scholarly journals ThemtfATranscription Factor Gene Controls Morphogenesis, Gliotoxin Production, and Virulence in the Opportunistic Human Pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 766-775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy D. Smith ◽  
Ana M. Calvo
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Protease Activity ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Colony Growth ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Slight Reduction ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factor Gene

ABSTRACTAspergillus fumigatusis the leading causative agent of invasive aspergillosis (IA). The number of cases is on the rise, with mortality rates as high as 90% among immunocompromised patients. Molecular genetic studies inA. fumigatuscould provide novel targets to potentially set the basis for antifungal therapies. In the current study, we investigated the role of the transcription factor genemtfAinA. fumigatus. Our results revealed thatmtfAplays a role in the growth and development of the fungus. Deletion or overexpression ofmtfAleads to a slight reduction in colony growth, as well as a reduction in conidiation levels, in the overexpression strain compared to the wild-type strain. Furthermore, production of the secondary metabolite gliotoxin increased whenmtfAwas overexpressed, coinciding with an increase in the transcription levels of the gliotoxin genesgliZandgliPwith respect to the wild type. In addition, our study showed thatmtfAis also necessary for normal protease activity inA. fumigatus; deletion ofmtfAresulted in a reduction of protease activity compared to wild-type levels. Importantly, the absence ofmtfAcaused a decrease in virulence in theGalleria mellonellainfection model, indicating thatmtfAis necessary forA. fumigatuswild-type pathogenesis.

scholarly journals VeA Regulates Conidiation, Gliotoxin Production, and Protease Activity in the Opportunistic Human Pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1531-1543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sourabh Dhingra ◽  
David Andes ◽  
Ana M. Calvo
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Protease Activity ◽  
Regulatory Gene ◽  
Hydrolytic Activity ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Mouse Infection Model ◽  
Opportunistic Human Pathogen

ABSTRACTInvasive aspergillosis byAspergillus fumigatusis a leading cause of infection-related mortality in immunocompromised patients. In this study, we show thatveA, a major conserved regulatory gene that is unique to fungi, is necessary for normal morphogenesis in this medically relevant fungus. Although deletion ofveAresults in a strain with reduced conidiation, overexpression of this gene further reduced conidial production, indicating thatveAhas a major role as a regulator of development inA. fumigatusand that normal conidiation is only sustained in the presence of wild-type VeA levels. Furthermore, our studies revealed thatveAis a positive regulator in the production of gliotoxin, a secondary metabolite known to be a virulent factor inA. fumigatus. Deletion ofveAresulted in a reduction of gliotoxin production with respect to that of the wild-type control. This reduction in toxin coincided with a decrease ingliZandgliPexpression, which is necessary for gliotoxin biosynthesis. Interestingly,veAalso influences protease activity in this organism. Specifically, deletion ofveAresulted in a reduction of protease activity; this is the first report of aveAhomolog with a role in controlling fungal hydrolytic activity. AlthoughveAaffects several cellular processes inA. fumigatus, pathogenicity studies in a neutropenic mouse infection model indicated thatveAis dispensable for virulence.

scholarly journals SlyA Is a Transcriptional Regulator Involved in the Virulence of Enterococcus faecalis

2011 ◽  
Vol 79 (7) ◽  
pp. 2638-2645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Michaux ◽  
Maurizio Sanguinetti ◽  
Fany Reffuveille ◽  
Yanick Auffray ◽  
Brunella Posteraro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Peritoneal Macrophages ◽  
Bacterial Virulence ◽  
Transcriptional Analysis ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wild Type Parent

