A Novel Protocol for the Isolation of Fungal Extracellular Vesicles Reveals the Participation of a Putative Scramblase in Polysaccharide Export and Capsule Construction in Cryptococcus gattii.

Regular protocols for the isolation of fungal extracellular vesicles (EVs) are time-consuming, hard to reproduce, and produce low yields. In an attempt to improve the protocols used for EV isolation, we explored a model of vesicle production after growth of Cryptococcus gattii and Cryptococcus neoformans on solid media. Nanoparticle tracking analysis in combination with transmission electron microscopy revealed that C. gattii and C. neoformans produced EVs in solid media. The properties of cryptococcal vesicles varied according to the culture medium used and the EV-producing species. EV detection was reproduced with an acapsular mutant of C. neoformans, as well as with isolates of Candida albicans, Histoplasma capsulatum, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cryptococcal EVs produced in solid media were biologically active and contained regular vesicular components, including the major polysaccharide glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) and RNA. Since the protocol had higher yields and was much faster than the regular methods used for the isolation of fungal EVs, we asked if it would be applicable to address fundamental questions related to cryptococcal secretion. On the basis that polysaccharide export in Cryptococcus requires highly organized membrane traffic culminating with EV release, we analyzed the participation of a putative scramblase (Aim25; CNBG_3981) in EV-mediated GXM export and capsule formation in C. gattii EVs from a C. gattiiaim25Δ strain differed from those obtained from wild-type (WT) cells in physical-chemical properties and cargo. In a model of surface coating of an acapsular cryptococcal strain with vesicular GXM, EVs obtained from the aim25Δ mutant were more efficiently used as a source of capsular polysaccharides. Lack of the Aim25 scramblase resulted in disorganized membranes and increased capsular dimensions. These results associate the description of a novel protocol for the isolation of fungal EVs with the identification of a previously unknown regulator of polysaccharide release.IMPORTANCE Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are fundamental components of the physiology of cells from all kingdoms. In pathogenic fungi, they participate in important mechanisms of transfer of antifungal resistance and virulence, as well as in immune stimulation and prion transmission. However, studies on the functions of fungal EVs are still limited by the lack of efficient methods for isolation of these compartments. In this study, we developed an alternative protocol for isolation of fungal EVs and demonstrated an application of this new methodology in the study of the physiology of the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus gattii Our results describe a fast and reliable method for the study of fungal EVs and reveal the participation of scramblase, a phospholipid-translocating enzyme, in secretory processes of C. gattii.

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of APX001A/APX001 and Other Gwt1 Inhibitors against Cryptococcus.

Cryptococcal meningitis (CM), caused primarily by Cryptococcus neoformans, is uniformly fatal if not treated. Treatment options are limited, especially in resource-poor geographical regions, and mortality rates remain high despite current therapies. Here we evaluated the in vitro and in vivo activity of several compounds, including APX001A and its prodrug, APX001, currently in clinical development for the treatment of invasive fungal infections. These compounds target the conserved Gwt1 enzyme that is required for the localization of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell wall mannoproteins in fungi. The Gwt1 inhibitors had low MIC values, ranging from 0.004 µg/ml to 0.5 µg/ml, against both C. neoformans and C. gattii APX001A and APX2020 demonstrated in vitro synergy with fluconazole (fractional inhibitory concentration index, 0.37 for both). In a CM model, APX001 and fluconazole each alone reduced the fungal burden in brain tissue (0.78 and 1.04 log10 CFU/g, respectively), whereas the combination resulted in a reduction of 3.52 log10 CFU/g brain tissue. Efficacy, as measured by a reduction in the brain and lung tissue fungal burden, was also observed for another Gwt1 inhibitor prodrug, APX2096, where dose-dependent reductions in the fungal burden ranged from 5.91 to 1.79 log10 CFU/g lung tissue and from 7.00 and 0.92 log10 CFU/g brain tissue, representing the nearly complete or complete sterilization of lung and brain tissue at the higher doses. These data support the further clinical evaluation of this new class of antifungal agents for the treatment of CM.

Conservation of Intracellular Pathogenic Strategy among Distantly Related Cryptococcal Species.

