nidulans , possibly by efflux. RNAseq analysis and subsequent experimental validation revealed that bromoquinol induces oxidative stress and apoptosis in A. fumigatus . Bromoquinol significantly reduced mortality rates of G. mellonella infected with A. fumigatus , but was ineffective in a murine model of infection. Conclusions Bromoquinol is a promising antifungal candidate with a unique mode of action. Its activity is potentiated by iron starvation, as occurs during in vivo growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dafna Ben Yaakov
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Yana Shadkchan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Nathaniel Albert
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dimitrios P Kontoyiannis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nir Osherov
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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Chasapis CT, Andreini C, Georgiopolou AK, Stefanidou ME, Vlamis-Gardikas A. Identification of the zinc, copper and cadmium metalloproteome of the protozoon Tetrahymena thermophila by systematic bioinformatics. Arch Microbiol 2017; 199:1141-1149. [DOI: 10.1007/s00203-017-1385-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Gallego B, Martos S, Cabot C, Barceló J, Poschenrieder C. Zinc hyperaccumulation substitutes for defense failures beyond salicylate and jasmonate signaling pathways of Alternaria brassicicola attack in Noccaea caerulescens. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2017; 159:401-415. [PMID: 27734509 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.12518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The hypothesis of metal defense as a substitute for a defective biotic stress signaling system in metal hyperaccumulators was tested using the pathosystem Alternaria brassicicola-Noccaea caerulescens under low (2 µM), medium (12 µM) and high (102 µM) Zn supply. Regardless the Zn supply, N. caerulescens responded to fungal attack with the activation of both HMA4 coding for a Zn transporter, and biotic stress signaling pathways. Salicylate, jasmonate, abscisic acid and indoleacetic acid concentrations, as well as biotic stress marker genes (PDF1.2, CHIB, LOX2, PR1 and BGL2) were activated 24 h upon inoculation. Based on the activation of defense genes 24 h after the inoculation an incompatible fungal-plant interaction could be predicted. Nonetheless, in the longer term (7 days) no effective protection against A. brassicicola was achieved in plants exposed to low and medium Zn supply. After 1 week the biotic stress markers were even further increased in these plants, and this compatible interaction was apparently not caused by a failure in the signaling of the fungal attack, but due to the lack of specificity in the type of the activated defense mechanisms. Only plants receiving high Zn exhibited an incompatible fungal interaction. High Zn accumulation in these plants, possibly in cooperation with high glucosinolate concentrations, substituted for the ineffective defense system and the interaction turned into incompatible. In a threshold-type response, these joint effects efficiently hampered fungal spread and, consequently decreased the biotic stress signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berta Gallego
- Plant Physiology Laboratory, Bioscience Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, E-08193, Spain
| | - Soledad Martos
- Plant Physiology Laboratory, Bioscience Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, E-08193, Spain
| | - Catalina Cabot
- Biology Department, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Palma de Mallorca, E-07122, Spain
| | - Juan Barceló
- Plant Physiology Laboratory, Bioscience Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, E-08193, Spain
| | - Charlotte Poschenrieder
- Plant Physiology Laboratory, Bioscience Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, E-08193, Spain
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Nakashige TG, Stephan JR, Cunden LS, Brophy MB, Wommack AJ, Keegan BC, Shearer JM, Nolan EM. The Hexahistidine Motif of Host-Defense Protein Human Calprotectin Contributes to Zinc Withholding and Its Functional Versatility. J Am Chem Soc 2016; 138:12243-51. [PMID: 27541598 PMCID: PMC5038136 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b06845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Human calprotectin (CP, S100A8/S100A9 oligomer, MRP-8/MRP-14 oligomer) is an abundant host-defense protein that is involved in the metal-withholding innate immune response. CP coordinates a variety of divalent first-row transition metal ions, which is implicated in its antimicrobial function, and its ability to sequester nutrient Zn(II) ions from microbial pathogens has been recognized for over two decades. CP has two distinct transition-metal-binding sites formed at the S100A8/S100A9 dimer interface, including a histidine-rich site composed of S100A8 residues His17 and His27 and S100A9 residues His91 and His95. In this study, we report that CP binds Zn(II) at this site using a hexahistidine motif, completed by His103 and His105 of the S100A9 C-terminal tail and previously identified as the high-affinity Mn(II) and Fe(II) coordination site. Zn(II) binding at this unique site shields the S100A9 C-terminal tail from proteolytic degradation by proteinase K. X-ray absorption spectroscopy and Zn(II) competition titrations support the formation of a Zn(II)-His6 motif. Microbial growth studies indicate that the hexahistidine motif is important for preventing microbial Zn(II) acquisition from CP by the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum and the opportunistic human pathogen Candida albicans. The Zn(II)-His6 site of CP expands the known biological coordination chemistry of Zn(II) and provides new insight into how the human innate immune system starves microbes of essential metal nutrients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiki G. Nakashige