ABSTRACTPhylogenetic analysis of the crystal structure of theEnterococcus faecalisSlyA (EF_3002) transcriptional factor places it between the SlyA and MarR regulator subfamilies. Proteins of these families are often involved in the regulation of genes important for bacterial virulence and stress response. To gather evidence for the role of this putative regulator inE. faecalisbiology, we dissected the genetic organization of theslyA-EF_3001 locus and constructed aslyAdeletion mutant as well as complemented strains. Interestingly, compared to the wild-type parent, the ΔslyAmutant is more virulent in an insect infection model (Galleria mellonella), exhibits increased persistence in mouse kidneys and liver, and survives better inside peritoneal macrophages. In order to identify a possible SlyA regulon, global microarray transcriptional analysis was performed. This study revealed that theslyA-EF_3001 locus appears to be autoregulated and that 117 genes were differentially regulated in the ΔslyAmutant. In the mutant strain, 111 were underexpressed and 6 overexpressed, indicating that SlyA functions mainly as an activator of transcription.

scholarly journals Pharmacodynamics of Isavuconazole in an Aspergillus fumigatus Mouse Infection Model

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 2855-2866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyedmojtaba Seyedmousavi ◽  
Roger J. M. Brüggemann ◽  
Jacques F. Meis ◽  
Willem J. G. Melchers ◽  
Paul E. Verweij ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Drug Exposure ◽  
Quantitative Relationship ◽  
Maximum Effect ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Type Isolate ◽  
Mouse Infection Model

ABSTRACTAzole resistance is an emerging problem inAspergillus fumigatuswhich translates into treatment failure. Alternative treatments with new azoles may improve therapeutic outcome in invasive aspergillosis (IA) even for strains with decreased susceptibility to current azoles. Thein vivoefficacy of 0.25, 1, 4, 16, 64, 128, 256, and 512 mg/kg of body weight/day prodrug isavuconazonium sulfate (BAL8557) (isavuconazole [ISA]-equivalent doses of 0.12, 0.48, 1.92, 7.68, 30.7, 61.4, 122.9, and 245.8 mg/kg/day, respectively) administered by oral gavage was assessed in an immunocompetent murine model of IA against four clinicalA. fumigatusisolates: a wild-type isolate (ISA MICEUCAST, 0.5 mg/liter) and three azole-resistant isolates harboring substitutions in thecyp51Agene: G54W (ISA MICEUCAST, 0.5 mg/liter), M220I (ISA MICEUCAST, 4 mg/liter), and TR34/L98H (ISA MICEUCAST, 8 mg/liter). The maximum effect (100% survival) was reached at a prodrug isavuconazonium sulfate dose of 64 mg/kg for the wild-type isolate, 128 mg/kg for the G54W mutant, and 256 mg/kg two times per day (q12) for the M220I mutant. A maximum response was not achieved with the TR34/L98H isolates with the highest dose of prodrug isavuconazonium sulfate (256 mg/kg q12). For a survival rate of 50%, the effective AUC0–24/MICEUCASTratio for ISA total drug was 24.73 (95% confidence interval, 22.50 to 27.18). The efficacy of isavuconazole depended on both the drug exposure and the isavuconazole MIC of the isolates. The quantitative relationship between exposure and effect (AUC0–24/MIC) can be used to optimize the treatment of human infections byA. fumigatus, including strains with decreased susceptibility.

scholarly journals Identification and Characterization of Key Charged Residues in the Cofilin Protein Involved in Azole Susceptibility, Apoptosis, and Virulence of Aspergillus fumigatus

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongyi Lu ◽  
Xiaodong Jia ◽  
Yong Chen ◽  
Xuelin Han ◽  
Fangyan Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Mitochondrial Function ◽  
Dna Cleavage ◽  
Coenzyme A ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Acetyl Coenzyme A ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Acetyl Coenzyme ◽  
Charged Residues

