隐球菌免疫相关的甘露糖受体MR重组腺病毒载体的构建及鉴定

目的 从巨噬细胞系RAW264.7基因组中扩增甘露糖受体(MR)基因,克隆至穿梭质粒后包装重组腺病毒,以进一步研究甘露糖受体MR基因对树突状细胞参与抗新生隐球菌免疫的影响.方法 采用PCR方法以及基因重组方法扩增并克隆巨噬细胞基因组中的MR基因,包装能表达MR蛋白的重组腺病毒.结果 从巨噬细胞基因组获得MR全基因,克隆至pShuttle-CMV载体,包装了MR的重组腺病毒AD-MR,并在HEK293细胞中获得了表达.结论 成功克隆巨噬细胞MR基因并构建了可表达MR基因的重组腺病毒载体,为进一步研究MR基因在树突状细胞参与新生隐球菌免疫中的作用奠定基础.     

肺泡巨噬细胞表面甘露糖受体在免疫抑制大鼠肺隐球菌感染中的实验研究

目的探讨免疫抑制大鼠肺泡巨噬细胞(AM)表面表达的甘露糖受体在AM吞噬隐球菌过程中的作用。方法建立免疫抑制(FK506)大鼠模型,流式细胞法检测AM表面甘露糖受体mRNA的表达量,观察免疫缺陷对AM表面甘露糖受体表达的影响。将实验(FK506)组与对照(正常)组大鼠的AM分别与荧光标记的新生隐球菌共培养,观察AM对隐球菌的吞噬情况。结果成功建立免疫抑制大鼠模型,免疫抑制大鼠表达的甘露糖受体与正常大鼠无统计学差别,对隐球菌的吞噬亦无差别。结论免疫抑制状态不是影响甘露糖受体表达的主要因素。     

小鼠脑微血管内皮细胞与新生隐球菌GXM作用后基因表达谱分析

目的探索新生隐球菌GXM能否影响脑微血管内皮细胞基因的表达,为进一步研究隐球菌嗜中枢性的分子机制提供线索。方法使用Roche Nimble Gen 12×135K小鼠基因表达谱芯片,筛选小鼠脑微血管内皮细胞系b End.3与不同浓度新生隐球菌GXM作用后差异表达的基因;结合基因本体论(Gene Ontology),使用top GO进行差异基因GO分析,结合GO语义挖掘与隐球菌侵袭中枢神经系统能力相关的差异表达基因的信息;采用荧光实时定量PCR对重要基因PIK3C2G和ADAMDEC1的表达水平变化加以验证。结果 b End.3细胞与新生隐球菌GXM作用前后基因表达对比发现,实验组GXM(90μg/m)组总共有402个基因表达上调,296个基因表达下调,GXM(180μg/m)组总共有421个基因表达上调,564个基因表达下调,细胞膜、细胞骨架、磷酸肌醇-3-激酶活化、1-磷酸肌醇-3-激酶活化、细胞紧密连接等生物过程差异表达基因较为富集;对PIK3C2G基因和ADAMDEC1基因表达水平变化进行荧光定量PCR验证,结果与芯片结果一致,基因表达水平不同程度上升,且与GXM浓度正相关。结论新生隐球菌GXM能够影响脑微血管内皮细胞基因表达,PIK3C2G基因、ADAMDEC1基因表达上调可能和隐球菌穿越血脑屏障有关。     

新生隐球菌荚膜GXM对小鼠神经小胶质细胞产ATP能力及其凋亡的影响

目的 分析新生隐球菌荚膜多糖GXM对小鼠神经小胶质细胞能量代谢和凋亡的影响.方法 ①采用紫外分光光度计检测GXM干预后的神经小胶质细胞能量产物ATP含量的改变情况.②采用AnnexinV-异硫氰酸荧光素（fluorescein isothiocyanate,FITC）/碘化丙啶（propidium iodide,PI）双标记法流式细胞术检测GXM细胞诱导神经小胶质细胞凋亡的情况.结果 ①GXM体外可诱导神经小胶质细胞产ATP能力下降.②GXM体外可诱导神经小胶质细胞的凋亡.结论 新生隐球菌可通过GXM诱导能量代谢紊乱和凋亡来对神经小胶质细胞产生影响.     

