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Figueiredo ABC, Fonseca FL, Kuczera D, Conte FDP, Arissawa M, Rodrigues ML. Monoclonal Antibodies against Cell Wall Chitooligomers as Accessory Tools for the Control of Cryptococcosis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:e0118121. [PMID: 34570650 PMCID: PMC8597760 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01181-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic strategies against systemic mycoses can involve antifungal resistance and significant toxicity. Thus, novel therapeutic approaches to fight fungal infections are urgent. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) are promising tools to fight systemic mycoses. In this study, MAbs of the IgM isotype were developed against chitin oligomers. Chitooligomers derive from chitin, an essential component of the fungal cell wall and a promising therapeutic target, as it is not synthesized by humans or animals. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assays and cell-binding tests showed that the MAbs recognizing chitooligomers have high affinity and specificity for the chitin derivatives. In vitro tests showed that the chitooligomer MAbs increased the fungicidal capacity of amphotericin B against Cryptococcus neoformans. The chitooligomer-binding MAbs interfered with two essential properties related to cryptococcal pathogenesis: biofilm formation and melanin production. In a murine model of C. neoformans infection, the combined administration of the chitooligomer-binding MAb and subinhibitory doses of amphotericin B promoted disease control. The data obtained in this study support the hypothesis that chitooligomer antibodies have great potential as accessory tools in the control of cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fernanda L. Fonseca
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Diogo Kuczera
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Fernando de Paiva Conte
- Projeto Implantação Planta Piloto, Bio-Manguinhos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcia Arissawa
- Vice Diretoria de Desenvolvimento Técnologico, Bio-Manguinhos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcio L. Rodrigues
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Curitiba, Brazil
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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2
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Oliveira FFM, Paes HC, Peconick LDF, Fonseca FL, Marina CLF, Bocca AL, Homem-de-Mello M, Rodrigues ML, Albuquerque P, Nicola AM, Alspaugh JA, Felipe MSS, Fernandes L. Erg6 affects membrane composition and virulence of the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Fungal Genet Biol 2020; 140:103368. [PMID: 32201128 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2020.103368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Ergosterol is the most important membrane sterol in fungal cells and a component not found in the membranes of human cells. We identified the ERG6 gene in the AIDS-associated fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans, encoding the sterol C-24 methyltransferase of fungal ergosterol biosynthesis. In this work, we have explored its relationship with high-temperature growth and virulence of C. neoformans by the construction of a loss-of-function mutant. In contrast to other genes involved in ergosterol biosynthesis, C. neoformans ERG6 is not essential for growth under permissive conditions in vitro. However, the erg6 mutant displayed impaired thermotolerance and increased susceptibility to osmotic and oxidative stress, as well as to different antifungal drugs. Total lipid analysis demonstrated a decrease in the erg6Δ strain membrane ergosterol content. In addition, this mutant strain was avirulent in an invertebrate model of C. neoformans infection. C. neoformans Erg6 was cyto-localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex. Our results demonstrate that Erg6 is crucial for growth at high temperature and virulence, likely due to its effects on C. neoformans membrane integrity and dynamics. These pathogen-focused investigations into ergosterol biosynthetic pathway components reinforce the multiple roles of ergosterol in the response of diverse fungal species to alterations in the environment, especially that of the infected host. These studies open perspectives to understand the participation of ergosterol in mechanism of resistance to azole and polyene drugs. Observed synergistic growth defects with co-inhibition of Erg6 and other components of the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway suggests novel approaches to treatment in human fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Freire M Oliveira
- Faculty of Medicine, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasília, Asa Norte, Brasília, Federal District 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Hugo Costa Paes
- Faculty of Medicine, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasília, Asa Norte, Brasília, Federal District 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Luísa Defranco F Peconick
- Faculty of Ceilândia, Campus UnB Ceilândia, University of Brasília, Ceilândia Sul, Centro Metropolitano, Brasília, Federal District 72220-275, Brazil
| | - Fernanda L Fonseca
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Fiocruz-RJ, Rio de Janeiro 21045-360, Brazil.
| | - Clara Luna Freitas Marina
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Institute of Biology, Room J1 28/8, Building J, 2nd Floor, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasília, Asa Norte, Brasilia, Federal District 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Anamélia Lorenzetti Bocca
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Institute of Biology, Room J1 28/8, Building J, 2nd Floor, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasília, Asa Norte, Brasilia, Federal District 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Mauricio Homem-de-Mello
- Faculty of Health Science, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasília, Asa Norte, Brasília, Federal District 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Márcio Lourenço Rodrigues
- Carlos Chagas Institute, Fiocruz-PR, Curitiba 81310-020, Brazil; Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Albuquerque
- Faculty of Ceilândia, Campus UnB Ceilândia, University of Brasília, Ceilândia Sul, Centro Metropolitano, Brasília, Federal District 72220-275, Brazil
| | - André Moraes Nicola
- Faculty of Medicine, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasília, Asa Norte, Brasília, Federal District 70910-900, Brazil
| | - J Andrew Alspaugh
- Duke University School of Medicine, Dept. of Medicine, Durham, DUMC Box 102359, 303 Sands Building, Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| | - Maria Sueli S Felipe
- Catolic University of Brasilia, Campus Asa Norte, SGAN 916 Módulo B Avenida W5, Asa Norte, Brasília, Federal District 70790-160, Brazil
| | - Larissa Fernandes
- Faculty of Ceilândia, Campus UnB Ceilândia, University of Brasília, Ceilândia Sul, Centro Metropolitano, Brasília, Federal District 72220-275, Brazil; Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Institute of Biology, Room J1 28/8, Building J, 2nd Floor, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasília, Asa Norte, Brasilia, Federal District 70910-900, Brazil.