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Jules R. Stephan
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Lisa S. Cunden
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Megan Brunjes Brophy
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Andrew J. Wommack
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | | | | | - Elizabeth M. Nolan
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
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Martos S, Gallego B, Cabot C, Llugany M, Barceló J, Poschenrieder C. Zinc triggers signaling mechanisms and defense responses promoting resistance to Alternaria brassicicola in Arabidopsis thaliana. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2016; 249:13-24. [PMID: 27297986 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2016.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Revised: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
According to the elemental defense hypothesis the accumulation of trace elements by plants may substitute for organic defenses, while the joint effects hypothesis proposes that trace elements and organic defenses can have additive or synergistic effects against pathogens or herbivores. To evaluate these hypotheses the response of the pathosystem Alternaria brassicicola-Arabidopsis thaliana to control (2μM) and surplus (12μM) Zn was evaluated using the camalexin deficient mutant pad3-1 and mtp1-1, a mutant with impaired Zn vacuolar storage, along with the corresponding wildtypes. In vitro, a 50% inhibition of fungal growth was achieved by 440μM Zn. A. thaliana leaves could accumulate equivalent concentrations without harm. In fact, surplus Zn enhanced the resistance of A. thaliana to fungal attack in Columbia (Col-0), Wassilewskija (WS), and mtp1-1. However, surplus Zn was unable to protect pad3-1 demonstrating that Zn cannot substitute for camalexin, the main organic defense in A. thaliana. High, non phytotoxic leaf Zn concentrations enhanced the resistance to A. brassicicola of A. thaliana genotypes able to produce camalexin. This was mainly due to Zn-induced enhancement of the JA/ETH signaling pathway leading to enhanced PAD3 expression. These results support the joint effects hypothesis and highlight the importance of adequate Zn supply for reinforced pathogen resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soledad Martos
- Plant Physiology Laboratory, Bioscience Faculty, C/de la Vall Moronta s.n., Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
| | - Berta Gallego
- Plant Physiology Laboratory, Bioscience Faculty, C/de la Vall Moronta s.n., Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
| | - Catalina Cabot
- Biology Department, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Carretera Valldemossa km 7.5, E-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
| | - Mercè Llugany
- Plant Physiology Laboratory, Bioscience Faculty, C/de la Vall Moronta s.n., Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
| | - Juan Barceló
- Plant Physiology Laboratory, Bioscience Faculty, C/de la Vall Moronta s.n., Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
| | - Charlotte Poschenrieder
- Plant Physiology Laboratory, Bioscience Faculty, C/de la Vall Moronta s.n., Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
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The roles of zinc and copper sensing in fungal pathogenesis. Curr Opin Microbiol 2016; 32:128-134. [PMID: 27327380 PMCID: PMC4992176 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2016.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Revised: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Zinc and copper are essential trace elements required for cell function. Nutrient Immunity restricts zinc and copper access and mediates toxicity. Divergent fungi integrate zinc and copper responsive regulons for pathogenesis.
All organisms must secure essential trace nutrients, including iron, zinc, manganese and copper for survival and proliferation. However, these very nutrients are also highly toxic if present at elevated levels. Mammalian immunity has harnessed both the essentiality and toxicity of micronutrients to defend against microbial invasion — processes known collectively as ‘nutritional immunity’. Therefore, pathogenic microbes must possess highly effective micronutrient assimilation and detoxification mechanisms to survive and proliferate within the infected host. In this review we compare and contrast the micronutrient homeostatic mechanisms of Cryptococcus and Candida — yeasts which, despite ancient evolutionary divergence, account for over a million life-threatening infections per year. We focus on two emerging arenas within the host–pathogen battle for essential trace metals: adaptive responses to zinc limitation and copper availability.
