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Onyishi CU, Jeon Y, Fejer G, Mukhopadhyay S, Gordon S, May RC. Loss of the scavenger receptor MARCO results in uncontrolled vomocytosis of fungi from macrophages. Eur J Immunol 2024:e2350771. [PMID: 38494423 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Vomocytosis, also known as nonlytic exocytosis, is a process whereby fully phagocytosed microbes are expelled from phagocytes without discernible damage to either the phagocyte or microbe. Although this phenomenon was first described in the opportunistic fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans in 2006, to date, mechanistic studies have been hampered by an inability to reliably stimulate or inhibit vomocytosis. Here we present the fortuitous discovery that macrophages lacking the scavenger receptor MAcrophage Receptor with COllagenous domain (MARCO), exhibit near-total vomocytosis of internalised cryptococci within a few hours of infection. Marco-/- macrophages also showed elevated vomocytosis of a yeast-locked C. albicans strain, suggesting this to be a broadly relevant observation. We go on to show that MARCO's role in modulating vomocytosis is independent of its role as a phagocytic receptor, suggesting that this protein may play an important and hitherto unrecognised role in modulating macrophage behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinaemerem U Onyishi
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
- Molecular Mycology and Immunity Section, Laboratory of Host Immunity and Microbiome, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yusun Jeon
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Gyorgy Fejer
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Subhankar Mukhopadhyay
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Siamon Gordon
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
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2
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Rodrigues ML, May RC, Janbon G. The multiple frontiers in the study of extracellular vesicles produced by fungi. Microbes Infect 2024; 26:105233. [PMID: 37805124 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2023.105233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
The production of extracellular vesicles (EVs) by fungi has been recognized for about a decade. Here we discuss the roles played by fungal EVs in biofilm formation, antifungal resistance, and release of immunogens with vaccine potential. We also explore their significance in promoting international collaboration and understanding of fungal biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcio L Rodrigues
- Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Curitiba, PR, 81310-020, Brazil; Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
| | - Guilhem Janbon
- Unité Biologie des ARN des Pathogènes Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris Cité, F-75015 Paris, France.
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3
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Mohamed SH, Fu MS, Hain S, Alselami A, Vanhoffelen E, Li Y, Bojang E, Lukande R, Ballou ER, May RC, Ding C, Velde GV, Drummond RA. Microglia are not protective against cryptococcal meningitis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7202. [PMID: 37938547 PMCID: PMC10632471 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43061-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia provide protection against a range of brain infections including bacteria, viruses and parasites, but how these glial cells respond to fungal brain infections is poorly understood. We investigated the role of microglia in the context of cryptococcal meningitis, the most common cause of fungal meningitis in humans. Using a series of transgenic- and chemical-based microglia depletion methods we found that, contrary to their protective role during other infections, loss of microglia did not affect control of Cryptococcus neoformans brain infection which was replicated with several fungal strains. At early time points post-infection, we found that microglia depletion lowered fungal brain burdens, which was related to intracellular residence of C. neoformans within microglia. Further examination of extracellular and intracellular fungal populations revealed that C. neoformans residing in microglia were protected from copper starvation, whereas extracellular yeast upregulated copper transporter CTR4. However, the degree of copper starvation did not equate to fungal survival or abundance of metals within different intracellular niches. Taken together, these data show how tissue-resident myeloid cells may influence fungal phenotype in the brain but do not provide protection against this infection, and instead may act as an early infection reservoir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally H Mohamed
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Man Shun Fu
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sofia Hain
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Alanoud Alselami
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Eliane Vanhoffelen
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI/MoSAIC, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yanjian Li
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110015, Liaoning, China
| | - Ebrima Bojang
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Robert Lukande
- Department of Pathology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Chen Ding
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110015, Liaoning, China
| | - Greetje Vande Velde
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI/MoSAIC, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rebecca A Drummond
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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4
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Sauters TJC, Roth C, Murray D, Sun S, Floyd Averette A, Onyishi CU, May RC, Heitman J, Magwene PM. Amoeba predation of Cryptococcus: A quantitative and population genomic evaluation of the accidental pathogen hypothesis. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011763. [PMID: 37956179 PMCID: PMC10681322 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011763] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The "Amoeboid Predator-Fungal Animal Virulence Hypothesis" posits that interactions with environmental phagocytes shape the evolution of virulence traits in fungal pathogens. In this hypothesis, selection to avoid predation by amoeba inadvertently selects for traits that contribute to fungal escape from phagocytic immune cells. Here, we investigate this hypothesis in the human fungal pathogens Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus deneoformans. Applying quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping and comparative genomics, we discovered a cross-species QTL region that is responsible for variation in resistance to amoeba predation. In C. neoformans, this same QTL was found to have pleiotropic effects on melanization, an established virulence factor. Through fine mapping and population genomic comparisons, we identified the gene encoding the transcription factor Bzp4 that underlies this pleiotropic QTL and we show that decreased expression of this gene reduces melanization and increases susceptibility to amoeba predation. Despite the joint effects of BZP4 on amoeba resistance and melanin production, we find no relationship between BZP4 genotype and escape from macrophages or virulence in murine models of disease. Our findings provide new perspectives on how microbial ecology shapes the genetic architecture of fungal virulence, and suggests the need for more nuanced models for the evolution of pathogenesis that account for the complexities of both microbe-microbe and microbe-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J. C. Sauters
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Cullen Roth
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Debra Murray
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Sheng Sun
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Anna Floyd Averette
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Chinaemerem U. Onyishi
- School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Robin C. May
- School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Paul M. Magwene
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
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5
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Haider MJA, Shave CD, Onyishi CU, Jagielski T, Lara-Reyna S, Frickel EM, May RC. Species- and strain-specific differences in the phagocytosis of Prototheca: insights from live-cell imaging. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0006623. [PMID: 37594276 PMCID: PMC10501220 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00066-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Prototheca is an extremely unusual group of achlorophyllic, obligately heterotrophic algae. Six species have been identified as pathogens of vertebrates, including cattle and humans. In cattle, P. bovis is the main infectious pathogen and is associated with bovine mastitis. In contrast, human infections typically involve P. wickerhamii and are associated with a spectrum of varying clinical presentations. Prototheca spp. enter the host from the environment and are therefore likely to be initially recognized by cells of the innate immune system. However, little is known about the nature of the interaction between Prototheca spp. and host phagocytes. In the present study, we adopt a live-cell imaging approach to investigate these interactions over time. Using environmental and clinical strains, we show that P. bovis cells are readily internalized and processed by macrophages, whereas these immune cells struggle to internalize P. wickerhamii. Serum opsonization of P. wickerhamii only marginally improves phagocytosis, suggesting that this species (but not P. bovis) may have evolved mechanisms to evade phagocytosis. Furthermore, we show that inhibition of the kinases Syk or PI3K, which are both critical for innate immune signaling, drastically reduces the uptake of P. bovis. Finally, we show that genetic ablation of MyD88, a signaling adaptor critical for Toll-like receptor signaling, has little impact on uptake but significantly prolongs phagosome maturation once P. bovis is internalized. Together, our data suggest that these two pathogenic Prototheca spp. have very different host-pathogen interactions which have potential therapeutic implications for the treatment of human and animal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed J. A. Haider
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher D. Shave
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Chinaemerem U. Onyishi
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Tomasz Jagielski
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, I. Miecznikowa, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Samuel Lara-Reyna
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Eva-Maria Frickel
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Robin C. May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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6
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Panconi L, Lorenz CD, May RC, Owen DM, Makarova M. Phospholipid tail asymmetry allows cellular adaptation to anoxic environments. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105134. [PMID: 37562570 PMCID: PMC10482748 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane biophysical properties are critical to cell fitness and depend on unsaturated phospholipid acyl tails. These can only be produced in aerobic environments since eukaryotic desaturases require molecular oxygen. This raises the question of how cells maintain bilayer properties in anoxic environments. Using advanced microscopy, molecular dynamics simulations, and lipidomics by mass spectrometry we demonstrated the existence of an alternative pathway to regulate membrane fluidity that exploits phospholipid acyl tail length asymmetry, replacing unsaturated species in the membrane lipidome. We show that the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces japonicus, which can grow in aerobic and anaerobic conditions, is capable of utilizing this strategy, whereas its sister species, the well-known model organism Schizosaccharomyces pombe, cannot. The incorporation of asymmetric-tailed phospholipids might be a general adaptation to hypoxic environmental niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Panconi
- Institute of Immunology and immunotherapy, School of Mathematics and Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Chris D Lorenz
- Department of Physics, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Dylan M Owen
- Institute of Immunology and immunotherapy, School of Mathematics and Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Maria Makarova
- School of Biosciences, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research and Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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7