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Zimbres ACG, Reuwsaat JCV, Barcellos VA, Joffe LS, Fonseca FL, Staats CC, Schrank A, Kmetzsch L, Vainstein MH, Rodrigues ML. Pharmacological inhibition of pigmentation inCryptococcus. FEMS Yeast Res 2018; 19:5173039. [DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foy119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Claudia G Zimbres
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde (CDTS), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Julia C V Reuwsaat
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
| | - Vanessa A Barcellos
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
| | - Luna S Joffe
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde (CDTS), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Fernanda L Fonseca
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde (CDTS), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Charley C Staats
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
| | - Augusto Schrank
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
| | - Livia Kmetzsch
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
| | - Marilene H Vainstein
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
| | - Marcio L Rodrigues
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
- Laboratory of Gene Expression Regulation (LabReg), Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Curitiba, PR 81310-020, Brazil
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Rodrigues J, Ramos CL, Frases S, Godinho RMDC, Fonseca FL, Rodrigues ML. Lack of chitin synthase genes impacts capsular architecture and cellular physiology in Cryptococcus neoformans. Cell Surf 2018; 2:14-23. [PMID: 32743128 PMCID: PMC7389344 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcsw.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans mutants lacking each of the eight putative chitin synthase genes (CHS) have been previously generated. However, it is still unclear how deletion of chitin synthase genes affects the cryptococcal capsule. Since the connections between chitin metabolism and capsular polysaccharides in C. neoformans are numerous, we analyzed the effects of deletion of CHS genes on capsular and capsule-related structures of C. neoformans. CHS deletion affected capsular morphology in multiple ways, as determined by scanning electron microscopy and immunofluorescence analysis. Molecular diameter, serological reactivity and export of capsular polysaccharide were also affected in most of the chsΔ mutants, but the most prominent alterations were observed in the chs3Δ strain. C. neoformans cells lacking CHS genes also had altered formation of extracellular vesicles and variable chitinase activity under stress conditions. These results reveal previously unknown functions of CHS genes that greatly impact the physiology of C. neoformans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Rodrigues
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Caroline L Ramos
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Susana Frases
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo M da C Godinho
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernanda L Fonseca
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde (CDTS) da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcio L Rodrigues
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Instituto Carlos Chagas (ICC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
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6
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Fonseca FL, Reis FCG, Sena BAG, Jozefowicz LJ, Kmetzsch L, Rodrigues ML. The Overlooked Glycan Components of the Cryptococcus Capsule. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2018; 422:31-43. [PMID: 30203395 DOI: 10.1007/82_2018_140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Pathogenic species of Cryptococcus kill approximately 200,000 people each year. The most important virulence mechanism of C. neoformans and C. gattii, the causative agents of human and animal cryptococcosis, is the ability to form a polysaccharide capsule. Acapsular mutants of C. neoformans are avirulent in mice models of infection, and extracellularly released capsular polysaccharides are deleterious to the immune system. The principal capsular component in the Cryptococcus genus is a complex mannan substituted with xylosyl and glucuronyl units, namely glucuronoxylomannan (GXM). The second most abundant component of the cryptococcal capsule is a galactan with multiple glucuronyl, xylosyl, and mannosyl substitutions, namely glucuronoxylomannogalactan (GXMGal). The literature about the structure and functions of these two polysaccharides is rich, and a number of comprehensive reviews on this topic are available. Here, we focus our discussion on the less explored glycan components associated with the cryptococcal capsule, including mannoproteins and chitin-derived molecules. These glycans were selected for discussion on the basis that i) they have been consistently detected not only in the cell wall but also within the cryptococcal capsular network and ii) they have functions that impact immunological and/or pathogenic mechanisms in the Cryptococcus genus. The reported functions of these molecules strongly indicate that the biological roles of the cryptococcal capsule go far beyond the well-known properties of GXM and GXMGal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda L Fonseca
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico Em Saúde (CDTS), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Flavia C G Reis
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Bianca A G Sena
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Luísa J Jozefowicz
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Livia Kmetzsch
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Departamento de Biologia Molecular E Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Marcio L Rodrigues
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Curitiba, Brazil. .,Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. .,Cidade Industrial de Curitiba, Rua Professor Algacyr Munhoz Mader, 2135-2261, Curitiba, PR, 81310-020, Brazil.
