scholarly journals The Yeast-Phase Virulence Requirement for α-Glucan Synthase Differs among Histoplasma capsulatum Chemotypes

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica A. Edwards ◽  
Elizabeth A. Alore ◽  
Chad A. Rappleye
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Histoplasma Capsulatum ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Glucan Synthase ◽  
Content Type ◽  
I Factor ◽  
Yeast Phase

ABSTRACTHistoplasma capsulatumstrains can be classified into two chemotypes based on cell wall composition. The cell wall of chemotype II yeast contains a layer of α-(1,3)-glucan that masks immunostimulatory β-(1,3)-glucans from detection by the Dectin-1 receptor on host phagocytes. This α-(1,3)-glucan cell wall component is essential for chemotype IIHistoplasmavirulence. In contrast, chemotype I yeast cells lack α-(1,3)-glucanin vitro, yet they remain fully virulentin vivo. Analysis of the chemotype I α-glucan synthase (AGS1) locus revealed a 2.7-kb insertion in the promoter region that diminishesAGS1expression. Nonetheless,AGS1mRNA can be detected during respiratory infection with chemotype I yeast, suggesting that α-(1,3)-glucan could be produced duringin vivogrowth despite its absencein vitro. To directly test whetherAGS1contributes to chemotype I strain virulence, we preventedAGS1function by RNA interference and by insertional mutation. Loss ofAGS1function in chemotype I does not impair the cytotoxicity ofags1(−) mutant yeast to cultured macrophages, nor does it affect the intracellular growth of yeast. In a murine model of histoplasmosis, theags1(−) chemotype I mutant strains show no defect in lung infection or in extrapulmonary dissemination. Together, these studies demonstrate thatAGS1expression is dispensable for chemotype I yeast virulence, in contrast to the case for chemotype II yeast. Despite the absence of cell wall α-(1,3)-glucan, chemotype I yeast can avoid detection by Dectin-1 in a growth stage-dependent manner. This suggests the production of a uniqueHistoplasmachemotype I factor that, at least partially, circumvents the α-(1,3)-glucan requirement for yeast virulence.

scholarly journals Macrophage Reporter Cell Assay for Screening Immunopharmacological Activity of Cell Wall-Active Antifungals

2014 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 1738-1743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell E. Lewis ◽  
Guangling Liao ◽  
Katherine Young ◽  
Cameron Douglas ◽  
Dimitrios P. Kontoyiannis
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Activator Protein 1 ◽  
Chitin Synthesis ◽  
Synthesis Inhibitor ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTAntifungal exposure can elicit immunological effects that contribute to activityin vivo, but this activity is rarely screenedin vitroin a fashion analogous to MIC testing. We used RAW 264.7 murine macrophages that express a secreted embryonic alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) gene induced by transcriptional activation of NF-κB and activator protein 1 (AP-1) to develop a screen for immunopharmacological activity of cell wall-active antifungal agents. Isolates ofCandida albicansandAspergillus fumigatusthat conditionally express genes involved in cell wall synthesis were also tested with the reporter macrophages. We found that growth of fungi in subinhibitory concentrations of glucan synthesis inhibitors (caspofungin and enfumafungin A) or repression of the β-glucan catalytic subunit of glucan synthase,FKS1, increased macrophage NF-κB/AP-1 activation in a dectin-1-dependent manner. This pattern of activation was also transiently observed with repression of chitin synthesis inC. albicansor when yeast cells were incubated in low concentrations of the chitin synthesis inhibitor nikkomycin Z.

scholarly journals The Novel Arylamidine T-2307 Selectively Disrupts Yeast Mitochondrial Function by Inhibiting Respiratory Chain Complexes

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kohei Yamashita ◽  
Taiga Miyazaki ◽  
Yoshiko Fukuda ◽  
Junichi Mitsuyama ◽  
Tomomi Saijo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Chain ◽  
Mitochondrial Function ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Respiratory Chain Complexes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chain Complexes

