[Photosynthetic characteristics of Drynaria fortunei and its relation to environmental factors].

OBJECTIVE: To have a better utilization of diurnal photosynthetic variation of Drynaria fortunei in three light environments and provide theoretical basis for its artificial cultivation. METHODS: Diurnal photosynthetic variation of Drynaria fortunei were determinated by portable photosynthesis analysis system (Li-6400), and correlation between physiological and environmental factors was further analysed. RESULTS: The diurnal net photosynthetic rate (NPR) exhibited a single peak curve, with the peak value of NPR occurring at 15:30. The mean diurnal Pn of D. fortunei in three environments followed a tread of tree epiphytes > shine > shade. WUE had significantly positive correlation with NPR. Air temperature (Ta), ambient CO2 concentration (Ca) and relative humidity (RH) were the main environmental factors for NPR of D. fortunei. CONCLUSION: The optimum cultivation condition of D. fortunei is 32 degrees C, RH around 40%, and appropriate shade is recommended.

Human pathogenic fungus Trichophyton schoenleinii activates the NLRP3 inflammasome.

The fungus Trichophyton schoenleinii (T. schoenleinii) is the causative agent of Trichophytosis and Tinea favosa of the scalp in certain regions of Eurasia and Africa. Human innate immune system plays an important role in combating with various pathogens including fungi. The inflammasome is one of the most critical arms of host innate immunity, which is a protein complex controlling maturation of IL-1ß. To clarify whether T. schoenleinii is able to activate the inflammasome, we analyzed human monocytic cell line THP-1 for IL-1ß production upon infection with T. schoenleinii strain isolated from Tinea favosa patients, and rapid IL-1ß secretion from THP-1 cells was observed. Moreover, applying competitive inhibitors and gene specific silencing with shRNA, we found that T. schoenleinii induced IL-1ß secretion, ASC pyroptosome formation as well as caspase-1 activation were all dependent on NLRP3. Cathepsin B activity, ROS production and K⁺ efflux were required for the inflammasome activation by T. schoenleinii. Our data thus reveal that the NLRP3 inflammasome plays an important role in host defense against T. schoenleinii, and suggest that manipulating NLRP3 signaling can be a novel approach for control of diseases caused by T. schoenleinii infection.