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7
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Oliveira DL, Fonseca FL, Zamith-Miranda D, Nimrichter L, Rodrigues J, Pereira MD, Reuwsaat JC, Schrank A, Staats C, Kmetzsch L, Vainstein MH, Rodrigues ML. The putative autophagy regulator Atg7 affects the physiology and pathogenic mechanisms of Cryptococcus neoformans. Future Microbiol 2016; 11:1405-1419. [PMID: 27750454 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2016-0090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM We investigated the involvement of the autophagy protein 7 (Atg7) in physiology and pathogenic potential of Cryptococcus neoformans. MATERIALS & METHODS The C. neoformans gene encoding Atg7 was deleted by biolistic transformation for characterization of autophagy mechanisms, pigment formation, cell dimensions, interaction with phagocytes and pathogenic potential in vivo. RESULTS & CONCLUSION ATG7 deletion resulted in defective autophagy mechanisms, enhanced pigmentation and increased cellular size both in vitro and in vivo. The atg7Δ mutant had decreased survival in the lung of infected mice, higher susceptibility to the killing machinery of different host phagocytes and reduced ability to kill an invertebrate host. These results connect Atg7 with mechanisms of pathogenicity in the C. neoformans model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora L Oliveira
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde (CDTS), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernanda L Fonseca
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde (CDTS), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniel Zamith-Miranda
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Nimrichter
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Rodrigues
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcos D Pereira
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Julia Cv Reuwsaat
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Augusto Schrank
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Charley Staats
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Livia Kmetzsch
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Marilene H Vainstein
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Marcio L Rodrigues
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde (CDTS), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Fernandes CM, de Castro PA, Singh A, Fonseca FL, Pereira MD, Vila TVM, Atella GC, Rozental S, Savoldi M, Del Poeta M, Goldman GH, Kurtenbach E. Functional characterization of the Aspergillus nidulans glucosylceramide pathway reveals that LCB Δ8-desaturation and C9-methylation are relevant to filamentous growth, lipid raft localization and Psd1 defensin activity. Mol Microbiol 2016; 102:488-505. [PMID: 27479571 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
C8-desaturated and C9-methylated glucosylceramide (GlcCer) is a fungal-specific sphingolipid that plays an important role in the growth and virulence of many species. In this work, we investigated the contribution of Aspergillus nidulans sphingolipid Δ8-desaturase (SdeA), sphingolipid C9-methyltransferases (SmtA/SmtB) and glucosylceramide synthase (GcsA) to fungal phenotypes, sensitivity to Psd1 defensin and Galleria mellonella virulence. We showed that ΔsdeA accumulated C8-saturated and unmethylated GlcCer, while gcsA deletion impaired GlcCer synthesis. Although increased levels of unmethylated GlcCer were observed in smtA and smtB mutants, ΔsmtA and wild-type cells showed a similar 9,Me-GlcCer content, reduced by 50% in the smtB disruptant. The compromised 9,Me-GlcCer production in the ΔsmtB strain was not accompanied by reduced filamentation or defects in cell polarity. When combined with the smtA deletion, smtB repression significantly increased unmethylated GlcCer levels and compromised filamentous growth. Furthermore, sdeA and gcsA mutants displayed growth defects and raft mislocalization, which were accompanied by reduced neutral lipids levels and attenuated G. mellonella virulence in the ΔgcsA strain. Finally, ΔsdeA and ΔgcsA showed increased resistance to Psd1, suggesting that GlcCer synthesis and fungal sphingoid base structure specificities are relevant not only to differentiation but also to proper recognition by this antifungal defensin.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Fernandes
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - P A de Castro
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - A Singh
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - F L Fonseca
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - M D Pereira
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - T V M Vila
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - G C Atella
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - S Rozental
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - M Savoldi
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - M Del Poeta
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - G H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - E Kurtenbach
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Rodrigues J, Fonseca FL, Schneider RO, Godinho RMDC, Firacative C, Maszewska K, Meyer W, Schrank A, Staats C, Kmetzsch L, Vainstein MH, Rodrigues ML. Pathogenic diversity amongst serotype C VGIII and VGIV Cryptococcus gattii isolates. Sci Rep 2015; 5:11717. [PMID: 26153364 PMCID: PMC4495446 DOI: 10.1038/srep11717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus gattii is one of the causative agents of human cryptococcosis. Highly virulent strains of serotype B C. gattii have been studied in detail, but little information is available on the pathogenic properties of serotype C isolates. In this study, we analyzed pathogenic determinants in three serotype C C. gattii isolates (106.97, ATCC 24066 and WM 779). Isolate ATCC 24066 (molecular type VGIII) differed from isolates WM 779 and 106.97 (both VGIV) in capsule dimensions, expression of CAP genes, chitooligomer distribution, and induction of host chitinase activity. Isolate WM 779 was more efficient than the others in producing pigments and all three isolates had distinct patterns of reactivity with antibodies to glucuronoxylomannan. This great phenotypic diversity reflected in differential pathogenicity. VGIV isolates WM 779 and 106.97 were similar in their ability to cause lethality and produced higher pulmonary fungal burden in a murine model of cryptococcosis, while isolate ATCC 24066 (VGIII) was unable to reach the brain and caused reduced lethality in intranasally infected mice. These results demonstrate a high diversity in the pathogenic potential of isolates of C. gattii belonging to the molecular types VGIII and VGIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Rodrigues
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernanda L Fonseca
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde (CDTS), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafael O Schneider
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo M da C Godinho
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carolina Firacative
- 1] Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Sydney Medical School - Westmead Hospital, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Westmead Millennium Institute, Sydney, Australia [2] Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Krystyna Maszewska