ABSTRACT The novel arylamidine T-2307 exhibits broad-spectrum in vitro and in vivo antifungal activities against clinically significant pathogens. Previous studies have shown that T-2307 accumulates in yeast cells via a specific polyamine transporter and disrupts yeast mitochondrial membrane potential. Further, it has little effect on rat liver mitochondrial function. The mechanism by which T-2307 disrupts yeast mitochondrial function is poorly understood, and its elucidation may provide important information for developing novel antifungal agents. This study aimed to determine how T-2307 promotes yeast mitochondrial dysfunction and to investigate the selectivity of this mechanism between fungi and mammals. T-2307 inhibited the respiration of yeast whole cells and isolated yeast mitochondria in a dose-dependent manner. The similarity of the effects of T-2307 and respiratory chain inhibitors on mitochondrial respiration prompted us to investigate the effect of T-2307 on mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes. T-2307 particularly inhibited respiratory chain complexes III and IV not only in Saccharomyces cerevisiae but also in Candida albicans, indicating that T-2307 acts against pathogenic fungi in a manner similar to that of yeast. Conversely, T-2307 showed little effect on bovine respiratory chain complexes. Additionally, we demonstrated that the inhibition of respiratory chain complexes by T-2307 resulted in a decrease in the intracellular ATP levels in yeast cells. These results indicate that inhibition of respiratory chain complexes III and IV is a key factor for selective disruption of yeast mitochondrial function and antifungal activity.

scholarly journals Dissecting the Structure-Function Relationship of a Fungicidal Peptide Derived from the Constant Region of Human Immunoglobulins

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 2435-2442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tecla Ciociola ◽  
Thelma A. Pertinhez ◽  
Laura Giovati ◽  
Martina Sperindè ◽  
Walter Magliani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Constant Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Complementarity Determining Regions

ABSTRACTSynthetic peptides encompassing sequences related to the complementarity-determining regions of antibodies or derived from their constant region (Fc peptides) were proven to exert differential antimicrobial, antiviral, antitumor, and/or immunomodulatory activitiesin vitroand/orin vivo, regardless of the specificity and isotype of the parental antibody. Alanine substitution derivatives of these peptides exhibited unaltered, increased, or decreased candidacidal activitiesin vitro. The bioactive IgG-derived Fc N10K peptide (NQVSLTCLVK) spontaneously self-assembles, a feature previously recognized as relevant for the therapeutic activity of another antibody-derived peptide. We evaluated the contribution of each residue to the peptide self-assembling capability by circular-dichroism spectroscopy. The interaction of the N10K peptide and its derivatives withCandida albicanscells was studied by confocal, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy. The apoptosis and autophagy induction profiles in yeast cells treated with the peptides were evaluated by flow cytometry, and the therapeutic efficacy against candidal infection was studied in aGalleria mellonellamodel. Overall, the results indicate a critical role for some residues in the self-assembly process and a correlation of that capability with the candidacidal activities of the peptidesin vitroand their therapeutic effectsin vivo.

Abstract 3: Apolipoprotein A-I Inhibits Streptococcal Cell Wall-Induced Arthritis in the Rat in an ABCA1-dependent Manner

2013 ◽  
Vol 33 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben J Wu ◽  
Kwok L Ong ◽  
Sudichhya Shrestha ◽  
Kang Chen ◽  
Philip J Barter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokine ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Joint Inflammation ◽  
Chronic Inflammatory Disease ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Tlr2 Expression ◽  
Streptococcal Cell Wall

