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Studying Cryptosporidium Infection in 3D Tissue-derived Human Organoid Culture Systems by Microinjection
Published on: September 14, 2019
FURTHER STUDIES ON IMMUNITY IN EXPERIMENTAL CRYPTOCOCCOSIS
D B Louria1, T Kaminski, G Finkel
1Infectious Disease Laboratory, Second (Cornell) Medical Division, Bellevue Hospital, New York; The Department of Medicine, Cornell University Medical College, New York; and The Department of Pathology, New York University College of Medicine, New York.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Mice infected with Cryptococcus neoformans eventually controlled the infection. Survivors showed enhanced survival upon re-infection, suggesting an antibody-dependent immune response is crucial for cryptococcal immunity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen causing cryptococcosis.
- The host immune response to C. neoformans infection is complex and not fully understood.
- Understanding protective immunity is key to developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the host immune response to Cryptococcus neoformans infection in a murine model.
- To determine the role of adaptive immunity, specifically antibodies, in controlling cryptococcal infections.
- To evaluate the protective effects of prior infection and endotoxin pretreatment.
Main Methods:
- Mice were infected with Cryptococcus neoformans (10^3 cells).
- Survival rates and fungal burden were monitored over time.
- Mice were rechallenged or pretreated with bacterial endotoxin.
- Histological analysis of brain tissue was performed.
Main Results:
- Progressive fungal multiplication occurred initially, followed by host control.
- Survivors of primary infection showed increased survival upon rechallenge.
- Endotoxin pretreatment conferred protection, correlating with antibody presence.
- Enhanced cellular infiltration was observed, but control correlated with antibody, not cellularity.
Conclusions:
- Immunity to Cryptococcus neoformans in mice is antibody-dependent.
- Protective antibodies may be found in plasma or be tissue-bound.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the exact mechanisms of antibody-mediated protection.