两种方法纯化临床分离阿萨希毛孢子菌荚膜多糖GXMCSCD

目的使用两种方法分离和纯化临床分离阿萨希毛孢子菌的荚膜多糖葡萄糖醛酸木糖甘露聚糖(GXM)。方法对临床分离的阿萨希毛孢子菌进行增菌,采用无水乙醇沉淀荚膜多糖,通过十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTAB)对GXM特异性沉淀,分别采用透析法和萃取法分离GXM-CTAB复合物从而纯化GXM。使用苯酚硫酸法测定GXM的浓度。结果通过透析法从200 mL培养上清中获得了约6.6 mg的GXM,阿萨希毛孢子菌GXM的获得率(GXM/GXM和GalXM混合多糖)为13.9%(6.6/47.4)。通过萃取法从200 mL培养上清中获得了约8.4 mg的GXM,阿萨希毛孢子菌GXM的获得率为14.2%(8.4/59)。结论两种方法都成功地提取和纯化了阿萨希毛孢子菌荚膜多糖GXM,萃取法较透析法更为高效。     

利于甘露糖蛋白纯化的新生隐球菌培养方法研究

目的 研究发酵法培养新生隐球菌的可能性,探索发酵法较传统方法培养上清用于纯化甘露糖蛋白的优势.方法 采用发酵法培养新生隐球菌CAP67,收集上清使用ConA琼脂糖凝胶4B亲和柱亲和纯化隐球菌甘露糖蛋白.结果 从新生隐球菌无荚膜株CAP67的发酵培养上清中获得了毫克级的甘露糖蛋白.结论 发酵法可以成功培养新生隐球菌,上清可用于纯化隐球菌甘露糖蛋白,与传统方法相比具有耗时少,产量高等优点.     

巨噬细胞对新生隐球菌B3501标准株的吞噬作用

目的检测巨噬细胞对新生隐球菌活力的影响。方法新生隐球菌标准株B3501与小鼠巨噬细胞系J774细胞共孵育后,检测其出芽率,并通过电镜观察B3501在J774细胞内的超微结构。结果被吞噬的B3501超微结构完好,J774细胞对B3501菌株的吞噬指数在5.67%±1.29%~8.76%±3.09%,而B3501菌在J774细胞内的出芽率较高,可达46.85%±6.63%,出芽率随共孵育时间延长而下降,但4hrs组和8hrs组无明显差别(P>0.05)。超微结构观察显示细胞内的新生隐球菌细胞壁完整。结论虽然巨噬细胞存在着胞内和胞外的抗隐球菌活性,但新生隐球菌仍可在其细胞内外存活并繁殖。     

巨噬细胞对新生隐球菌白化株的吞噬作用

目的 检测巨噬细胞对新生隐球菌白化株活力的影响,探讨黑素在抗吞噬中的作用。方法 通过新生隐球菌白化株Mel~-与小鼠巨噬细胞系J774细胞共孵育,检测其出芽率,并通过电镜观察Mel~-在J774细胞内的超微结构。结果 1个巨噬细胞可吞噬多个Mel~-,J774细胞对Mel~-菌株的吞噬指数为0．36±0．05～1．24±0．21,而Mel~-菌在J774细胞内的出芽率仅达8．44±1．28％,出芽率随共孵育时间延长而下降(P＜0．05)。结论 巨噬细胞可较快抑制荚膜缺陷株的繁殖,巨噬细胞有对白化株新生隐球菌Mel~-的抗菌作用。     

新生隐球菌共孵育后血管内皮细胞的蛋白质组学研究

目的研究新生隐球菌共孵育后血管内皮细胞与正常细胞的差异蛋白质谱,推测蛋白质表达改变在孵育过程中的作用。方法利用二维凝胶电泳获得新生隐球菌孵育后血管内皮细胞与正常细胞的差异表达蛋白点,对部分差异蛋白点进行质谱鉴定分析,并以实时荧光定量PCR对其mRNA表达进行定量比较。结果Peroxiredoxin I及Calpactin I lightchain等13个蛋白的表达水平发生明显改变,Peroxiredoxin I及Calpactin Ilightchain的mRNA表达明显改变,其mRNA含量的改变趋势与相应的蛋白质的变化趋势相同。结论Peroxiredoxin I及Calpactin Ilightchain等蛋白表达量的改变可能与新生隐球菌侵袭血管内皮细胞屏障有关。     

新生隐球菌共孵育后小鼠脑血管内皮细胞S100A10基因的表达水平变化

目的探讨S100A10基因在新生隐球菌感染脑血管内皮细胞中的作用。方法将新生隐球菌H99株与小鼠脑血管内皮细胞共孵育后,不同时间终止共孵育,提取小鼠脑血管内皮细胞的总RNA,采用实时定量荧光PCR检测S100A10的表达水平。结果在与新生隐球菌共孵育2h后,小鼠脑血管内皮细胞中的S100A10基因表达水平随着共孵育时间的延长而升高（P〈0.05）。结论S100A10基因在新生隐球菌对中枢神经系统的易感性存在一定的作用。     