Introduction. Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by joint inflammation and destruction, reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, and increased cardiovascular risk. Objective To determine if apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, the main HDL apolipoprotein, prevents joint inflammation in arthritis. Methods and Results In vivo: Arthritis was induced in female Lewis rats with a single 15 mg/kg intraperitoneal streptococcal cell wall peptidoglycan-polysaccharide (PG-PS) injection and quantified as a combined forepaw and hindpaw inflammation score. Arthritis progressed from an initial, acute phase of joint inflammation during the first 4 days post-PG-PS administration to remission by day 8, followed by chronic joint inflammation up to sacrifice at day 21. Two intravenous infusions of lipid-free apoA-I (8 mg/kg) 24 h pre- and 24 h post-PG-PS injection reduced the acute and chronic joint inflammation by 63±9% at day 3 and by 61±8% at day 21. Infusion of apoA-I at days 7, 9 and 11 post-PG-PS injection reduced the chronic response by 43±11% at day 21. ApoA-I infusions at 24 h prior to and at days 1, 7, 9, 11 post-PG-PS injection reduced joint inflammation by 61±5% at day 3 and by 90±5% at day 21 (p<0.05 for all vs saline infusion). These beneficial effects of apoA-I were accompanied by a reduced inflammatory white blood cell count, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in synovial fluid, and reduced macrophage accumulation, toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and inflammatory cytokine expression in synovial tissue. In vitro: Human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDMs) were pre-incubated with lipid-free apoA-I, then stimulated with PG-PS (20 μg/mL). Pre-incubation with apoA-I inhibited PG-PS-induced TLR2 and MyD88, a TLR2 adapter protein, expression. Nuclear factor-κB activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production were also attenuated. These anti-inflammatory effects of apoA-I were abolished in HMDMs transfected with ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 (ABCA1) siRNA. Conclusions These findings establish that apoA-I attenuates PG-PS induced arthritis in the rat. These effects may involve ABCA-1 and inhibition of TLR2 expression and activation.

scholarly journals Redundant Catalases Detoxify Phagocyte Reactive Oxygen and Facilitate Histoplasma capsulatum Pathogenesis

2013 ◽  
Vol 81 (7) ◽  
pp. 2334-2346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric D. Holbrook ◽  
Katherine A. Smolnycki ◽  
Brian H. Youseff ◽  
Chad A. Rappleye
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Innate Immune System ◽  
Histoplasma Capsulatum ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Respiratory Pathogen ◽  
Human Neutrophils ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTHistoplasma capsulatumis a respiratory pathogen that infects phagocytic cells. The mechanisms allowingHistoplasmato overcome toxic reactive oxygen molecules produced by the innate immune system are an integral part ofHistoplasma's ability to survive during infection. To probe the contribution ofHistoplasmacatalases in oxidative stress defense, we created and analyzed the virulence defects of mutants lacking CatB and CatP, which are responsible for extracellular and intracellular catalase activities, respectively. Both CatB and CatP protectedHistoplasmafrom peroxide challengein vitroand from antimicrobial reactive oxygen produced by human neutrophils and activated macrophages. Optimal protection required both catalases, as the survival of a double mutant lacking both CatB and CatP was lower than that of single-catalase-deficient cells. Although CatB contributed to reactive oxygen species defensesin vitro, CatB was dispensable for lung infection and extrapulmonary disseminationin vivo. Loss of CatB from a strain also lacking superoxide dismutase (Sod3) did not further reduce the survival ofHistoplasmayeasts. Nevertheless, some catalase function was required for pathogenesis since simultaneous loss of both CatB and CatP attenuatedHistoplasmavirulencein vivo. These results demonstrate thatHistoplasma's dual catalases comprise a system that enablesHistoplasmato efficiently overcome the reactive oxygen produced by the innate immune system.

scholarly journals Investigation of the Efficacy of Micafungin in the Treatment of Histoplasmosis Using Two North American Strains of Histoplasma capsulatum

2011 ◽  
Vol 55 (9) ◽  
pp. 4447-4450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chadi A. Hage ◽  
Patricia Connolly ◽  
Daniel Horan ◽  
Michelle Durkin ◽  
Melinda Smedema ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amphotericin B ◽  
North American ◽  
Liposomal Amphotericin ◽  
Histoplasma Capsulatum ◽  
Liposomal Amphotericin B ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Yeast Form

ABSTRACTMicafungin alone and combined with liposomal amphotericin B was evaluated against two strains ofHistoplasma capsulatum. Micafungin was activein vitroagainst the mold but not the yeast form but was ineffectivein vivo. Micafungin appears to be ineffective in treatment of histoplasmosis.

scholarly journals Elevated Cell Wall Chitin in Candida albicans Confers Echinocandin ResistanceIn Vivo

2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 208-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keunsook K. Lee ◽  
Donna M. MacCallum ◽  
Mette D. Jacobsen ◽  
Louise A. Walker ◽  
Frank C. Odds ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Normal Cells ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Echinocandin Resistance