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Sydney Medical School - Westmead Hospital, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Westmead Millennium Institute, Sydney, Australia
| | - Wieland Meyer
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Sydney Medical School - Westmead Hospital, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Westmead Millennium Institute, Sydney, Australia
| | - Augusto Schrank
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Charley Staats
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Livia Kmetzsch
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Marilene H Vainstein
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Marcio L Rodrigues
- 1] Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [2] Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde (CDTS), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Albuquerque PC, Fonseca FL, Dutra FF, Bozza MT, Frases S, Casadevall A, Rodrigues ML. Cryptococcus neoformans glucuronoxylomannan fractions of different molecular masses are functionally distinct. Future Microbiol 2014; 9:147-61. [PMID: 24571070 DOI: 10.2217/fmb.13.163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) is the major polysaccharide component of Cryptococcus neoformans. We evaluated in this study whether GXM fractions of different molecular masses were functionally distinct. MATERIALS & METHODS GXM samples isolated from C. neoformans cultures were fractionated to generate polysaccharide preparations differing in molecular mass. These fractions were used in experiments focused on the association of GXM with cell wall components of C. neoformans, as well as on the interaction of the polysaccharide with host cells. RESULTS & CONCLUSION GXM fractions of variable molecular masses bound to the surface of a C. neoformans acapsular mutant in a punctate pattern that is in contrast to the usual annular pattern of surface coating observed when GXM samples containing the full molecular mass range were used. The polysaccharide samples were also significantly different in their ability to stimulate cytokine production by host cells. Our findings indicate that GXM fractions are functionally distinct depending on their mass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila C Albuquerque
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde, CTDS-Fiocruz. Avenida Brasil 4036, Prédio da Expansão, 8o andar, Sala 814, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-361, Brazil
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11
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Mariani D, Castro FAV, Almeida LG, Fonseca FL, Pereira MD. Protection against cisplatin in calorie-restricted Saccharomyces cerevisiae is mediated by the nutrient-sensor proteins Ras2, Tor1, or Sch9 through its target glutathione. FEMS Yeast Res 2014; 14:1147-59. [PMID: 25238629 DOI: 10.1111/1567-1364.12214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 04/02/2014] [Revised: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 09/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
There is substantial interest in developing alternative strategies for cancer chemotherapy aiming to increase drug specificity and prevent tumor resistance. Calorie restriction (CR) has been shown to render human cancer cells more susceptible to drugs than normal cells. Indeed, deficiency of nutrient signaling proteins mimics CR, which is sufficient to improve oxidative stress response and life expectancy only in healthy cells. Thus, although CR and reduction of nutrient signaling may play an important role in cellular response to chemotherapy, the full underlying mechanisms are still not completely understood. Here, we investigate the relationship between the nutrient sensor proteins Ras2, Sch9, or Tor1 and the response of calorie-restricted Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells to cisplatin. Using wild-type and nutrient-sensing mutant strains, we show that deletion of any of these proteins mimics CR and is sufficient to increase cell protection. Moreover, we show that glutathione (GSH) is essential for proper CR protection of yeast cells under cisplatin chemotherapy. By measuring the survival rates and GSH levels, we found that cisplatin cytotoxicity leads to a decrease in GSH content reflecting in an increase of oxidative damage. Finally, investigating DNA fragmentation and apoptosis, we conclude that GSH contributes to CR-mediated cell survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Mariani
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Kmetzsch L, Staats CC, Cupertino JB, Fonseca FL, Rodrigues ML, Schrank A, Vainstein MH. The calcium transporter Pmc1 provides Ca2+ tolerance and influences the progression of murine cryptococcal infection. FEBS J 2013; 280:4853-64. [PMID: 23895559 DOI: 10.1111/febs.12458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [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: 06/12/2013] [Revised: 07/15/2013] [Accepted: 07/26/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The Ca(2+)-calcineurin signaling pathway in the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans is essential for adaptation to the host environment during infection. Calcium transporters regulate cytosolic calcium concentrations, providing Ca(2+) loading into storage organelles. The three calcium transporters that have been characterized in C. neoformans, Cch1, Eca1 and Vcx1, are required for fungal virulence, supporting a role for calcium-mediated signaling in cryptococcal pathogenesis. In the present study, we report the functional characterization of the putative vacuolar calcium ATPase Pmc1 in C. neoformans. Our results demonstrate that Pmc1 provides tolerance to high Ca(2+) concentrations. The double knockout of C. neoformans PMC1 and VCX1 genes impaired the intracellular calcium transport, resulting in a significant increase in cytosolic calcium levels. Furthermore, Pmc1 was essential for both the progression of pulmonary infection and brain colonization in mice, emphasizing the crucial role of calcium signaling and transport for cryptococcal pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Kmetzsch
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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13
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Silveira CP, Piffer AC, Kmetzsch L, Fonseca FL, Soares DA, Staats CC, Rodrigues ML, Schrank A, Vainstein MH. The heat shock protein (Hsp) 70 of Cryptococcus neoformans is associated with the fungal cell surface and influences the interaction between yeast and host cells. Fungal Genet Biol 2013; 60:53-63. [PMID: 23954835 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2013.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2013] [Revised: 08/01/2013] [Accepted: 08/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans secretes numerous proteins, such as heat shock proteins, by unconventional mechanisms during its interaction with host cells. Hsp70 is a conserved chaperone that plays important roles in various cellular processes, including the interaction of fungi with host immune cells. Here, we report that sera from individuals with cryptococcosis infection recognize a recombinant C. neoformans Hsp70 (Cn_rHsp70). Moreover, immunofluorescence assays using antibodies against Cn_rHsp70 revealed the localization of this protein at the cell surface mainly in association with the capsular network. We found that the addition of Cn_rHsp70 positively modulated the interaction of C. neoformans with human alveolar epithelial cells and decreased fungal killing by mouse macrophages, without affecting phagocytosis rates. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that there was a competitive association among the receptor, GXM and Cn_rHsp70, indicating that the Hsp70-binding sites in host cells appear to be shared by glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), the major capsular antigen in C. neoformans. Our observations suggest additional mechanisms by which Hsp70 influences the interaction of C. neoformans with host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina P Silveira