Capsular polysaccharides galactoxylomannan and glucuronoxylomannan from Cryptococcus neoformans induce macrophage apoptosis mediated by Fas ligand

The effects of capsular polysaccharides, galactoxylomannan (GalXM) and glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), from acapsular (GXM negative) and encapsulate strains of Cryptococcus neoformans were investigated in RAW 264.7 and peritoneal macrophages. Here, we demonstrate that GalXM and GXM induced different cytokines profiles in RAW 264.7 macrophages. GalXM induced production of TNF-alpha, NO and iNOS expression, while GXM predominantly induced TGF-beta secretion. Both GalXM and GXM induced early morphological changes identified as autophagy and late macrophages apoptosis mediated by Fas/FasL interaction, a previously unidentified mechanism of virulence. GalXM was more potent than GXM at induction of Fas/FasL expression and apoptosis on macrophages in vitro and in vivo. These findings uncover a mechanism by which capsular polysaccharides from C. neoformans might compromise host immune responses.     

Unexpected diversity in the fine specificity of monoclonal antibodies that use the same V region gene to glucuronoxylomannan of Cryptococcus neoformans

Most mAbs to the capsular polysaccharide glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) of Cryptococcus neoformans are generated from the same VH and VL gene families. Prior Ab studies have assessed protective efficacy, Id structure and binding to capsular polysaccharides, and peptide mimetics. These data have been interpreted as indicating that most mAbs to GXM have the same specificity. A new approach to Ab specificity analysis was investigated that uses genetic manipulation to generate C. neoformans variants with structurally different capsules. C. neoformans mutants expressing GXM with defective O-acetylation were isolated and complemented by the C. neoformans gene CAS1, which is necessary for the O-acetylation of GXM. The mAbs exhibited differences in their binding to the GXM from these mutant strains, indicating previously unsuspected differences in specificity. Analysis of three closely related IgMs revealed that one (mAb 12A1) bound to an epitope that did not require O-acetylation, another (mAb 21D2) was inhibited by O-acetylation, and the third (mAb 13F1) recognized an O-acetylation-dependent conformational epitope. Furthermore, an IgG Ab (mAb 18B7) in clinical development retained binding to de-O-acetylated polysaccharide; however, greater binding was observed to O-acetylated GXM. Our findings suggest that microbial genetic techniques can provide a new approach for epitope mapping of polysaccharide-binding Abs and suggest that this method may applicable for studying the antigenic complexity of polysaccharide Ags in other capsulated microorganisms.     

Glucuronoxylomannan of Cryptococcus neoformans exacerbates in vitro yeast cell growth by interleukin 10-dependent inhibition of CD4+ T lymphocyte responses

Glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), the major capsular polysaccharide of Cryptococcus neoformans, is the most important virulence factor of this fungus. We analyzed the molecular events related to protective immune responses against a non-encapsulated strain of C. neoformans, mediated by murine splenic CD4(+) T lymphocytes in vitro, and the impact of GXM addition upon these events. Both the lymphoproliferation of CD4(+) T cells and the control of fungus growth were dependent on B7 co-stimulation. Addition of GXM did not modify CD4(+) T cell proliferation, but exacerbated infection in cultures obtained from normal and infected hosts. GXM enhanced the secretion of IL-10 and IL-4, while it reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. The blockade of IL-10 activity with neutralizing antibodies increased TNF-alpha production and reduced yeast cell growth. The findings suggest that GXM exacerbates infection by down-regulating cell-mediated protective immune response and that IL-10 is implicated in yeast evasion.     

Cryptococcus neoformans capsular glucuronoxylomannan induces expression of fas ligand in macrophages

The major component of capsular material of Cryptococcus neoformans is glucuronoxylomannnan (GXM), a polysaccharide that exhibits potent immunosuppressive properties in vitro and in vivo. The results reported here show that 1) soluble purified GXM induces a prompt, long-lasting, and potent up-regulation of Fas ligand (FasL) on macrophages, 2) the up-regulation of FasL is related to induced synthesis and increased mobilization to the cellular surface, 3) this effect is largely mediated by interaction between GXM and TLR4, 4) FasL up-regulation occurs exclusively in GXM-loaded macrophages, 5) macrophages that show up-regulation of FasL induce apoptosis of activated T cells expressing Fas and Jurkat cells that constitutively express Fas, and 6) anti-Fas Abs rescue T cells from apoptosis induced by GXM. Collectively our results reveal novel aspects of the immunoregulatory properties of GXM and suggest that this nontoxic soluble compound could be used to dampen the immune response, to promote or accelerate the death receptor, and to fix FasL expression in a TLR/ligand-dependent manner. In the present study, we delineate potential new therapeutic applications for GXM that exploit death receptors as key molecular targets in regulating cell-mediated cytotoxicity, immune homeostasis, and the immunopathology of diseases.     

