1
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Boniche-Alfaro C, Kischkel B, Thomaz L, Carvalho-Gomes MM, Lopes-Bezerra LM, Nosanchuk JD, Taborda CP. Antibody- Based Immunotherapy Combined With Antimycotic Drug TMP- SMX to Treat Infection With Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:725882. [PMID: 34737741 PMCID: PMC8562153 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.725882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are promising alternatives to treat infectious diseases, especially given their potential for applications in combination therapies with antimicrobial drugs to enhance the antifungal efficacy. Protection mediated by mAbs used to treat experimental paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) has been demonstrated previously. Our aim in the present work was to characterize a monoclonal antibody (mAbF1.4) raised against a cell wall glycoconjugate fraction of Paracoccidioides spp. and to analyze its efficacy combined with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) as treatment for experimental PCM. We demonstrated that the epitope recognized by mAbF1.4 is consistent with branched glucose residues present on a cell wall β-glucan polymer. In vitro, mAbF1.4 increased the phagocytic capacity and nitric oxide concentration induced by the macrophage cell line J774.1A, and this resulted in a significant reduction in the viability of the opsonophagocytized yeasts. In vivo, we detected a significant reduction in pulmonary fungal burdens of mice treated with mAbF1.4 in association with TMP/SMX, which correlated with increased pulmonary concentrations (determined by ELISA) of IFN- γ, TNF-α, IL-10 and IL-17. In parallel, we observed a decrease in IL-4, suggesting that the treatment was associated with a mixed Th1-Th17 type immune response. Histopathology of lung segments from mice receiving the combination therapy showed a significant reduction in granulomas, which were well-defined, and improved maintenance of lung architecture. These findings demonstrate that mAbF1.4 + TMP/SMX therapy is a promising approach to combat PCM as well as decrease disease sequelae and highlights the potential benefits of immune mediators in PCM combined immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Boniche-Alfaro
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Brenda Kischkel
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luciana Thomaz
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Leila M Lopes-Bezerra
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,BIDiagnostics, Centro de Inovação, Empreendedorismo e Tecnologia (CIETEC)/Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joshua Daniel Nosanchuk
- Department of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases), Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, United States
| | - Carlos Pelleschi Taborda
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Laboratory of Medical Mycology, Institute of Tropical Medicine of São Paulo, Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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2
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Marina CL, Bürgel PH, Agostinho DP, Zamith-Miranda D, Las-Casas LDO, Tavares AH, Nosanchuk JD, Bocca AL. Nutritional Conditions Modulate C. neoformans Extracellular Vesicles' Capacity to Elicit Host Immune Response. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1815. [PMID: 33217920 PMCID: PMC7698703 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a human pathogenic fungus that mainly afflicts immunocompromised patients. One of its virulence strategies is the production of extracellular vesicles (EVs), containing cargo with immunomodulatory properties. We evaluated EV's characteristics produced by capsular and acapsular strains of C. neoformans (B3501 and ΔCap67, respectively) growing in nutritionally poor or rich media and co-cultures with bone marrow-derived macrophages or dendritic cells from C57BL/6 mice. EVs produced under a poor nutritional condition displayed a larger hydrodynamic size, contained more virulence compounds, and induced a more robust inflammatory pattern than those produced in a rich nutritional medium, independently of strain. We treated infected mice with EVs produced in the rich medium, and the EVs inhibited more genes related to the inflammasome than untreated infected mice. These findings suggest that the EVs participate in the pathogenic processes that result in the dissemination of C. neoformans. Thus, these results highlight the versatility of EVs' properties during infection by C. neoformans in different tissues and support ongoing efforts to harness EVs to prevent and treat cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Luna Marina
- Laboratory of Applied Immunity, Institute of Biology Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal 70910-900, Brazil; (C.L.M.); (P.H.B.); (L.d.O.L.-C.)
| | - Pedro Henrique Bürgel
- Laboratory of Applied Immunity, Institute of Biology Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal 70910-900, Brazil; (C.L.M.); (P.H.B.); (L.d.O.L.-C.)
| | - Daniel Paiva Agostinho
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA; (D.P.A.); (D.Z.-M.); (J.D.N.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Daniel Zamith-Miranda
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA; (D.P.A.); (D.Z.-M.); (J.D.N.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Lucas de Oliveira Las-Casas
- Laboratory of Applied Immunity, Institute of Biology Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal 70910-900, Brazil; (C.L.M.); (P.H.B.); (L.d.O.L.-C.)
| | | | - Joshua Daniel Nosanchuk
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA; (D.P.A.); (D.Z.-M.); (J.D.N.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Anamelia Lorenzetti Bocca
- Laboratory of Applied Immunity, Institute of Biology Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal 70910-900, Brazil; (C.L.M.); (P.H.B.); (L.d.O.L.-C.)
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3
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Vargas G, Honorato L, Guimarães AJ, Rodrigues ML, Reis FCG, Vale AM, Ray A, Nosanchuk JD, Nimrichter L. Protective effect of fungal extracellular vesicles against murine candidiasis. Cell Microbiol 2020; 22:e13238. [PMID: 32558196 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [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: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid bilayered compartments released by virtually all living cells, including fungi. Among the diverse molecules carried by fungal EVs, a number of immunogens, virulence factors and regulators have been characterised. Within EVs, these components could potentially impact disease outcomes by interacting with the host. From this perspective, we previously demonstrated that EVs from Candida albicans could be taken up by and activate macrophages and dendritic cells to produce cytokines and express costimulatory molecules. Moreover, pre-treatment of Galleria mellonella larvae with fungal EVs protected the insects against a subsequent lethal infection with C. albicans yeasts. These data indicate that C. albicans EVs are multi-antigenic compartments that activate the innate immune system and could be exploited as vaccine formulations. Here, we investigated whether immunisation with C. albicans EVs induces a protective effect against murine candidiasis in immunosuppressed mice. Total and fungal antigen-specific serum IgG antibodies increased by 21 days after immunisation, confirming the efficacy of the protocol. Vaccination decreased fungal burden in the liver, spleen and kidney of mice challenged with C. albicans. Splenic levels of cytokines indicated a lower inflammatory response in mice immunised with EVs when compared with EVs + Freund's adjuvant (ADJ). Higher levels of IL-12p70, TNFα and IFNγ were detected in mice vaccinated with EVs + ADJ, while IL-12p70, TGFβ, IL-4 and IL-10 were increased when no adjuvants were added. Full protection of lethally challenged mice was observed when EVs were administered, regardless the presence of adjuvant. Physical properties of the EVs were also investigated and EVs produced by C. albicans were relatively stable after storage at 4, -20 or -80°C, keeping their ability to activate dendritic cells and to protect G. mellonella against a lethal candidiasis. Our data suggest that fungal EVs could be a safe source of antigens to be exploited in vaccine formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Vargas
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia de Eucariotos, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leandro Honorato
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia de Eucariotos, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Allan Jefferson Guimarães
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Marcio L Rodrigues
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Curitiba, Brazil.,Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Flavia C G Reis
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Curitiba, Brazil.,Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde (CDTS), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - André M Vale
- Laboratório de Biologia de Linfócitos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Anjana Ray
- Department of Medicine - Hematology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joshua Daniel Nosanchuk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Leonardo Nimrichter
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia de Eucariotos, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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4
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Almeida-Paes R, Almeida-Silva F, Pinto GCM, Almeida MDA, Muniz MDM, Pizzini CV, Gerfen GJ, Nosanchuk JD, Zancopé-Oliveira RM. L-tyrosine induces the production of a pyomelanin-like pigment by the parasitic yeast-form of Histoplasma capsulatum. Med Mycol 2019; 56:506-509. [PMID: 28992332 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myx068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanization of Histoplasma capsulatum remains poorly described, particularly in regards to the forms of melanin produced. In the present study, 30 clinical and environmental H. capsulatum strains were grown in culture media with or without L-tyrosine under conditions that produced either mycelial or yeast forms. Mycelial cultures were not melanized under the studied conditions. However, all strains cultivated under yeast conditions produced a brownish to black soluble pigment compatible with pyomelanin when grew in presence of L-tyrosine. Sulcotrione inhibited pigment production in yeast cultures, strengthening the hyphothesis that H. capsulatum yeast forms produce pyomelanin. Since pyomelanin is produced by the fungal parasitic form, this pigment may be involved in H. capsulatum virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Almeida-Paes
