scholarly journals Cryptococcus neoformans CAP59 (or Cap59p) Is Involved in the Extracellular Trafficking of Capsular Glucuronoxylomannan

2004 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 385-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier García-Rivera ◽  
Yun C. Chang ◽  
K. J. Kwon-Chung ◽  
Arturo Casadevall
Keyword(s):  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Missense Mutation ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Capsular Polysaccharide ◽  
Immunogold Electron Microscopy ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Cell Diameter ◽  
India Ink ◽  
Hydrolysis Of ◽  
Gene Deletion Mutant

ABSTRACT 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.

scholarly journals Susceptibility of Cryptococcus neoformans Biofilms to Antifungal Agents In Vitro

2006 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 1021-1033 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis R. Martinez ◽  
Arturo Casadevall
Keyword(s):  
Confocal Microscopy ◽  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Capsular Polysaccharide ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Sequence Of Events ◽  
Biofilm Development

ABSTRACT Microbial biofilms contribute to virulence and resistance to antibiotics by shielding microbial cells from host defenses and antimicrobial drugs, respectively. Cryptococcus neoformans was demonstrated to form biofilms in polystyrene microtiter plates. The numbers of CFU of disaggregated biofilms, 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide reduction, and light and confocal microscopy were used to measure the fungal mass, the metabolic activity, and the appearance of C. neoformans biofilms, respectively. Biofilm development by C. neoformans followed a standard sequence of events: fungal surface attachment, microcolony formation, and matrix production. The susceptibilities of C. neoformans cells of the biofilm and planktonic phenotypes to four antifungal agents were examined. The exposure of C. neoformans cells or preformed cryptococcal biofilms to fluconazole or voriconazole did not result in yeast growth inhibition and did not affect the metabolic activities of the biofilms, respectively. In contrast, both C. neoformans cells and preformed biofilms were susceptible to amphotericin B and caspofungin. However, C. neoformans biofilms were significantly more resistant to amphotericin B and caspofungin than planktonic cells, and their susceptibilities to these drugs were further reduced if cryptococcal cells contained melanin. A spot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and light and confocal microscopy were used to investigate how antifungal drugs affected C. neoformans biofilm formation. The mechanism by which amphotericin B and caspofungin interfered with C. neoformans biofilm formation involved capsular polysaccharide release and adherence. Our results suggest that biofilm formation may diminish the efficacies of some antifungal drugs during cryptococcal infection.

scholarly journals Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for Immunorecessive Epitopes of Glucuronoxylomannan, the Major Capsular Polysaccharide of Cryptococcus neoformans, Reduce Serotype Bias in an Immunoassay for Cryptococcal Antigen

2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 1292-1296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Percival ◽  
Peter Thorkildson ◽  
Thomas R. Kozel
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibodies ◽  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Capsular Polysaccharide ◽  
Polyclonal Antibodies ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Screening Strategies ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
High Degree

ABSTRACTImmunoassay for detection of glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), the major capsular polysaccharide ofCryptococcus neoformans, is an important tool for diagnosis of cryptococcosis. However, immunoassays that are based solely or in part on detection with polyclonal antibodies may show serotype bias in detection of GXM, particularly limited sensitivity for serotype C. In this study, we describe detection of GXM in an antigen capture sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that used a cocktail of two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). MAb F12D2 was previously produced by immunization with GXM that had been treated to removeO-acetyl groups, a major source of serotype specificity. MAb F12D2 has a high degree of reactivity with GXM of serotypes A, B, C, and D, but the reactivity with serotype D was less than was found with other MAbs. MAb 339 is highly reactive with GXM of serotypes A and D. Use of a combination of the two MAbs produced an immunoassay that had the best properties of both MAbs, including good reactivity with serotype C, which is an emerging threat in sub-Saharan Africa. These results suggest that next-generation immunoassays for diagnosis of cryptococcosis may be formulated by (i) use of immunization and hybridoma screening strategies that are designed to prospectively meet the needs of immunoassay performance and (ii) careful selection of MAbs that span the expected polysaccharide serotypes in the subject patient population.

scholarly journals Contribution of Epitope Specificity to the Binding of Monoclonal Antibodies to the Capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans and the Soluble Form of Its Major Polysaccharide, Glucuronoxylomannan

2003 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 252-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond M. Duro ◽  
Dale Netski ◽  
Peter Thorkildson ◽  
Thomas R. Kozel
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibodies ◽  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Capsular Polysaccharide ◽  
Protective Efficacy ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Soluble Form ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Serological Assay ◽  
Epitope Specificity