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Onyishi CU, Desanti GE, Wilkinson AL, Lara-Reyna S, Frickel EM, Fejer G, Christophe OD, Bryant CE, Mukhopadhyay S, Gordon S, May RC. Toll-like receptor 4 and macrophage scavenger receptor 1 crosstalk regulates phagocytosis of a fungal pathogen. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4895. [PMID: 37580395 PMCID: PMC10425417 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40635-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The opportunistic fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans causes lethal infections in immunocompromised patients. Macrophages are central to the host response to cryptococci; however, it is unclear how C. neoformans is recognised and phagocytosed by macrophages. Here we investigate the role of TLR4 in the non-opsonic phagocytosis of C. neoformans. We find that loss of TLR4 function unexpectedly increases phagocytosis of non-opsonised cryptococci by murine and human macrophages. The increased phagocytosis observed in Tlr4-/- cells was dampened by pre-treatment of macrophages with oxidised-LDL, a known ligand of scavenger receptors. The scavenger receptor, macrophage scavenger receptor 1 (MSR1) (also known as SR-A1 or CD204) was upregulated in Tlr4-/- macrophages. Genetic ablation of MSR1 resulted in a 75% decrease in phagocytosis of non-opsonised cryptococci, strongly suggesting that it is a key non-opsonic receptor for this pathogen. We go on to show that MSR1-mediated uptake likely involves the formation of a multimolecular signalling complex involving FcγR leading to SYK, PI3K, p38 and ERK1/2 activation to drive actin remodelling and phagocytosis. Altogether, our data indicate a hitherto unidentified role for TLR4/MSR1 crosstalk in the non-opsonic phagocytosis of C. neoformans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinaemerem U Onyishi
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Guillaume E Desanti
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Alex L Wilkinson
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel Lara-Reyna
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Eva-Maria Frickel
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Gyorgy Fejer
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Olivier D Christophe
- Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM, Hémostase inflammation thrombose HITH U1176, 94276, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Clare E Bryant
- University of Cambridge, Department of Medicine, Box 157, Level 5, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Subhankar Mukhopadhyay
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
| | - Siamon Gordon
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
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Panconi L, Makarova M, Lambert ER, May RC, Owen DM. Topology-based fluorescence image analysis for automated cell identification and segmentation. J Biophotonics 2023; 16:e202200199. [PMID: 36349740 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202200199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Cell segmentation refers to the body of techniques used to identify cells in images and extract biologically relevant information from them; however, manual segmentation is laborious and subjective. We present Topological Boundary Line Estimation using Recurrence Of Neighbouring Emissions (TOBLERONE), a topological image analysis tool which identifies persistent homological image features as opposed to the geometric analysis commonly employed. We demonstrate that topological data analysis can provide accurate segmentation of arbitrarily-shaped cells, offering a means for automatic and objective data extraction. One cellular feature of particular interest in biology is the plasma membrane, which has been shown to present varying degrees of lipid packing, or membrane order, depending on the function and morphology of the cell type. With the use of environmentally-sensitive dyes, images derived from confocal microscopy can be used to quantify the degree of membrane order. We demonstrate that TOBLERONE is capable of automating this task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Panconi
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, School of Mathematics and Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Maria Makarova
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Eleanor R Lambert
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, School of Mathematics and Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Robin C May
- School of Biosciences and Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Dylan M Owen
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, School of Mathematics and Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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9
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Saidykhan L, Onyishi CU, May RC. The Cryptococcus gattii species complex: Unique pathogenic yeasts with understudied virulence mechanisms. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010916. [PMID: 36520688 PMCID: PMC9754292 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010916] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of Cryptococcus gattii/neoformans species complex are the etiological agents of the potentially fatal human fungal infection cryptococcosis. C. gattii and its sister species cause disease in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts, while the closely related species C. neoformans and C. deneoformans predominantly infect immunocompromised hosts. To date, most studies have focused on similarities in pathogenesis between these two groups, but over recent years, important differences have become apparent. In this review paper, we highlight some of the major phenotypic differences between the C. gattii and neoformans species complexes and justify the need to study the virulence and pathogenicity of the C. gattii species complex as a distinct cryptococcal group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamin Saidykhan
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Division of Physical and Natural Science, University of The Gambia, Brikama Campus, West Coast Region, The Gambia
| | - Chinaemerem U. Onyishi
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Robin C. May
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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10
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Saidykhan L, Correia J, Romanyuk A, Peacock AFA, Desanti GE, Taylor-Smith L, Makarova M, Ballou ER, May RC. Correction: An in vitro method for inducing titan cells reveals novel features of yeast-to-titan switching in the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus gattii. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1011001. [PMID: 36445880 PMCID: PMC9707741 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010321.].
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Saidykhan L, Correia J, Romanyuk A, Peacock AFA, Desanti GE, Taylor-Smith L, Makarova M, Ballou ER, May RC. An in vitro method for inducing titan cells reveals novel features of yeast-to-titan switching in the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus gattii. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010321. [PMID: 35969643 PMCID: PMC9426920 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a potentially lethal fungal infection of humans caused by organisms within the Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii species complex. Whilst C. neoformans is a relatively common pathogen of immunocompromised individuals, C. gattii is capable of acting as a primary pathogen of immunocompetent individuals. Within the host, both species undergo morphogenesis to form titan cells: exceptionally large cells that are critical for disease establishment. To date, the induction, defining attributes, and underlying mechanism of titanisation have been mainly characterized in C. neoformans. Here, we report the serendipitous discovery of a simple and robust protocol for in vitro induction of titan cells in C. gattii. Using this in vitro approach, we reveal a remarkably high capacity for titanisation within C. gattii, especially in strains associated with the Pacific Northwest Outbreak, and characterise strain-specific differences within the clade. In particular, this approach demonstrates for the first time that cell size changes, DNA amplification, and budding are not always synchronous during titanisation. Interestingly, however, exhibition of these cell cycle phenotypes was correlated with genes associated with cell cycle progression including CDC11, CLN1, BUB2, and MCM6. Finally, our findings reveal exogenous p-Aminobenzoic acid to be a key inducer of titanisation in this organism. Consequently, this approach offers significant opportunities for future exploration of the underlying mechanism of titanisation in this genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamin Saidykhan
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
- Division of Physical and Natural Science, University of The Gambia, Brikama, The Gambia
| | - Joao Correia
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Andrey Romanyuk
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Anna F. A. Peacock
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Guillaume E. Desanti
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Leanne Taylor-Smith
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Makarova
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth R. Ballou
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (ERB); (RCM)
| | - Robin C. May
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (ERB); (RCM)
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12
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Du Y, May RC, Cooper HJ. Native ambient mass spectrometry of intact protein assemblies directly from Escherichia coli colonies. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:6857-6860. [PMID: 35617055 PMCID: PMC9196203 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc02085h] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Here, we demonstrate that by combining electroporation with native ambient mass spectrometry, it is possible to detect intact non-covalent protein complexes directly from bacterial colonies growing on agar. Homodimers HdeA and HdeB were identified, together with the 50 kDa Mn-bound superoxide dismutase homodimer, in addition to some previously undetected monomeric proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuying Du
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Robin C May
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Helen J Cooper
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
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13
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Rose S, Beckwith EJ, Burmester C, May RC, Dionne MS, Rezaval C. Pre-copulatory reproductive behaviours are preserved in Drosophila melanogaster infected with bacteria. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20220492. [PMID: 35538789 PMCID: PMC9091859 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The activation of the immune system upon infection exerts a huge energetic demand on an individual, likely decreasing available resources for other vital processes, like reproduction. The factors that determine the trade-off between defensive and reproductive traits remain poorly understood. Here, we exploit the experimental tractability of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster to systematically assess the impact of immune system activation on pre-copulatory reproductive behaviour. Contrary to expectations, we found that male flies undergoing an immune activation continue to display high levels of courtship and mating success. Similarly, immune-challenged female flies remain highly sexually receptive. By combining behavioural paradigms, a diverse panel of pathogens and genetic strategies to induce the fly immune system, we show that pre-copulatory reproductive behaviours are preserved in infected flies, despite the significant metabolic cost of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saloni Rose
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Esteban J. Beckwith
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection and Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK,Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), UBA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Robin C. May
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK,Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Marc S. Dionne
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection and Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Carolina Rezaval
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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14
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Bryant JA, Riordan L, Watson R, Nikoi ND, Trzaska W, Slope L, Tibbatts C, Alexander MR, Scurr DJ, May RC, de Cogan F. Developing Novel Biointerfaces: Using Chlorhexidine Surface Attachment as a Method for Creating Anti-Fungal Surfaces. Glob Chall 2022; 6:2100138. [PMID: 35602408 PMCID: PMC9121760 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202100138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
There is an increasing focus in healthcare environments on combatting antimicrobial resistant infections. While bacterial infections are well reported, infections caused by fungi receive less attention, yet have a broad impact on society and can be deadly. Fungi are eukaryotes with considerable shared biology with humans, therefore limited technologies exist to combat fungal infections and hospital infrastructure is rarely designed for reducing microbial load. In this study, a novel antimicrobial surface (AMS) that is modified with the broad-spectrum biocide chlorhexidine is reported. The surfaces are shown to kill the opportunistic fungal pathogens Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans very rapidly (<15 min) and are significantly more effective than current technologies available on the commercial market, such as silver and copper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack A. Bryant
