Review
Immunology
Yan Wang, Siddhi Pawar, Orchi Dutta, Keyi Wang, Amariliz Rivera, Chaoyang Xue
Summary: Macrophages play a crucial role in the defense against Cryptococcus infection by clearing pathogens and shaping the immune response. The interaction between Cryptococcus and macrophages determines the outcome of the infection and the susceptibility of hosts. Understanding the origin, polarization, activation, and effector functions of macrophages during Cryptococcus infection is important for developing immunotherapy for cryptococcosis treatment.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Moonyong Song, Eun Jung Thak, Hyun Ah Kang, James W. Kronstad, Won Hee Jung
Summary: Cryptococcus neoformans can use ferritin as a sole iron source, with ferritin binding to the surface of the fungus being necessary for iron utilization. Acidification and the high-affinity reductive iron uptake system are important for ferritin-iron acquisition by C. neoformans.
Article
Microbiology
Kenya E. Fernandes, James A. Fraser, Dee A. Carter
Summary: Cryptococcosis is a devastating cause of death and disease worldwide. During infection, Cryptococcus cells can undergo substantial changes to their size and shape. In this study, researchers found that hypervirulent strains of Cryptococcus had larger capsules, greater variation in cell size, and produced more microcells and shed capsule. These hypervirulent strains had a mutation in the SGF29 gene, which encodes a component of the SAGA complex involved in epigenetic regulation. Analysis of clinical isolates also showed a correlation between loss-of-function mutations in SGF29 and higher patient death rates. The study suggests that the ability to undergo morphological variation is linked to virulence in Cryptococcus, and this can occur through epigenetic mechanisms.
Article
Immunology
Diane Sthefany Lima de Oliveira, Verenice Paredes, Adrielle Veloso Caixeta, Nicole Moreira Henriques, Maggie P. Wear, Patricia Albuquerque, Maria Sueli Soares Felipe, Arturo Casadevall, Andre Moraes Nicola
Summary: Decades of studies on antibody structure have shown that while the V region binds antigens, the C region can affect affinity and specificity. This study identified the molecular basis of how the constant region impacts antigen binding, and how engineering antibodies with different constant regions can result in different binding patterns.
Article
Microbiology
Cheng-Li Fan, Tong-Bao Liu
Summary: The study identified the vacuolar morphogenesis protein Vam6-like protein Vlp1 as essential for the pathogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformans. Deletion of the VLP1 gene resulted in abnormal capsule formation and melanin production of C. neoformans, and stress tolerance assays indicated that Vlp1 may regulate cell membrane integrity. Moreover, vlp1 Delta mutants exhibited decreased virulence in a mouse systematic infection model of cryptococcosis, suggesting an important role of Vlp1 in fungal pathogenicity.
Article
Immunology
Xiaoman Guo, Xinru Mao, Di Tian, Yixin Liao, Bintao Su, Chaoliang Ye, Dongling Shi, Tie Fu Liu, Yun Ling, Yi Hao
Summary: Cryptococcus neoformans infection in the central nervous system leads to high levels of IL-17 production, mainly by CD4(+) T cells, and is dependent on STAT3 signaling. IL-17 could serve as a diagnostic biomarker for C. neoformans infection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Yan Liu, Yang Zhang, Xi Zhao, Weilai Lu, Yuxin Zhong, Yu V. Fu
Summary: Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen that causes nearly half a million deaths worldwide each year. The polysaccharide capsule produced by C. neoformans is one of its main virulence factors and disrupts the immune response of the host. This study demonstrates that the antifungal peptide SP1 can disrupt the polysaccharide capsule of C. neoformans and enhance its clearance by host immune cells. SP1 also shows activity against cryptococcal biofilms. These findings suggest the potential of SP1 as a drug candidate for the treatment of cryptococcosis.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ya-li Yang, Yi-bin Fan, Lei Gao, Chao Zhang, Ju-lin Gu, Wei-hua Pan, Wei Fang
Summary: This study elucidates the role of Csn1201 protein in cryptococcal fitness and host immunity. Deletion of Csn1201 blocks the pulmonary infection and extrapulmonary dissemination of Cryptococcus neoformans, while enhancing the host immune response.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Maria Aparecida Ribeiro Vieira, Leticia Galhardo Jorge, Camila Marcon, Felipe Girotto Campos, Andrew Matheus Frederico Rozada, Gisele de Freitas Gauze, Flavio Augusto Vicente Seixas, Marcia Ortiz Mayo Marquese, Rinaldo Poncio Mendes, Carmen Silvia Fernandes Boaro
Summary: The study evaluated the chemical composition and antifungal activity of Xylopia aromatica leaf essential oil from different locations in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It also identified potential enzymatic targets for the oil's phytoligands through molecular docking simulations. The essential oil components and their percentage varied among the different locations. The essential oil exhibited antifungal activity against Candida and Cryptococcus isolates, with certain components showing in vitro activity against resistant strains.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Caroline Patini Rezende, Patricia Kellen Martins Oliveira Brito, Thiago Aparecido Da Silva, Andre Moreira Pessoni, Leandra Naira Zambelli Ramalho, Fausto Almeida
Summary: The absence of Gal-3 does not significantly affect tissue histopathology, but may play a crucial role in modulating immune responses against cryptococcosis.
Article
Microbiology
Arjun Sukumaran, Brianna Ball, Jonathan R. Krieger, Jennifer Geddes-McAlister
Summary: The interactions between a host and microbe are crucial in determining the health and disease status of the host. Dual infections are common and contribute to disease severity in immunocompromised individuals. This study investigates the global reprogramming of host cells in response to immediate and established microbial infections with fungal and bacterial pathogens.
