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Infecting Mice with Malassezia spp. to Study the Fungus-Host Interaction
06:19

Infecting Mice with Malassezia spp. to Study the Fungus-Host Interaction

Published on: November 6, 2019

[Role of Malassezia colonization in cutaneous immune response]

Yoshio Ishibashi1

  • 1Department of Immunobiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Tokyo, Japan.

Nihon Ishinkin Gakkai Zasshi = Japanese Journal of Medical Mycology
|August 6, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Malassezia yeasts, particularly M. globosa and M. restricta, are linked to atopic dermatitis (AD). These yeasts may trigger or worsen AD by stimulating immune responses, with M. globosa producing a 42 kDa heat shock protein allergen.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Immunology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Malassezia yeasts are common skin microflora.
  • Malassezia species, especially M. globosa and M. restricta, are associated with atopic dermatitis (AD).
  • The exact role of Malassezia in AD pathogenesis is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify major allergens from Malassezia globosa.
  • To investigate the immune response of human keratinocytes to Malassezia globosa and M. restricta.

Main Methods:

  • Proteomics analysis to identify allergens from M. globosa.
  • Immunoblotting to detect IgE-reactive components in AD patient sera.
  • Two-dimensional immunoblotting and MALDI-TOF MS for allergen identification and sequencing.
  • Cytokine profiling of human keratinocytes stimulated with Malassezia species.

Main Results:

  • A 42 kDa protein (MGp42) from M. globosa was identified as a major allergen, recognized by 100% of AD patient sera.
  • MGp42 showed similarity to heat shock proteins.
  • M. globosa induced IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13 secretion from keratinocytes.
  • M. restricta induced IL-4 secretion from keratinocytes.

Conclusions:

  • Malassezia globosa and M. restricta may synergistically contribute to triggering or exacerbating AD.
  • These yeasts stimulate Th2-type immune responses, implicating them in AD pathogenesis.

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