The genus Cryptococcus includes several species pathogenic for humans. Until recently, the two major pathogenic species were recognized to be Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii We compared the interaction of murine macrophages with three C. gattii species complex strains (WM179, R265, and WM161, representing molecular types VGI, VGIIa, and VGIII, respectively) and one C. neoformans species complex strain (H99, molecular type VNI) to ascertain similarities and differences in the yeast intracellular pathogenic strategy. The parameters analyzed included nonlytic exocytosis frequency, phagolysosomal pH, intracellular capsular growth, phagolysosomal membrane permeabilization, and macrophage transcriptional response, assessed using time-lapse microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and gene expression microarray analysis. The most striking result was that the intracellular pathogenic strategies of C. neoformans and C. gattii species complex strains were qualitatively similar, despite the species having separated an estimated 100 million years ago. Macrophages exhibited a leaky phagolysosomal membrane phenotype and nonlytic exocytosis when infected with either C. gattii or C. neoformans Conservation of the intracellular strategy among species that separated long ago suggests that it is ancient and possibly maintained by similar selection pressures through eons.

The Investigational Fungal Cyp51 Inhibitor VT-1129 Demonstrates Potent In Vitro Activity against Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii.

Thein vitroactivities of the novel fungal Cyp51 inhibitor VT-1129 were evaluated against a large panel ofCryptococcus neoformansandCryptococcus gattiiisolates. VT-1129 demonstrated potent activities against bothCryptococcusspecies as demonstrated by low MIC50and MIC90values. ForC. gattii, thein vitropotency was maintained against all genotypes. In addition, significantly lower geometric mean MICs were observed for VT-1129 than for fluconazole againstC. neoformans, including isolates with reduced fluconazole susceptibility.

Aislamiento presuntivo y caracterización de cryptococcus neoformans y cryptococcus gattii desde árboles en la región de O’Higgins y Maule, Chile / Presumptive isolation and characterization of cryptococcus neoformans and cryptococcus gattii from trees in the region of O’Higgins and Maule, Chile

Introducción: la criptocococis es una micosis sistémica causada por C. neoformans y C. gattii, es frecuente y oportunista en inmunocomprometidos y patógeno primario en personas inmunocompetentes. C. neoformans tiene una distribución mundial y se ha aislado desde las excretas de palomas. C. gattii se considera restringida a regiones con clima tropical, subtropical, y templadas, se encuentra asociada frecuentemente a detritos de especies de Eucalyptus sp. La virulencia de estas levaduras le permite desarrollar patogénesis en mamíferos y supervivencia en el ambiente. Objetivo: Identificar y determinar la actividad de proteinasas y fosfolipasas, de C. neoformans y C. gattii aisladas desde las oquedades de árboles en lugares con alta afluencia de público. Materiales y Métodos: Se tomaron 200 muestras de hisopado desde distintas especies de árboles desde sectores de la región de O’Higgins y el Maule. Se siembran en ASG, se aíslan y mantienen en ASD. Identificación con tinta china, Urea de Christensen, crecimiento a 37°C, asimilación y fermentación de azucares, y siembra en medio CGB. Se mide índice de actividad enzimática Prz de proteinasas y fofolipasas. Resultados y Conclusiones: Se obtuvieron 109 cepas de C. neoformans aisladas desde las oquedades de diferentes especies arbóreas y 3 cepas presuntivas de C. gattii desde Eucalyptus sp. y Prunus cerasifera artropurpurea. El 88,1 por ciento de las cepas C. neoformans y 100 por ciento de C. gattii, presentaron alta actividad proteolítica, El 49,5 por ciento de las cepas de C. neoformans y 33,3 por ciento de C. gattii mostraron alta actividad de fosfolipasas.

Introduction: criptocococis is a systemic mycosis caused by C. neoformans and C. gattii, frequent and opportunistic in immunocompromised and primary pathogen in immunocompetent persons. C. neoformans has a worldwide distribution and has been isolated from the excreta of pigeons. C. gattii is considered restricted to regions with tropical, subtropical, and temperate, is often associated with species of Eucalyptus sp. The virulence of these yeasts develop pathogenesis allows survival in mammals and the environment. Objective: To identify and determine the activity of proteinases and phospholipases of C. neoformans and C. gattii isolated from the hollows of trees in places with high turnout. Materials and Methods: 200 swab samples were taken from different species of trees from areas of the region of O’Higgins and Maule. Planted in ASG, they are isolated and kept in ASD. Identification with ink, Urea Christensen, growth at 37 ° C, assimilation and fermentation of sugars, and planting medium CGB. Prz index proteinase enzyme activity is measured and phospholipases. Results and Conclusions: We manage to get 109 strains of C. neoformans isolated from the hollows of different tree species and 3 presumptive strains of C. gattii from Eucalyptus sp. and Prunus cerasifera artropurpurea. 88.1 percent of the strains C. neoformans and C. gattii 100 percent , they showed high proteolytic activity, 49.5 percent of the strains of C. neoformans and C. gattii 33.3 percent showed high activity phospholipases.