Article
Immunology
Carlos A. Arango-Franco, Melanie Migaud, Isabel Cristina Ramirez-Sanchez, Karen Arango-Bustamante, Marcela Moncada-Velez, Julian Rojas, Adrian Gervais, Santiago Patino-Giraldo, Lizeth J. Perez-Zapata, Jesus A. Alvarez Alvareza, Julio Cesar Orrego, Gustavo Roncancio-Villamil, Stephanie Boisson-Dupuis, Emmanuelle Jouanguy, Laurent Abel, Jean-Laurent Casanova, Jacinta Bustamante, Andres A. Arias, Jose Luis Franco, Anne Puel
Summary: This study reports three Colombian patients with disseminated cryptococcosis associated with neutralizing auto-Abs against GM-CSF. Further studies should evaluate the genetic contribution to anti-GM-CSF autoantibody production and the role of the GM-CSF signaling pathway in the immune response to Cryptococcus spp.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Corinne Maufrais, Luciana de Oliveira, Rafael W. Bastos, Frederique Moyrand, Flavia C. G. Reis, Clara Valero, Bianca Gimenez, Luisa J. Josefowicz, Gustavo H. Goldman, Marcio L. Rodrigues, Guilhem Janbon
Summary: Genomic sequences of 53 Brazilian Cryptococcus isolates were analyzed to uncover the population structure of C. neoformans in the country, revealing an African-like structure and suggesting repeated intercontinental transports from Africa to South America. A mutator phenotype was identified in one VNBII Brazilian isolate, demonstrating how fast-evolving isolates can influence the population structure of Cryptococcus. Phenotypic analyses showed wide diversity in the expression of classical virulence traits within the set of isolates, without lineage specificity.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Thitinan Kitisin, Watcharamat Muangkaew, Passanesh Sukphopetch
Summary: This study revealed a relationship between longevity and immunity in the context of cryptococcal infections. The defects in the C. elegans insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway influenced animal lifespan and host resistance mechanisms, with the activation of the aging regulator DAF-16/Forkhead box O transcription factor playing a crucial role. Host defenses during cryptococcal infections led to increased accumulation of lipofuscin, DAF-16 nuclear localization, and expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD-3) in C. elegans.
Article
Immunology
Chao Li, Yang Meng, Hailong Li, Wei Du, Xindi Gao, Chenhao Suo, Yiru Gao, Yue Ni, Tianshu Sun, Sheng Yang, Tian Lan, Meiling Xin, Chen Ding
Summary: This study identifies Prm1 as a novel regulator of C. neoformans virulence and demonstrates that prm1? cells exhibit sensitivity to environmental stress conditions and deficiencies in the biosynthesis of chitosan and mannoprotein. Heat-killed prm1? cells facilitate host immunological defence against infection with wild-type C. neoformans and promote pulmonary production of interferon-γ, leading to activation of macrophage M1 differentiation and inhibition of M2 polarization. Therefore, C. neoformans Prm1 may be a potential target for anti-cryptococcosis medications and prm1? cells could be a candidate for a vaccine.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
O. Supasorn, N. Sringkarin, P. Srimanote, P. Angkasekwinai
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2016)
Article
Allergy
Jee-Boong Lee, Chun-Yu Chen, Bo Liu, Luke Mugge, Pornpimon Angkasekwinai, Valeria Facchinetti, Chen Dong, Yong-Jun Liu, Marc E. Rothenberg, Simon P. Hogan, Fred D. Finkelman, Yui-Hsi Wang
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2016)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kemika Praengam, Yuraporn Sahasakul, Piengchai Kupradinun, Siriwan Sakarin, Wanwisa Sanitchua, Anudep Rungsipipat, Kasem Rattanapinyopituk, Pornpimon Angkasekwinai, Khaimuk Changsri, Wuttichai Mhuantong, Sithichoke Tangphatsornruang, Siriporn Tuntipopipat
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pornpimon Angkasekwinai, Wichuda Sodthawon, Siranart Jeerawattanawart, Adithap Hansakon, Kovit Pattanapanyasat, Yui-Hsi Wang
Article
Immunology
Adithap Hansakon, Putthiphak Mutthakalin, Popchai Ngamskulrungroj, Methee Chayakulkeeree, Pornpimon Angkasekwinai
Article
Immunology
Adithap Hansakon, Popchai Ngamskulrungroj, Pornpimon Angkasekwinai
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Adithap Hansakon, Siranart Jeerawattanawart, Kovit Pattanapanyasat, Pornpimon Angkasekwinai
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Adithap Hansakon, Chumpol Ngamphiw, Sissades Tongsima, Pornpimon Angkasekwinai
Summary: Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans infection is the most common cause of death in HIV/AIDS patients. Macrophages play a key role in regulating immune responses to cryptococcal infection, but the mechanisms underlying macrophage responses to C. neoformans remain unclear.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Peerapong Kamjai, Sivaporn Hemvimol, Narisa Kengtrong Bordeerat, Potjanee Srimanote, Pornpimon Angkasekwinai
Summary: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious viral infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that poses a challenge to global public health. The study assessed the ability of novel markers, including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and C-reactive protein to lymphocyte ratio (CLR), in screening and predicting types of oxygen therapy in COVID-19 patients. The results identified potential markers to differentiate the suitable management of oxygen therapy in COVID-19 patients for improving disease outcomes with limited respiratory support resources.
Review
Immunology
Pornpimon Angkasekwinai, Chen Dong
Summary: IL-9-producing CD4(+)T cells are considered a unique subset of T helper cells, closely related to T(H)2 cells and potentially playing important roles in allergic diseases and cancer. Research suggests that these cells may have strong potential in treating late-stage tumors such as melanomas.
NATURE REVIEWS IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)