- Institute of Microbiology and InfectionUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Lily Riordan
- Institute of Microbiology and InfectionUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Rowan Watson
- Institute of Microbiology and InfectionUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Naa Dei Nikoi
- Institute of Microbiology and InfectionUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Wioleta Trzaska
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Louise Slope
- Institute of Microbiology and InfectionUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Callum Tibbatts
- Institute of Microbiology and InfectionUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Morgan R. Alexander
- Advanced Materials and Healthcare Technologies DivisionSchool of PharmacyUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamNG7 2RDUK
| | - David J. Scurr
- Advanced Materials and Healthcare Technologies DivisionSchool of PharmacyUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamNG7 2RDUK
| | - Robin C. May
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Felicity de Cogan
- Institute of Microbiology and InfectionUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamB15 2TTUK
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15
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Onyishi CU, May RC. Human immune polymorphisms associated with the risk of cryptococcal disease. Immunology 2021; 165:143-157. [PMID: 34716931 PMCID: PMC9426616 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that can cause lethal cryptococcal meningitis in immunocompromised individuals such as those with HIV/AIDS. In addition, cryptococcal infections occasionally arise in immunocompetent individuals or those with previously undiagnosed immunodeficiencies. The course of cryptococcosis is highly variable in both patient groups, and there is rapidly growing evidence that genetic polymorphisms may have a significant impact on the trajectory of disease. Here, we review what is currently known about the nature of these polymorphisms and their impact on host response to C. neoformans infection. Thus far, polymorphisms in Fc gamma receptors, mannose‐binding lectin, Dectin‐2, Toll‐like receptors and macrophage colony‐stimulating factor have been associated with susceptibility to cryptococcal disease. Notably, however, in some cases the impact of these polymorphisms depends on the genetic background of the population; for example, the FCGR3A 158 F/V polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of cryptococcal disease in both HIV‐positive and HIV‐negative white populations, but not in Han Chinese patients. In most cases, the precise mechanism by which the identified polymorphisms influence disease progression remains unclear, although impaired fungal recognition and phagocytosis by innate immune cells appears to play a major role. Finally, we highlight outstanding questions in the field and emphasize the need for future research to include more diverse populations in their genetic association studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinaemerem U Onyishi
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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16
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Rizzo J, Wong SSW, Gazi AD, Moyrand F, Chaze T, Commere P, Novault S, Matondo M, Péhau‐Arnaudet G, Reis FCG, Vos M, Alves LR, May RC, Nimrichter L, Rodrigues ML, Aimanianda V, Janbon G. Cryptococcus extracellular vesicles properties and their use as vaccine platforms. J Extracell Vesicles 2021; 10:e12129. [PMID: 34377375 PMCID: PMC8329992 DOI: 10.1002/jev2.12129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Whereas extracellular vesicle (EV) research has become commonplace in different biomedical fields, this field of research is still in its infancy in mycology. Here we provide a robust set of data regarding the structural and compositional aspects of EVs isolated from the fungal pathogenic species Cryptococcus neoformans, C. deneoformans and C. deuterogattii. Using cutting-edge methodological approaches including cryogenic electron microscopy and cryogenic electron tomography, proteomics, and flow cytometry, we revisited cryptococcal EV features and suggest a new EV structural model, in which the vesicular lipid bilayer is covered by mannoprotein-based fibrillar decoration, bearing the capsule polysaccharide as its outer layer. About 10% of the EV population is devoid of fibrillar decoration, adding another aspect to EV diversity. By analysing EV protein cargo from the three species, we characterized the typical Cryptococcus EV proteome. It contains several membrane-bound protein families, including some Tsh proteins bearing a SUR7/PalI motif. The presence of known protective antigens on the surface of Cryptococcus EVs, resembling the morphology of encapsulated virus structures, suggested their potential as a vaccine. Indeed, mice immunized with EVs obtained from an acapsular C. neoformans mutant strain rendered a strong antibody response in mice and significantly prolonged their survival upon C. neoformans infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Rizzo
- Unité Biologie des ARN des Pathogènes FongiquesDépartement de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, F‐75015ParisFrance
| | - Sarah Sze Wah Wong
- Unité Mycologie Moléculaire, CNRS UMR2000Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, F‐75015ParisFrance
| | - Anastasia D. Gazi
- Ultrastructural Bio‐Imaging, UTechS UBI, CNRS UMR 3528Département de Biologie cellulaire et infection, Institut Pasteur, F‐75015ParisFrance
| | - Frédérique Moyrand
- Unité Biologie des ARN des Pathogènes FongiquesDépartement de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, F‐75015ParisFrance
| | - Thibault Chaze
- Plateforme Protéomique, Unité de Spectrométrie de Masse pour la Biologie (MSBio), CNRS UMR 2000Centre de Ressources et Recherches Technologiques (C2RT), Institut Pasteur, F‐75015ParisFrance
| | - Pierre‐Henri Commere
- Cytometry and BiomarkersCentre de Ressources et Recherches Technologiques (C2RT), Institut Pasteur, F‐75015ParisFrance
| | - Sophie Novault
- Cytometry and BiomarkersCentre de Ressources et Recherches Technologiques (C2RT), Institut Pasteur, F‐75015ParisFrance
| | - Mariette Matondo
- Plateforme Protéomique, Unité de Spectrométrie de Masse pour la Biologie (MSBio), CNRS UMR 2000Centre de Ressources et Recherches Technologiques (C2RT), Institut Pasteur, F‐75015ParisFrance
| | - Gérard Péhau‐Arnaudet
- Ultrastructural Bio‐Imaging, UTechS UBI, CNRS UMR 3528Département de Biologie cellulaire et infection, Institut Pasteur, F‐75015ParisFrance
| | - Flavia C. G. Reis
- Instituto Carlos ChagasFundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ)CuritibaBrazil
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnologico em Saude (CDTS‐Fiocruz)São PauloBrazil
| | - Matthijn Vos
- NanoImaging Core FacilityCentre de Ressources et Recherches Technologiques (C2RT), Institut Pasteur, F‐75015ParisFrance
| | | | - Robin C. May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection and School of BiosciencesUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Leonardo Nimrichter
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG)Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroRio de JaneiroBrazil
| | - Marcio L. Rodrigues
- Instituto Carlos ChagasFundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ)CuritibaBrazil
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG)Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroRio de JaneiroBrazil
| | - Vishukumar Aimanianda
- Unité Mycologie Moléculaire, CNRS UMR2000Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, F‐75015ParisFrance
| | - Guilhem Janbon
- Unité Biologie des ARN des Pathogènes FongiquesDépartement de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, F‐75015ParisFrance
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17
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Abstract
The ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter cloacae) represent clinically important bacterial species that are responsible for most hospital-acquired drug-resistant infections; hence, the need for rapid identification is of high importance. Previous work has demonstrated the suitability of liquid extraction surface analysis mass spectrometry (LESA MS) for the direct analysis of colonies of two of the ESKAPE pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) growing on agar. Here, we apply LESA MS to the remaining four ESKAPE species (E. faecium E745, K. pneumoniae KP257, A. baumannii AYE, and E. cloacae S11) as well as E. faecalis V583 (a close relative of E. faecium) and a clinical isolate of A. baumannii AC02 using an optimized solvent sampling system. In each case, top-down LESA MS/MS was employed for protein identification. In total, 24 proteins were identified from 37 MS/MS spectra by searching against protein databases for the individual species. The MS/MS spectra for the identified proteins were subsequently searched against multiple databases from multiple species in an automated data analysis workflow with a view to determining the accuracy of identification of unknowns. Out of 24 proteins, 19 were correctly assigned at the protein and species level, corresponding to an identification success rate of 79%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Havlikova
- EPSRC
Centre for Doctoral Training in Physical Sciences for Health, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
- School
of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Robin C. May
- Institute
of Microbiology and Infection, University
of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United
Kingdom
| | - Iain B. Styles
- EPSRC
Centre for Doctoral Training in Physical Sciences for Health, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
- School
of Computer Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Helen J. Cooper
- School
of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
- Phone: +44 (0)121 414 7527; . (H.J.C.)
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18
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Silva VKA, May RC, Rodrigues ML. Pyrifenox, an ergosterol inhibitor, differentially affects Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. Med Mycol 2021; 58:928-937. [PMID: 31915833 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myz132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a life-threatening fungal infection. New therapeutic approaches are necessary to combat cryptococcosis, as the currently available therapeutic protocols are expensive and generally result in deleterious side effects. Pyrifenox is an antifungal compound that affects phytopathogens by inhibiting the biosynthesis of ergosterol. In this study, we investigated the effects of pyrifenox on Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii growth, capsule architecture and export of the major capsule component, glucuroxylomannan (GXM). Pyrifenox inhibited the growth of C. neoformans, but was significantly less effective against C. gattii. The resistance of C. gattii to pyrifenox was associated with the expression of efflux pump genes, particularly AFR1 and AFR2, since mutant cells lacking expression of these genes became sensitive to pyrifenox. Analysis of the cryptococcal capsule by India ink counterstaining, immunofluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy showed that pyrifenox affected capsular dimensions in both species. However, GXM fibers were shorter and uniformly distributed in C. neoformans, whereas in C. gattii the number of fibers was reduced. Pyrifenox-treated C. gattii developed unusually long chains of undivided cells. The secretion of GXM was markedly reduced in both species after treatment with pyrifenox. Altogether, the results indicated that pyrifenox differently affects C. neoformans and C. gattii. In addition, it highlights a potential role for pyrifenox as an inhibitor of GXM export in experimental models involving pathogenic cryptococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa K A Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Parasitária, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Marcio L Rodrigues
- Instituto Carlos Chagas (ICC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Curitiba, Brazil.,Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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19
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Abstract
Phagocytes engulf pathogens into a membrane bound compartment called a phagosome, but what happens when engulfed pathogens start growing? In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe,Westman et al. (2020) show that lysosomes fuse with phagosomes to maintain phagosomal membrane integrity as the fungal pathogen Candida albicans expands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinaemerem U Onyishi
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Guillaume E Desanti
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
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20
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Evans RJ, Pline K, Loynes CA, Needs S, Aldrovandi M, Tiefenbach J, Bielska E, Rubino RE, Nicol CJ, May RC, Krause HM, O'Donnell VB, Renshaw SA, Johnston SA. Correction: 15-keto-prostaglandin E2 activates host peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) to promote Cryptococcus neoformans growth during infection. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1009058. [PMID: 33147298 PMCID: PMC7641360 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007597.].
