Host-Pathogen Interaction and Signaling Molecule Secretion Are Modified in thedpp3Knockout Mutant of Candida lusitaniae
ABSTRACTCandida lusitaniaeis an emerging opportunistic yeast and an attractive model to discover new virulence factors inCandidaspecies by reverse genetics. Our goal was to create adpp3Δ knockout mutant and to characterize the effects of this gene inactivation on yeastin vitroandin vivointeraction with the host. The secretion of two signaling molecules inCandidaspecies, phenethyl alcohol (PEA) and tyrosol, but not of farnesol was surprisingly altered in thedpp3Δ knockout mutant. NO and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production as well as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) secretion were also modified in macrophages infected with this mutant. Interestingly, we found that the wild-type (WT) strain induced an increase in IL-10 secretion by zymosan-activated macrophages without the need for physical contact, whereas thedpp3Δ knockout mutant lost this ability. We further showed a striking role of PEA and tyrosol in this modulation. Last, theDPP3gene was found to be an essential contributor to virulence in mice models, leading to an increase in TNF-α secretion and brain colonization. Although reinsertion of a WTDPP3copy in thedpp3Δ knockout mutant was not sufficient to restore the WT phenotypesin vitro, it allowed a restoration of those observedin vivo. These data support the hypothesis that some of the phenotypes observed followingDPP3gene inactivation may be directly dependent onDPP3, while others may be the indirect consequence of another genetic modification that systematically arises when theDPP3gene is inactivated.