Polysaccharide diversity in VNI isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans from Roraima,Northern Brazil

Species of the Cryptococcus genus comprise environmental, encapsulated fungal pathogens that cause lethal meningitis in immunosuppressed individuals. In humans, fungal uptake of hypocapsular Cryptococcus by macrophages was associated with high fungal burden in the cerebrospinal fluid and long-term patient survival. On the basis of the key role of the cryptococcal capsule in disease, we analyzed the diversity of capsular structures in 23 isolates from pigeon excreta collected in the cities of Boa Vista, Bonfim and Pacaraima, in the state of Roraima (Northern Brazil). All isolates were identified as Cryptococcus neoformans (VNI genotype) by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Through a combination of fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, ELISA and spectrophotometric methods, each isolate was characterized at the phenotypical level, which included measurements of growth rates at 30 and 37 °C, pigmentation, cell body size, capsular dimensions, serological reactivity, urease production and ability to produce extracellular glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), the main capsular component of C. neoformans. With the exception of melanization, a formidable diversity was observed considering all parameters tested in our study. Of note, hyper and hypo producers of GXM were identified, in addition to isolates with hyper and hypo profiles of reactivity with a polysaccharide-binding monoclonal antibody. Capsular dimensions were also highly variable in the collection of isolates. Extracellular GXM production correlated positively with capsular dimensions, urease activity and cell size. Unexpectedly, GXM concentrations did not correlate with serological reactivity with the cryptococcal capsule. These results reveal a high diversity in the ability of environmental C. neoformans to produce capsular components, which might impact the outcome of human cryptococcosis.     

Self-aggregation of Cryptococcus neoformans capsular glucuronoxylomannan is dependent on divalent cations

The capsular components of the human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans are transported to the extracellular space and then used for capsule enlargement by distal growth. It is not clear, however, how the glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) fibers are incorporated into the capsule. In the present study, we show that concentration of C. neoformans culture supernatants by ultrafiltration results in the formation of highly viscous films containing pure polysaccharide, providing a novel, nondenaturing, and extremely rapid method to isolate extracellular GXM. The weight-averaged molecular mass of GXM in the film, determined using multiangle laser light scattering, was ninefold smaller than that of GXM purified from culture supernatants by differential precipitation with cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). Polysaccharides obtained either by ultrafiltration or by CTAB-mediated precipitation showed different reactivities with GXM-specific monoclonal antibodies. Viscosity analysis associated with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and measurements of zeta potential in the presence of different ions implied that polysaccharide aggregation was a consequence of the interaction between the carboxyl groups of glucuronic acid and divalent cations. Consistent with this observation, capsule enlargement in living C. neoformans cells was influenced by Ca(2+) in the culture medium. These results suggest that capsular assembly in C. neoformans results from divalent cation-mediated self-aggregation of extracellularly accumulated GXM molecules.     

Structural studies of the capsular polysaccharide of a non-neoformans Cryptococcus species identified as C. laurentii, which was reclassified as Cryptococcus flavescens, from a patient with AIDS

Cryptococcus flavescens, a strain originally identified as C. laurentii, was isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of an AIDS patient, and the soluble capsular polysaccharide of the yeast was investigated. Glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) was obtained from C. flavescens under conditions similar to those used to obtain C. neoformans polysaccharide. However, the GXM differed from C. neoformans polysaccharide in the decreased O-acetyl group content. The structure of GXM was determined by methylation analysis, partial acid hydrolysis, NMR analyses, and controlled Smith degradation. These analyses indicated that GXM has the following structure: an alpha-(1-->3)-D-mannan backbone with side chains of beta-D-glucuronic acid residues bound to the C-2 position of the mannose residue. The C-6 position of the mannose is substituted with D-man-beta-(1-->4)-D-xyl-beta-(1--> disaccharide. Furthermore, the existence of side chains containing more than two xylose residues was suggested. This mannosylxylose side chain is a novel structure in polysaccharides of C. neoformans and other Cryptococcus species.     