ABSTRACT Incubation of encapsulated cryptococci with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), the major capsular polysaccharide of Cryptococcus neoformans, produces two distinct capsular quellung-type reactions termed rim and puffy. The type of capsular reaction that occurs is determined by the epitope specificity of the MAb and the serotype of the yeast cell. Several biological activities, including opsonic activity, complement activation, and protective efficacy, are associated with the type of capsular reaction produced by a MAb. The goal of this study was to examine the reactivities of two families of anti-GXM MAbs with serotype A and D capsular polysaccharides in several immunochemical assays, including agglutination, immunofluorescence, quantitative precipitation, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, in an effort to identify serological assays that are predictive of the capsular quellung reaction. The results showed that the type of capsular reaction (rim versus puffy) is a qualitative assessment of antibody-capsule interaction that cannot be predicted on the basis of a serological assay. The results further showed that antibody reactivity demonstrated in one serological assay is not necessarily predictive of results in another assay, particularly in cases where one assay examines antibody-capsule interactions, e.g., agglutination, and another assay examines interaction of antibody with soluble GXM. Taken together, the results suggest caution in interpretation of immunochemical assays for anti-GXM antibodies and recommend the use of multiple assays formats when studying anticryptococcal antibodies.

scholarly journals Immunogenicity and Efficacy of Cryptococcus neoformans Capsular Polysaccharide Glucuronoxylomannan Peptide Mimotope-Protein Conjugates in Human Immunoglobulin Transgenic Mice

2004 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 196-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert W. Maitta ◽  
Kausik Datta ◽  
Andrew Lees ◽  
Shelley Sims Belouski ◽  
Liise-anne Pirofski
Keyword(s):  
Transgenic Mice ◽  
Antibody Response ◽  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Capsular Polysaccharide ◽  
Serum Antibody ◽  
Human Immunoglobulin ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Human Antibody ◽  
Human Antibodies ◽  
Risk Of Death

ABSTRACT Peptide mimotopes of capsular polysaccharides have been proposed as antigens for vaccines against encapsulated pathogens. In this study, we determined the antibody response to and efficacy of P13, a peptide mimetic of the Cryptococcus neoformans capsular polysaccharide glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), in mice that produce human antibodies. P13 was conjugated to tetanus toxoid (TT) or diphtheria toxoid (DT) and administered subcutaneously in Alhydrogel with or without CpG to mice transgenic for human immunoglobulin loci (XenoMouse mice) and expressing either immunoglobulin G2 (IgG2) (G2 mice) or IgG4 (G4 mice). Mice were vaccinated and revaccinated two or three times. The serum antibody responses of the mice to GXM and P13 and antibody idiotype expression were analyzed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that both P13-TT and P13-DT were antigenic, inducing a mimetic response to P13 in both G2 and G4 mice, and immunogenic, inducing a mimotope response including VH3 (idiotype)-positive antibodies to GXM in G2 but not G4 mice. CpG led to higher titers of IgG to P13 and GXM in P13-TT-vaccinated G2 mice. C. neoformans challenge of P13-protein conjugate-vaccinated and control G2 mice induced anamnestic IgG- and VH3-positive responses to GXM and was associated with a significantly decreased risk of death and a prolongation of survival in P13-DT-vaccinated mice compared to phosphate-buffered saline-treated or protein carrier-vaccinated mice. These findings reveal that P13 elicited a human antibody response with VH3 expression in human immunoglobulin transgenic mice that has been observed for human antibodies to GXM and support the concept that peptide mimotope-based vaccines may hold promise for the treatment of C. neoformans infections.

scholarly journals CPS1, a Homolog of the Streptococcus pneumoniae Type 3 Polysaccharide Synthase Gene, Is Important for the Pathobiology of Cryptococcus neoformans

2006 ◽  
Vol 74 (7) ◽  
pp. 3930-3938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. C. Chang ◽  
A. Jong ◽  
S. Huang ◽  
P. Zerfas ◽  
K. J. Kwon-Chung
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Assay Method ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Outer Cell ◽  
Slight Reduction ◽  
Dense Layer ◽  
India Ink ◽  
Type 3