Cryptococcus gattii urease as a virulence factor and the relevance of enzymatic activity in cryptococcosis pathogenesis.

Ureases (EC 3.5.1.5) are Ni(2+) -dependent metalloenzymes produced by plants, fungi and bacteria that hydrolyze urea to produce ammonia and CO2 . The insertion of nickel atoms into the apo-urease is better characterized in bacteria, and requires at least three accessory proteins: UreD, UreF, and UreG. Our group has demonstrated that ureases possess ureolytic activity-independent biological properties that could contribute to the pathogenicity of urease-producing microorganisms. The presence of urease in pathogenic bacteria strongly correlates with pathogenesis in some human diseases. Some medically important fungi also produce urease, including Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. C. gattii is an etiological agent of cryptococcosis, most often affecting immunocompetent individuals. The cryptococcal urease might play an important role in pathogenesis. It has been proposed that ammonia produced via urease action might damage the host endothelium, which would enable yeast transmigration towards the central nervous system. To analyze the role of urease as a virulence factor in C. gattii, we constructed knockout mutants for the structural urease-coding gene URE1 and for genes that code the accessory proteins Ure4 and Ure6. All knockout mutants showed reduced multiplication within macrophages. In intranasally infected mice, the ure1Δ (lacking urease protein) and ure4Δ (enzymatically inactive apo-urease) mutants caused reduced blood burdens and a delayed time of death, whereas the ure6Δ (enzymatically inactive apo-urease) mutant showed time and dose dependency with regard to fungal burden. Our results suggest that C. gattii urease plays an important role in virulence, in part possibly through enzyme activity-independent mechanism(s).

Identification and properties of plasma membrane azole efflux pumps from the pathogenic fungi Cryptococcus gattii and Cryptococcus neoformans.

OBJECTIVES: Cryptococcus gattii from the North American Northwest (NW) have higher azole MICs than do non-NW C. gattii or Cryptococcus neoformans. Since mechanisms of azole resistance in C. gattii are not known, we identified C. gattii and C. neoformans plasma membrane azole efflux pumps and characterized their properties. METHODS: The C. gattii R265 genome was searched for orthologues of known fungal azole efflux genes, expression of candidate genes was assessed by RT-PCR and the expressed genes' cDNAs were cloned and expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Azole MICs and intracellular [(3)H]fluconazole were measured in C. gattii and C. neoformans and in S. cerevisiae expressing each cDNA of interest, as was [(3)H]fluconazole uptake by post-Golgi vesicles (PGVs) isolated from S. cerevisiae sec6-4 mutants expressing each cDNA of interest. RESULTS: Intracellular [(3)H]fluconazole concentrations were inversely correlated with fluconazole MICs only in 25 NW C. gattii strains. S. cerevisiae expressing three C. gattii cDNAs (encoded by orthologues of C. neoformans AFR1 and MDR1 and the previously unstudied gene AFR2) and their C. neoformans counterparts had higher azole MICs and lower intracellular [(3)H]fluconazole concentrations than did empty-vector controls. PGVs from S. cerevisiae expressing all six Cryptococcus cDNAs also accumulated more [(3)H]fluconazole than did controls, and [(3)H]fluconazole transport by all six transporters of interest was ATP dependent and was inhibited by excess unlabelled fluconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole and posaconazole. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that C. gattii and C. neoformans AFR1, MDR1 and AFR2 encode ABC transporters that pump multiple azoles out of S. cerevisiae cells, thereby causing azole resistance.

Imidazolylchromanones containing non-benzylic oxime ethers: synthesis and molecular modeling study of new azole antifungals selective against Cryptococcus gattii.

A series of imidazolylchromanone oximes containing phenoxyethyl ether moiety, as found in omoconazole, were synthesized and evaluated against yeasts (Candida albicans and Cryptococcus gattii) and filamentous fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus and Exophiala dermatitidis). Although the title compounds showed marginal activity against filamentous fungi but all of them exhibited potent activity against C. gattii (MIC values ≤4 µg/mL). Among them, (3-chlorophenoxy)ethyl analog 7c with MIC value of 0.5 µg/mL was the most potent compound. Further molecular docking studies provided a better insight into the binding of designed compounds within the homology modeled active site of CnCYP51 (Cryptococcus CYP51-14α-demethylase).

Azole resistance in Cryptococcus gattii from the Pacific Northwest: Investigation of the role of ERG11.

