Role of the Capsule in Phagocytosis of Cryptococcus neoformans

Increased release of glucuronoxylomannan antigen and induced phenotypic changes in Trichosporon asahii by repeated passage in mice

“…The capsular GXM polysaccharide from Crypt. neoformans is thought to be antiphagocytic to polymorphonuclear leucocytes and, thus, is an important virulence factor for this organism [22][23][24]. Like Crypt.…”

Binding of Cryptococcus neoformans by human cultured macrophages. Requirements for multiple complement receptors and actin.

“…Macrophages are thought to play a major role in host defenses against this opportunistic pathogen (2)(3)(4)(5)(6). In the absence ofspecific antibody, a functional complement system has been shown to be required for binding of C. neoformans to human macrophages in vitro (7,8). C. neoformans is a potent activator of the complement cascade, with large amounts of C3, primarily in the form of iC3b, deposited on the surface ofthe capsule after incubation in normal human serum (8-1 1).…”

IL-13 Induces Disease-Promoting Type 2 Cytokines, Alternatively Activated Macrophages and Allergic Inflammation during Pulmonary Infection of Mice with Cryptococcus neoformans

“…Phagocytic cells can engulf cryptococci (12,13) and eliminate them by the production of reactive oxygen and in mice by producing nitrogen intermediates such as NO (14). The uptake of cryptococci is supported by complement factors that bind to the yeast surface (15)(16)(17) and by opsonizing Abs that are specific for Ags of their capsule (18 -20). Effector cells such as NK cells and CD8 ϩ T cells are potent perforin/granulysin producers that destroy C. neoformans-infected cells and C. neoformans directly (21,22).…”