scholarly journals The Aspergillus fumigatus toxin fumagillin suppresses the immune response of Galleria mellonella larvae by inhibiting the action of haemocytes

Microbiology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 157 (5) ◽  
pp. 1481-1488 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Fallon ◽  
Emer P. Reeves ◽  
Kevin Kavanagh
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Subsequent Infection ◽  
Nadph Oxidase Complex ◽  
Cellular Immune

Larvae of Galleria mellonella are widely used to evaluate microbial virulence and to assess the in vivo efficacy of antimicrobial agents. The aim of this work was to examine the ability of an Aspergillus fumigatus toxin, fumagillin, to suppress the immune response of larvae. Administration of fumagillin to larvae increased their susceptibility to subsequent infection with A. fumigatus conidia (P = 0.0052). It was demonstrated that a dose of 2 µg fumagillin ml−1 reduced the ability of insect immune cells (haemocytes) to kill opsonized cells of Candida albicans (P = 0.039) and to phagocytose A. fumigatus conidia (P = 0.016). Fumagillin reduced the oxygen uptake of haemocytes and decreased the translocation of a p47 protein which is homologous to p47phox, a protein essential for the formation of a functional NADPH oxidase complex required for superoxide production. In addition, toxin-treated haemocytes showed reduced levels of degranulation as measured by the release of a protein showing reactivity to an anti-myeloperoxidase antibody (P<0.049) that was subsequently identified by liquid chromatography-MS analysis as prophenoloxidase. This work demonstrates that fumagillin suppresses the immune response of G. mellonella larvae by inhibiting the action of haemocytes and thus renders the larvae susceptible to infection. During growth of the fungus in the larvae, this toxin, along with others, may facilitate growth by suppressing the cellular immune response.

scholarly journals UtilisingGalleria mellonella larvae for studying in vivo activity of conventional and novel antimicrobial agents

2020 ◽  
Vol 78 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Piatek ◽  
Gerard Sheehan ◽  
Kevin Kavanagh
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Antimicrobial Compounds ◽  
Insect Larvae ◽  
In Vivo Toxicity ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Accuracy Of Results ◽  
Antibacterial And Antifungal

ABSTRACT The immune response of insects displays many structural and functional similarities to the innate immune response of mammals. As a result of these conserved features, insects may be used for evaluating microbial virulence or for testing the in vivo efficacy and toxicity of antimicrobial compounds and results show strong similarities to those from mammals. Galleria mellonella larvae are widely used in this capacity and have the advantage of being easy to use, inexpensive to purchase and house, and being free from the ethical and legal restrictions that relate to the use of mammals in these tests. Galleria mellonella larvae may be used to assess the in vivo toxicity and efficacy of novel antimicrobial compounds. A wide range of antibacterial and antifungal therapies have been evaluated in G. mellonella larvae and results have informed subsequent experiments in mammals. While insect larvae are a convenient and reproducible model to use, care must be taken in their use to ensure accuracy of results. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive account of the use of G. mellonella larvae for assessing the in vivo toxicity and efficacy of a wide range of antibacterial and antifungal agents.

scholarly journals Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Prime a Protective Immune Response in Galleria mellonella to Defend Against Candida albicans

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei-nian Xu ◽  
Li Li ◽  
Wen Pan ◽  
Huan-xin Zheng ◽  
Meng-lei Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Zinc Oxide ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Oxide Nanoparticles ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Zno Nps

