Proteome Analysis Revealed Jak/Stat Signaling and Cytoskeleton Rearrangement Proteins in Human Lung Epithelial Cells During Interaction with Aspergillus terreus

Background: Aspergillus terreus is an emerging etiological agent of invasive and allergic aspergillosis in immunocompromised individuals. The main risk groups are individuals having cancer, acute leukemia and those who undergo bone marrow transplantation. The human lung epithelial cells constitute the first line of defense against inhaled conidia of A. terreus. The aim of the study was to understand how human lung epithelial cells respond to A. terreus conidia during the interaction and to decipher proteins/pathways underlying in host defense. Methods: Protein samples were extracted from human lung epithelial cells (A549) infected with and without A. terreus conidia. Proteins were identified using QTOF-LC-MS/MS followed by analysis using Protein Lynx Global Services software (2.2.5) against Homo sapiens UniProt database. Results: A total of 1253 proteins in human lung epithelial cells were identified during the interaction with Aspergillus terreus conidia, whereas 427 proteins were identified in uninfected lung epithelial cells. We have observed 63 proteins in both the conditions. Gene ontology and KEEG pathway analysis of proteins from infected lung epithelial cells showed proteins from cytoskeleton rearrangement, transport, transcription and signal transduction pathways, such as Jak/Stat, NOD like receptor signaling, Toll–like receptor signaling, NF-kβ signaling and TNF signaling pathways. These signaling proteins suggested the strong immune response in lung epithelial cells against A. terreus conidia. Also, cytoskeleton rearrangement proteins depicted the internalization of A. terreus conidia by human lung epithelial cells. Conclusion: Our study has contributed to understand the interaction response of human lung epithelial cells during A. terreus infection. Also, our study may facilitate the identification of inflammatory biomarker against A. terreus.