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21
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Havlikova J, May RC, Styles IB, Cooper HJ. Direct identification of bacterial and human proteins from infected wounds in living 3D skin models. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11900. [PMID: 32681099 PMCID: PMC7368034 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68233-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Trauma is one of the leading causes of death in people under the age of 49 and complications due to wound infection are the primary cause of death in the first few days after injury. The ESKAPE pathogens are a group of bacteria that are a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections and a major concern in terms of antibiotic resistance. Here, we demonstrate a novel and highly accurate approach for the rapid identification of ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp.) directly from infected wounds in 3D in vitro skin models. Wounded skin models were inoculated with bacteria and left to incubate. Bacterial proteins were identified within minutes, directly from the wound, by liquid extraction surface analysis mass spectrometry. This approach was able to distinguish closely related strains and, unlike genomic approaches, can be modified to provide dynamic information about pathogen behaviour at the wound site. In addition, since human skin proteins were also identified, this method offers the opportunity to analyse both host and pathogen biomarkers during wound infection in near real-time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Havlikova
- EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Physical Sciences for Health, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.,School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Robin C May
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.,Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Iain B Styles
- EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Physical Sciences for Health, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.,School of Computer Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.,Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors, The Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, The Midlands, Birmingham, UK.,Alan Turing Institute, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, UK
| | - Helen J Cooper
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
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22
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Hoving JC, Brown GD, Gómez BL, Govender NP, Limper AH, May RC, Meya DB. AIDS-Related Mycoses: Updated Progress and Future Priorities. Trends Microbiol 2020; 28:425-428. [PMID: 32396822 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Serious fungal infections continue to devastate people living with HIV and remain a leading cause of infection-related deaths in this population, second only to tuberculosis. The third AIDS-related mycoses workshop updated progress in the field over the last 3 years and highlighted six key action points for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Claire Hoving
- AFGrica Medical Mycology Research Unit, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa; MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, UK.
| | - Gordon D Brown
- AFGrica Medical Mycology Research Unit, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa; MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, UK
| | - Beatriz L Gómez
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases Research Group, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Nelesh P Govender
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, and Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Andrew H Limper
- Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - David B Meya
- Infectious Diseases Institute and Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
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23
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Seoane PI, Taylor-Smith LM, Stirling D, Bell LCK, Noursadeghi M, Bailey D, May RC. Viral infection triggers interferon-induced expulsion of live Cryptococcus neoformans by macrophages. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008240. [PMID: 32106253 PMCID: PMC7046190 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [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: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic human pathogen, which causes serious disease in immunocompromised hosts. Infection with this pathogen is particularly relevant in HIV+ patients, where it leads to around 200,000 deaths per annum. A key feature of cryptococcal pathogenesis is the ability of the fungus to survive and replicate within the phagosome of macrophages, as well as its ability to be expelled from host cells via a novel non-lytic mechanism known as vomocytosis. Here we show that cryptococcal vomocytosis from macrophages is strongly enhanced by viral coinfection, without altering phagocytosis or intracellular proliferation of the fungus. This effect occurs with distinct, unrelated human viral pathogens and is recapitulated when macrophages are stimulated with the anti-viral cytokines interferon alpha or beta (IFNα or IFNβ). Importantly, the effect is abrogated when type-I interferon signalling is blocked, thus underscoring the importance of type-I interferons in this phenomenon. Lastly, our data help resolve previous, contradictory animal studies on the impact of type I interferons on cryptococcal pathogenesis and suggest that secondary viral stimuli may alter patterns of cryptococcal dissemination in the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula I. Seoane
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Leanne M. Taylor-Smith
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - David Stirling
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy C. K. Bell
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mahdad Noursadeghi
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Robin C. May
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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24
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Kocurek KI, Havlikova J, Buchan E, Tanner A, May RC, Cooper HJ. Electroporation and Mass Spectrometry: A New Paradigm for In Situ Analysis of Intact Proteins Direct from Living Yeast Colonies. Anal Chem 2020; 92:2605-2611. [PMID: 31922714 PMCID: PMC7145282 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b04365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Yeasts
constitute an oft-neglected class of pathogens among which the resistance
to first-line treatments, attributed in part to mutations in efflux
pumps, is rapidly emerging. Their thick, chitin-reinforced cell walls
render cell lysis difficult, complicating their analysis and identification
by methods routinely used for bacteria, including matrix-assisted
laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS).
Liquid extraction surface analysis mass spectrometry (LESA-MS) has
previously been applied to the analysis of intact proteins from Gram-positive
and Gram-negative bacterial colonies sampled directly on solid nutrient
media. To date, a similar analysis of yeast colonies has not proved
possible. Here we demonstrate the rapid release of intact yeast proteins
for LESA-MS by electroporation using a home-built high-voltage device
designed to lyse cells grown in colonies on agar media. Detection
and identification of previously inaccessible proteins from baker’s
yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as well as two clinically
relevant yeast species (Candida glabrata and Cryptococcus neoformans), is shown. The electroporation
approach also has the potential to be translated to other mass spectrometric
analysis techniques, including MALDI and various ambient ionization
methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaudia I Kocurek
- School of Biosciences , University of Birmingham , Edgbaston , Birmingham B15 2TT , U.K
| | - Jana Havlikova
- School of Biosciences , University of Birmingham , Edgbaston , Birmingham B15 2TT , U.K
| | - Emma Buchan
- School of Biosciences , University of Birmingham , Edgbaston , Birmingham B15 2TT , U.K
| | - Andrew Tanner
- School of Biosciences , University of Birmingham , Edgbaston , Birmingham B15 2TT , U.K
| | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection , University of Birmingham , Edgbaston , Birmingham B15 2TT , U.K
| | - Helen J Cooper
- School of Biosciences , University of Birmingham , Edgbaston , Birmingham B15 2TT , U.K
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25
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Abstract
Vomocytosis, or nonlytic exocytosis, has been reported for Cryptococcus neoformans since 2006. Since then, the repertoire of vomocytosing pathogens and host cells has increased and so have the molecular components linked to vomocytosis occurrence. Nonetheless, the mechanism underlying this phenomenon, whether it is triggered by the host or the pathogen, and how it affects disease progression are still unresolved. This review contains a summary of the main findings regarding vomocytosis and the outstanding questions puzzling scientists to this day.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula I Seoane
- Laboratory of Host and Pathogen Interactions, Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Robin C May
- Laboratory of Host and Pathogen Interactions, Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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26
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Davies SP, Reynolds GM, Wilkinson AL, Li X, Rose R, Leekha M, Liu YS, Gandhi R, Buckroyd E, Grove J, Barnes NM, May RC, Hubscher SG, Adams DH, Huang Y, Qureshi O, Stamataki Z. Hepatocytes Delete Regulatory T Cells by Enclysis, a CD4 + T Cell Engulfment Process. Cell Rep 2019; 29:1610-1620.e4. [PMID: 31693899 PMCID: PMC7057271 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.09.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CD4+ T cells play critical roles in directing immunity, both as T helper and as regulatory T (Treg) cells. Here, we demonstrate that hepatocytes can modulate T cell populations through engulfment of live CD4+ lymphocytes. We term this phenomenon enclysis to reflect the specific enclosure of CD4+ T cells in hepatocytes. Enclysis is selective for CD4+ but not CD8+ cells, independent of antigen-specific activation, and occurs in human hepatocytes in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo. Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) facilitates T cell early adhesion and internalization, whereas hepatocytes form membrane lamellipodia or blebs to mediate engulfment. T cell internalization is unaffected by wortmannin and Rho kinase inhibition. Hepatocytes engulf Treg cells more efficiently than non-Treg cells, but Treg cell-containing vesicles preferentially acidify overnight. Thus, enclysis is a biological process with potential effects on immunomodulation and opens a new field for research to fully understand CD4+ T cell dynamics in liver inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott P Davies
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Gary M Reynolds
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; NIHR Birmingham Liver Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Alex L Wilkinson
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; Department of Infectious Diseases and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rebecca Rose
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Maanav Leekha
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Yuxin S Liu
- Institute of Inflammation and Aging, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ratnam Gandhi
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Emma Buckroyd
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Joe Grove
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nicholas M Barnes
- Neuropharmacology Research Group, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Stefan G Hubscher
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; NIHR Birmingham Liver Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK; Department of Cellular Pathology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - David H Adams
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; NIHR Birmingham Liver Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Yuehua Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Omar Qureshi
- Celentyx Ltd., Birmingham Research Park, Birmingham B15 2SQ, UK; Celentyx Ltd., BioEscalator Innovation Building, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Zania Stamataki
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; NIHR Birmingham Liver Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK.