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Abstract
The mammalian immune system has evolved sophisticated mechanisms to withhold essential micronutrients from invading pathogens. These processes, collectively known as nutritional immunity serve to limit microbial proliferation and bolster killing of the invader. Successful pathogens, therefore, have developed strategies to counteract nutritional immunity and acquire essential micronutrients in the restrictive environment of the infected host. Here I take advantage of the now large number of sequenced fungal genomes to explore the zinc acquisition strategies of human fungal pathogens and reflect on the evolutionary context of these uptake pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duncan Wilson
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK.
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Espart A, Gil-Moreno S, Palacios Ò, Capdevila M, Atrian S. Understanding the 7-Cys module amplification of C. neoformans metallothioneins: how high capacity Cu-binding polypeptides are built to neutralize host nutritional immunity. Mol Microbiol 2015; 98:977-92. [PMID: 26287377 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans metallothioneins (MTs), CnMT1 and CnMT2, have been identified as essential infectivity and virulence factors of this pathogen. Both MTs are unusually long Cu-thioneins, exhibiting protein architecture and metal-binding abilities compatible with the hypothesis of resulting from three and five tandem repetitions of 7-Cys motives, respectively, each of them folding into Cu5-clusters. Through the study of the Zn(II)- and Cu(I)-binding capabilities of several CnMT1 truncated mutants, we show that a 7-Cys segment of CnMT1 folds into Cu5-species, of additive capacity when joined in tandem. All the obtained Cu-complexes share practically similar architectural features, if judging by their almost equivalent CD fingerprints, and they also share their capacity to restore copper tolerance in MT-devoid yeast cells. Besides the analysis of the modular composition of these long fungal MTs, we evaluate the features of the Cys-rich stretch spacer and flanking sequences that allow the construction of stable metal clusters by adjacent union of binding modules. Overall, our data support a mechanism by which some microbial MTs may have evolved to enlarge their original metal co-ordination capacity under the specific selective pressure of counteracting the Cu-based immunity mechanisms evolved by the infected hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Espart
- Departament de Genètica, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Selene Gil-Moreno
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Cerdanyola de Vallès, Spain
| | - Òscar Palacios
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Cerdanyola de Vallès, Spain
| | - Mercè Capdevila
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Cerdanyola de Vallès, Spain
| | - Sílvia Atrian
- Departament de Genètica, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
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Crawford A, Wilson D. Essential metals at the host-pathogen interface: nutritional immunity and micronutrient assimilation by human fungal pathogens. FEMS Yeast Res 2015; 15:fov071. [PMID: 26242402 PMCID: PMC4629794 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/fov071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of pathogenic microorganisms to assimilate sufficient nutrients for growth within their hosts is a fundamental requirement for pathogenicity. However, certain trace nutrients, including iron, zinc and manganese, are actively withheld from invading pathogens in a process called nutritional immunity. Therefore, successful pathogenic species must have evolved specialized mechanisms in order to adapt to the nutritionally restrictive environment of the host and cause disease. In this review, we discuss recent advances which have been made in our understanding of fungal iron and zinc acquisition strategies and nutritional immunity against fungal infections, and explore the mechanisms of micronutrient uptake by human pathogenic fungi. The human body tightly sequesters essential micronutrients, restricting their access to invading microorganisms, and pathogenic species must counteract this action of ‘nutritional immunity’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Crawford
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medical Sciences, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Duncan Wilson
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medical Sciences, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
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Zabrieski Z, Morrell E, Hortin J, Dimkpa C, McLean J, Britt D, Anderson A. Pesticidal activity of metal oxide nanoparticles on plant pathogenic isolates of Pythium. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2015; 24:1305-1314. [PMID: 26076749 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-015-1505-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
CuO and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) have antimicrobial effects that could lead to formulations as pesticides for agriculture or medicine. The responses of two soil-borne plant pathogenic Pythium isolates to the NPs were studied to determine the potential of these metal oxide NPs as pesticides. Growth of the P. ultimum isolate was more sensitive to CuO NPs than the P. aphanidermatum isolate. Growth in liquid medium with CuO NPs eliminated culturability whereas exposure to ZnO NPs resulted in stasis with growth resuming on transfer to medium lacking NPs. The citrate in the medium used for the growth assays was involved in enhanced release of the toxic metals from the NPs. Both CuO and ZnO NPs affected processes involved in Fe uptake. The NPs reduced levels of Fe-chelating siderophore-like metabolites produced by Pythium hyphae. CuO NPs inhibited, but ZnO NPs increased, ferric reductase activity detected at the mycelial surface. These findings illustrate that the toxicity of the metal oxide NPs towards Pythium was influenced by the medium, especially by the presence of a metal chelator. Environmental factors are likely to alter the pesticide potential of the metal oxide NPs when formulated for agricultural use in soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zac Zabrieski