ABSTRACT Through some specific amino acid residues, cofilin, a ubiquitous actin depolymerization factor, can significantly affect mitochondrial function related to drug resistance and apoptosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; however, this modulation in a major fungal pathogen, Aspergillus fumigatus , was still unclear. Hereby, it was found, first, that mutations on several charged residues in cofilin to alanine, D19A-R21A, E48A, and K36A, increased the formation of reactive oxygen species and induced apoptosis along with typical hallmarks, including mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization, cytochrome c release, upregulation of metacaspases, and DNA cleavage, in A. fumigatus . Two of these mutations (D19A-R21A and K36A) increased acetyl coenzyme A and ATP concentrations by triggering fatty acid β-oxidation. The upregulated acetyl coenzyme A affected the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway, leading to overexpression of cyp51A and - B , while excess ATP fueled ATP-binding cassette transporters. Besides, both of these mutations reduced the susceptibility of A. fumigatus to azole drugs and enhanced the virulence of A. fumigatus in a Galleria mellonella infection model. Taken together, novel and key charged residues in cofilin were identified to be essential modules regulating the mitochondrial function involved in azole susceptibility, apoptosis, and virulence of A. fumigatus .

scholarly journals The Aspergillus fumigatus Mismatch Repair MSH2 Homolog Is Important for Virulence and Azole Resistance

mSphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thaila Fernanda dos Reis ◽  
Lilian Pereira Silva ◽  
Patrícia Alves de Castro ◽  
Rafaela Andrade do Carmo ◽  
Marjorie Mendes Marini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Mismatch Repair ◽  
Genetic Instability ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis ◽  
Azole Resistance ◽  
Repair System ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT The genetic stability of every living organism depends on accurate DNA replication and repair systems. Here, we investigated the Aspergillus fumigatus MSH2 mismatch repair (MMR) gene MshA and how it impacts virulence and the evolution of azole resistance. We examined mshA gene variation in 62 environmental and clinical A. fumigatus strains. We have observed 12 strains with variants (18.2%), and 8 strains among them showed missense variants. We demonstrated that A. fumigatus mshA null mutants are haploid and have conserved karyotypes with discrete gross chromosomal rearrangements. The ΔmshA strains are not sensitive to several DNA-damaging agents. The lack of mshA caused a significant reduction of virulence of A. fumigatus in a neutropenic murine model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and in the invertebrate alternative model Galleria mellonella. Wild-type and ΔmshA populations did not show any significant changes in drug resistance acquisition after they were transferred 10 times in minimal medium in the absence of any stress. However, these populations rapidly acquired virulence in the ΔmshA background and high levels of resistance to posaconazole in the presence of this drug (at least 200-fold-higher levels of resistance than those derived from the wild-type strain). Taken together, these results suggest that genetic instability caused by ΔmshA mutations can confer an adaptive advantage, mainly increasing posaconazole resistance and virulence acquisition. IMPORTANCE Invasive aspergillosis (IA) has emerged as one of the most common life-threatening fungal diseases in immunocompromised patients, with mortality rates as high as 90%. Systemic fungal infections such as IA are usually treated with triazoles; however, epidemiological research has shown that the prevalence of azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus isolates has increased significantly over the last decade. There is very little information about the importance of genomic stability for A. fumigatus population structure, azole resistance, and virulence. Here, we decided to investigate whether the mismatch repair system could influence A. fumigatus azole resistance and virulence, focusing on one of the components of this system, MSH2. Although the mutation frequency of mshA (the A. fumigatus MSH2 homologue) is low in environmental and clinical isolates, our results indicate that loss of mshA function can provide increased azole resistance and virulence when selected for. These results demonstrate the importance of genetic instability in A. fumigatus as a possible mechanism of evolving azole resistance and establishing fitness in the host.

scholarly journals The Transcriptional Regulator HbxA Governs Development, Secondary Metabolism, and Virulence in Aspergillus fumigatus

