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Kottom TJ, Carmona EM, Limper AH. Characterization of the Pneumocystis jirovecii and Pneumocystis murina phosphoglucomutases (Pgm2s): a potential target for Pneumocystis therapy. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0075623. [PMID: 38259086 PMCID: PMC10916394 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00756-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis cyst life forms contain abundant β-glucan carbohydrates, synthesized using β-1,3 and β-1,6 glucan synthase enzymes and the donor uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glucose. In yeast, phosphoglucomutase (PGM) plays a crucial role in carbohydrate metabolism by interconverting glucose 1-phosphate and glucose 6-phosphate, a vital step in UDP pools for β-glucan cell wall formation. This pathway has not yet been defined in Pneumocystis. Herein, we surveyed the Pneumocystis jirovecii and Pneumocystis murina genomes, which predicted a homolog of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae major PGM enzyme. Furthermore, we show that PjPgm2p and PmPgm2p function similarly to the yeast counterpart. When both Pneumocystis pgm2 homologs are heterologously expressed in S. cerevisiae pgm2Δ cells, both genes can restore growth and sedimentation rates to wild-type levels. Additionally, we demonstrate that yeast pgm2Δ cell lysates expressing the two Pneumocystis pgm2 transcripts individually can restore PGM activities significantly altered in the yeast pgm2Δ strain. The addition of lithium, a competitive inhibitor of yeast PGM activity, significantly reduces PGM activity. Next, we tested the effects of lithium on P. murina viability ex vivo and found the compound displays significant anti-Pneumocystis activity. Finally, we demonstrate that a para-aryl derivative (ISFP10) with known inhibitory activity against the Aspergillus fumigatus PGM protein and exhibiting 50-fold selectivity over the human PGM enzyme homolog can also significantly reduce Pmpgm2 activity in vitro. Collectively, our data genetically and functionally validate phosphoglucomutases in both P. jirovecii and P. murina and suggest the potential of this protein as a selective therapeutic target for individuals with Pneumocystis pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore J. Kottom
- Department of Medicine, Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Eva M. Carmona
- Department of Medicine, Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Andrew H. Limper
- Department of Medicine, Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Lee JS, Kim C. Role of CARD9 in Cell- and Organ-Specific Immune Responses in Various Infections. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2598. [PMID: 38473845 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9 (CARD9) is an intracellular adaptor protein that is abundantly expressed in cells of the myeloid lineage, such as neutrophils, macrophages, and dendritic cells. CARD9 plays a critical role in host immunity against infections caused by fungi, bacteria, and viruses. A CARD9 deficiency impairs the production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines as well as migration and infiltration, thereby increasing susceptibility to infections. However, CARD9 signaling varies depending on the pathogen causing the infection. Furthermore, different studies have reported altered CARD9-mediated signaling even with the same pathogen. Therefore, this review focuses on and elucidates the current literature on varied CARD9 signaling in response to various infectious stimuli in humans and experimental mice models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Seok Lee
- Laboratory of Leukocyte Signaling Research, Department of Pharmacology, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
- BK21, Program in Biomedical Science & Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Chaekyun Kim
- Laboratory of Leukocyte Signaling Research, Department of Pharmacology, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
- BK21, Program in Biomedical Science & Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
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Kottom TJ, Carmona EM, Limper AH. Targeting host tyrosine kinase receptor EphA2 signaling via small-molecule ALW-II-41-27 inhibits macrophage pro-inflammatory signaling responses to Pneumocystis carinii β-glucans. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0081123. [PMID: 38206037 PMCID: PMC10848750 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00811-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii, the fungus that causes Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP), is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals. We have previously shown that lung epithelial cells can bind Pneumocystis spp. β-glucans via the EphA2 receptor, resulting in activation and release of proinflammatory cytokines. Herein, we show that in vivo Pneumocystis spp. β-glucans activation of the inflammatory signaling cascade in macrophages can be pharmacodynamically inhibited with the EphA2 receptor small-molecule inhibitor ALW-II-41-27. In vitro, when ALW-II-41-27 is administrated via intraperitoneal to mice prior to the administration of highly proinflammatory Saccharomyces cerevisiae β-glucans in the lung, a significant reduction in TNF-alpha release was noted in the ALW-II-41-27 pre-treated group. Taken together, our data suggest that targeting host lung macrophage activation via EphA2 receptor-fungal β-glucans interactions with ALW-II-41-27 or other EphA2 receptor kinase targeting inhibitors might be an attractive and viable strategy to reduce detrimental lung inflammation associated with PJP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore J. Kottom
- Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Eva M. Carmona
- Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Andrew H. Limper
- Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Wang M, Zhang Z, Dong X, Zhu B. Targeting β-glucans, vital components of the Pneumocystis cell wall. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1094464. [PMID: 36845149 PMCID: PMC9947646 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1094464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
β-glucan is the most abundant polysaccharide in the cell wall of Pneumocystis jirovecii, which has attracted extensive attention because of its unique immunobiological characteristics. β-glucan binds to various cell surface receptors, which produces an inflammatory response and accounts for its immune effects. A deeper comprehension of the processes by Pneumocystis β-glucan recognizes its receptors, activates related signaling pathways, and regulates immunity as required. Such understanding will provide a basis for developing new therapies against Pneumocystis. Herein, we briefly review the structural composition of β-glucans as a vital component of the Pneumocystis cell wall, the host immunity mediated by β-glucans after their recognition, and discuss opportunities for the development of new strategies to combat Pneumocystis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyan Wang
- Department II of Infectious Diseases, Xixi Hospital of Hangzhou, Hangzhou, China,Department of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhongdong Zhang
- Department II of Infectious Diseases, Xixi Hospital of Hangzhou, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaotian Dong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Biao Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,*Correspondence: Biao Zhu,
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Hu A, Hu Z, Zou H, Zhang J, Zhang D, Wang H, Zhong J, Chen B. CARD9 in host immunity to fungal, bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections: An update. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1021837. [PMID: 36439825 PMCID: PMC9682022 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1021837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial infection, caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, and parasites, significantly contributes to the global death burden and health costs. The innate and adaptive immune systems orchestrate a multifaceted signaling response to invading pathogens as the human antimicrobial system. In this process, caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9 (CARD9) emerges as a critical intermediary adaptor molecule to participate in regulating a series of antimicrobial immune reactions. Previous publications have confirmed that CARD9 plays a crucial role in fungal, bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. In this study, we aim to provide an update on the recent clinical and basic studies where the mechanism and function of CARD9 have been further studied and understood. In addition, we summarize the latest treatment and prevention strategies based on CARD9 and discuss the current perspectives and future direction of CARD9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ang Hu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Zeming Hu
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Haohong Zou
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Jiankang Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Dongliang Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Jianing Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Bin Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
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Abstract
Caspase-recruitment domain 9 (CARD9) protein is expressed in many cells especially in immune cells, and is critically involved in the function of the innate and adaptive immune systems through extensive interactions between CARD9 and other signaling molecules including NF-κB and MAPK. CARD9-mediated signaling plays a central role in regulating inflammatory responses and oxidative stress through the productions of important cytokines and chemokines. Abnormalities of CARD9 and CARD9 signaling or CARD9 mutations or polymorphism are associated with a variety of pathological conditions including infections, inflammation, and autoimmune disorders. This review focuses on the function of CARD9 and CARD9-mediated signaling pathways, as well as interactions with other important signaling molecules in different cell types and the relations to specific disease conditions including inflammatory diseases, infections, tumorigenesis, and cardiovascular pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanyou Liu
- Center for Precision Medicine and Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Bimei Jiang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hong Hao
- Center for Precision Medicine and Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Zhenguo Liu
- Center for Precision Medicine and Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