Cryptococcus gattii is responsible for an expanding epidemic of serious infections in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States (Pacific Northwest). Some patients with these infections respond poorly to azole antifungals, and high azole MICs have been reported in Pacific Northwest C. gattii. In this study, multiple azoles (but not amphotericin B) had higher MICs for 25 Pacific Northwest C. gattii than for 34 non-Pacific Northwest C. gattii or 20 Cryptococcus neoformans strains. We therefore examined the roles in azole resistance of overexpression of or mutations in the gene (ERG11) encoding the azole target enzyme. ERG11/ACT1 mRNA ratios were higher in C. gattii than in C. neoformans, but these ratios did not differ in Pacific Northwest and non-Pacific Northwest C. gattii strains, nor did they correlate with fluconazole MICs within any group. Three Pacific Northwest C. gattii strains with low azole MICs and 2 with high azole MICs had deduced Erg11p sequences that differed at one or more positions from that of the fully sequenced Pacific Northwest C. gattii strain R265. However, the azole MICs for conditional Saccharomyces cerevisiae erg11 mutants expressing the 5 variant ERG11s were within 2-fold of the azole MICs for S. cerevisiae expressing the ERG11 gene from C. gattii R265, non-Pacific Northwest C. gattii strain WM276, or C. neoformans strains H99 or JEC21. We conclude that neither ERG11 overexpression nor variations in ERG11 coding sequences was responsible for the high azole MICs observed for the Pacific Northwest C. gattii strains we studied.

Susceptibility of intact germinating Arabidopsis thaliana to human fungal pathogens Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii.

The fungus Cryptococcus contributes a large global burden of infectious death in both HIV-infected and healthy individuals. As Cryptococcus is an opportunistic pathogen, much of the evolutionary pressure shaping virulence occurs in environments in contact with plants and soil. The present studies investigated inoculation of intact seeds of the common weed Arabidopsis thaliana with fungal cells over a 21-day period. C. gattii was the more virulent plant pathogen, resulting in disrupted germination as well as increased stem lodging, fungal burden, and plant tissue colocalization. C. neoformans was a less virulent plant pathogen but exhibited prolonged tissue residence within the cuticle and vascular spaces. Arabidopsis mutants of the PRN1 gene, which is involved in abiotic and biotic signaling affecting phenylalanine-derived flavonoids, showed altered susceptibility to cryptoccocal infections, suggesting roles for this pathway in cryptococcal defense. The fungal virulence factor laccase was also implicated in plant pathogenesis, as a cryptococcal lac1Δ strain was less virulent than wild-type fungi and was unable to colonize seedlings. In conclusion, these studies expand knowledge concerning the ecological niche of Cryptococcus by demonstrating the pathogenic capacity of the anamorphic form of cryptococcal cells against healthy seedlings under physiologically relevant conditions. In addition, an important role of laccase in plant as well as human virulence may suggest mechanisms for laccase retention and optimization during evolution of this fungal pathogen.

Extracellular DNase activity of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii.

Extracellular DNase activity was studied in 73 strains of Cryptococcus neoformans and 12 strains of Cryptococcus gattii. DNase activity was measured by DNase agar clearance with and without Methyl Green. All strains tested showed extracellular DNase activity and no significant difference was found betweenC. neoformans and C. gattii strains. DNase production was higher in strains from clinical origin (average radius of 6.2 mm) than among environmental strains (average radius of 2.9 mm). The extracellular enzyme may be detected by DNA substrate PAGE assays and its molecular weight was estimated at 31 kD. These results suggest that extracellular DNase could be considered as a virulence factor involved in C. neoformans-C. gattii species complex pathogenicity.

Enzymatic characterisation of clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus gattii and other environmental Cryptococcus spp.

This study compared the enzymatic activity of clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus gattii, environmental isolates of C. neoformans and non-neoformans Cryptococcus. Most of the cryptococcal isolates investigated in this study exhibited proteinase and phospholipase activities. Laccase activity was detected from all the C. neoformans and C. gattii isolates, but not from the non-neoformans Cryptococcus isolates. There was no significant difference in the proteinase, phospholipase and laccase activities of C. neoformans and C. gattii. However, significant difference in the enzymatic activities of beta-glucuronidase, alpha-glucosidase, beta-glucosidase and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase between C. neoformans and C. gattii isolates was observed in this study. Environmental isolates of C. neoformans exhibited similar enzymatic profiles as the clinical isolates of C. neoformans, except for lower proteinase and laccase activities.