2019 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Satterlee ◽  
Binita Nepal ◽  
Sophie Lorber ◽  
Olivier Puel ◽  
Ana M. Calvo
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Aspergillosis ◽  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Secondary Metabolism ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Regulatory Gene ◽  
Asexual Development ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Slight Reduction ◽  
Morphological Development ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT Aspergillus fumigatus is the leading cause of invasive aspergillosis, which in immunocompromised patients results in a mortality rate as high as 90%. Earlier studies showed that HbxA is a global regulator in Aspergillus flavus affecting morphological development and secondary metabolism. Here, we determined its role in A. fumigatus, examining whether HbxA influences the regulation of asexual development, natural product biosynthesis, and virulence of this fungus. Our analysis demonstrated that removal of the hbxA gene caused a near-complete loss of conidial production in the mutant strain, as well as a slight reduction in colony growth. Other aspects of asexual development are affected, such as size and germination of conidia. Furthermore, we showed that in A. fumigatus, the loss of hbxA decreased the expression of the brlA central regulatory pathway involved in asexual development, as well as the expression of the “fluffy” genes flbB, flbD, and fluG. HbxA was also found to regulate secondary metabolism, affecting the biosynthesis of multiple natural products, including fumigaclavines, fumiquinazolines, and chaetominine. In addition, using a neutropenic mouse infection model, hbxA was found to negatively impact the virulence of A. fumigatus. IMPORTANCE The number of immunodepressed individuals is increasing, mainly due to the greater life expectancy in immunodepressed patients due to improvements in modern medical treatments. However, this population group is highly susceptible to invasive aspergillosis. This devastating illness, mainly caused by the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, is associated with mortality rates reaching 90%. Treatment options for this disease are currently limited, and a better understanding of A. fumigatus genetic regulatory mechanisms is paramount for the design of new strategies to prevent or combat this infection. Our work provides new insight into the regulation of the development, metabolism, and virulence of this important opportunistic pathogen. The transcriptional regulatory gene hbxA has a profound effect on A. fumigatus biology, governing multiple aspects of conidial development. This is relevant since conidia are the main source of inoculum in Aspergillus infections. Importantly, hbxA also regulates the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and the pathogenicity of this fungus.

scholarly journals The Dot/Icm Effector SdhA Is Necessary for Virulence of Legionella pneumophila in Galleria mellonella and A/J Mice

2013 ◽  
Vol 81 (7) ◽  
pp. 2598-2605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare R. Harding ◽  
Charlotte A. Stoneham ◽  
Ralf Schuelein ◽  
Hayley Newton ◽  
Clare V. Oates ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Danger Signal ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Type Ivb Secretion ◽  
Type Ivb Secretion System

ABSTRACTLegionella pneumophilais an intracellular bacterium that resides within amoebae and macrophages in a specialized compartment termed theLegionella-containing vacuole (LCV). As well as providing an intracellular niche for replication, the LCV helps to prevent the release of bacterial components into the cytoplasm. Recognition of these components as danger signals by the host activates immune responses leading to clearance of the bacterium. Here, we examined the role of two important virulence factors ofL. pneumophila, the potent danger signal flagellin and the translocated Dot/Icm type IVB secretion system effector SdhA, which is crucial to maintain LCV integrity, in theGalleria mellonellainfection model. We demonstrate that flagellin expression does not contribute to virulence, replication, or induction of clearance mechanisms. Conversely, SdhA expression is important for virulence. We found that in the absence of SdhA, the LCV in hemocytes showed signs of instability and leakage. Furthermore, in contrast to wild-typeL. pneumophila, a ΔsdhAmutant caused a transient depletion of hemocytes and reduced mortality. Analysis of the ΔsdhAmutant in the A/J mouse model also showed a significant replication defect. Together, our data underline the crucial importance of SdhA in infection across different model organisms.

scholarly journals Pharmacodynamics of Itraconazole against Aspergillus fumigatus in anIn VitroModel of the Human Alveolus: Perspectives on the Treatment of Triazole-Resistant Infection and Utility of Airway Administration

2012 ◽  
Vol 56 (8) ◽  
pp. 4146-4153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zaid Al-Nakeeb ◽  
Ajay Sudan ◽  
Adam R. Jeans ◽  
Lea Gregson ◽  
Joanne Goodwin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Exposure Response ◽  
Prevention And Treatment ◽  
Resistant Infection ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Type Strains