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Abstract
Extracellular vesicles play a significant role in many aspects of cellular life including cell-to-cell communication, pathogenesis and cancer progression. However very little is known about their role in fungi and we are just at the beginning of understanding their influence on fungal pathophysiology and host-pathogen interactions. Recent findings have revealed a role for fungal vesicles in triggering anti-microbial activities as well as in modulating virulence strategies, suggesting potential new avenues for antifungal therapies. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of fungal extracellular vesicles, including their biogenesis, secretion and size variation, and discuss how they may influence the human immune response and some key questions that remain unanswered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Bielska
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
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28
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Simm C, May RC. Zinc and Iron Homeostasis: Target-Based Drug Screening as New Route for Antifungal Drug Development. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:181. [PMID: 31192169 PMCID: PMC6548825 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [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: 04/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of fungal diseases is on the rise and the number of fatalities is still unacceptably high. While advances into antifungal drug development have been made there remains an urgent need to develop novel antifungal agents targeting as-yet unexploited pathways, such as metal ion homeostasis. Here we report such an approach by developing a metal sensor screen in the opportunistic human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Using this reporter strain, we screened a library of 1,200 compounds and discovered several active compounds not previously described as chemical entities with antifungal properties. Two of these, artemisinin and pyrvinium pamoate, have been further characterized and their interference with metal homeostasis and potential as novel antifungal compounds validated. Lastly, we demonstrate that the same strain can be used to report on intracellular conditions within host phagocytes, paving the way toward the development of novel screening platforms that could identify compounds with the potential to perturb ion homeostasis of the pathogen specifically within host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Simm
- School of Biosciences, Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Robin C May
- School of Biosciences, Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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29
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Probert M, Zhou X, Goodall M, Johnston SA, Bielska E, Ballou ER, May RC. A Glucuronoxylomannan Epitope Exhibits Serotype-Specific Accessibility and Redistributes towards the Capsule Surface during Titanization of the Fungal Pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Infect Immun 2019; 87:IAI.00731-18. [PMID: 30670549 PMCID: PMC6434129 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00731-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [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: 09/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Disseminated infections with the fungal species Cryptococcus neoformans or, less frequently, Cryptococcus gattii are an important cause of mortality in immunocompromised individuals. Central to the virulence of both species is an elaborate polysaccharide capsule that consists predominantly of glucuronoxylomannan (GXM). Due to its abundance, GXM is an ideal target for host antibodies, and several monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have previously been derived using purified GXM or whole capsular preparations as antigens. In addition to their application in the diagnosis of cryptococcosis, anti-GXM mAbs are invaluable tools for studying capsule structure. In this study, we report the production and characterization of a novel anti-GXM mAb, Crp127, that unexpectedly reveals a role for GXM remodeling during the process of fungal titanization. We show that Crp127 recognizes a GXM epitope in an O-acetylation-dependent, but xylosylation-independent, manner. The epitope is differentially expressed by the four main serotypes of Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii, is heterogeneously expressed within clonal populations of C. gattii serotype B strains, and is typically confined to the central region of the enlarged capsule. Uniquely, however, this epitope redistributes to the capsular surface in titan cells, a recently characterized morphotype where haploid 5-μm cells convert to highly polyploid cells of >10 μm with distinct but poorly understood capsular characteristics. Titan cells are produced in the host lung and critical for successful infection. Crp127 therefore advances our understanding of cryptococcal morphological change and may hold significant potential as a tool to differentially identify cryptococcal strains and subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Probert
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Xin Zhou
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Margaret Goodall
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Simon A Johnston
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Ewa Bielska
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth R Ballou
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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30
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Evans RJ, Pline K, Loynes CA, Needs S, Aldrovandi M, Tiefenbach J, Bielska E, Rubino RE, Nicol CJ, May RC, Krause HM, O’Donnell VB, Renshaw SA, Johnston SA. 15-keto-prostaglandin E2 activates host peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) to promote Cryptococcus neoformans growth during infection. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007597. [PMID: 30921435 PMCID: PMC6438442 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is one of the leading causes of invasive fungal infection in humans worldwide. C. neoformans uses macrophages as a proliferative niche to increase infective burden and avoid immune surveillance. However, the specific mechanisms by which C. neoformans manipulates host immunity to promote its growth during infection remain ill-defined. Here we demonstrate that eicosanoid lipid mediators manipulated and/or produced by C. neoformans play a key role in regulating pathogenesis. C. neoformans is known to secrete several eicosanoids that are highly similar to those found in vertebrate hosts. Using eicosanoid deficient cryptococcal mutants Δplb1 and Δlac1, we demonstrate that prostaglandin E2 is required by C. neoformans for proliferation within macrophages and in vivo during infection. Genetic and pharmacological disruption of host PGE2 synthesis is not required for promotion of cryptococcal growth by eicosanoid production. We find that PGE2 must be dehydrogenated into 15-keto-PGE2 to promote fungal growth, a finding that implicated the host nuclear receptor PPAR-γ. C. neoformans infection of macrophages activates host PPAR-γ and its inhibition is sufficient to abrogate the effect of 15-keto-PGE2 in promoting fungal growth during infection. Thus, we describe the first mechanism of reliance on pathogen-derived eicosanoids in fungal pathogenesis and the specific role of 15-keto-PGE2 and host PPAR-γ in cryptococcosis. Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that is responsible for significant numbers of deaths in the immunocompromised population worldwide. Here we address whether eicosanoids produced by C. neoformans manipulate host innate immune cells during infection. Cryptococcus neoformans produces several eicosanoids that are notable for their similarity to vertebrate eicosanoids, it is therefore possible that fungal-derived eicosanoids may provoke physiological effects in the host. Using a combination of in vitro and in vivo infection models we identify a specific eicosanoid species—prostaglandin E2 –that is required by C. neoformans for growth during infection. We subsequently show that prostaglandin E2 must be converted to 15-keto-prostaglandin E2 within the host before it has these effects. Furthermore, we find that prostaglandin E2/15-keto-prostaglandin E2 mediated virulence is via activation of host PPAR-γ –an intracellular eicosanoid receptor known to interact with 15-keto-PGE2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Evans
- Bateson Centre, Firth Court, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine Pline
- Bateson Centre, Firth Court, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine A. Loynes
- Bateson Centre, Firth Court, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Needs
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
| | - Maceler Aldrovandi
- Systems Immunity Research Institute, and Division of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, United Kingdom
| | - Jens Tiefenbach
- Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, The Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research (CCBR), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- InDanio Bioscience Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ewa Bielska
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel E. Rubino
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher J. Nicol
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robin C. May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
| | - Henry M. Krause
- Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, The Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research (CCBR), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- InDanio Bioscience Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Valerie B. O’Donnell
- Systems Immunity Research Institute, and Division of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen A. Renshaw
- Bateson Centre, Firth Court, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom
| | - Simon A. Johnston
- Bateson Centre, Firth Court, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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31
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Kocurek KI, May RC, Cooper HJ. Application of High-Field Asymmetric Waveform Ion Mobility Separation to LESA Mass Spectrometry of Bacteria. Anal Chem 2019; 91:4755-4761. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b00307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon D Brown
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Aberdeen Aberdeen Fungal Group Institute of Medical Sciences Forester hill Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
| | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
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33
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Lim J, Coates CJ, Seoane PI, Garelnabi M, Taylor-Smith LM, Monteith P, Macleod CL, Escaron CJ, Brown GD, Hall RA, May RC. Characterizing the Mechanisms of Nonopsonic Uptake of Cryptococci by Macrophages. J Immunol 2018; 200:3539-3546. [PMID: 29643192 PMCID: PMC5937213 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus enters the human host via inhalation into the lung and is able to reside in a niche environment that is serum- (opsonin) limiting. Little is known about the mechanism by which nonopsonic phagocytosis occurs via phagocytes in such situations. Using a combination of soluble inhibitors of phagocytic receptors and macrophages derived from knockout mice and human volunteers, we show that uptake of nonopsonized Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii via the mannose receptor is dependent on macrophage activation by cytokines. However, although uptake of C. neoformans is via both dectin-1 and dectin-2, C. gattii uptake occurs largely via dectin-1. Interestingly, dectin inhibitors also blocked phagocytosis of unopsonized Cryptococci in wax moth (Galleria mellonella) larvae and partially protected the larvae from infection by both fungi, supporting a key role for host phagocytes in augmenting early disease establishment. Finally, we demonstrated that internalization of nonopsonized Cryptococci is not accompanied by the nuclear translocation of NF-κB or its concomitant production of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α. Thus, nonopsonized Cryptococci are recognized by mammalian phagocytes in a manner that minimizes proinflammatory cytokine production and potentially facilitates fungal pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenson Lim
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, United Kingdom;
| | - Christopher J Coates
- Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Paula I Seoane
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Mariam Garelnabi
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Leanne M Taylor-Smith
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Pauline Monteith
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, United Kingdom
| | - Camille L Macleod
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, United Kingdom
| | - Claire J Escaron
- Protein Reference Unit, South West London Pathology, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London SW17 0QT, United Kingdom; and
| | - Gordon D Brown
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca A Hall
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
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34
