Melanin particles isolated from the fungus Fonsecaea pedrosoi activates the human complement system

Pinto, Lysianne; Granja, Luiz Fernando Zmetek; Almeida, Mariana Amorim de; Alviano, Daniela Sales; Silva, Maria Helena da; Ejzemberg, Regina; Rozental, Sônia; Alviano, Celuta Sales

doi:10.1590/0074-02760180120

Cited by 12 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Macrophages infected with pigmented F. monophora enhanced the differential expression of genes related to immune responses, including the MAPK signaling pathway, demonstrating how melanization modifies pathogenesis [ 111 ]. As with C. neoformans and A. niger melanin, melanized Fonsecaea pedrosoi was quickly labeled with C3, C4, and C9 complement components [ 112 ].…”

Section: Other Melanotic Fungi and Their Interactions With The Immune Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fungal Melanin and the Mammalian Immune System

Liu

Youngchim

Zamith-Miranda

et al. 2021

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Melanins are ubiquitous complex polymers that are commonly known in humans to cause pigmentation of our skin. Melanins are also present in bacteria, fungi, and helminths. In this review, we will describe the diverse interactions of fungal melanin with the mammalian immune system. We will particularly focus on Cryptococcus neoformans and also discuss other major melanotic pathogenic fungi. Melanin interacts with the immune system through diverse pathways, reducing the effectiveness of phagocytic cells, binding effector molecules and antifungals, and modifying complement and antibody responses.

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Section: Other Melanotic Fungi and Their Interactions With The Immune Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fungal Melanin and the Mammalian Immune System

Liu

Youngchim

Zamith-Miranda

et al. 2021

JoF

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“…In 1984, Torinuki and colleagues observed the activation of the alternative pathway of the complement system over F. pedrosoi [ 90 ]. Thereafter, it was identified that melanin, present in a high concentration in the F. pedrosoi cell wall, was triggering the activation of the alternative pathways of the complement system [ 91 , 92 ]. The complement system’s activation seems to be important for the opsonization (C3b) and chemotaxis process (C3a and C5a), which drives the innate immune response towards fungal clearance.…”

Section: Immune Response In Cbmmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immune Sensing and Potential Immunotherapeutic Approaches to Control Chromoblastomycosis

Breda

Menezes

Paulo

et al. 2020

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Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a neglected, chronic, and progressive subcutaneous mycosis caused by different species of fungi from the Herpotrichiellaceae family. CBM disease is usually associated with agricultural activities, and its infection is characterized by verrucous, erythematous papules, and atrophic lesions on the upper and lower limbs, leading to social stigma and impacts on patients’ welfare. The economic aspect of disease treatment is another relevant issue. There is no specific treatment for CBM, and different anti-fungal drug associations are used to treat the patients. However, the long period of the disease and the high cost of the treatment lead to treatment interruption and, consequently, relapse of the disease. In previous years, great progress had been made in the comprehension of the CBM pathophysiology. In this review, we discuss the differences in the cell wall composition of conidia, hyphae, and muriform cells, with a particular focus on the activation of the host immune response. We also highlight the importance of studies about the host skin immunology in CBM. Finally, we explore different immunotherapeutic studies, highlighting the importance of these approaches for future treatment strategies for CBM.

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“…For human pathogens, the capacity to infect and induce the disease depends on expression of virulence factors and secretion of metabolic products in host tissue. The best-described virulence factor in Fonsecaea species is melanin [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Several studies reported that this pigment plays a variety of roles in host–pathogen interactions, improving fungal survival, and promoting resistance to host immune response [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Expanding the Toolbox for Functional Genomics in Fonsecaea pedrosoi: The Use of Split-Marker and Biolistic Transformation for Inactivation of Tryptophan Synthase (trpB) Gene

Favilla

Herman

Goersch

et al. 2023

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Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a disease caused by several dematiaceous fungi from different genera, and Fonsecaea is the most common which has been clinically isolated. Genetic transformation methods have recently been described; however, molecular tools for the functional study of genes have been scarcely reported for those fungi. In this work, we demonstrated that gene deletion and generation of the null mutant by homologous recombination are achievable for Fonsecaea pedrosoi by the use of two approaches: use of double-joint PCR for cassette construction, followed by delivery of the split-marker by biolistic transformation. Through in silico analyses, we identified that F. pedrosoi presents the complete enzymatic apparatus required for tryptophan (trp) biosynthesis. The gene encoding a tryptophan synthase trpB —which converts chorismate to trp—was disrupted. The ΔtrpB auxotrophic mutant can grow with external trp supply, but germination, viability of conidia, and radial growth are defective compared to the wild-type and reconstituted strains. The use of 5-FAA for selection of trp- phenotypes and for counter-selection of strains carrying the trp gene was also demonstrated. The molecular tools for the functional study of genes, allied to the genetic information from genomic databases, significantly boost our understanding of the biology and pathogenicity of CBM causative agents.

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Melanin particles isolated from the fungus Fonsecaea pedrosoi activates the human complement system

Cited by 12 publications

References 30 publications

Fungal Melanin and the Mammalian Immune System

Fungal Melanin and the Mammalian Immune System

Immune Sensing and Potential Immunotherapeutic Approaches to Control Chromoblastomycosis

Expanding the Toolbox for Functional Genomics in Fonsecaea pedrosoi: The Use of Split-Marker and Biolistic Transformation for Inactivation of Tryptophan Synthase (trpB) Gene

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