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fernando Almeida-Silva
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Costa Maia Pinto
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcos de Abreu Almeida
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mauro de Medeiros Muniz
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Claudia Vera Pizzini
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Gary J Gerfen
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States
| | - Joshua Daniel Nosanchuk
- Departments of Medicine [Division of Infectious Diseases] and Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States
| | - Rosely Maria Zancopé-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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5
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Nosanchuk JD, Jeyakumar A, Ray A, Revskaya E, Jiang Z, Bryan RA, Allen KJH, Jiao R, Malo ME, Gómez BL, Morgenstern A, Bruchertseifer F, Rickles D, Thornton GB, Bowen A, Casadevall A, Dadachova E. Structure-function analysis and therapeutic efficacy of antibodies to fungal melanin for melanoma radioimmunotherapy. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5466. [PMID: 29615812 PMCID: PMC5882926 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23889-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma remains difficult to treat despite recent approvals of several new drugs. Recently we reported encouraging results of Phase I clinical trial of radiolabeled with 188Re murine monoclonal IgM 6D2 to melanin in patients with Stage III/IV melanoma. Subsequently we generated a novel murine IgG 8C3 to melanin. IgGs are more amenable to humanization and cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) manufacturing than IgMs. We performed comparative structural analysis of melanin-binding IgM 6D2 and IgG 8C3. The therapeutic efficacy of 213Bi- and 188Re-labeled 8C3 and its comparison with anti-CTLA4 immunotherapy was performed in B16-F10 murine melanoma model. The primary structures of these antibodies revealed significant homology, with the CDRs containing a high percentage of positively charged amino acids. The 8C3 model has a negatively charged binding surface and significant number of aromatic residues in its H3 domain, suggesting that hydrophobic interactions contribute to the antibody-melanin interaction. Radiolabeled IgG 8C3 showed significant therapeutic efficacy in murine melanoma, safety towards healthy melanin-containing tissues and favorable comparison with the anti-CTLA4 antibody. We have demonstrated that antibody binding to melanin relies on both charge and hydrophobic interactions while the in vivo data supports further development of 8C3 IgG as radioimmunotherapy reagent for metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Nosanchuk
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - A Jeyakumar
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - A Ray
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - E Revskaya
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Z Jiang
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - R A Bryan
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - K J H Allen
- University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - R Jiao
- University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - M E Malo
- University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - B L Gómez
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad Rosario, Bogota, Colombia
| | - A Morgenstern
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Security, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - F Bruchertseifer
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Security, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - D Rickles
- RadImmune Therapeutics, Tarrytown, NY, USA
| | | | - A Bowen
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - A Casadevall
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - E Dadachova
- University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
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6
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Zamith-Miranda D, Nimrichter L, Rodrigues ML, Nosanchuk JD. Fungal extracellular vesicles: modulating host-pathogen interactions by both the fungus and the host. Microbes Infect 2018; 20:501-504. [PMID: 29471026 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2018.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [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: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The secretion of biomolecules by fungal cells occurs via the conventional export of signal peptide-coupled soluble molecules, but it also results from transport within extracellular vesicles (EV). During the last ten years since the description of this non-conventional secretion pathway, varied, interesting biological roles have been associated with EV release by fungi. The various organic molecules carried by these structures are involved in pathogenesis and immune evasion, and may be associated with cell-cell communication. In regards to host-pathogen interactions, EV roles are diverse and organism-specific, although some features seem to be conserved among the pathogenic fungal organisms studied to date. This review aims to highlight our current understanding of the biologically relevant findings regarding EV released by the pathogenic fungal organisms and describes our knowledge of the roles of EV in host-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Zamith-Miranda
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - L Nimrichter
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - M L Rodrigues
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz, Cidade Industrial de Curitiba, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - J D Nosanchuk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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7
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de-Souza-Silva CM, Guilhelmelli F, Zamith-Miranda D, de Oliveira MA, Nosanchuk JD, Silva-Pereira I, Albuquerque P. Broth Microdilution In Vitro Screening: An Easy and Fast Method to Detect New Antifungal Compounds. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 29553507 DOI: 10.3791/57127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections have become an important medical condition in the last decades, but the number of available antifungal drugs is limited. In this scenario, the search for new antifungal drugs is necessary. The protocol reported here details a method to screen peptides for their antifungal properties. It is based on the broth microdilution susceptibility test from the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M27-A3 guidelines with modifications to suit the research of antimicrobial peptides as potential new antifungals. This protocol describes a functional assay to evaluate the activity of antifungal compounds and may be easily modified to suit any particular class of molecules under investigation. Since the assays are performed in 96-well plates using small volumes, a large-scale screening can be completed in a short amount of time, especially if carried out in an automation setting. This procedure illustrates how a standardized and adjustable clinical protocol can help the bench-work pursuit of new molecules to improve the therapy of fungal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fernanda Guilhelmelli
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Cellular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília
| | - Daniel Zamith-Miranda
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
| | - Marco Antônio de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Cellular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília
| | - Joshua Daniel Nosanchuk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
| | - Ildinete Silva-Pereira
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Cellular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília;
| | - Patrícia Albuquerque
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Cellular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília; Faculty of Ceilândia, University of Brasília;
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8
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Rossi DCP, Spadari CDC, Nosanchuk JD, Taborda CP, Ishida K. Miltefosine is fungicidal to Paracoccidioides spp. yeast cells but subinhibitory concentrations induce melanisation. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2017; 49:465-471. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2016.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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9
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Enemchukwu CU, Ben-Faras H, Gialanella P, Szymczak WA, Nosanchuk JD, Madaline TF. Butyricimonas virosa bacteraemia and bowel disease: case report and review. New Microbes New Infect 2016; 13:34-6. [PMID: 27408738 PMCID: PMC4925910 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2016.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Revised: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Only two cases of human infection with the anaerobic Gram-negative bacillus Butyricimonas virosa have been previously reported. We describe the case of a 69-year-old man with B. virosa and diverticulitis, further supporting an association of bacteraemia with this pathogen to bowel disease. We also summarize the characteristics of the previously described cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- C U Enemchukwu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - H Ben-Faras
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, USA
| | - P Gialanella
- Department of Pathology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - W A Szymczak
- Department of Pathology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - J D Nosanchuk
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - T F Madaline
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
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10
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Taborda CP, Urán ME, Nosanchuk JD, Travassos LR. PARACOCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS: CHALLENGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A VACCINE AGAINST AN ENDEMIC MYCOSIS IN THE AMERICAS. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2016; 57 Suppl 19:21-4. [PMID: 26465365 PMCID: PMC4711196 DOI: 10.1590/s0036-46652015000700005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), caused by Paracoccidioides spp, is an
important endemic mycosis in Latin America. There are two recognized
Paracoccidioides species, P. brasiliensis and
P. lutzii, based on phylogenetic differences; however, the
pathogenesis and disease manifestations of both are indistinguishable at present.