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Dambuza IM, Drake T, Chapuis A, Zhou X, Correia J, Taylor-Smith L, LeGrave N, Rasmussen T, Fisher MC, Bicanic T, Harrison TS, Jaspars M, May RC, Brown GD, Yuecel R, MacCallum DM, Ballou ER. The Cryptococcus neoformans Titan cell is an inducible and regulated morphotype underlying pathogenesis. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1006978. [PMID: 29775474 PMCID: PMC5959070 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [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: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal cells change shape in response to environmental stimuli, and these morphogenic transitions drive pathogenesis and niche adaptation. For example, dimorphic fungi switch between yeast and hyphae in response to changing temperature. The basidiomycete Cryptococcus neoformans undergoes an unusual morphogenetic transition in the host lung from haploid yeast to large, highly polyploid cells termed Titan cells. Titan cells influence fungal interaction with host cells, including through increased drug resistance, altered cell size, and altered Pathogen Associated Molecular Pattern exposure. Despite the important role these cells play in pathogenesis, understanding the environmental stimuli that drive the morphological transition, and the molecular mechanisms underlying their unique biology, has been hampered by the lack of a reproducible in vitro induction system. Here we demonstrate reproducible in vitro Titan cell induction in response to environmental stimuli consistent with the host lung. In vitro Titan cells exhibit all the properties of in vivo generated Titan cells, the current gold standard, including altered capsule, cell wall, size, high mother cell ploidy, and aneuploid progeny. We identify the bacterial peptidoglycan subunit Muramyl Dipeptide as a serum compound associated with shift in cell size and ploidy, and demonstrate the capacity of bronchial lavage fluid and bacterial co-culture to induce Titanisation. Additionally, we demonstrate the capacity of our assay to identify established (cAMP/PKA) and previously undescribed (USV101) regulators of Titanisation in vitro. Finally, we investigate the Titanisation capacity of clinical isolates and their impact on disease outcome. Together, these findings provide new insight into the environmental stimuli and molecular mechanisms underlying the yeast-to-Titan transition and establish an essential in vitro model for the future characterization of this important morphotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivy M. Dambuza
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Drake
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Ambre Chapuis
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Xin Zhou
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Joao Correia
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Leanne Taylor-Smith
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Nathalie LeGrave
- Marine Biodiscovery Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tim Rasmussen
- Marine Biodiscovery Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- Institut für Biochemie, Universität Würzburg, Wurzburg, Germany
| | - Matthew C. Fisher
- Dpt. Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tihana Bicanic
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, St George’s University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas S. Harrison
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, St George’s University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marcel Jaspars
- Marine Biodiscovery Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Robin C. May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Gordon D. Brown
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Raif Yuecel
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Donna M. MacCallum
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth R. Ballou
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
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Bielska E, Sisquella MA, Aldeieg M, Birch C, O'Donoghue EJ, May RC. Pathogen-derived extracellular vesicles mediate virulence in the fatal human pathogen Cryptococcus gattii. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1556. [PMID: 29674675 PMCID: PMC5908794 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03991-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [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: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The Pacific Northwest outbreak of cryptococcosis, caused by a near-clonal lineage of the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus gattii, represents the most significant cluster of life-threatening fungal infections in otherwise healthy human hosts currently known. The outbreak lineage has a remarkable ability to grow rapidly within human white blood cells, using a unique 'division of labour' mechanism within the pathogen population, where some cells adopt a dormant behaviour to support the growth of neighbouring cells. Here we demonstrate that pathogenic 'division of labour' can be triggered over large cellular distances and is mediated through the release of extracellular vesicles by the fungus. Isolated vesicles released by virulent strains are taken up by infected host macrophages and trafficked to the phagosome, where they trigger the rapid intracellular growth of non-outbreak fungal cells that would otherwise be eliminated by the host. Thus, long distance pathogen-to-pathogen communication via extracellular vesicles represents a novel mechanism to control complex virulence phenotypes in Cryptococcus gattii and, potentially, other infectious species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Bielska
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Marta Arch Sisquella
- Institut d' Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Crta de Can Ruti s/n, Badalona, 08916, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Maha Aldeieg
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Knight Building, Whiteknights Campus, Reading, RG6 6AJ, UK
| | - Charlotte Birch
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Eloise J O'Donoghue
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
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Abstract
Cryptococcosis is an invasive fungal disease caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and the closely related species C. gattii. The severe form of the disease, cryptococcal meningitis (CM), is rapidly fatal without treatment. Although typically a disease of immunocompromised (especially HIV-positive) individuals, there is growing awareness of cryptococcal disease amongst non-immunocompromised patients. Whilst substantial progress has been made in understanding the pathogenicity of C. neoformans in HIV patients, prospective data on cryptococcosis outside the context of HIV remains lacking. Below we review how innate immune responses vary between hosts depending on immunological status, and discuss risk factors and predictors of disease outcome in different groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Garelnabi
- School of Biosciences, Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Robin C May
- School of Biosciences, Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
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Garelnabi M, Taylor-Smith LM, Bielska E, Hall RA, Stones D, May RC. Quantifying donor-to-donor variation in macrophage responses to the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194615. [PMID: 29596441 PMCID: PMC5875765 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [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: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis remains the leading cause of fungal meningitis worldwide, caused primarily by the pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Symptomatic cryptococcal infections typically affect immunocompromised patients. However, environmental exposure to cryptococcal spores is ubiquitous and most healthy individuals are thought to harbor infections from early childhood onwards that are either resolved, or become latent. Since macrophages are a key host cell for cryptococcal infection, we sought to quantify the extent of individual variation in this early phagocyte response within a small cohort of healthy volunteers with no reported immunocompromising conditions. We show that rates of both intracellular fungal proliferation and non-lytic expulsion (vomocytosis) are remarkably variable between individuals. However, we demonstrate that neither gender, in vitro host inflammatory cytokine profiles, nor polymorphisms in several key immune genes are responsible for this variation. Thus the data we present serve to quantify the natural variation in macrophage responses to this important human pathogen and will hopefully provide a useful "benchmark" for the research community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Garelnabi
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and the School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Leanne M. Taylor-Smith
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and the School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ewa Bielska
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and the School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca A. Hall
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and the School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Stones
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and the School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Robin C. May
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and the School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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38
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Zhang Y, Dominguez-Medina C, Cumley NJ, Heath JN, Essex SJ, Bobat S, Schager A, Goodall M, Kracker S, Buckley CD, May RC, Kingsley RA, MacLennan CA, López-Macías C, Cunningham AF, Toellner KM. IgG1 Is Required for Optimal Protection after Immunization with the Purified Porin OmpD from Salmonella Typhimurium. J Immunol 2017; 199:4103-4109. [PMID: 29127147 PMCID: PMC5713499 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In mice, the IgG subclass induced after Ag encounter can reflect the nature of the Ag. Th2 Ags such as alum-precipitated proteins and helminths induce IgG1, whereas Th1 Ags, such as Salmonella Typhimurium, predominantly induce IgG2a. The contribution of different IgG isotypes to protection against bacteria such as S. Typhimurium is unclear, although as IgG2a is induced by natural infection, it is assumed this isotype is important. Previously, we have shown that purified S. Typhimurium porins including outer membrane protein OmpD, which induce both IgG1 and IgG2a in mice, provide protection to S. Typhimurium infection via Ab. In this study we report the unexpected finding that mice lacking IgG1, but not IgG2a, are substantially less protected after porin immunization than wild-type controls. IgG1-deficient mice produce more porin-specific IgG2a, resulting in total IgG levels that are similar to wild-type mice. The decreased protection in IgG1-deficient mice correlates with less efficient bacterial opsonization and uptake by macrophages, and this reflects the low binding of outer membrane protein OmpD–specific IgG2a to the bacterial surface. Thus, the Th2-associated isotype IgG1 can play a role in protection against Th1-associated organisms such as S. Typhimurium. Therefore, individual IgG subclasses to a single Ag can provide different levels of protection and the IgG isotype induced may need to be a consideration when designing vaccines and immunization strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Coral Dominguez-Medina
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola J Cumley
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer N Heath
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah J Essex
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Saeeda Bobat
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Schager
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Margaret Goodall
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Sven Kracker
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum Berlin, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Christopher D Buckley
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Robin C May
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | | | - Calman A MacLennan
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Constantino López-Macías
- Medical Research Unit on Immunochemistry, Specialties Hospital, National Medical Centre Siglo XXI, Mexican Social Security Institute, 06720 México, DF, Mexico; and
| | - Adam F Cunningham
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; .,Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Kai-Michael Toellner
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom;
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39
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Kocurek KI, Stones L, Bunch J, May RC, Cooper HJ. Top-Down LESA Mass Spectrometry Protein Analysis of Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria. J Am Soc Mass Spectrom 2017; 28:2066-2077. [PMID: 28681361 PMCID: PMC5594050 DOI: 10.1007/s13361-017-1718-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
