Peptidorhamnomannan negatively modulates the immune response in a scedosporiosis murine model

Mariana I D S Xisto1, Livia Cristina Liporagi-Lopes2, Julián Esteban Muñoz3

  • 1Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Medical Mycology
|June 26, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Immunization with peptidorhamnomannan (PRM) from Scedosporium prolificans worsened invasive scedosporiosis in mice. PRM reduced protective immune responses, increasing fungal virulence and dissemination.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Scedosporium (Lomentospora) prolificans causes invasive infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
  • The fungal cell wall component, peptidorhamnomannan (PRM), is a potential target for antifungal therapies.
  • Understanding the host immune response to PRM is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of PRM immunization on the host immune response and survival in a murine model of invasive scedosporiosis.
  • To investigate the effects of PRM immunization on cytokine and chemokine secretion, immunoglobulin production, and T cell populations.

Main Methods:

  • Murine model of invasive scedosporiosis induced by S. prolificans infection.
  • Immunization with purified PRM prior to fungal challenge.
  • Analysis of survival rates, serum cytokine and chemokine levels, immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) production, and T cell populations (Th17, CD4(+)CD62L(Low), Treg) in splenocytes.

Main Results:

  • PRM immunization significantly decreased survival rates in infected mice.
  • Immunization led to reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine secretion, while IL-10 levels remained unaffected.
  • Increased IgG1 secretion, indicative of a non-protective immune response, was observed.
  • No significant changes in Th17 or CD4(+)CD62L(Low) T cell populations were detected, but an increase in regulatory T cells (Treg) was noted.

Conclusions:

  • PRM immunization does not enhance the immunological response against S. prolificans infection.
  • PRM immunization exacerbates scedosporiosis by dampening the inflammatory response, promoting fungal colonization, virulence, and dissemination.

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