Approximately 1,853 (~51,2%) of 3,583 confirmed deaths in Brazil due to systemic
mycoses from 1996-2006 were caused by PCM. Antifungal treatment is required for
patients with PCM. The initial treatment lasts from two to six months and sulfa
derivatives, amphotericin B, azoles and terbinafine are used in clinical practice;
however, despite prolonged therapy, relapses are still a problem. An effective
Th1-biased cellular immune response is essential to control the disease, which can be
induced by exogenous antigens or modulated by prophylactic or therapeutic vaccines.
Stimulation of B cells or passive transference of monoclonal antibodies are also
important means that may be used to improve the efficacy of paracoccidioidomycosis
treatment in the future. This review critically details major challenges facing the
development of a vaccine to combat PCM.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M E Urán
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - J D Nosanchuk
- Departments of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, U.S.A
| | - L R Travassos
- Departmento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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11
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Prakit K, Nosanchuk JD, Pruksaphon K, Vanittanakom N, Youngchim S. A novel inhibition ELISA for the detection and monitoring of Penicillium marneffei antigen in human serum. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2016; 35:647-56. [PMID: 26838686 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-016-2583-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The thermally dimorphic fungus Penicillium marneffei is a causative agent of penicilliosis marneffei, a disease considered to be an acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-defining illness in Southeast Asia and southern China. We have developed an inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (inh-ELISA) incorporating the yeast phase specific mannoprotein-binding monoclonal antibody 4D1 for the detection of P. marneffei infection. In our sample set, the test detected antigenemia in all 45 (100 %) patients with P. marneffei, with a mean antigen concentration of 4.32 μg/ml. No cross-reactivity in this assay was found using serum from 44 additional patients with other fungal infections, such as Aspergillus fumigatus, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Candida albicans, as well as 44 patients with bacterial infections, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Streptococcus suis. Additionally, no reactivity occurred using serum from 31 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients without a history of fungal infections and 113 healthy controls residing in endemic areas. To investigate the potential of the inh-ELISA for disease monitoring, we followed the reduction in antigenemia in six patients who clinically responded to itraconazole and P. marneffei was no longer isolated from their blood or tissues. In contrast, we correlated increased concentrations of antigenemia in patients with relapsed P. marneffei infection with the progression of their clinical symptoms and the isolation of P. marneffei from their clinical specimens. In summary, the P. marneffei inh-ELISA is a promising new assay for the rapid diagnosis of P. marneffei, as well as a tool for evaluating clinical response and clearance of the fungus during treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Prakit
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - J D Nosanchuk
- Departments of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) and Microbiology/Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - K Pruksaphon
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - N Vanittanakom
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - S Youngchim
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
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12
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Vargas G, Rocha JDB, Oliveira DL, Albuquerque PC, Frases S, Santos SS, Nosanchuk JD, Gomes AMO, Medeiros LCAS, Miranda K, Sobreira TJP, Nakayasu ES, Arigi EA, Casadevall A, Guimaraes AJ, Rodrigues ML, Freire-de-Lima CG, Almeida IC, Nimrichter L. Compositional and immunobiological analyses of extracellular vesicles released by Candida albicans. Cell Microbiol 2014; 17:389-407. [PMID: 25287304 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2013] [Revised: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The release of extracellular vesicles (EV) by fungal organisms is considered an alternative transport mechanism to trans-cell wall passage of macromolecules. Previous studies have revealed the presence of EV in culture supernatants from fungal pathogens, such as Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Sporothrix schenckii, Malassezia sympodialis and Candida albicans. Here we investigated the size, composition, kinetics of internalization by bone marrow-derived murine macrophages (MO) and dendritic cells (DC), and the immunomodulatory activity of C. albicans EV. We also evaluated the impact of EV on fungal virulence using the Galleria mellonella larvae model. By transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering, we identified two populations ranging from 50 to 100 nm and 350 to 850 nm. Two predominant seroreactive proteins (27 kDa and 37 kDa) and a group of polydispersed mannoproteins were observed in EV by immunoblotting analysis. Proteomic analysis of C. albicans EV revealed proteins related to pathogenesis, cell organization, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, response to stress, and several other functions. The major lipids detected by thin-layer chromatography were ergosterol, lanosterol and glucosylceramide. Short exposure of MO to EV resulted in internalization of these vesicles and production of nitric oxide, interleukin (IL)-12, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and IL-10. Similarly, EV-treated DC produced IL-12p40, IL-10 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha. In addition, EV treatment induced the up-regulation of CD86 and major histocompatibility complex class-II (MHC-II). Inoculation of G. mellonella larvae with EV followed by challenge with C. albicans reduced the number of recovered viable yeasts in comparison with infected larvae control. Taken together, our results demonstrate that C. albicans EV were immunologically active and could potentially interfere with the host responses in the setting of invasive candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Vargas
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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13
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de Matos Guedes HL, da Silva Costa BL, Chaves SP, de Oliveira Gomes DC, Nosanchuk JD, De Simone SG, Rossi-Bergmann B. Intranasal vaccination with extracellular serine proteases of Leishmania amazonensis confers protective immunity to BALB/c mice against infection. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:448. [PMID: 25239157 PMCID: PMC4261548 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 09/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previously, we demonstrated that unlike subcutaneous or intramuscular vaccination, intranasal vaccination of BALB/c mice with whole Leishmania amazonensis antigens leads to protection against cutaneous leishmaniasis. Here, the role of parasite serine proteases in the protective immunity was investigated. Findings Serine Proteases were partially purified from both soluble (LaSP-Sol) and extracellular (LaSP-Ex) Leishmania amazonensis promastigote extracts by aprotinin-agarose chromatography. BALB/c mice were intranasally immunized with LaSP-Sol and LaSP-Ex prior to infection with L. amazonensis. LaSP-Ex but not LaSP-Sol vaccination led to significantly smaller lesions and parasite burdens as compared with non-vaccinated controls. Protection was accompanied by systemic Th1 polarization with increased IFN-γ and decreased IL-4 and IL-10 splenic production. Likewise, increased production of IFN-γ, IL-12 and IL-4 concomitant with decreased TGF-β and TNF-α was locally observed in the infected footpad. Conclusion This study indicates that extracellular serine proteases of L. amazonensis are strong candidates for a more defined intranasal vaccine against cutaneous leishmaniasis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1756-3305-7-448) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herbert Leonel de Matos Guedes
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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14
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Tar MT, Martinez LR, Nosanchuk JD, Davies KP. The effect of methamphetamine on an animal model of erectile function. Andrology 2014; 2:531-6. [PMID: 24706617 DOI: 10.1111/j.2047-2927.2014.00212.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 08/15/2013] [Revised: 01/27/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