ABSTRACTCandida albicanscells with increased cell wall chitin have reduced echinocandin susceptibilityin vitro. The aim of this study was to investigate whetherC. albicanscells with elevated chitin levels have reduced echinocandin susceptibilityin vivo. BALB/c mice were infected withC. albicanscells with normal chitin levels and compared to mice infected with high-chitin cells. Caspofungin therapy was initiated at 24 h postinfection. Mice infected with chitin-normal cells were successfully treated with caspofungin, as indicated by reduced kidney fungal burdens, reduced weight loss, and decreasedC. albicansdensity in kidney lesions. In contrast, mice infected with high-chitinC. albicanscells were less susceptible to caspofungin, as they had higher kidney fungal burdens and greater weight loss during early infection. Cells recovered from mouse kidneys at 24 h postinfection with high-chitin cells had 1.6-fold higher chitin levels than cells from mice infected with chitin-normal cells and maintained a significantly reduced susceptibility to caspofungin when testedin vitro. At 48 h postinfection, caspofungin treatment induced a further increase in chitin content ofC. albicanscells harvested from kidneys compared to saline treatment. Some of the recovered clones had acquired, at a low frequency, a point mutation inFKS1resulting in a S645Y amino acid substitution, a mutation known to confer echinocandin resistance. This occurred even in cells that had not been exposed to caspofungin. Our results suggest that the efficacy of caspofungin againstC. albicanswas reducedin vivodue to either elevation of chitin levels in the cell wall or acquisition ofFKS1point mutations.

scholarly journals The Clostridium difficile Dlt Pathway Is Controlled by the Extracytoplasmic Function Sigma Factor σVin Response to Lysozyme

2016 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 1902-1916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily C. Woods ◽  
Kathryn L. Nawrocki ◽  
Jose M. Suárez ◽  
Shonna M. McBride
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Clostridium Difficile ◽  
Sigma Factor ◽  
Intestinal Tract ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Hamster Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rapid Amplification ◽  
Extracytoplasmic Function Sigma Factor

Clostridium difficile(also known asPeptoclostridium difficile) is a major nosocomial pathogen and a leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea throughout the world. Colonization of the intestinal tract is necessary forC. difficileto cause disease. Host-produced antimicrobial proteins (AMPs), such as lysozyme, are present in the intestinal tract and can deter colonization by many bacterial pathogens, and yetC. difficileis able to survive in the colon in the presence of these AMPs. Our prior studies established that the Dlt pathway, which increases the surface charge of the bacterium by addition ofd-alanine to teichoic acids, is important forC. difficileresistance to a variety of AMPs. We sought to determine what genetic mechanisms regulate expression of the Dlt pathway. In this study, we show that adltnull mutant is severely attenuated for growth in lysozyme and that expression of thedltDABCoperon is induced in response to lysozyme. Moreover, we found that a mutant lacking the extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factor σVdoes not inducedltexpression in response to lysozyme, indicating that σVis required for regulation of lysozyme-dependentd-alanylation of the cell wall. Using reporter gene fusions and 5′ RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) analysis, we identified promoter elements necessary for lysozyme-dependent and lysozyme-independentdltexpression. In addition, we observed that both asigVmutant and adltmutant are more virulent in a hamster model of infection. These findings demonstrate that cell walld-alanylation inC. difficileis induced by lysozyme in a σV-dependent manner and that this pathway impacts virulencein vivo.

scholarly journals The Eng1 β-Glucanase EnhancesHistoplasmaVirulence by Reducing β-Glucan Exposure

mBio ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew L. Garfoot ◽  
Qian Shen ◽  
Marcel Wüthrich ◽  
Bruce S. Klein ◽  
Chad A. Rappleye
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Proinflammatory Cytokine ◽  
Histoplasma Capsulatum ◽  
Cytokine Production ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Wall Structure ◽  
Cell Mediated Immunity ◽  
Proinflammatory Cytokine Production ◽  
Pathogenic Yeast