We have previously shown that liquid extraction surface analysis (LESA) mass spectrometry (MS) is a technique suitable for the top-down analysis of proteins directly from intact colonies of the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli K-12. Here we extend the application of LESA MS to Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa PS1054 and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus MSSA476, as well as two strains of E. coli (K-12 and BL21 mCherry) and an unknown species of Staphylococcus. Moreover, we demonstrate the discrimination between three species of Gram-positive Streptococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae D39, and the viridans group Streptococcus oralis ATCC 35037 and Streptococcus gordonii ATCC35105), a recognized challenge for matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight MS. A range of the proteins detected were selected for top-down LESA MS/MS. Thirty-nine proteins were identified by top-down LESA MS/MS, including 16 proteins that have not previously been observed by any other technique. The potential of LESA MS for classification and characterization of novel species is illustrated by the de novo sequencing of a new protein from the unknown species of Staphylococcus. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaudia I Kocurek
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Leanne Stones
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Josephine Bunch
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Robin C May
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Helen J Cooper
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
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40
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Gilbert AS, Seoane PI, Sephton-Clark P, Bojarczuk A, Hotham R, Giurisato E, Sarhan AR, Hillen A, Velde GV, Gray NS, Alessi DR, Cunningham DL, Tournier C, Johnston SA, May RC. Vomocytosis of live pathogens from macrophages is regulated by the atypical MAP kinase ERK5. Sci Adv 2017; 3:e1700898. [PMID: 28835924 PMCID: PMC5559206 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1700898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Vomocytosis, or nonlytic extrusion, is a poorly understood process through which macrophages release live pathogens that they have failed to kill back into the extracellular environment. Vomocytosis is conserved across vertebrates and occurs with a diverse range of pathogens, but to date, the host signaling events that underpin expulsion remain entirely unknown. We use a targeted inhibitor screen to identify the MAP kinase ERK5 as a critical suppressor of vomocytosis. Pharmacological inhibition or genetic manipulation of ERK5 activity significantly raises vomocytosis rates in human macrophages, whereas stimulation of the ERK5 signaling pathway inhibits vomocytosis. Lastly, using a zebrafish model of cryptococcal disease, we show that reducing ERK5 activity in vivo stimulates vomocytosis and results in reduced dissemination of infection. ERK5 therefore represents the first host signaling regulator of vomocytosis to be identified and a potential target for the future development of vomocytosis-modulating therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S. Gilbert
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Paula I. Seoane
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Poppy Sephton-Clark
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Aleksandra Bojarczuk
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Richard Hotham
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Emanuele Giurisato
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Cancer, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Adil R. Sarhan
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland
| | - Amy Hillen
- Biomedical MRI/MoSAIC, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven–University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Greetje Vande Velde
- Biomedical MRI/MoSAIC, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven–University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, 250 Longwood Avenue, SGM 628, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Dario R. Alessi
- Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland
| | - Debbie L. Cunningham
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Cathy Tournier
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Cancer, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Simon A. Johnston
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Robin C. May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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41
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Abstract
Fungal pathogens represent a significant threat to immunocompromised patients or individuals with traumatic injury. Strategies to efficiently remove fungal spores from hospital surfaces and, ideally, patient skin thus offer the prospect of dramatically reducing infections in at-risk patients. Photodynamic inactivation of microbial cells using light holds considerable potential as a non-invasive, minimally destructive disinfection strategy. Recent data indicate that high-intensity blue light effectively removes bacteria from surfaces, but its efficacy against fungi has not been fully tested. Here we test a wide range of fungi that are pathogenic to humans and demonstrate that blue light is effective against some, but not all, fungal species. We additionally note that secondary heating effects are a previously unrecognized confounding factor in establishing the antimicrobial activity of blue light. Thus blue light holds promise for the sterilization of clinical surfaces, but requires further optimization prior to widespread use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wioleta J Trzaska
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, University Hospitals of Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Helen E Wrigley
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Joanne E Thwaite
- Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division, DSTL, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom. .,NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, University Hospitals of Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
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42
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Abstract
Quorum-sensing systems, common in prokaryotes, enable bacteria to coordinately regulate behavior with population density. Reporting recently in Cell Host & Microbe, Homer et al. (2016) characterize an elegant eukaryotic quorum-sensing pathway in the human pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
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43
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Farrer RA, Voelz K, Henk DA, Johnston SA, Fisher MC, May RC, Cuomo CA. Microevolutionary traits and comparative population genomics of the emerging pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus gattii. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2016; 371:20160021. [PMID: 28080992 PMCID: PMC5095545 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging fungal pathogens cause an expanding burden of disease across the animal kingdom, including a rise in morbidity and mortality in humans. Yet, we currently have only a limited repertoire of available therapeutic interventions. A greater understanding of the mechanisms of fungal virulence and of the emergence of hypervirulence within species is therefore needed for new treatments and mitigation efforts. For example, over the past decade, an unusual lineage of Cryptococcus gattii, which was first detected on Vancouver Island, has spread to the Canadian mainland and the Pacific Northwest infecting otherwise healthy individuals. The molecular changes that led to the development of this hypervirulent cryptococcal lineage remain unclear. To explore this, we traced the history of similar microevolutionary events that can lead to changes in host range and pathogenicity. Here, we detail fine-resolution mapping of genetic differences between two highly related Cryptococcus gattii VGIIc isolates that differ in their virulence traits (phagocytosis, vomocytosis, macrophage death, mitochondrial tubularization and intracellular proliferation). We identified a small number of single site variants within coding regions that potentially contribute to variations in virulence. We then extended our methods across multiple lineages of C. gattii to study how selection is acting on key virulence genes within different lineages.This article is part of the themed issue 'Tackling emerging fungal threats to animal health, food security and ecosystem resilience'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhys A Farrer
- Genome Sequencing and Analysis Program, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Kerstin Voelz
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK
| | - Daniel A Henk
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Simon A Johnston
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Matthew C Fisher
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK
| | - Christina A Cuomo
- Genome Sequencing and Analysis Program, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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44
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Abstract
The global burden of fungal infections is unacceptably high. The human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans causes cryptococcosis and accounts for a significant proportion of this burden. Cryptococci undergo a number of elaborate interactions with their hosts, including survival and proliferation within phagocytes as well as dissemination to the central nervous system and other tissues. In this review we highlight a number of exciting recent advances in the field of cryptococcal biology. In particular we discuss new insights into cryptococcal morphology and its impact on virulence, as well as describing novel findings revealing how cryptoccoci may 'talk' to each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne M Taylor-Smith
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
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45
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Samantaray S, Correia JN, Garelnabi M, Voelz K, May RC, Hall RA. Novel cell-based in vitro screen to identify small-molecule inhibitors against intracellular replication of Cryptococcus neoformans in macrophages. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2016; 48:69-77. [PMID: 27289450 PMCID: PMC4942879 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2016.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Revised: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans poses a major threat to immunocompromised patients and is a leading killer of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients worldwide. Cryptococci are known to manipulate host macrophages and can either remain latent or proliferate intracellularly within the host phagocyte, a favourable niche that also renders them relatively insensitive to antifungal agents. Here we report an attempt to address this limitation by using a fluorescence-based drug screening method to identify potential inhibitors of intracellular proliferation of C. neoformans. The Prestwick Chemical Library(®) of FDA-approved small molecules was screened for compounds that limit the intracellular replication of a fluorescently-tagged C. neoformans reference strain (H99-GFP) in macrophages. Preliminary screening revealed 19 of 1200 compounds that could significantly reduce intracellular growth of the pathogen. Secondary screening and host cell cytotoxicity assays highlighted fendiline hydrochloride as a potential drug candidate for the development of future anticryptococcal therapies. Live cell imaging demonstrated that this Ca(2+) channel blocker strongly enhanced phagosome maturation in macrophages leading to improved fungal killing and reduced intracellular replication. Whilst the relatively high dose of fendiline hydrochloride required renders it unfit for clinical deployment against cryptococcosis, this study highlights a novel approach for identifying new lead compounds and unravels a pharmacologically promising scaffold towards the development of novel antifungal therapies for this neglected disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sweta Samantaray
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Joao N Correia
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Mariam Garelnabi
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Kerstin Voelz
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
| | - Rebecca A Hall
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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46
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Bojarczuk A, Miller KA, Hotham R, Lewis A, Ogryzko NV, Kamuyango AA, Frost H, Gibson RH, Stillman E, May RC, Renshaw SA, Johnston SA. Cryptococcus neoformans Intracellular Proliferation and Capsule Size Determines Early Macrophage Control of Infection. Sci Rep 2016; 6:21489. [PMID: 26887656 PMCID: PMC4757829 DOI: 10.1038/srep21489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [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: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a significant fungal pathogen of immunocompromised patients. Many questions remain regarding the function of macrophages in normal clearance of cryptococcal infection and the defects present in uncontrolled cryptococcosis. Two current limitations are: 1) The difficulties in interpreting studies using isolated macrophages in the context of the progression of infection, and 2) The use of high resolution imaging in understanding immune cell behavior during animal infection. Here we describe a high-content imaging method in a zebrafish model of cryptococcosis that permits the detailed analysis of macrophage interactions with C. neoformans during infection. Using this approach we demonstrate that, while macrophages are critical for control of C. neoformans, a failure of macrophage response is not the limiting defect in fatal infections. We find phagocytosis is restrained very early in infection and that increases in cryptococcal number are driven by intracellular proliferation. We show that macrophages preferentially phagocytose cryptococci with smaller polysaccharide capsules and that capsule size is greatly increased over twenty-four hours of infection, a change that is sufficient to severely limit further phagocytosis. Thus, high-content imaging of cryptococcal infection in vivo demonstrates how very early interactions between macrophages and cryptococci are critical in the outcome of cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Bojarczuk