Purpose: Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have exerted antimicrobial properties. However, there is insufficient evaluation regarding the in vivo antifungal activity of ZnO-NPs. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of ZnO-NPs in controlling Candida albicans in the invertebrate Galleria mellonella.Methods:Galleria mellonella larvae were injected with different doses of ZnO-NPs to determine their in vivo toxicity. Non-toxic doses of ZnO-NPs were chosen for prophylactic injection in G. mellonella followed by C. albicans infection. Then the direct in vitro antifungal effect of ZnO-NPs against C. albicans was evaluated. In addition, the mode of action of ZnO-NPs was assessed in larvae through different assays: quantification of hemocyte density, morphology observation of hemocytes, characterization of hemocyte aggregation and phagocytosis, and measurement of hemolymph phenoloxidase (PO) activity.Results: Zinc oxide nanoparticles were non-toxic to the larvae at relatively low concentrations (≤20 mg/kg). ZnO-NP pretreatment significantly prolonged the survival of C. albicans-infected larvae and decreased the fungal dissemination and burden in the C. albicans-infected larvae. This observation was more related to the activation of host defense rather than their fungicidal capacities. Specifically, ZnO-NP treatment increased hemocyte density, promoted hemocyte aggregation, enhanced hemocyte phagocytosis, and activated PO activity in larvae.Conclusion: Prophylactic treatment with lower concentrations of ZnO-NPs protects G. mellonella from C. albicans infection. The innate immune response primed by ZnO-NPs may be part of the reason for the protective effects. This study provides new evidence of the capacity of ZnO-NPs in enhancing host immunity and predicts that ZnO-NPs will be attractive for further anti-infection applications.

scholarly journals Caspofungin primes the immune response of the larvae of Galleria mellonella and induces a non-specific antimicrobial response

2011 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy Kelly ◽  
Kevin Kavanagh
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Immune Functions ◽  
Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Fungal Cell ◽  
Antifungal Effect ◽  
Genes Encoding

The echinocandins (e.g. caspofungin) function by inhibiting the synthesis of 1,3-β-glucan in the fungal cell wall. While the potent antifungal activity of caspofungin has been well characterized in mammals, this study investigated the in vivo antifungal effect of caspofungin using larvae of the insect Galleria mellonella. Caspofungin was successful in increasing the survival of larvae that were inoculated with Candida albicans 1 h before the drug was administered, particularly when a concentration of 0.19 μg ml−1 was used. Pre-injecting larvae with caspofungin also increased their survival when they were inoculated with either Staphylococcus aureus or C. albicans. Caspofungin administration resulted in an increase in the number of circulating immune cells (haemocytes), an increase in the expression of the genes encoding IMPI and transferrin, and an increase in the expression of a number of proteins (identified by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry) some of which have immune functions. This work indicates that administration of caspofungin can increase the survival of infected G. mellonella larvae, and this is due to the antifungal properties of caspofungin and also to the ability of caspofungin to prime the insect's immune response.

scholarly journals Candida Albicans ERG11 Gene Polymorphism: Impact on Its In Vivo Virulence and Susceptibility to Fluconazole According to the Galleria Mellonella Model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcel Patindoilba Sawadogo ◽  
Adama Zida ◽  
Issiaka Soulama ◽  
Samuel S Sermé ◽  
Thierry Kiswendsida Guiguemdé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Reference Strain ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Larval Mortality ◽  
Fungal Burden ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Strain Sc5314 ◽  
Resistant Strains

The aim of this study is to have an idea on the molecular mechanisms of C. albicans resistance to fluconazole in Burkina Faso, by studying the polymorphism of the ERG11 gene, and its implication in the C. albicans virulence and resistance in vivo according to the Galleria mellonella model; (2) Methods: Ten (10) clinical strains including, 5 resistant and 5 susceptible and 1 virulent and susceptible reference strain SC5314 are used. For the estimation of virulence, the larvae were inoculated with 10 &mu;L of C. albicans cell suspension at variable concentrations: 2,5.105, 5.105, 1.106, and 5.106 CFU/larva of each strain. For the in vivo efficacy study, fluconazole was administered at 1, 4 and 16 mg/kg respectively to G. mellonella larvae, after infection by inoculum 5.106 CFU / larvae of each strain; (3) Results: Six (6) non-silent mutations in the ERG11 gene (K143R, F145L, G307S, S405F, G448E, V456I on ERG11p) were found in 4 resistant isolates. Larval mortality depended on fungal burden and strain. The inoculum 5.106 CFU caused 100% mortality in 2 days for the 2 CAAL-1 and CAAL-2 strains carrying the F145L mutation, in 3 days for the reference strain SC5314, in 4 days for the ensemble of resistant strains, and in 5 days for the ensemble of susceptible strains. The comparison of the mortality due to the reference strain SC5314 CFU / larva and the average mortality due to the two mutant F145L strains, shows a significant difference (P &lt;0.05).Fluconazole significantly protected (P&gt; 0.05) the larvae from infection by susceptible strains and the reference strain. However, 100% mortality in 6 days after injection of the resistant strains, was observed (4) Conclusions: Certain mutations in the ERG11 gene such as the F145L mutation are thought to be a source of increased virulence in Candida albicans. Fluconazole effectively protected larvae from infection by susceptible strains in vivo, unlike resistant strain