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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14
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Fonseca FL, Guimarães AJ, Kmetzsch L, Dutra FF, Silva FD, Taborda CP, Araujo GDS, Frases S, Staats CC, Bozza MT, Schrank A, Vainstein MH, Nimrichter L, Casadevall A, Rodrigues ML. Binding of the wheat germ lectin to Cryptococcus neoformans chitooligomers affects multiple mechanisms required for fungal pathogenesis. Fungal Genet Biol 2013; 60:64-73. [PMID: 23608320 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2013.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [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: 02/01/2013] [Revised: 03/19/2013] [Accepted: 04/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The principal capsular component of Cryptococcus neoformans, glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), interacts with surface glycans, including chitin-like oligomers. Although the role of GXM in cryptococcal infection has been well explored, there is no information on how chitooligomers affect fungal pathogenesis. In this study, surface chitooligomers of C. neoformans were blocked through the use of the wheat germ lectin (WGA) and the effects on animal pathogenesis, interaction with host cells, fungal growth and capsule formation were analyzed. Treatment of C. neoformans cells with WGA followed by infection of mice delayed mortality relative to animals infected with untreated fungal cells. This observation was associated with reduced brain colonization by lectin-treated cryptococci. Blocking chitooligomers also rendered yeast cells less efficient in their ability to associate with phagocytes. WGA did not affect fungal viability, but inhibited GXM release to the extracellular space and capsule formation. In WGA-treated yeast cells, genes that are involved in capsule formation and GXM traffic had their transcription levels decreased in comparison with untreated cells. Our results suggest that cellular pathways required for capsule formation and pathogenic mechanisms are affected by blocking chitin-derived structures at the cell surface of C. neoformans. Targeting chitooligomers with specific ligands may reveal new therapeutic alternatives to control cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda L Fonseca
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
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15
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Albuquerque PC, Cordero RJB, Fonseca FL, Peres da Silva R, Ramos CL, Miranda KR, Casadevall A, Puccia R, Nosanchuk JD, Nimrichter L, Guimaraes AJ, Rodrigues ML. A Paracoccidioides brasiliensis glycan shares serologic and functional properties with cryptococcal glucuronoxylomannan. Fungal Genet Biol 2012; 49:943-54. [PMID: 23010152 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2012.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2012] [Revised: 08/30/2012] [Accepted: 09/05/2012] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The cell wall of the yeast form of the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is enriched with α1,3-glucans. In Cryptococcus neoformans, α1,3-glucans interact with glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), a heteropolysaccharide that is essential for fungal virulence. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of P. brasiliensis glycans sharing properties with cryptococcal GXM. Protein database searches in P. brasiliensis revealed the presence of sequences homologous to those coding for enzymes involved in the synthesis of GXM and capsular architecture in C. neoformans. In addition, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised to cryptococcal GXM bound to P. brasiliensis cells. Using protocols that were previously established for extraction and analysis of C. neoformans GXM, we recovered a P. brasiliensis glycan fraction composed of mannose and galactose, in addition to small amounts of glucose, xylose and rhamnose. In comparison with the C. neoformans GXM, the P. brasiliensis glycan fraction components had smaller molecular dimensions. The P. brasiliensis components, nevertheless, reacted with different GXM-binding mAbs. Extracellular vesicle fractions of P. brasiliensis also reacted with a GXM-binding mAb, suggesting that the polysaccharide-like molecule is exported to the extracellular space in secretory vesicles. An acapsular mutant of C. neoformans incorporated molecules from the P. brasiliensis extract onto the cell wall, resulting in the formation of surface networks that resembled the cryptococcal capsule. Coating the C. neoformans acapsular mutant with the P. brasiliensis glycan fraction resulted in protection against phagocytosis by murine macrophages. These results suggest that P. brasiliensis and C. neoformans share metabolic pathways required for the synthesis of similar polysaccharides and that P. brasiliensis yeast cell walls have molecules that mimic certain aspects of C. neoformans GXM. These findings are important because they provide additional evidence for the sharing of antigenically similar components across phylogenetically distant fungal species. Since GXM has been shown to be important for the pathogenesis of C. neoformans and to elicit protective antibodies, the finding of similar molecules in P. brasiliensis raises the possibility that these glycans play similar functions in paracoccidiomycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila C Albuquerque
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
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16