In the US methamphetamine is considered a first-line treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is also a common drug of abuse. Reports in patients and abusers suggest its use results in impotence. The efficacy of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i) to restore erectile function in these patient groups also has not been determined. In these studies, we determined if the rat is a suitable animal model for the physiological effects of methamphetamine on erectile function, and if a PDE5i (tadalafil) has an effect on erectile function following methamphetamine treatment. In acute phase studies, erectile function was measured in male Sprague-Dawley rats, before and after administration of 10 mg/kg methamphetamine i.p. Chronically treated animals received escalating doses of methamphetamine [2.5 mg/kg (1st week), 5 mg/kg (2nd week), and 10 mg/kg (3rd week)] i.p. daily for 3 weeks and erectile function compared with untreated controls. The effect of co-administration of tadalafil was also investigated in rats acutely and chronically treated with methamphetamine. Erectile function was determined by measuring the intracorporal pressure/blood pressure ratio (ICP/BP) following cavernous nerve stimulation. In both acute and chronic phase studies, we observed a significant increase in the rates of spontaneous erections after methamphetamine administration. In addition, following stimulation of the cavernous nerve at 4 and 6 mA, there was a significant decrease in the ICP/BP ratio (approximately 50%), indicative of impaired erectile function. Tadalafil treatment reversed this effect. In chronically treated animals, the ICP/BP ratio following 4 and 6 mA stimulation decreased by approximately 50% compared with untreated animals and erectile dysfunction (ED) was also reversed by tadalafil. Overall, our data suggest that the rat is a suitable animal model to study the physiological effect of methamphetamine on erectile function. Our work also provides a rationale for treating patients that report ED associated with therapeutics-containing methamphetamine or amphetamine with PDE5i.
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Affiliation(s)
- M T Tar
- Department of Urology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
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15
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Bryan RA, Guimaraes AJ, Hopcraft S, Jiang Z, Bonilla K, Morgenstern A, Bruchertseifer F, Del Poeta M, Torosantucci A, Cassone A, Nosanchuk JD, Casadevall A, Dadachova E. Toward developing a universal treatment for fungal disease using radioimmunotherapy targeting common fungal antigens. Mycopathologia 2011; 173:463-71. [PMID: 22048869 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-011-9476-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2011] [Accepted: 08/26/2011] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previously, we demonstrated the ability of radiolabeled antibodies recognizing the cryptococcal polysaccharide capsule to kill Cryptococcus neoformans both in vitro and in infected mice. This approach, known as radioimmunotherapy (RIT), uses the exquisite ability of antibodies to bind antigens to deliver microbicidal radiation. To create RIT reagents which would be efficacious against all major medically important fungi, we have selected monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to common surface fungal antigens such as heat shock protein 60 (HSP60), which is found on the surface of diverse fungi; beta (1,3)-glucan, which is a major constituent of fungal cell walls; ceramide which is found at the cell surface, and melanin, a polymer present in the fungal cell wall. METHODS MAbs 4E12, an IgG2a to fungal HSP60; 2G8, an IgG2b to beta-(1,3)-glucan; and 6D2, an IgM to melanin, were labeled with the alpha particle emitting radionuclide 213-Bismuth ((213)Bi) using the chelator CHXA". B11, an IgM antibody to glucosylceramide, was labeled with the beta emitter 188-Rhenium ((188)Re). Model organisms Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans were used to assess the cytotoxicity of these compounds after exposure to either radiolabeled mAbs or controls. RESULTS (213)Bi-mAbs to HSP60 and to the beta-(1,3)-glucan each reduced the viability of both fungi by 80-100%. The (213)Bi-6D2 mAb to melanin killed 22% of C. neoformans, but did not kill C. albicans. B11 mAb against fungal ceramide was effective against wild-type C. neoformans, but was unable to kill a mutant lacking the ceramide target. Unlabeled mAbs and radiolabeled irrelevant control mAbs caused no killing. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that it is feasible to develop RIT against fungal pathogens by targeting common antigens and such an approach could be developed against fungal diseases for which existing therapy is unsatisfactory.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Bryan
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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16
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Guimarães AJ, Nakayasu ES, Sobreira TJP, Cordero RJB, Nimrichter L, Almeida IC, Nosanchuk JD. Histoplasma capsulatum heat-shock 60 orchestrates the adaptation of the fungus to temperature stress. PLoS One 2011; 6:e14660. [PMID: 21347364 PMCID: PMC3037374 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0014660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 07/16/2010] [Accepted: 01/13/2011] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are among the most widely distributed and evolutionary conserved proteins. Hsps are essential regulators of diverse constitutive metabolic processes and are markedly upregulated during stress. A 62 kDa Hsp (Hsp60) of Histoplasma capsulatum (Hc) is an immunodominant antigen and the major surface ligand to CR3 receptors on macrophages. However little is known about the function of this protein within the fungus. We characterized Hc Hsp60-protein interactions under different temperature to gain insights of its additional functions oncell wall dynamism, heat stress and pathogenesis. We conducted co-immunoprecipitations with antibodies to Hc Hsp60 using cytoplasmic and cell wall extracts. Interacting proteins were identified by shotgun proteomics. For the cell wall, 84 common interactions were identified among the 3 growth conditions, including proteins involved in heat-shock response, sugar and amino acid/protein metabolism and cell signaling. Unique interactions were found at each temperature [30°C (81 proteins), 37°C (14) and 37/40°C (47)]. There were fewer unique interactions in cytoplasm [30°C (6), 37°C (25) and 37/40°C (39)] and four common interactions, including additional Hsps and other known virulence factors. These results show the complexity of Hsp60 function and provide insights into Hc biology, which may lead to new avenues for the management of histoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan Jefferson Guimarães
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Ernesto S. Nakayasu
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, United States of America
| | - Tiago J. P. Sobreira
- Group of Computational Biology, Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Cardiology, Heart Institute (InCor), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Radames J. B. Cordero
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - 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
| | - Igor C. Almeida
- Department of Biological Sciences, The Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Joshua Daniel Nosanchuk
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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17
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Guimarães AJ, Pizzini CV, De Abreu Almeida M, Peralta JM, Nosanchuk JD, Zancopé-Oliveira RM. Evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using purified, deglycosylated histoplasmin for different clinical manifestations of histoplasmosis. Microbiol Res (Pavia) 2010; 1:e2. [PMID: 21691458 PMCID: PMC3117636 DOI: 10.4081/mr.2010.e2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [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] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Diagnosis of invasive fungal diseases remains problematic, especially in undeveloped countries. We have developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies to Histoplasma capsulatum using metaperiodate treated purified histoplasmin (ptHMIN). Our ELISA was validated comparing sera from patients with histoplasmosis, related mycoses, and healthy individuals. The overall test specificity was 96%, with sensitivities of 100% (8/8) in acute disease, 90% (9/10) in chronic disease, 89% (8/9) in disseminated infection in individuals without HIV infection, 86% (12/14) in disseminated disease in the setting of HIV infection and 100% (3/3) in mediastinal histoplasmosis. These parameters are superior to the use of untreated histoplasmin in diagnostic ELISAs. The high specificities, sensitivities, and simplicity of our ELISA support further development of a deglycosylated HMIN ELISA for clinical use and for monitoring the humoral immune response during therapy in patients with chronic and disseminated histoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan Jefferson Guimarães