scholarly journals Macrocolony of NDM-1 Producing Enterobacter hormaechei subsp. oharae Generates Subpopulations with Different Features Regarding the Response of Antimicrobial Agents and Biofilm Formation

Pathogens ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flávia Roberta Brust ◽  
Luana Boff ◽  
Danielle da Silva Trentin ◽  
Franciele Pedrotti Rozales ◽  
Afonso Luís Barth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Polymyxin B ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Biofilm Production ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
Enterobacter Hormaechei ◽  
Type 3

Enterobacter cloacae complex has been increasingly recognized as a nosocomial pathogen representing the third major Enterobacteriaceae species involved with infections. This study aims to evaluate virulence and antimicrobial susceptibility of subpopulations generated from macrocolonies of NDM-1 producing Enterobacter hormaechei clinical isolates. Biofilm was quantified using crystal violet method and fimbrial genes were investigated by PCR. Susceptibility of antimicrobials, alone and combined, was determined by minimum inhibitory concentration and checkerboard assays, respectively. Virulence and efficacy of antimicrobials were evaluated in Galleria mellonella larvae. Importantly, we verified that some subpopulations that originate from the same macrocolony present different biofilm production ability and distinct susceptibility to meropenem due to the loss of blaNDM-1 encoding plasmid. A more in-depth study was performed with the 798 macrocolony subpopulations. Type 3 fimbriae were straightly related with biofilm production; however, virulence in larvae was not statistically different among subpopulations. Triple combination with meropenem–rifampicin–polymyxin B showed in vitro synergistic effect against all subpopulations; while in vivo this treatment showed different efficacy rates for 798-1S and 798-4S subpopulations. The ability of multidrug resistant E. hormaechei isolates in generating bacterial subpopulations presenting different susceptible and virulence mechanisms are worrisome and may explain why these infections are hardly overcome.

scholarly journals Inhibition of neutrophil function following exposure to the Aspergillus fumigatus toxin fumagillin

2010 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 625-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Fallon ◽  
Emer P. Reeves ◽  
Kevin Kavanagh
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Nadph Oxidase ◽  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Proteolytic Enzymes ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Fungal Colonization ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Myeloperoxidase Activity ◽  
Microbial Infection ◽  
Nadph Oxidase Complex

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus produces a variety of enzymes and toxins that may facilitate fungal colonization of tissue and evasion of the host immune response. One such toxin, fumagillin, was investigated for its ability to inhibit the action of neutrophils, which are a central component of the innate immune response to microbial infection. Neutrophils exposed to 2 μg fumagillin ml−1 for 25 min showed a significantly reduced ability to kill yeast cells (P<0.02), to phagocytose conidia of A. fumigatus (P<0.023) and to consume oxygen (P<0.032). The ability of neutrophils to generate superoxide is dependent upon the action of a functional NADPH oxidase complex which is composed of cytosolic (p40phox, p47phox, p67phox, Rac2) and membrane (gp91phox) proteins. Exposure of neutrophils to fumagillin inhibited the formation of the NADPH oxidase complex by blocking the translocation of p47phox from the cytosolic to the membrane fraction (P=0.02). In addition to the production of superoxide, neutrophils also undergo degranulation, which leads to the release of proteolytic enzymes that contribute to the microbicidal activity of the cell. Fumagillin-treated neutrophils showed reduced degranulation as evidenced by lower myeloperoxidase activity (P<0.019). Fumagillin-treated cells demonstrated reduced levels of F-actin, thus indicating that retarding the formation of F-actin may contribute to the inhibition of the structural rearrangements required in the activated neutrophil. This work indicates that fumagillin may contribute to reducing the local immune response by altering the activity of neutrophils and thus facilitate the continued persistence and growth of A. fumigatus in the host.