ABSTRACTThe fungal pathogenHistoplasma capsulatumparasitizes host phagocytes. To avoid antimicrobial immune responses,Histoplasmayeasts must minimize their detection by host receptors while simultaneously interacting with the phagocyte. PathogenicHistoplasmayeast cells, but not avirulent mycelial cells, secrete the Eng1 protein, which is a member of the glycosylhydrolase 81 (GH81) family. We show thatHistoplasmaEng1 is a glucanase that hydrolyzes β-(1,3)-glycosyl linkages but is not required forHistoplasmagrowthin vitroor for cell separation. However,Histoplasmayeasts lacking Eng1 function have attenuated virulencein vivo, particularly during the cell-mediated immunity stage.Histoplasmayeasts deficient for Eng1 show increased exposure of cell wall β-glucans, which results in enhanced binding to the Dectin-1 β-glucan receptor. Consistent with this, Eng1-deficient yeasts trigger increased tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) cytokine production from macrophages and dendritic cells. While not responsible for large-scale cell wall structure and function, the secreted Eng1 reduces levels of exposed β-glucans at the yeast cell wall, thereby diminishing potential recognition by Dectin-1 and proinflammatory cytokine production by phagocytes. In α-glucan-producingHistoplasmastrains, Eng1 acts in concert with α-glucan to minimize β-glucan exposure: α-glucan provides a masking function by covering the β-glucan-rich cell wall, while Eng1 removes any remaining exposed β-glucans. Thus,HistoplasmaEng1 has evolved a specialized pathogenesis function to remove exposed β-glucans, thereby enhancing the ability of yeasts to escape detection by host phagocytes.IMPORTANCEThe success ofHistoplasma capsulatumas an intracellular pathogen results, in part, from an ability to minimize its detection by receptors on phagocytic cells of the immune system. In this study, we showed thatHistoplasmapathogenic yeast cells, but not avirulent mycelia, secrete a β-glucanase, Eng1, which reduces recognition of fungal cell wall β-glucans. We demonstrated that the Eng1 β-glucanase promotesHistoplasmavirulence by reducing levels of surface-exposed β-glucans on yeast cells, thereby enablingHistoplasmayeasts to escape detection by the host β-glucan receptor, Dectin-1. As a consequence, phagocyte recognition ofHistoplasmayeasts is reduced, leading to less proinflammatory cytokine production by phagocytes and less control ofHistoplasmainfectionin vivo. Thus,Histoplasmayeasts express two mechanisms to avoid phagocyte detection: masking of cell wall β-glucans by α-glucan and enzymatic removal of exposed β-glucans by the Eng1 β-glucanase.

scholarly journals Postantibiotic and Sub-MIC Effects of Exebacase (Lysin CF-301) Enhance Antimicrobial Activity againstStaphylococcus aureus

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Taek Oh ◽  
Cara Cassino ◽  
Raymond Schuch
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
The United States ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Postantibiotic Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wall Ultrastructure ◽  
Bacterial Fitness

ABSTRACTCF-301 (exebacase) is a recombinantly produced bacteriophage-derived lysin (cell wall hydrolase) and is the first agent of this class to enter clinical development in the United States for treating bacteremia including endocarditis due toStaphylococcus aureus. Whereas rapid bactericidal activity is the hallmarkin vitroandin vivoresponse to CF-301 at exposures higher than the MIC, prolonged antimicrobial activity, mediated by cell wall damage, is predicted at concentrations less than the MIC. In the current study, a series ofin vitropharmacodynamic parameters, including the postantibiotic effect (PAE), postantibiotic sub-MIC effect (PA-SME), and sub-MIC effect (SME), were studied to determine how short-duration and sub-MIC CF-301 exposures affect the growth of surviving staphylococci and extend its antimicrobial activity. Mean PAE, PA-SME, and SME values up to 4.8, 9.3, and 9.8 h, respectively, were observed against 14 staphylococcal strains tested in human serum; growth delays were extended by 6 h in the presence of daptomycin. Exposures to CF-301 at sub-MIC levels as low as 0.001× to 0.01× MIC (∼1 to 10 ng/ml) resulted in aberrant cell wall ultrastructure, increased membrane permeability, dissipation of membrane potential, and inhibition of virulence phenotypes, including agglutination and biofilm formation. A mouse thigh infection model designed to study the PAE was used to confirm our findings and demonstratein vivogrowth delays of ≥19.3 h. Our findings suggest that at CF-301 concentrations less than the MIC during therapeutic use, sustained reductions in bacterial fitness and virulence may substantially enhance efficacy.

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