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Laccase expression in murine pulmonary Cryptococcus neoformans infection
Javier Garcia-Rivera1, Stephanie C Tucker, Marta Feldmesser
1Division of Infectious Disease, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Golding 701, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
Infection and Immunity
|April 23, 2005
Summary
Cryptococcus neoformans laccase is present in fungal cells during mouse infection. Its location and amount change over time within the lung tissue.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Immunology
- Microbial Pathogenesis
Background:
- Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen causing cryptococcosis.
- Laccase is a key enzyme in fungal biology, but its role during infection is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vivo expression and localization of Cryptococcus neoformans laccase during murine infection.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to detect laccase in infected murine lung tissue.
- Immunogold electron microscopy provided ultrastructural localization of the enzyme.
Main Results:
- Laccase was detected within the cytoplasm, cell wall, and capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans in vivo.
- The abundance of laccase varied at different fungal locations depending on the stage of infection.
Conclusions:
- Cryptococcus neoformans laccase is expressed and localized to multiple cellular compartments during murine infection.
- Laccase expression is dynamic and site-specific during the course of infection, suggesting a role in pathogenesis.