- Biology Department, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322 5305, USA
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Csr1/Zap1 Maintains Zinc Homeostasis and Influences Virulence in Candida dubliniensis but Is Not Coupled to Morphogenesis. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2015; 14:661-70. [PMID: 26002718 PMCID: PMC4486669 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00078-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 05/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The supply and intracellular homeostasis of trace metals are essential for every living organism. Therefore, the struggle for micronutrients between a pathogen and its host is an important determinant in the infection process. In this work, we focus on the acquisition of zinc by Candida dubliniensis, an emerging pathogen closely related to Candida albicans. We show that the transcription factor Csr1 is essential for C. dubliniensis to regulate zinc uptake mechanisms under zinc limitation: it governs the expression of the zinc transporter genes ZRT1, ZRT2, and ZRT3 and of the zincophore gene PRA1. Exclusively, artificial overexpression of ZRT2 partially rescued the growth defect of a csr1Δ/Δ mutant in a zinc-restricted environment. Importantly, we found that, in contrast to what is seen in C. albicans, Csr1 (also called Zap1) is not a major regulator of dimorphism in C. dubliniensis. However, although a csr1Δ/Δ strain showed normal germ tube formation, we detected a clear attenuation in virulence using an embryonated chicken egg infection model. We conclude that, unlike in C. albicans, Csr1 seems to be a virulence factor of C. dubliniensis that is not coupled to filamentation but is strongly linked to zinc acquisition during pathogenesis.
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Abstract
Only few Candida species, e.g., Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida dubliniensis, and Candida parapsilosis, are successful colonizers of a human host. Under certain circumstances these species can cause infections ranging from superficial to life-threatening disseminated candidiasis. The success of C. albicans, the most prevalent and best studied Candida species, as both commensal and human pathogen depends on its genetic, biochemical, and morphological flexibility which facilitates adaptation to a wide range of host niches. In addition, formation of biofilms provides additional protection from adverse environmental conditions. Furthermore, in many host niches Candida cells coexist with members of the human microbiome. The resulting fungal-bacterial interactions have a major influence on the success of C. albicans as commensal and also influence disease development and outcome. In this chapter, we review the current knowledge of important survival strategies of Candida spp., focusing on fundamental fitness and virulence traits of C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Polke
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany; Department Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany; Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany; Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Ilse D Jacobsen
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany; Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany
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47
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Tristão GB, Assunção LDP, Dos Santos LPA, Borges CL, Silva-Bailão MG, Soares CMDA, Cavallaro G, Bailão AM. Predicting copper-, iron-, and zinc-binding proteins in pathogenic species of the Paracoccidioides genus. Front Microbiol 2015; 5:761. [PMID: 25620964 PMCID: PMC4288321 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 12/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately one-third of all proteins have been estimated to contain at least one metal cofactor, and these proteins are referred to as metalloproteins. These represent one of the most diverse classes of proteins, containing metal ions that bind to specific sites to perform catalytic, regulatory and structural functions. Bioinformatic tools have been developed to predict metalloproteins encoded by an organism based only on its genome sequence. Its function and the type of metal binder can also be predicted via a bioinformatics approach. Paracoccidioides complex includes termodimorphic pathogenic fungi that are found as saprobic mycelia in the environment and as yeast, the parasitic form, in host tissues. They are the etiologic agents of Paracoccidioidomycosis, a prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America. Many metalloproteins are important for the virulence of several pathogenic microorganisms. Accordingly, the present work aimed to predict the copper, iron and zinc proteins encoded by the genomes of three phylogenetic species of Paracoccidioides (Pb01, Pb03, and Pb18). The metalloproteins were identified using bioinformatics approaches based on structure, annotation and domains. Cu-, Fe-, and Zn-binding proteins represent 7% of the total proteins encoded by Paracoccidioides spp. genomes. Zinc proteins were the most abundant metalloproteins, representing 5.7% of the fungus proteome, whereas copper and iron proteins represent 0.3 and 1.2%, respectively. Functional classification revealed that metalloproteins are related to many cellular processes. Furthermore, it was observed that many of these metalloproteins serve as virulence factors in the biology of the fungus. Thus, it is concluded that the Cu, Fe, and Zn metalloproteomes of the Paracoccidioides spp. are of the utmost importance for the biology and virulence of these particular human pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel B Tristão