- Department of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) & Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Claudia Vera Pizzini
- Laboratório de Micologia, Setor de Imunodiagnóstico, Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcos De Abreu Almeida
- Laboratório de Micologia, Setor de Imunodiagnóstico, Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - José Mauro Peralta
- Instituto de Microbiologia Prof. Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Joshua Daniel Nosanchuk
- Department of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) & Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Rosely Maria Zancopé-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Micologia, Setor de Imunodiagnóstico, Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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18
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Guimarães AJ, Hamilton AJ, de M. Guedes HL, Nosanchuk JD, Zancopé-Oliveira RM. Biological function and molecular mapping of M antigen in yeast phase of Histoplasma capsulatum. PLoS One 2008; 3:e3449. [PMID: 18927619 PMCID: PMC2566600 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 07/03/2008] [Accepted: 09/24/2008] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Histoplasmosis, due to the intracellular fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, can be diagnosed by demonstrating the presence of antibodies specific to the immunodominant M antigen. However, the role of this protein in the pathogenesis of histoplasmosis has not been elucidated. We sought to structurally and immunologically characterize the protein, determine yeast cell surface expression, and confirm catalase activity. A 3D-rendering of the M antigen by homology modeling revealed that the structures and domains closely resemble characterized fungal catalases. We generated monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to the protein and determined that the M antigen is present on the yeast cell surface and in cell wall/cell membrane preparations. Similarly, we found that the majority of catalase activity was in extracts containing fungal surface antigens and that the M antigen is not significantly secreted by live yeast cells. The mAbs also identified unique epitopes on the M antigen. The localization of the M antigen to the cell surface of H. capsulatum yeast and the characterization of the protein's major epitopes have important implications since it demonstrates that although the protein may participate in protecting the fungus against oxidative stress it is also accessible to host immune cells and antibody.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan Jefferson Guimarães
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine and Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- Laboratório de Micologia - Setor de Imunodiagnóstico - Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andrew John Hamilton
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, Guy's Hospital, King's College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Herbert Leonel de M. Guedes
- Laboratório de Micologia - Setor de Imunodiagnóstico - Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Proteínas e Peptídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Joshua Daniel Nosanchuk
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine and Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Rosely Maria Zancopé-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Micologia - Setor de Imunodiagnóstico - Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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19
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Abstract
The host response to infection is the outcome of a complex interaction between a microbe and a host's innate and adaptive immune system. In this context, the role of antibody in the endemic mycoses is relatively poorly understood. Recently, a monoclonal antibody to a cell surface protein has been shown to be protective in a murine histoplasmosis model. The findings with Histoplasma capsulatum may provide a paradigm for antibody protection against endemic fungi. This paper reviews the recent data on protective antibody in histoplasmosis and previous data supporting a role for antibody in protective responses in other dimorphic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Nosanchuk
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA.
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20
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Morris-Jones R, Youngchim S, Hextall JM, Gomez BL, Morris-Jones SD, Hay RJ, Casadevall A, Nosanchuk JD, Hamilton AJ. Scytalidium dimidiatum causing recalcitrant subcutaneous lesions produces melanin. J Clin Microbiol 2004; 42:3789-94. [PMID: 15297531 PMCID: PMC497569 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.42.8.3789-3794.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Scytalidium dimidiatum is a pigmented dematiaceous coelomycete that typically causes chronic superficial skin diseases and onychomycosis, as well as deeper infections, such as subcutaneous abscesses, mycetoma, and even fungemia in immunocompromised patients. A second species, Scytalidium hyalinum, has hyaline hyphae and arthroconidia and is considered by some authors to be an albino mutant of S. dimidiatum. This study aimed to confirm the presence of melanin or melanin-like compounds (which have been previously implicated in the virulence of other fungal pathogens) in S. dimidiatum from a patient with multiple subcutaneous nodules. Treatment of the hyphae and arthroconidia with proteolytic enzymes, denaturant, and concentrated hot acid yielded dark particles, which were stable free radicals, consistent with their identification as melanins. Extracted melanin particles from S. dimidiatum cultures were labeled by melanin-binding monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) from Sporothrix schenckii, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Cryptococcus neoformans. Lesional skin from the patient infected with S. dimidiatum contained fungal cells that were labeled by melanin-binding MAbs, and digestion of the tissue yielded dark particles that were also reactive. S. hyalinum was also subjected to the melanin extraction protocol, but no dark particles were yielded.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Morris-Jones
- Dermatology Laboratory, St John's Institute of Dermatology, Guy's Hospital, Guy's, King's and St. Thomas' Medical Schools, London, SE1 9RT, United Kingdom.
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21
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Dadachova E, Burns T, Bryan RA, Apostolidis C, Brechbiel MW, Nosanchuk JD, Casadevall A, Pirofski L. Feasibility of radioimmunotherapy of experimental pneumococcal infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2004; 48:1624-9. [PMID: 15105113 PMCID: PMC400592 DOI: 10.1128/aac.48.5.1624-1629.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important cause of community-acquired pneumonia, meningitis, and bacteremia. The problem of pneumococcal disease is exacerbated by increasing drug resistance. Furthermore, patients with impaired immunity are at high risk for invasive pneumococcal infections. Thus, there is an urgent need for new approaches to antimicrobial therapy. Antibody therapies take advantage of the specificity and high affinity of the antigen-antibody interaction to deliver antibacterial compounds to a site of infection in the form of naked or conjugated antibodies. We have recently established that radioimmunotherapy (RIT) can be used to treat experimental fungal infections in mice. In the present study, we investigated the feasibility of applying a RIT approach to the treatment of S. pneumoniae infection by evaluating the susceptibility of S. pneumoniae to radiolabeled antibody in vitro and in an animal infection model. For the specific antibody carrier, we used human monoclonal antibody D11, which binds to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide 8. We have selected the alpha particle emitter (213)Bi as the radionuclide for conjugation to the antibody. Incubation of serotype 8 S. pneumoniae with (213)Bi-D11 resulted in dose-dependent killing of bacteria. RIT of S. pneumoniae infection in C57BL/6 mice showed that 60% more mice survived in the (213)Bi-D11-treated group (80 micro Ci) than in the untreated group (P < 0.01). The treatment did not cause hematological toxicity, as demonstrated by platelet counts. This feasibility study establishes that RIT can be applied to the treatment of bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Dadachova
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA.
