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Mannoprotein from Cryptococcus neoformans promotes T-helper type 1 anticandidal responses in mice
Donatella Pietrella1, Rosanna Mazzolla, Patrizia Lupo
1Microbiology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Italy.
Infection and Immunity
|November 20, 2002
Summary
Mannoprotein from Cryptococcus neoformans induces a protective T-helper type 1 (Th1) response against Candida albicans. This suggests common antigenic targets for developing dual antifungal immunotherapies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Mycology
Background:
- Mannoprotein (MP) from Cryptococcus neoformans (CnMP) was previously shown to stimulate T-helper type 1 (Th1) responses against C. neoformans.
- The potential for cross-reactivity with other fungi remained unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if CnMP can induce a protective Th1 response against Candida albicans.
- To explore the presence of common mannoprotein epitopes between C. neoformans and C. albicans.
Main Methods:
- Mice were immunized with CnMP and challenged with C. albicans.
- Assessed delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions and gamma interferon production by T cells.
- Utilized a monoclonal antibody (7H6) targeting C. albicans MP65.
Main Results:
- CnMP immunization induced a C. albicans-directed DTH response and gamma interferon production.
- CnMP-immunized mice showed partial protection against lethal C. albicans challenge, with increased survival and reduced fungal burden.
- Evidence supported cross-reactivity, including non-cross-reactive antigen controls and T cell transfer experiments.
Conclusions:
- CnMP contains antigenic determinants that elicit cross-reactive Th1 responses against C. albicans.
- These findings suggest potential for common immunotherapeutic or immunoprophylactic strategies against both fungal pathogens.