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Cell surface expression of adhesins for fibronectin correlates with virulence in Sporothrix schenckii

Pedro Antônio Castelo Teixeira1, Rafaela Alves de Castro1, Rosana Cícera Nascimento2,1

  • 1Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Microbiology (Reading, England)
|September 19, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Sporothrix schenckii virulence in mice correlates with fibronectin binding. Researchers identified specific adhesins on the yeast surface, offering new insights into this fungal pathogen.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pathogen-Host Interactions

Background:

  • Sporothrix schenckii is a fungus causing sporotrichosis, a disease with variable clinical presentations.
  • Understanding the factors contributing to S. schenckii virulence is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the virulence of different S. schenckii isolates in a murine model.
  • To investigate the role of cell surface proteins and fibronectin binding in S. schenckii virulence.

Main Methods:

  • Murine model of sporotrichosis to assess mortality, fungal burden, and histopathology.
  • Flow cytometry to analyze fibronectin binding capacity of S. schenckii isolates.
  • Western blot and confocal microscopy to identify and localize fibronectin-binding adhesins.

Main Results:

  • Two clinical isolates exhibited higher virulence in C57BL/6 mice, with varied dissemination patterns.
  • Fibronectin binding capacity directly correlated with the virulence of S. schenckii isolates.
  • Identified fibronectin-binding adhesins on the yeast cell surface, including a 70 kDa protein recognized by a protective monoclonal antibody.

Conclusions:

  • Fibronectin binding is a key factor associated with S. schenckii virulence.
  • The identified adhesins represent potential targets for therapeutic interventions against sporotrichosis.

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