ABSTRACT The polysaccharide capsule is known to be the major factor required for the virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans. We have cloned and characterized a gene, designated CPS1, that encodes a protein containing a glycosyltransferase moiety and shares similarity with the type 3 polysaccharide synthase encoded by the cap3B gene of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Cps1p also shares similarity with hyaluronan synthase of higher eukaryotes. Deletion of the CPS1 gene from a serotype D strain of C. neoformans resulted in a slight reduction of the capsule size as observed by using an India ink preparation. The growth at 37°C was impaired, and the ability to associate with human brain endothelial cells in vitro was also significantly reduced by the deletion of CPS1. Using site-specific mutagenesis, we showed that the conserved glycosyltransferase domains are critical for the ability of the strain to grow at elevated temperatures. A hyaluronan enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method demonstrated that CPS1 is important for the synthesis of hyaluronan or its related polysaccharides in C. neoformans. Comparisons between the wild-type and the cps1Δ strains, using three different transmission electron microscopic methods, indicated that the CPS1 gene product is involved in the composition or maintenance of an electron-dense layer between the outer cell wall and the capsule. These and the virulence studies in a mouse model suggested that the CPS1 gene is important in the pathobiology of C. neoformans.

scholarly journals Effect of Antigen Coating Conditions on Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Detection of Immunoglobulin G Antibody to Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup Y and W135 Capsular Polysaccharide Antigens in Serum

2003 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1136-1140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter C. Giardina ◽  
Renee E. Evans ◽  
Daniel J. Sikkema ◽  
Dace Madore ◽  
Stephen W. Hildreth
Keyword(s):  
Immunoglobulin G ◽  
Capsular Polysaccharide ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Meningococcal Vaccine ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Human Sera ◽  
Polysaccharide Antigens ◽  
Reference Serum ◽  
Adult Volunteers ◽  
Assay Conditions

ABSTRACT Human sera collected from 28 consenting adult volunteers were used to define assay conditions for meningococcal vaccine clinical trial serology. Immunoassay parameters were optimized with these test sera and the standard reference serum, CDC1992. Coating conditions for serogroup Y and W135 polysaccharide antigens were found to influence the predicted serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody concentrations. Sera that displayed IgG antibody binding profiles most unlike that of CDC1992 were influenced the most by coating conditions. Our results suggest that presentation of specific epitopes is influenced by antigen-coating concentrations for serogroup Y and W135 polysaccharides.

Harmful cyanobacterial toxic blooms in waste stabilisation ponds

2000 ◽  
Vol 42 (10-11) ◽  
pp. 179-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Oudra ◽  
M. El Andaloussi ◽  
S. Franca ◽  
P. Barros ◽  
R. Martins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chlorella Vulgaris ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Normal Growth ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Cell Diameter ◽  
Histopathological Study ◽  
Ecological Implication ◽  
Shellfish Poisoning ◽  
Mammalian Toxicity

A coccoid picocyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. (0.6-2 μm of cell diameter) was found to be dominant during summer period in the experimental wastewater stabilisation pond of Marrakesh. The taxonomy of this isolated strain was confirmed by electron microscope study. The general patterns of ultrastructure and the mode of cell division resemble Chroococcales. The cyanobacterium strain was axenic and cultured on both inorganic Z8 and BG13 media. Mammalian toxicity was confirmed by mice bioassay. The major sympton of poisoning was severe diarrhoea. Histopathological study shows a slight hepatotoxicosis associated with a pronounced change in the intestinal mucosa which shows swelling and destruction of villi epithelium and shedding of enterocytes into the lumen. Although slow, these kinds of poisoning are comparable to those induced by okadiac acid intraperitoneal mice injection (diarrhetic shellfish poisoning “DSP” toxins). By using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the amount ofhepatotoxins “microcystins” was determined. The result shows that Synechocystis can produce a small amount of total microcystine [an average of 15 μg−1 dry weight corresponding to 20 ng(109cell)−1]. These findings lead us to consider Synechocystis as both a potent neurotoxin and hepatotoxin producer. Because of the confirmed cyanobacterium toxicity, an eventual ecological implication should be considered. However, a toxic chronic test experiment on Daphnia was simultaneously carried out. Juvenile D. magna (less than 24 hours old), were fed three concentrations (104, 106, 108 cells / ml) of Synechocystis. A group of organisms fed with Chlorella vulgaris (3. 105 cells/ml) and another group without food, were studied as control treatments. Only animals cultured with 104 cells/ml of cyanobacterium survived at 80% until the end of the test (21 days). Reproduction and normal growth occurred in control treatments fed with Chlorella vulgaris and the group fed with the lowest concentration of Synechocystis. One-way ANOVA statistical analyses show significant differences in Daphnia survival and growth, between treatments with and without Synechocystis and between treatments with and without food. In terms of this study, there is evidence that toxic picocyanobacteria blooms occurring in wastewater stabilization ponds of Marrakesh, could have harmful repercussions on zooplanktonic, bacteria and other algae communities. Consequently, this will constitute a possible hindrance for sewage self-purification process and system treatment performance. In addition, the reuse of such treated wastewater effluent for irrigation will constitute an additional, potent, health hazard for animals and human's.

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