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Goiás Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Leandro do Prado Assunção
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Goiás Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Luiz Paulo A Dos Santos
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Goiás Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Clayton L Borges
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Goiás Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Mirelle Garcia Silva-Bailão
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Goiás Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Célia M de Almeida Soares
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Goiás Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Gabriele Cavallaro
- Magnetic Resonance Center, University of Florence Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Alexandre M Bailão
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Goiás Goiânia, Brazil
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48
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Abstract
Fungal pathogens must assimilate local nutrients to establish an infection in their mammalian host. We focus on carbon, nitrogen, and micronutrient assimilation mechanisms, discussing how these influence host-fungus interactions during infection. We highlight several emerging trends based on the available data. First, the perturbation of carbon, nitrogen, or micronutrient assimilation attenuates fungal pathogenicity. Second, the contrasting evolutionary pressures exerted on facultative versus obligatory pathogens have led to contemporary pathogenic fungal species that display differing degrees of metabolic flexibility. The evolutionarily ancient metabolic pathways are conserved in most fungal pathogen, but interesting gaps exist in some species (e.g., Candida glabrata). Third, metabolic flexibility is generally essential for fungal pathogenicity, and in particular, for the adaptation to contrasting host microenvironments such as the gastrointestinal tract, mucosal surfaces, bloodstream, and internal organs. Fourth, this metabolic flexibility relies on complex regulatory networks, some of which are conserved across lineages, whereas others have undergone significant evolutionary rewiring. Fifth, metabolic adaptation affects fungal susceptibility to antifungal drugs and also presents exciting opportunities for the development of novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iuliana V Ene
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Alistair J P Brown
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany Friedrich Schiller University, 07743 Jena, Germany Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Universitätsklinikum Jena, 07747 Jena, Germany
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49
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Vignesh KS, Landero Figueroa JA, Porollo A, Caruso JA, Deepe GS. Zinc sequestration: arming phagocyte defense against fungal attack. PLoS Pathog 2013; 9:e1003815. [PMID: 24385902 PMCID: PMC3873440 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kavitha Subramanian Vignesh
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Julio A. Landero Figueroa
- University of Cincinnati/Agilent Technologies Metallomics Center of the Americas, Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Aleksey Porollo
- Divisions of Rheumatology and Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Joseph A. Caruso
- University of Cincinnati/Agilent Technologies Metallomics Center of the Americas, Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - George S. Deepe
- Division of Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Veterans Affairs Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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50
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Gauthier GM, Keller NP. Crossover fungal pathogens: the biology and pathogenesis of fungi capable of crossing kingdoms to infect plants and humans. Fungal Genet Biol 2013; 61:146-57. [PMID: 24021881 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2013.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2013] [Revised: 08/28/2013] [Accepted: 08/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The outbreak of fungal meningitis associated with contaminated methylprednisolone acetate has thrust the importance of fungal infections into the public consciousness. The predominant pathogen isolated from clinical specimens, Exserohilum rostratum (teleomorph: Setosphaeria rostrata), is a dematiaceous fungus that infects grasses and rarely humans. This outbreak highlights the potential for fungal pathogens to infect both plants and humans. Most crossover or trans-kingdom pathogens are soil saprophytes and include fungi in Ascomycota and Mucormycotina phyla. To establish infection, crossover fungi must overcome disparate, host-specific barriers, including protective surfaces (e.g. cuticle, skin), elevated temperature, and immune defenses. This review illuminates the underlying mechanisms used by crossover fungi to cause infection in plants and mammals, and highlights critical events that lead to human infection by these pathogens. Several genes including veA, laeA, and hapX are important in regulating biological processes in fungi important for both invasive plant and animal infections.
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