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22
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Dadachova E, Bryan RA, Frenkel A, Zhang T, Apostolidis C, Nosanchuk JS, Nosanchuk JD, Casadevall A. Evaluation of acute hematologic and long-term pulmonary toxicities of radioimmunotherapy of Cryptococcus neoformans infection in murine models. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2004; 48:1004-6. [PMID: 14982795 PMCID: PMC353163 DOI: 10.1128/aac.48.3.1004-1006.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We evaluated acute hematological and long-term pulmonary toxicity of radioimmunotherapy in murine models of Cryptococcus neoformans infection. Activities up to 250 microCi were well tolerated by healthy A/JCr mice for (213)Bi-18B7 and (188)Re-18B7 monoclonal antibodies. In infected mice, doses up to 150 microCi produced only transient toxicity. The lungs of treated mice had no evidence of radiation fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Dadachova
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
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Abstract
The incidence of invasive fungal disease has dramatically increased over the past few decades corresponding to the rising number of immunocompromised patients. The major risk factors for severe fungal disease include administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics, corticosteroids and cytotoxic agents, invasive medical procedures, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. Invasive fungal infections often affect multiple organs, and involvement of the myocardium frequently occurs in disseminated disease. Premortem diagnosis of fungal myocarditis is difficult since clinical findings of myocardial involvement are often absent or ambiguous and blood cultures are often negative. The major fungal pathogens responsible for myocardial infection and the clinical settings in which they occur are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Daniel Nosanchuk
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
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Abstract
Melanins are complex biological pigments formed by the oxidative polymerization of phenolic and/or indolic compounds. These pigments have been implicated in the pathogenesis of some microbial infections, malignancies, degenerative disorders, and autoimmune diseases. Recent studies have demonstrated that melanins have antigenic and anti-inflammatory properties. These findings led us to further explore the interaction of melanins with the immune system. Melanin particles ("ghosts") were isolated from in vitro-melanized Cryptococcus neoformans cells and Aspergillus niger conidia and then incubated in normal human serum containing (125)I-labeled complement C3. The results demonstrated deposition of C3 fragments onto the melanin ghosts as early as 1 min after incubation, with maximum deposition occurring after 12 min for C. neoformans-derived melanin ghosts and after 25 min for A. niger-derived melanin ghosts. The blocking of classical pathway activation did not affect the kinetics or total deposition of C3 onto the melanin ghosts, indicating that melanins activate complement through the alternative pathway. Immunofluorescence analysis of lungs from BALB/c mice injected intratracheally with C. neoformans-derived melanin ghosts demonstrated deposition of C3 fragments onto the ghosts. Small granulomas were also observed surrounding the ghosts. However, melanization of the C. neoformans cell wall did not alter the kinetics or total deposition of C3 fragments onto the fungal cells. The finding that melanin surfaces can activate the complement system suggests a potential mechanism for the pathogenesis of some degenerative and/or autoimmune processes that involve melanized cells as well as another potential role for melanin in the virulence of melanin-producing microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Rosas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Division of Infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Golding 701, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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26
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Gómez BL, Nosanchuk JD, Díez S, Youngchim S, Aisen P, Cano LE, Restrepo A, Casadevall A, Hamilton AJ. Detection of melanin-like pigments in the dimorphic fungal pathogen Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in vitro and during infection. Infect Immun 2001; 69:5760-7. [PMID: 11500453 PMCID: PMC98693 DOI: 10.1128/iai.69.9.5760-5767.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanins are implicated in the pathogenesis of several human diseases, including some microbial infections. In this study, we analyzed whether the conidia and the yeasts of the thermally dimorphic fungal pathogen Paracoccidioides brasiliensis produce melanin or melanin-like compounds in vitro and during infection. Growth of P. brasiliensis mycelia on water agar alone produced pigmented conidia, and growth of yeasts in minimal medium with L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) produced pigmented cells. Digestion of the pigmented conidia and yeasts with proteolytic enzymes, denaturant, and hot concentrated acid yielded dark particles that were the same size and shape as their propagules. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated reactivity of a melanin-binding monoclonal antibody (MAb) with the pigmented conidia, yeasts, and particles. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy identified the yeast-derived particles produced in vitro when P. brasiliensis was grown in L-DOPA medium as a melanin-like compound. Nonreducing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of cytoplasmic yeast extract revealed a protein that catalyzed melanin synthesis from L-DOPA. The melanin binding MAb reacted with yeast cells in tissue from mice infected with P. brasiliensis. Finally digestion of infected tissue liberated particles reactive to the melanin binding MAb that had the typical morphology of P. brasiliensis yeasts. These data strongly suggest that P. brasiliensis propagules, both conidia and yeast cells, can produce melanin or melanin-like compounds in vitro and in vivo. Based on what is known about the function of melanin in the virulence of other fungi, this pigment may play a role in the pathogenesis of paracoccidioidomycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- B L Gómez
- Dermatology Department, St. Johns Institute of Dermatology, Guy's Hospital, Guy's, Kings and St. Thomas Medical Schools, London, United Kingdom
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Rosas AL, Nosanchuk JD, Casadevall A. Passive immunization with melanin-binding monoclonal antibodies prolongs survival of mice with lethal Cryptococcus neoformans infection. Infect Immun 2001; 69:3410-2. [PMID: 11292764 PMCID: PMC98300 DOI: 10.1128/iai.69.5.3410-3412.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Passive immunization with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to melanin prolonged the survival of and reduced the fungal burden in Cryptococcus neoformans-infected mice in comparison to controls. MAbs to melanin reduced the growth rate of in vitro-melanized C. neoformans cells, suggesting a new mechanism of antibody-mediated protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Rosas
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
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Nosanchuk JD, Ovalle R, Casadevall A. Glyphosate inhibits melanization of Cryptococcus neoformans and prolongs survival of mice after systemic infection. J Infect Dis 2001; 183:1093-9. [PMID: 11237835 DOI: 10.1086/319272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2000] [Revised: 12/12/2000] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a major fungal pathogen and is a relatively common cause of life-threatening meningoencephalitis. Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide that inhibits the synthesis of aromatic amino acids via the shikimate acid pathway. This study investigated the effects of glyphosate on C. neoformans growth, melanization, and murine infection. C. neoformans was relatively resistant to glyphosate, requiring concentrations >250 microg/mL for inhibition. Melanization of C. neoformans in the presence of L-dopa was inhibited by subinhibitory concentrations of glyphosate. Glyphosate inhibited autopolymerization of L-dopa and oxidation of L-epinephrine by cryptococcal cells, which is mediated by a laccase. Administration of glyphosate to mice infected with C. neoformans delayed melanization of yeast cells in vivo and prolonged average mouse survival. The results suggest that inhibition of melanization in vivo may facilitate control of C. neoformans infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Nosanchuk
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
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Abstract
Melanins are notoriously difficult to work with because of their unique physical and chemical properties. The study of melanins is hampered by the scarcity of melanin-specific reagents and serological techniques. In this study we describe modifications to the standard method for the isolation of melanins from in vitro-melanized fungal cells and detail the optimization of serological techniques for the study of melanin compounds. The isolation procedure involves the digestion of melanized cells with a combination of proteolytic and glycolytic enzymes, denaturant, organic extractions, and boiling in 6.0 M HCl. Elemental quantitative analyses suggest that this procedure does not significantly affect the relative elemental composition of melanins. For the serological assays, our goal was to achieve a homogenous distribution of melanin particles on a solid support to maximize their recognition by melanin-binding antibodies. The results from enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) demonstrate that melanins, in general, disperse more efficiently on, and adhere better to, medium-binding polystyrene surfaces, especially in the presence of trace amounts of salt. Blocking the melanin-coated ELISA plates with the commercially available SuperBlock((R)) Blocking Buffer for 4 h was more efficient at reducing non-specific binding of a negative control monoclonal antibody (mAb) compared to blocking with 2% bovine serum albumin (BSA) and 5% milk. Increasing the ionic strength of the antibody solutions reduced binding to the melanins, indicating that binding is in part mediated by electrostatic interactions. These conditions were also applied to immunofluorescence (IF) analyses of melanins, and the results were consistent with those obtained by ELISA.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Rosas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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Abstract
Melanin synthesis has been associated with virulence for the human pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. Recent evidence indicates that C. neoformans cells synthesize melanin during infection and that this pigment protects the fungus against immune defense mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Casadevall
- Department of Microbiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
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Abstract
Melanin-specific reagents revealed melanin in cryptococcal cell walls from human brain tissue, and fungal-cell melanin "ghosts" were recovered from infected tissue. The results indicate that Cryptococcus neoformans melanises during human infection.
