Cryptococcal capsular polysaccharide-induced modulation of murine immune responses

Breen, John; Lee, I C; Vogel, Frederick R.; Friedman, Harvey M.

doi:10.1128/iai.36.1.47-51.1982

Cited by 47 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Encapsulated C. neoformans strains have been shown to be weak stimulators of the macrophage respiratory burst compared with acapsular strains (172,175). Other immunosuppressive effects that have been attributed to the presence of capsule or purified CPS include down-regulation of cytokine secretion, inhibition of leukocyte accumulation, induction of suppressor T cells and suppressor factors, inhibition of antigen presentation, and inhibition of lymphoproliferation (15,25,51,78,179,182,208,211,295,296).…”

Section: Cryptococcus Neoformansmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virulence factors of medically important fungi

1996

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Human fungal pathogens have become an increasingly important medical problem with the explosion in the number of immunocompromised patients as a result of cancer, steroid therapy, chemotherapy, and AIDS. Additionally, the globalization of travel and expansion of humankind into previously undisturbed habitats have led to the reemergence of old fungi and new exposure to previously undescribed fungi. Until recently, relatively little was known about virulence factors for the medically important fungi. With the advent of molecular genetics, rapid progress has now been made in understanding the basis of pathogenicity for organisms such as Aspergillus species and Cryptococcus neoformans. The twin technologies of genetic transformation and "knockout" deletion construction allowed for genetic tests of virulence factors in these organisms. Such knowledge will prove invaluable for the rational design of antifungal therapies. Putative virulence factors and attributes are reviewed for Aspergillus species, C. neoformans, the dimorphic fungal pathogens, and others, with a focus upon a molecular genetic approach. Candida species are excluded from coverage, having been the subject of numerous recent reviews. This growing body of knowledge about fungal pathogens and their virulence factors will significantly aid efforts to treat the serious diseases they cause.

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Section: Cryptococcus Neoformansmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virulence factors of medically important fungi

1996

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“…AN ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE C. neoformans is an encapsulated and potentially pathogenic yeast that is ubiquitous in our environment. The capsule is a prominent virulence factor because it is tolerogenic and antiphagocytic (4,5,37,38,50). This characteristic is also evident in the fact that acapsular mutants possess reduced virulence (6,24).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polysaccharide antigens of the capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans

1994

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The major significance of the capsular polysaccharide of C. neoformans is its role in potentiating opportunistic infections by the yeast. It has the ability to exert a broad spectrum of influences on the immune response, from activation of phagocytic cells and complement components of the alternative pathway, to the induction of specific antibody, T-suppressor cells, DTH responses, and cytokines (51). These biological properties along with the serotype specificities are all determined by the physical properties and chemical structures of the polysaccharide antigens that compose the capsule. There is evidence not only for an association of lethal infections with serotype A in patients with advanced AIDS (34, 56), but also for a role for the capsule in directly influencing the infection of CD4+ cells by HIV (57). Together, these phenomena raise intriguing questions about the possible connection between the chemistry of these capsular antigens and cryptococcal infections in AIDS patients. One speculation is that AIDS creates the optimal physiological conditions for the establishment and spread of cryptococcosis. It has been observed that during the progression of AIDS there is a shift towards a T-2 response (14). This could lead to conditions that would inhibit the cellular immune responses that block dissemination of cryptococcal infections. Thus, an important consideration in the application of vaccine or immune modulation therapies in the treatment of cryptococcosis in AIDS victims would be the design of vaccines that could boost the T-1 immune response. It has been shown that the form and dose of an antigenic challenge can influence the induction of a T-1 or T-2 immune response (61). Recently, Murphy has reported that gamma interferon and interleukin 2 are up-regulated in the spleens of mice that produce anticryptococcal TDH and TAMP cells in response to immunogenic doses of cryptococcal culture filtrate antigen given with Freund's complete adjuvant (49). Perhaps purified cryptococcal antigens (e.g., MP) conjugated to an appropriate carrier or adjuvant could be used in therapeutic strategies to limit cryptococcosis in immunocompromised individuals. Future investigations of virulence and pathogenicity in the context of defined polysaccharide antigens from encapsulated strains of C. neoformans will contribute to a better understanding of the regulation of cryptococcal infection and immunity at the cellular and molecular levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

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“…GXM erschwert des Weiteren über die Stimulierung der Sekretion verschiedener Zytokine die Eliminierung der Pilze. Hierbei ist insbesondere die Hemmung der antigenpräsentierenden Funktion der Makrophagen und die Hemmung der T1-Helferzellen-Aktivierung zu nennen (6,18,33). Die Bildung von Antikörpern gegen Kapselkomponenten spielt offensichtlich keine protektive Rolle.…”

Section: /380unclassified

Generalisierte spontane Kryptokokkose bei einem Meerschweinchen

Brandes¹,

Stierstorfer²,

Werckenthin³

et al. 2003

Tierarztl Prax Ausg K

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ZusammenfassungBei Störungen des Allgemeinbefindens, die insbesondere mit respiratorischen und neurologischen Symptomen einhergehen, sind bei allen Spezies auch Systemmykosen in Betracht zu ziehen. In dem vorliegenden Fallbericht wird eine generalisierte Infektion mit Cryptococcus neoformans bei einem Meerschweinchen vorgestellt. Diese in der Tiermedizin eher selten beschriebene Infektionskrankheit hat in der Humanmedizin mit der Verbreitung des humanen Immundefizienzvirus und den konsekutiven opportunistischen Infektionen an Bedeutung zugenommen.

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Cryptococcal capsular polysaccharide-induced modulation of murine immune responses

Cited by 47 publications

References 11 publications

Virulence factors of medically important fungi

Virulence factors of medically important fungi

Polysaccharide antigens of the capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans

Generalisierte spontane Kryptokokkose bei einem Meerschweinchen

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