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Kottom TJ, Carmona EM, Limper AH. Gene Expression in Lung Epithelial Cells Following Interaction with Pneumocystis carinii and its Specific Life Forms Yields Insights into Host Gene Responses to Infection. Microbiol Immunol 2022; 66:238-251. [PMID: 35229348 PMCID: PMC9090966 DOI: 10.1111/1348-0421.12972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Pneumocystis spp. interacts with epithelial cells in the alveolar spaces of the lung. It is thought that the binding of Pneumocystis to host cell epithelium is needed for life cycle completion and proliferation. The effect of this interaction on lung epithelial cells have previously shown that the trophic form of this organism greatly inhibits p34 cdc2 activity, a serine/threonine kinase required for transition from G2 to M phase in the cell cycle. To gain further insight into the host response during Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), we used microarray technology to profile epithelial cell (A549) gene expression patterns following Pneumocystis carinii interaction. Furthermore, we isolated separate populations of cyst and trophic forms of P. carinii, which were then applied to the lung epithelial cells. Differential expression of genes involved in various cellular functions dependent on the specific P. carinii life form in contact with the A549 cell were identified. The reliability of our data was further confirmed by Northern blot analysis on a number of selected up or down regulated transcripts. The transcriptional response to P. carinii was dominated by cytokines, apoptotic, and anti-apoptotic related genes. These results reveal several previously unknown effects of P. carinii on the lung epithelial cell and provide insight into the complex interactions of host and pathogen. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore J Kottom
- Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, USA
| | - Eva M Carmona
- Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, USA
| | - Andrew H Limper
- Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, USA
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Kottom TJ, Schaefbauer K, Carmona EM, Limper AH. Survey of the Transcription Factor Responses of Mouse Lung Alveolar Macrophages to Pneumocystis murina. Pathogens 2021; 10:569. [PMID: 34066663 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10050569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii is a fungal pathogen that can cause life-threatening infections in individuals who are immunocompromised. Acquired via inhalation, upon entering the respiratory tract, the fungi first encounter innate immune cells such as alveolar macrophages (AMs). Relatively little is known about the AM cellular responses to the organism, and particularly transcription factor (TF) profiles leading to early host responses during infection. Utilizing the Mouse Transcription Factors RT2 Profiler™ PCR Array, we report an initial TF survey of these macrophage and Pneumocystis interactions. Expression levels of a panel of mouse TFs were compared between unstimulated and Pneumocystis murina-stimulated AMs. Interestingly, a number of TFs previously implicated in pathogen–host cell interactions were highly up- or downregulated, including hif1a and Pparg. qPCR experiments were further conducted to verify the results of these surveyed transcripts. Furthermore, with immunoblotting, we show that HIF-1A and PPAR-γ are indeed significantly upregulated and downregulated, respectively. Lastly, and importantly, we report that in the mouse model of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), which mimics human Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP), qPCR analysis of Pneumocystis murina lungs also mimic the initial TF profile analysis, suggesting an importance for these TFs in immunocompromised hosts with Pneumocystis pneumonia. These data demonstrate the use of TF profiling in host AMs and Pneumocystis organism interactions that may lead to a better understanding of the specific inflammatory responses of the host to Pneumocystis pneumonia and may inform novel strategies for potential therapeutics.
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Kottom TJ, Carmona EM, Limper AH. Targeting CARD9 with Small-Molecule Therapeutics Inhibits Innate Immune Signaling and Inflammatory Response to Pneumocystis carinii β-Glucans. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:e01210-20. [PMID: 32839216 DOI: 10.1128/AAC.01210-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii, the opportunistic fungus that causes Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in humans, is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Given the profound deleterious inflammatory effects of the major β-glucan cell wall carbohydrate constituents of Pneumocystis through Dectin-1 engagement and downstream caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9 (CARD9) immune activation, we sought to determine whether the pharmacodynamic activity of the known CARD9 inhibitor BRD5529 might have a therapeutic effect on macrophage innate immune signaling and subsequent downstream anti-inflammatory activity. The small-molecule inhibitor BRD5529 was able to significantly reduce both phospho-p38 and phospho-pERK1 signaling and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) release during stimulation of macrophages with Pneumocystis cell wall β-glucans.
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