ABSTRACTItraconazole is used for the prevention and treatment of infections caused byAspergillus fumigatus. An understanding of the pharmacodynamics of itraconazole against wild-type and triazole-resistant strains provides a basis for innovative therapeutic strategies for treatment of infections. Anin vitromodel of the human alveolus was used to define the pharmacodynamics of itraconazole. Galactomannan was used as a biomarker. The effect of systemic and airway administration of itraconazole was assessed, as was a combination of itraconazole administered to the airway and systemically administered 5FC. Systemically administered itraconazole against the wild type induced a concentration-dependent decline in galactomannan in the alveolar and endothelial compartments. No exposure-response relationships were apparent for the L98H, M220T, or G138C mutant. The administration of itraconazole to the airway resulted in comparable exposure-response relationships to those observed with systemic therapy. This was achieved without detectable concentrations of drug within the endothelial compartment. The airway administration of itraconazole resulted in a definite but submaximal effect in the endothelial compartment against the L98H mutant. The administration of 5FC resulted in a concentration-dependent decline in galactomannan in both the alveolar and endothelial compartments. The combination of airway administration of itraconazole and systemically administered 5FC was additive. Systemic administration of itraconazole is ineffective against Cyp51 mutants. The airway administration of itraconazole is effective for the treatment of wild-type strains and appears to have some activity against the L98H mutants. Combination with other agents, such as 5FC, may enable the attainment of near-maximal antifungal activity.

scholarly journals Preexposure to Isavuconazole Increases the Virulence of Mucorales but Not Aspergillus fumigatus in a Drosophila melanogaster Infection Model

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. e01896-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Wurster ◽  
Russell E. Lewis ◽  
Nathaniel D. Albert ◽  
Dimitrios P. Kontoyiannis
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Breakthrough mucormycosis in patients receiving isavuconazole prophylaxis or therapy has been reported. We compared the impact of isavuconazole and voriconazole exposure on the virulence of clinical isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus and different Mucorales species in a Drosophila melanogaster infection model. In contrast to A. fumigatus, a hypervirulent phenotype was found in all tested Mucorales upon preexposure to either voriconazole or isavuconazole. These findings may contribute to the explanation of breakthrough mucormycosis in isavuconazole-treated patients.

scholarly journals Activity of Telavancin against Staphylococcus aureus Isolates, Including Those with Decreased Susceptibility to Ceftaroline, from Cystic Fibrosis Patients

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Roch ◽  
Maria Celeste Varela ◽  
Agustina Taglialegna ◽  
Warren E. Rose ◽  
Adriana E. Rosato
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
The United States ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Complicated Skin ◽  
Hospital Acquired

ABSTRACT Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) acquisition in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients confers a clinical outcome worse than that in non-CF patients with an increased rate of declined lung function. Telavancin, an approved lipoglycopeptide used to treat infections due to S. aureus, has a dual mode of action causing inhibition of peptidoglycan synthesis and membrane depolarization. MRSA infections in CF patients remain an important problem with no foreseeable decline in prevalence rates. Although telavancin is currently in clinical use for the treatment of complicated skin infections and hospital-acquired pneumonia, the activity against S. aureus infections in CF patients has not been investigated. In this work, we studied the activity of telavancin against CF patient-derived S. aureus strains collected from geographically diverse CF centers in the United States. We found that the telavancin MIC90 was 0.06 μg/ml, 8-fold lower than the ceftaroline or daptomycin MIC90 and 25-fold lower than the linezolid and vancomycin MIC90. We demonstrate that telavancin at serum free concentrations has rapid bactericidal activity, with a decrease of more than 3 log10 CFU/ml being achieved during the first 4 to 6 h of treatment, performing better in this assay than vancomycin and ceftaroline, including against S. aureus strains resistant to ceftaroline. Telavancin resistance was infrequent (0.3%), although we found that it can occur in vitro in both CF- and non-CF patient-derived S. aureus strains by progressive passages with subinhibitory concentrations. Genetic analysis of telavancin-resistant in vitro mutants showed gene polymorphisms in cell wall and virulence genes and increased survival in a Galleria mellonella infection model. Thus, we conclude that telavancin represents a promising therapeutic option for infections in CF patients with potent in vitro activity and a low resistance development potential.

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