TheCnes2Locus on Mouse Chromosome 17 Regulates Host Defense against Cryptococcal Infection through Pleiotropic Effects on Host Immunity
The genetic basis of natural susceptibility to progressiveCryptococcus neoformansinfection is not well understood. Using C57BL/6 and CBA/J inbred mice, we previously identified three chromosomal regions associated withC. neoformanssusceptibility (Cnes1,Cnes2, andCnes3). To validate and characterize the role ofCnes2during the host response, we constructed a congenic strain on the C57BL/6 background (B6.CBA-Cnes2). Phenotypic analysis of B6.CBA-Cnes2mice 35 days afterC. neoformansinfection showed a significant reduction of fungal burden in the lungs and spleen with higher pulmonary expression of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-12 (IL-12), lower expression of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, and an absence of airway epithelial mucus production compared to that in C57BL/6 mice. Multiparameter flow cytometry of infected lungs also showed a significantly higher number of neutrophils, exudate macrophages, CD11b+dendritic cells, and CD4+cells in B6.CBA-Cnes2than in C57BL/6 mice. The activation state of recruited macrophages and dendritic cells was also significantly increased in B6.CBA-Cnes2mice. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that theCnes2interval is a potent regulator of host defense, immune responsiveness, and differential Th1/Th2 polarization followingC. neoformansinfection.