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.,Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Katie A Miller
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.,Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Richard Hotham
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.,Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Amy Lewis
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.,Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Nikolay V Ogryzko
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.,Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Alfred A Kamuyango
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.,Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Helen Frost
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Rory H Gibson
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.,Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Eleanor Stillman
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, University Hospitals of Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Stephen A Renshaw
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.,Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Simon A Johnston
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.,Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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47
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Johnston SA, Voelz K, May RC. Cryptococcus neoformans Thermotolerance to Avian Body Temperature Is Sufficient For Extracellular Growth But Not Intracellular Survival In Macrophages. Sci Rep 2016; 6:20977. [PMID: 26883088 PMCID: PMC4756366 DOI: 10.1038/srep20977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [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: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a fatal fungal pathogen of humans that efficiently parasitises macrophages. Birds can be colonised by cryptococci and can transmit cryptococcosis to humans via inhalation of inoculated bird excreta. However, colonisation of birds appears to occur in the absence of symptomatic infection. Here, using a pure population of primary bird macrophages, we demonstrate a mechanism for this relationship. We find that bird macrophages are able to suppress the growth of cryptococci seen in mammalian cells despite C. neoformans being able to grow at bird body temperature, and are able to escape from bird macrophages by vomocytosis. A small subset of cryptococci are able to adapt to the inhibitory intracellular environment of bird macrophages, exhibiting a large cell phenotype that rescues growth suppression. Thus, restriction of intracellular growth combined with survival at bird body temperature explains the ability of birds to efficiently spread C. neoformans in the environment whilst avoiding systemic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon A Johnston
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.,Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Kerstin Voelz
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, University Hospitals of Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
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48
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Madu UL, Ogundeji AO, Mochochoko BM, Pohl CH, Albertyn J, Swart CW, Allwood JW, Southam AD, Dunn WB, May RC, Sebolai OM. Cryptococcal 3-Hydroxy Fatty Acids Protect Cells Against Amoebal Phagocytosis. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:1351. [PMID: 26696972 PMCID: PMC4673343 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [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: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously reported on a 3-hydroxy fatty acid that is secreted via cryptococcal capsular protuberances - possibly to promote pathogenesis and survival. Thus, we investigated the role of this molecule in mediating the fate of Cryptococcus (C.) neoformans and the related species C. gattii when predated upon by amoebae. We show that this molecule protects cells against the phagocytic effects of amoebae. C. neoformans UOFS Y-1378 (which produces 3-hydroxy fatty acids) was less sensitive toward amoebae compared to C. neoformans LMPE 046 and C. gattii R265 (both do not produce 3-hydroxy fatty acids) and addition of 3-hydroxy fatty acids to C. neoformans LMPE 046 and C. gattii R265 culture media, causes these strains to become more resistant to amoebal predation. Conversely, addition of aspirin (a 3-hydroxy fatty acid inhibitor) to C. neoformans UOFS Y-1378 culture media made cells more susceptible to amoebae. Our data suggest that this molecule is secreted at a high enough concentration to effect intracellular signaling within amoeba, which in turn, promotes fungal survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uju L. Madu
- Pathogenic Yeast Research Group, Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free StateBloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Adepemi O. Ogundeji
- Pathogenic Yeast Research Group, Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free StateBloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Bonang M. Mochochoko
- Pathogenic Yeast Research Group, Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free StateBloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Carolina H. Pohl
- Pathogenic Yeast Research Group, Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free StateBloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Jacobus Albertyn
- Pathogenic Yeast Research Group, Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free StateBloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Chantel W. Swart
- Pathogenic Yeast Research Group, Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free StateBloemfontein, South Africa
| | | | | | - Warwick B. Dunn
- School of Biosciences, University of BirminghamBirmingham, UK
| | - Robin C. May
- School of Biosciences, University of BirminghamBirmingham, UK
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection and the School of Biosciences, University of BirminghamBirmingham, UK
| | - Olihile M. Sebolai
- Pathogenic Yeast Research Group, Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free StateBloemfontein, South Africa
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection and the School of Biosciences, University of BirminghamBirmingham, UK
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49
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Abstract
Cryptococcosis is an invasive fungal infection of humans and other animals, typically caused by the species Cryptococcus neoformans in patients with impaired immunity. However, there is growing recognition of the importance of the related species C. gattii in causing infections in apparently immunocompetent individuals. In particular, an ongoing outbreak of cryptococcal disease in the Pacific Northwest region, which started in 1999, has driven an intense research effort into this previously neglected pathogen. Here, we discuss some of the recent discoveries in this organism from the Pacific Northwest region and highlight areas for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Bielska
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection & School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Robin C May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection & School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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50
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Beale MA, Sabiiti W, Robertson EJ, Fuentes-Cabrejo KM, O’Hanlon SJ, Jarvis JN, Loyse A, Meintjes G, Harrison TS, May RC, Fisher MC, Bicanic T. Genotypic Diversity Is Associated with Clinical Outcome and Phenotype in Cryptococcal Meningitis across Southern Africa. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003847. [PMID: 26110902 PMCID: PMC4482434 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [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: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 05/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcal meningitis is a major cause of mortality throughout the developing world, yet little is known about the genetic markers underlying Cryptococcal virulence and patient outcome. We studied a cohort of 230 Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) isolates from HIV-positive South African clinical trial patients with detailed clinical follow-up using multi-locus sequence typing and in vitro phenotypic virulence assays, correlating these data with clinical and fungal markers of disease in the patient. South African Cn displayed high levels of genetic diversity and locus variability compared to globally distributed types, and we identified 50 sequence types grouped within the main molecular types VNI, VNII and VNB, with 72% of isolates typed into one of seven 'high frequency' sequence types. Spatial analysis of patients’ cryptococcal genotype was not shown to be clustered geographically, which might argue against recent local acquisition and in favour of reactivation of latent infection. Through comparison of MLST genotyping data with clinical parameters, we found a relationship between genetic lineage and clinical outcome, with patients infected with the VNB lineage having significantly worse survival (n=8, HR 3.35, CI 1.51-7.20, p=0.003), and this was maintained even after adjustment for known prognostic indicators and treatment regimen. Comparison of fungal genotype with in vitro phenotype (phagocytosis, laccase activity and CSF survival) performed on a subset of 89 isolates revealed evidence of lineage-associated virulence phenotype, with the VNII lineage displaying increased laccase activity (p=0.001) and ex vivo CSF survival (p=0.0001). These findings show that Cryptococcus neoformans is a phenotypically heterogeneous pathogen, and that lineage plays an important role in cryptococcal virulence during human infection. Furthermore, a detailed understanding of the genetic diversity in Southern Africa will support further investigation into how genetic diversity is structured across African environments, allowing assessment of the risks different ecotypes pose to infection. Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) is a yeast that commonly causes meningitis in HIV infected individuals in Africa, where it may account for up to 500,000 deaths every year. In this highly translational and multidisciplinary study, we used genetic analysis techniques to show that Cryptococcus found in Southern Africa represents a hotspot of genetic diversity. We combined this data with the results of microbiological techniques that assess the natural virulence traits that the yeast uses to survive and infect humans to further show that genetic diversity is associated with differences in cryptococcal phenotype. Finally, we analysed detailed clinical data on patients to investigate the clinical effects of infection with different lineages, and showed that one genetic lineage (VNB) is significantly associated with worse survival. Whilst much of our prior knowledge regarding the genetic basis of virulence is derived from studies on laboratory-adapted cryptococcal strains, our findings from this large and comprehensive MLST genotyping study of clinical isolates—linking genotype, phenotype, clinical presentation and outcome—provide direct insights into the contribution of pathogen lineage to virulence in human cryptococcal meningitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew A. Beale
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, St. George’s University London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College School of Public Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Wilber Sabiiti
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, St. George’s University London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Medicine University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Emma J. Robertson
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, St. George’s University London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Simon J. O’Hanlon
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College School of Public Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph N. Jarvis
- Botswana-UPenn Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Angela Loyse
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, St. George’s University London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Graeme Meintjes
- Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Thomas S. Harrison
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, St. George’s University London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin C. May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection and the School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, University Hospitals of Birmingham National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew C. Fisher
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College School of Public Health, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (MCF); (TB)
| | - Tihana Bicanic
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, St. George’s University London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (MCF); (TB)
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