Toll-like receptor 4 mediates intracellular signaling without TNF-alpha release in response to Cryptococcus neoformans polysaccharide capsule

Toll-like receptors (TLR) 2 and 4 are cell surface receptors that in association with CD14 enable phagocytic inflammatory responses to a variety of microbial products. Activation via these receptors triggers signaling cascades, resulting in nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B and a proinflammatory response including TNF-alpha production. We investigated whether TLRs participate in the host response to Cryptococcus neoformans glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), the major capsular polysaccharide of this fungus. Chinese hamster ovary fibroblasts transfected with human TLR2, TLR4, and/or CD14 bound fluorescently labeled GXM. The transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells were challenged with GXM, and activation of an NF-kappa B-dependent reporter construct was evaluated. Activation was observed in cells transfected with both CD14 and TLR4. GXM also stimulated nuclear NF-kappa B translocation in PBMC and RAW 264.7 cells. However, stimulation of these cells with GXM resulted in neither TNF-alpha secretion nor activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, p38, and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. These findings suggest that TLRs, in conjunction with CD14, function as pattern recognition receptors for GXM. Furthermore, whereas GXM stimulates cells to translocate NF-kappa B to the nucleus, it does not induce activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways or release of TNF-alpha. Taken together, these observations suggest a novel scenario whereby GXM stimulates cells via CD14 and TLR4, resulting in an incomplete activation of pathways necessary for TNF-alpha production.     

Phospholipids trigger Cryptococcus neoformans capsular enlargement during interactions with amoebae and macrophages

A remarkable aspect of the interaction of Cryptococcus neoformans with mammalian hosts is a consistent increase in capsule volume. Given that many aspects of the interaction of C. neoformans with macrophages are also observed with amoebae, we hypothesized that the capsule enlargement phenomenon also had a protozoan parallel. Incubation of C. neoformans with Acanthamoeba castellanii resulted in C. neoformans capsular enlargement. The phenomenon required contact between fungal and protozoan cells but did not require amoeba viability. Analysis of amoebae extracts showed that the likely stimuli for capsule enlargement were protozoan polar lipids. Extracts from macrophages and mammalian serum also triggered cryptococcal capsular enlargement. C. neoformans capsule enlargement required expression of fungal phospholipase B, but not phospholipase C. Purified phospholipids, in particular, phosphatidylcholine, and derived molecules triggered capsular enlargement with the subsequent formation of giant cells. These results implicate phospholipids as a trigger for both C. neoformans capsule enlargement in vivo and exopolysaccharide production. The observation that the incubation of C. neoformans with phospholipids led to the formation of giant cells provides the means to generate these enigmatic cells in vitro. Protozoan- or mammalian-derived polar lipids could represent a danger signal for C. neoformans that triggers capsular enlargement as a non-specific defense mechanism against potential predatory cells. Hence, phospholipids are the first host-derived molecules identified to trigger capsular enlargement. The parallels apparent in the capsular response of C. neoformans to both amoebae and macrophages provide additional support for the notion that certain aspects of cryptococcal virulence emerged as a consequence of environmental interactions with other microorganisms such as protists.     

Cryptococcus neoformans CAP59 (or Cap59p) is involved in the extracellular trafficking of capsular glucuronoxylomannan

Several genes are essential for Cryptococcus neoformans capsule synthesis, but their functions are unknown. We examined the localization of glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) in strain B-3501 and in cap59 mutants B-4131 and C536. Wild-type strain B-3501 showed a visible capsule by India ink staining and immunofluorescence with anticapsular monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) 12A1 and 18B7. B-4131, a mutant containing a missense mutation in CAP59, showed no capsule by India ink staining but revealed the presence of capsular polysaccharide on the cell surface by immunofluorescence. The cap59 gene deletion mutant (C536), however, did not show a capsule by either India ink staining or immunofluorescence. Analysis of cell lysates for GXM by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed GXM in C536 samples. Furthermore, the epitopes recognized by MAbs 12A1, 2D10, 13F1, and 18B7 were each detected in the cytoplasm of all strains by immunogold electron microscopy, although there were differences in location consistent with differences in epitope synthesis and/or transport. In addition, the cells of B-3501 and B-4131, but not those of the cap59 deletant, assimilated raffinose or urea. Hence, the missense mutation of CAP59 in B-4131 partially hampered the trafficking of GXM but allowed the secretion of enzymes involved in hydrolysis of raffinose or urea. Furthermore, the cell diameter and volume for strain C536 are higher than those for strain B-3501 or B-4131 and may suggest the accumulation of cellular material in the cytoplasm. Our results suggest that CAP59 is involved in capsule synthesis by participating in the process of GXM (polysaccharide) export.