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Abstract
The ability of Cryptococcus neoformans to synthesize polymerized melanin in vitro has been associated with virulence, but it is unclear whether this fungus synthesizes polymerized melanin during infection. To study this question, we used two approaches: one involved the generation of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to melanin for use in immunohistochemical studies of C. neoformans-infected rodents, and the other sought to isolate fungal melanin from infected tissues. Digestion of in vitro-melanized C. neoformans cells with proteases, denaturant, and hot concentrated acid yields melanin particles that retain the shape of fungal cells and are therefore called melanin ghosts. BALB/c mice were immunized with melanin ghosts, and two immunoglobulin M MAbs to melanin were generated from the spleen of one mouse. Immunofluorescence analyses of lung and brain tissues of rodents infected with wild-type melanin-producing (Mel(+)) C. neoformans strains demonstrated binding of the MAbs to the fungal cell wall. No binding was observed when infections were performed with mutant albino (Mel(-)) C. neoformans strains. Particles with striking similarity to melanin ghosts were recovered after digestion of lung and brain tissues from Mel(+) C. neoformans-infected rodents and were reactive with the MAbs to melanin. No particles were recovered from tissues infected with Mel(-) C. neoformans. A Mel(+) C. neoformans strain grown on lung or brain homogenate agar became lightly pigmented and also yielded particles similar to melanin ghosts upon digestion, providing additional evidence that lung and brain tissues contain substrate for C. neoformans melanization. These results demonstrate that C. neoformans synthesizes polymerized melanin during infection, which has important implications for pathogenesis and antifungal drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Rosas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
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Nosanchuk JD, Shoham S, Fries BC, Shapiro DS, Levitz SM, Casadevall A. Evidence of zoonotic transmission of Cryptococcus neoformans from a pet cockatoo to an immunocompromised patient. Ann Intern Med 2000; 132:205-8. [PMID: 10651601 DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-132-3-200002010-00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although cryptococcosis has been associated with birds for almost 50 years, point sources for infection have not been identified. OBJECTIVE To document zoonotic transmission of Cryptococcus neoformans. DESIGN Case report. SETTING A home in Boston, Massachusetts. PATIENT A 72-year-old woman who received a diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis in November 1998. The patient, who had been taking immunosuppressant drugs since undergoing renal transplantation in 1989, owned a pet cockatoo. MEASUREMENTS Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated from the feces of the cockatoo. Isolates from excreta and from the patient were compared by using biochemical profiles, monoclonal antibody binding patterns, restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, and karyotyping. RESULTS The isolates from the patient and the cockatoo had identical biochemical profiles, the same monoclonal antibody immunofluorescence patterns, and indistinguishable patterns on restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and karyotyping. CONCLUSIONS The indistinguishable patient and cockatoo isolates strongly suggest that the patient's infection resulted from exposure to aerosolized cockatoo excreta. Although the incidence of cryptococcal infection due to such exposure is unknown, it may be prudent to advise immunocompromised patients to avoid pet birds and avian excreta.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Nosanchuk
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
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Abstract
Structures similar to the melanin "ghosts" of melanized cryptococcal cells were isolated from pigeon excreta contaminated with Cryptococcus neoformans, and their growth in pigeon excreta supported melanization. The results suggest that environmental C. neoformans cells are melanized and imply that initial infection may involve exposure to melanized cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Nosanchuk
- Department of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
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Doering TL, Nosanchuk JD, Roberts WK, Casadevall A. Melanin as a potential cryptococcal defence against microbicidal proteins. Med Mycol 1999; 37:175-81. [PMID: 10421849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an important fungal pathogen that synthesizes melanin when grown in the presence of phenolic substrates. The ability of C. neoformans to produce melanin is associated with virulence, but the specific role of melanin in the pathogenesis of infection is not clear. In this study the ability of C. neoformans melanin to bind proteins and protect against microbicidal peptides was investigated. Melanin was shown to bind a variety of proteins of fungal and mammalian origin. Melanin-protein interactions were dependent on the pH of the solution and on the amount of protein and melanin present. Melanized cells were less susceptible to killing by three microbicidal peptides: a defensin, a protegrin, and a magainin. Incubation of the microbicidal peptides with melanin particles, followed by removal of the melanin, reduced or abolished fungicidal activity, demonstrating interactions between peptides and melanin. The ability of melanin to bind proteins and to protect against microbicidal peptides suggests a protective function for melanin, whereby it sequesters microbicidal peptides and abrogates their activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- T L Doering
- The Department of Pharmacology, Cornell University Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA.