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Araujo GDS, Fonseca FL, Pontes B, Torres A, Cordero RJB, Zancopé-Oliveira RM, Casadevall A, Viana NB, Nimrichter L, Rodrigues ML, Garcia ES, de Souza W, Frases S. Capsules from pathogenic and non-pathogenic Cryptococcus spp. manifest significant differences in structure and ability to protect against phagocytic cells. PLoS One 2012; 7:e29561. [PMID: 22253734 PMCID: PMC3257238 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2011] [Accepted: 11/30/2011] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Capsule production is common among bacterial species, but relatively rare in eukaryotic microorganisms. Members of the fungal Cryptococcus genus are known to produce capsules, which are major determinants of virulence in the highly pathogenic species Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. Although the lack of virulence of many species of the Cryptococcus genus can be explained solely by the lack of mammalian thermotolerance, it is uncertain whether the capsules from these organisms are comparable to those of the pathogenic cryptococci. In this study, we compared the characteristic of the capsule from the non-pathogenic environmental yeast Cryptococcus liquefaciens with that of C. neoformans. Microscopic observations revealed that C. liquefaciens has a capsule visible in India ink preparations that was also efficiently labeled by three antibodies generated to specific C. neoformans capsular antigens. Capsular polysaccharides of C. liquefaciens were incorporated onto the cell surface of acapsular C. neoformans mutant cells. Polysaccharide composition determinations in combination with confocal microscopy revealed that C. liquefaciens capsule consisted of mannose, xylose, glucose, glucuronic acid, galactose and N-acetylglucosamine. Physical chemical analysis of the C. liquefaciens polysaccharides in comparison with C. neoformans samples revealed significant differences in viscosity, elastic properties and macromolecular structure parameters of polysaccharide solutions such as rigidity, effective diameter, zeta potential and molecular mass, which nevertheless appeared to be characteristics of linear polysaccharides that also comprise capsular polysaccharide of C. neoformans. The environmental yeast, however, showed enhanced susceptibility to the antimicrobial activity of the environmental phagocytes, suggesting that the C. liquefaciens capsular components are insufficient in protecting yeast cells against killing by amoeba. These results suggest that capsular structures in pathogenic Cryptococcus species and environmental species share similar features, but also manifest significant difference that could influence their potential to virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glauber de S. Araujo
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Normalização e Qualidade Industrial, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernanda L. Fonseca
- Laboratório de Estudos integrados em Bioquímica Microbiana, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bruno Pontes
- LPO-COPEA, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andre Torres
- Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas, The Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Radames J. B. Cordero
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Nathan B. Viana
- LPO-COPEA, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Caixa, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Nimrichter
- Laboratório de Estudos integrados em Bioquímica Microbiana, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcio L. Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Estudos integrados em Bioquímica Microbiana, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eloi S. Garcia
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Normalização e Qualidade Industrial, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Normalização e Qualidade Industrial, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Susana Frases
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Normalização e Qualidade Industrial, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Silva FD, Rossi DCP, Martinez LR, Frases S, Fonseca FL, Campos CBL, Rodrigues ML, Nosanchuk JD, Daffre S. Effects of microplusin, a copper-chelating antimicrobial peptide, against Cryptococcus neoformans. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2011; 324:64-72. [PMID: 22092765 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2011.02386.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2011] [Revised: 07/15/2011] [Accepted: 08/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Microplusin is an antimicrobial peptide isolated from the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Its copper-chelating ability is putatively responsible for its bacteriostatic activity against Micrococcus luteus as microplusin inhibits respiration in this species, which is a copper-dependent process. Microplusin is also active against Cryptococcus neoformans (MIC(50) = 0.09 μM), the etiologic agent of cryptococcosis. Here, we show that microplusin is fungistatic to C. neoformans and this inhibitory effect is abrogated by copper supplementation. Notably, microplusin drastically altered the respiratory profile of C. neoformans. In addition, microplusin affects important virulence factors of this fungus. We observed that microplusin completely inhibited fungal melanization, and this effect correlates with the inhibition of the related enzyme laccase. Also, microplusin significantly inhibited the capsule size of C. neoformans. Our studies reveal, for the first time, a copper-chelating antimicrobial peptide that inhibits respiration and growth of C. neoformans and modifies two major virulence factors: melanization and formation of a polysaccharide capsule. These features suggest that microplusin, or other copper-chelation approaches, may be a promising therapeutic for cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda D Silva
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo-SP, Brazil
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18
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Kmetzsch L, Joffe LS, Staats CC, de Oliveira DL, Fonseca FL, Cordero RJB, Casadevall A, Nimrichter L, Schrank A, Vainstein MH, Rodrigues ML. Role for Golgi reassembly and stacking protein (GRASP) in polysaccharide secretion and fungal virulence. Mol Microbiol 2011; 81:206-18. [PMID: 21542865 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2011.07686.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Secretion of virulence factors is a critical mechanism for the establishment of cryptococcosis, a disease caused by the yeast pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. One key virulence strategy of C. neoformans is the release of glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), a capsule-associated immune-modulatory polysaccharide that reaches the extracellular space through secretory vesicles. Golgi reassembly and stacking protein (GRASP) is required for unconventional protein secretion mechanisms in different eukaryotic cells, but its role in polysaccharide secretion is unknown. This study demonstrates that a C. neoformans functional mutant of a GRASP orthologue had attenuated virulence in an animal model of cryptococcosis, in comparison with wild-type (WT) and reconstituted cells. Mutant cells manifested altered Golgi morphology, failed to produce typical polysaccharide capsules and showed a reduced ability to secrete GXM both in vitro and during animal infection. Isolation of GXM from cultures of WT, reconstituted or mutant strains revealed that the GRASP orthologue mutant produced polysaccharides with reduced dimensions. The mutant was also more efficiently associated to and killed by macrophages than WT and reconstituted cells. These results demonstrate that GRASP, a protein involved in unconventional protein secretion, is also required for polysaccharide secretion and virulence in C. neoformans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lívia Kmetzsch
- Centro de Biotecnologia Departamento de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av Bento Gonçalves 9500, 43421, Caixa Postal 15005, Porto Alegre, RS 91501-970, Brazil
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Abstract
Glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) is the major capsular polysaccharide of Cryptococcus neoformans. It is essential for fungal virulence and causes a number of deleterious effects to host cells. During the last decades, most of the experimental models designed to study the roles of GXM during cryptococcal infection were based on the stimulation of animal cells. This most commonly involved macrophages or other effector cells, with polysaccharide fractions obtained by precipitation with cationic detergents. More recently, it has been demonstrated that GXM interferes with the physiological state of other target cells, such as the epithelium. In addition, recent studies indicate that the structure of the polysaccharide and, consequently, its functions vary according with the method used for its purification. This raises questions as to what is native GXM and the significance of prior studies. In this paper, we discuss some of the aspects of GXM that are still poorly explored in the current literature, including the relevance of the polysaccharide in the interaction of cryptococci with non-phagocytic cells and the relationship between its structure and biological activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcio L Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Bioquímica Microbiana, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Nogueira SV, Fonseca FL, Rodrigues ML, Mundodi V, Abi-Chacra EA, Winters MS, Alderete JF, Soares CMDA. Paracoccidioides brasiliensis enolase is a surface protein that binds plasminogen and mediates interaction of yeast forms with host cells. Infect Immun 2010; 78:4040-50. [PMID: 20605975 PMCID: PMC2937444 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00221-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2010] [Revised: 03/31/2010] [Accepted: 06/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, is a disseminated, systemic disorder that involves the lungs and other organs. The ability of the pathogen to interact with host components, including extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, is essential to further colonization, invasion, and growth. Previously, enolase (EC 4.2.1.11) was characterized as a fibronectin binding protein in P. brasiliensis. Interaction of surface-bound enolase with plasminogen has been incriminated in tissue invasion for pathogenesis in several pathogens. In this paper, enolase was expressed in Escherichia coli as a recombinant glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein (recombinant P. brasiliensis enolase [rPbEno]). The P. brasiliensis native enolase (PbEno) was detected at the fungus surface and cytoplasm by immunofluorescence with an anti-rPbEno antibody. Immobilized purified rPbEno bound plasminogen in a specific, concentration-dependent fashion. Both native enolase and rPbEno activated conversion of plasminogen to plasmin through tissue plasminogen activator. The association between PbEno and plasminogen was lysine dependent. In competition experiments, purified rPbEno, in its soluble form, inhibited plasminogen binding to fixed P. brasiliensis, suggesting that this interaction required surface-localized PbEno. Plasminogen-coated P. brasiliensis yeast cells were capable of degrading purified fibronectin, providing in vitro evidence for the generation of active plasmin on the fungus surface. Exposure of epithelial cells and phagocytes to enolase was associated with an increased expression of surface sites of adhesion. In fact, the association of P. brasiliensis with epithelial cells and phagocytes was increased in the presence of rPbEno. The expression of PbEno was upregulated in yeast cells derived from mouse-infected tissues. These data indicate that surface-associated PbEno may contribute to the pathogenesis of P. brasiliensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Veloso Nogueira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74001-970 Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil, Laboratorio de Estudos Integrados em Bioquimica Microbiana, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Goes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, Brazil, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99163, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267
| | - Fernanda L. Fonseca
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74001-970 Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil, Laboratorio de Estudos Integrados em Bioquimica Microbiana, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Goes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, Brazil, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99163, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267
| | - Marcio L. Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74001-970 Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil, Laboratorio de Estudos Integrados em Bioquimica Microbiana, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Goes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, Brazil, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99163, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267
| | - Vasanth Mundodi
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74001-970 Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil, Laboratorio de Estudos Integrados em Bioquimica Microbiana, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Goes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, Brazil, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99163, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267
| | - Erika A. Abi-Chacra
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74001-970 Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil, Laboratorio de Estudos Integrados em Bioquimica Microbiana, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Goes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, Brazil, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99163, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267
| | - Michael S. Winters
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74001-970 Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil, Laboratorio de Estudos Integrados em Bioquimica Microbiana, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Goes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, Brazil, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99163, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267
| | - John F. Alderete
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74001-970 Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil, Laboratorio de Estudos Integrados em Bioquimica Microbiana, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Goes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, Brazil, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99163, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267
| | - Célia Maria de Almeida Soares
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74001-970 Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil, Laboratorio de Estudos Integrados em Bioquimica Microbiana, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Goes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, Brazil, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99163, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267