scholarly journals Evolution of the Immune Response to Chronic Airway Colonization with Aspergillus fumigatus Hyphae

2015 ◽  
Vol 83 (9) ◽  
pp. 3590-3600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirjam Urb ◽  
Brendan D. Snarr ◽  
Gabriella Wojewodka ◽  
Mélanie Lehoux ◽  
Mark J. Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Cell Subset ◽  
Interleukin 4 ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cytokine Analysis ◽  
Airway Colonization ◽  
Chronic Airway

Airway colonization by the moldAspergillus fumigatusis common in patients with underlying lung disease and is associated with chronic airway inflammation. Studies probing the inflammatory response to colonization withA. fumigatushyphae have been hampered by the lack of a model of chronic colonization in immunocompetent mice. By infecting mice intratracheally with conidia embedded in agar beads (Af beads), we have established anin vivomodel to study the natural history of airway colonization with liveA. fumigatushyphae. Histopathological examination and galactomannan assay of lung homogenates demonstrated that hyphae exited beads and persisted in the lungs of mice up to 28 days postinfection without invasive disease. Fungal lesions within the airways were surrounded by a robust neutrophilic inflammatory reaction and peribronchial infiltration of lymphocytes. Whole-lung cytokine analysis from Af bead-infected mice revealed an increase in proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines early in infection. Evidence of a Th2 type response was observed only early in the course of colonization, including increased levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), elevated IgE levels in serum, and a mild increase in airway responsiveness. Pulmonary T cell subset analysis during infection mirrored these results with an initial transient increase in IL-4-producing CD4+T cells, followed by a rise in IL-17 and Foxp3+cells by day 14. These results provide the first report of the evolution of the immune response toA. fumigatushyphal colonization.

scholarly journals A targeted complement-dependent strategy to improve the outcome of mAb therapy, and characterization in a murine model of metastatic cancer

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 119 (25) ◽  
pp. 6043-6051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Elvington ◽  
Yuxiang Huang ◽  
B. Paul Morgan ◽  
Fei Qiao ◽  
Nico van Rooijen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Tumor Cell ◽  
Complement Activation ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Protein Targets ◽  
Complement Inhibitors ◽  
Activation Products ◽  
Cellular Immune

Abstract Complement inhibitors expressed on tumor cells provide an evasion mechanism against mAb therapy and may modulate the development of an acquired antitumor immune response. Here we investigate a strategy to amplify mAb-targeted complement activation on a tumor cell, independent of a requirement to target and block complement inhibitor expression or function, which is difficult to achieve in vivo. We constructed a murine fusion protein, CR2Fc, and demonstrated that the protein targets to C3 activation products deposited on a tumor cell by a specific mAb, and amplifies mAb-dependent complement activation and tumor cell lysis in vitro. In syngeneic models of metastatic lymphoma (EL4) and melanoma (B16), CR2Fc significantly enhanced the outcome of mAb therapy. Subsequent studies using the EL4 model with various genetically modified mice and macrophage-depleted mice revealed that CR2Fc enhanced the therapeutic effect of mAb therapy via both macrophage-dependent FcγR-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and by direct complement-mediated lysis. Complement activation products can also modulate adaptive immunity, but we found no evidence that either mAb or CR2Fc treatment had any effect on an antitumor humoral or cellular immune response. CR2Fc represents a potential adjuvant treatment to increase the effectiveness of mAb therapy of cancer.

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