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Nosanchuk JD, Cleare W, Franzot SP, Casadevall A. Amphotericin B and fluconazole affect cellular charge, macrophage phagocytosis, and cellular morphology of Cryptococcus neoformans at subinhibitory concentrations. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1999; 43:233-9. [PMID: 9925511 PMCID: PMC89056 DOI: 10.1128/aac.43.2.233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/1998] [Accepted: 11/09/1998] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphotericin B (AmB) and fluconazole (FLU) are the major antifungal drugs used in the treatment of cryptococcosis. Both drugs are believed to exert their antifungal effects through actions on cell membrane sterols. In this study we investigated whether AmB and FLU had other, more subtle effects on C. neoformans that could contribute to their therapeutic efficacy. C. neoformans cells were grown in media with subinhibitory concentrations of either AmB or FLU and analyzed for cellular charge, phagocytosis by macrophages with antibody and complement opsonins, appearance by scanning electron and light microscopies, and release of the capsular polysaccharide glucuronoxylomannan into the culture medium. Growth in the presence of either AmB or FLU resulted in major reductions in cellular charge, as measured by determination of the zeta potential. Phagocytosis studies demonstrated that exposure of C. neoformans to subinhibitory concentrations of AmB or FLU enhanced phagocytosis by macrophages. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that a large proportion of cells had an altered capsular appearance. Cells grown in medium with either AmB or FLU were smaller and released more glucuronoxylomannan into the culture medium than cells grown without antibiotics. The results suggest additional mechanisms of action for AmB and FLU that may be operative in body compartments where drug levels do not achieve the MICs. Furthermore, the results suggest mechanisms by which AmB and FLU can cooperate with humoral and cellular immune defense systems in controlling C. neoformans infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Nosanchuk
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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Nosanchuk JD, Valadon P, Feldmesser M, Casadevall A. Melanization of Cryptococcus neoformans in murine infection. Mol Cell Biol 1999; 19:745-50. [PMID: 9858597 PMCID: PMC83931 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.19.1.745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/1998] [Accepted: 09/18/1998] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungus that is pathogenic in humans and that can produce melanin in vitro. Melanization is associated with virulence, but there is no evidence that melanin is made during infection. Melanins are difficult to study because they are amorphous and insoluble. Melanin-binding peptides from a phage display library were used to demonstrate that C. neoformans makes melanin-like compounds in tissue. Melanin-binding peptides were characterized by a high proportion of positively charged and aromatic residues. Two other methods, demonstration of an antibody response to melanin in mice infected with C. neoformans and analysis of yeast cell walls in infected tissue by light microscopy, were used to support these findings. The demonstration that C. neoformans melanizes in tissue has important implications for pathogenesis and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Nosanchuk
- Departments of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
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Abstract
Coccidioides immitis is a dimorphic fungus capable of causing a diverse spectrum of disease in humans. Although the diagnostic pathologic finding in tissue is a mature endosporulating spherule, hyphal structures can also be found in over 50% of pathologic specimens. This report presents a case of coccidioidomycosis in which there were no intact spherules, but characteristic barrel shaped arthrospores present in tissue and cultures positively identified the organism as C. immitis. This case was further complicated by presentation in a nonendemic area for the fungus. Coccidioides immitis is a soil fungus with two distinct phases: the saprophytic and the parasitic. This biphasic life cycle was first described by Ophöls,1 and more fully characterized by Baker and colleagues. The saprophytic stage occurs in the environment with the organism existing in a mycelial state. As the mold matures, barrel-shaped arthroconidia form and alternate with empty cells. The arthroconidia subsequently fracture from hyphae and are dispersed as an aerosol. The saprophytic cycle repeats itself upon infection of a new soil site. However, if the airborne arthroconidia are inhaled by a susceptible host, the parasitic phase is initiated. In the parasitic cycle, the arthrospore swells and becomes a rounded structure, known as a spherule. The protoplasm of the spherule divides to form large numbers of endospores. If the spherule ruptures, the endospores are released. Each endospore can develop into a new spherule, or, upon expulsion via contaminated secretions from the host, return to the environment where it transforms into its mycelial form. Although the characteristic histologic finding in coccidioidomycosis is the spherule with endospores, hyphal forms also can be found. The mycelial form of C. immitis cannot be definitively identified morphologically and requires confirmation by culture techniques or genetic probes. This report presents a pulmonary coccidioidoma in which arthroconidia were the predominant forms found in tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Nosanchuk
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
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Nosanchuk JD, Rosas AL, Casadevall A. The antibody response to fungal melanin in mice. J Immunol 1998; 160:6026-31. [PMID: 9637518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Melanins are associated with virulence in several important human pathogens, but little is known about the immune response to this ubiquitous biologic compound. We hypothesized that melanin produced by the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans was immunogenic. C. neoformans melanin was purified from melanized fungal cells and was used to immunize C57BL/6, BALB/c, and T cell-deficient (nude) BALB/c mice. The Ab response was evaluated by ELISA, immunofluorescence, and agglutination. The results demonstrate that melanin can be immunogenic, and the humoral immune response is T cell independent. Furthermore, the experiments demonstrate 1) a sensitive ELISA for the measurement of Ab to melanin, 2) that mice mount an intense Ab response to fungal melanin that includes Abs of IgM and IgG isotypes, 3) that melanins from different sources have cross-reactive epitopes, and 4) melanin in the cell wall of melanized yeast cells reacts with Abs raised to L-dopa C. neoformans melanin. The biologic significance of Ab to melanin remains to be determined, but the development of Ab suggests that this amorphous insoluble polymer can stimulate the immune system. The serologic techniques described here may prove useful for the evaluation of Ab responses to melanin in a variety of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Nosanchuk
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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Nosanchuk JD, Casadevall A. Cellular charge of Cryptococcus neoformans: contributions from the capsular polysaccharide, melanin, and monoclonal antibody binding. Infect Immun 1997; 65:1836-41. [PMID: 9125569 PMCID: PMC175227 DOI: 10.1128/iai.65.5.1836-1841.1997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a human pathogenic fungus which is unusual in two respects: it has a polysaccharide capsule similar to that found in encapsulated bacteria and it can produce melanin. Capsular and melanization phenotypes are associated with virulence. In this study we analyzed the contributions of the capsular polysaccharide, melanization, and antibody binding to the capsule to the cellular charge of C. neoformans. Cell charge was inferred from measurements of zeta potential. The results indicate that (i) C. neoformans cells are significantly more negatively charged than Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells, (ii) the polysaccharide capsule of C. neoformans is responsible for the high negative charge of the cells, (iii) C. neoformans melanin is negatively charged, (iv) melanization in C. neoformans is associated with an increased negative charge per cell, and (v) antibody binding to the capsule of C. neoformans significantly alters the cell charge. These results suggest that alterations in cell charge attributable to polysaccharide capsule formation, melanization, and antibody binding may affect C. neoformans virulence given that macrophage phagocytosis is effected by the zeta potential of microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Nosanchuk
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
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Nosanchuk JD, Sepkowitz KA, Pearse RN, White MH, Nimer SD, Armstrong D. Infectious complications of autologous bone marrow and peripheral stem cell transplantation for refractory leukemia and lymphoma. Bone Marrow Transplant 1996; 18:355-9. [PMID: 8864446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to characterize the infectious complications of autologous bone marrow (AuBMT) and peripheral stem cell transplantation (PSCT) in patients with refractory leukemia and lymphoma. We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients (n = 56) with refractory leukemia or lymphoma treated with AuBMT or PSCT at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center from January 1993 to July 1994. Records were available in 55, of whom 33 (60%) received AuBMT and 22 (40%) PSCT. Fifteen (27%) developed complicated infections, including 13 (39%) treated with AuBMT and two (9%) with PSCT. Complicated infections were caused by bacterial (11 episodes), fungal (four episodes), and viral (four episodes) pathogens. Five (9%) infections were fatal. In a multivariate model, only duration of neutropenia was significantly associated with development of complicated infection (P = 0.006). Thus, 27% of patients with refractory leukemia or lymphoma treated with AuBMT or PSCT developed complicated infections and 9% died of infection. Prolonged neutropenia was significantly associated with development of infection. Patients receiving PSCT had significantly lower rates of complicated infection, presumably due to the associated shorter duration of neutropenia. Future studies are needed to define the role of PSCT as treatment for refractory neoplastic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Nosanchuk
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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