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Fonseca FL, Frases S, Casadevall A, Fischman-Gompertz O, Nimrichter L, Rodrigues ML. Structural and functional properties of the Trichosporon asahii glucuronoxylomannan. Fungal Genet Biol 2009; 46:496-505. [PMID: 19285564 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2009.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2009] [Revised: 03/03/2009] [Accepted: 03/03/2009] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The virulence attributes of Trichosporon asahii are virtually unknown, despite its growing relevance as causative agent of superficial and invasive diseases in humans. Glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) is a well described virulence factor of pathogenic species in the Cryptococcus genus. GXM is also produced by species of the Trichosporon genus, and both polysaccharides share antigenic determinants, but unlike cryptococcal GXM, relatively little work has been done on trichosporal GXMs. In this study, we analyzed structural and functional aspects of GXM produced by T. asahii and compared them to the properties of the cryptococcal polysaccharide. Trichosporal and cryptococcal GXM shared antigenic reactivity, but the former polysaccharide had smaller effective diameter and negative charge. GXM anchoring to the cell wall was perturbed by dimethylsulfoxide and required interactions of chitin-derived oligomers with the polysaccharide. GXM from T. asahii supernatants are incorporated by acapsular mutants of Cryptococcus neoformans, which renders these cells more resistant to phagocytosis by mouse macrophages. In summary, our results establish that despite similarities in cell wall anchoring, antigenic and antiphagocytic properties, trichosporal and cryptococcal GXMs manifest major structural differences that may directly affect polysaccharide assembly at the fungal surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda L Fonseca
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Bioquímica Microbiana, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária CCS, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, Brazil
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22
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Barbosa FM, Fonseca FL, Figueiredo RT, Bozza MT, Casadevall A, Nimrichter L, Rodrigues ML. Binding of glucuronoxylomannan to the CD14 receptor in human A549 alveolar cells induces interleukin-8 production. Clin Vaccine Immunol 2006; 14:94-8. [PMID: 17093102 PMCID: PMC1797707 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00296-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) is the major capsular polysaccharide of Cryptococcus neoformans. GXM receptors have been characterized in phagocytes and endothelial cells, but epithelial molecules recognizing the polysaccharide remain unknown. In the current study, we demonstrate that GXM binds to the CD14 receptor in human type II alveolar epithelial cells, resulting in the production of the proinflammatory chemokine interleukin-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiane M Barbosa
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Bioquímica Microbiana, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Centro de Ciencias da Saude (CCS), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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23
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Barbosa FM, Fonseca FL, Holandino C, Alviano CS, Nimrichter L, Rodrigues ML. Glucuronoxylomannan-mediated interaction of Cryptococcus neoformans with human alveolar cells results in fungal internalization and host cell damage. Microbes Infect 2005; 8:493-502. [PMID: 16293436 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2005.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2005] [Revised: 07/28/2005] [Accepted: 07/29/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Infection by Cryptococcus neoformans begins with inhalation of infectious propagules. Fungi reach the lung tissue and interact with epithelial cells in a crucial but poorly understood process. In this study, the interaction of C. neoformans with the human alveolar epithelial cell lineage A549 was investigated, focusing on the relevance of the capsular polysaccharide in this process. The association of encapsulated strains with A549 cells was significantly inhibited by a monoclonal antibody to glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), a major component of the cryptococcal capsule. A purified preparation of GXM produced similar results, suggesting the occurrence of surface receptors for this polysaccharide on the surface of alveolar cells. A549 cells were in fact able to bind soluble GXM, as confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence analysis using the anti-polysaccharide antibody. C. neoformans is internalized after GXM-mediated interaction with A549 cells in a process that culminates with death of host cells. Our results suggest that C. neoformans can use GXM for attachment to alveolar epithelia, allowing the fungus to reach the intracellular environment and damage host cells through still uncharacterized mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiane M Barbosa
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Bioquímica Microbiana, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, CCS, Bloco I, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941590, Brazil
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Manhani AR, Manhani R, Soares HP, Bendit I, Lopes F, Nicoletti AG, Fonseca FL, Novaes M, Zatta SM, Arias V, Giralt S, del Giglio A. CK-19 expression by RT-PCR in the peripheral blood of breast cancer patients correlates with response to chemotherapy. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2001; 66:249-54. [PMID: 11510696 DOI: 10.1023/a:1010621901102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The recent introduction of sensitive RT-PCR-based techniques for the detection of epithelial antigen expression, such as CK-19, in the peripheral blood and bone marrow of breast cancer patients may provide an opportunity to evaluate tumor response at the molecular level, even in the absence of measurable disease while patients are still receiving chemotherapy. METHODS We studied serially collected blood samples of 53 patients with breast cancer before, during, and after adjuvant, neoadjuvant, and palliative chemotherapy to evaluate its effects on the expression of CK-19 measured by RT-PCR. RESULTS The percentage of CK-19 RT-PCR positivity decreased consistently from 43% (23/53) before chemotherapy to 14.3% (7/49), and to 18.9% (7/37) after 3 and 6 cycles, respectively (chi-square for linear trend = 7.948; p = 0.0048). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between a negative CK-19 at three months and the response to chemotherapy (p = 0.024). CONCLUSION We conclude that RT-PCR negativity for CK-19 expression at 3 months after the beginning of chemotherapy correlates with tumor response and, as treatment progresses, there is a significant trend for the occurrence of more negative RT-PCR results. Further studies are needed to confirm if this technique can be useful to assess response to chemotherapy in patients without measurable disease and if negativation of CK-19 expression while on chemotherapy is of prognostic significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Manhani
- Disciplina de Hematologia e Oncologia da Faculdade de Medicina da Fundação ABC, São Paulo, Brazil
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