Media matters! Alterations in the loading and release of Histoplasma capsulatum extracellular vesicles in response to different nutritional milieus
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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Passive Administration of Monoclonal Antibodies Against H. capsulatum and Others Fungal Pathogens
Published on: February 14, 2011
Levi G Cleare1, Daniel Zamith1, Heino M Heyman1,2
1Department of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA.
Abstract:
Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus that most frequently causes pneumonia, but can also disseminate and proliferate in diverse tissues. Histoplasma capsulatum has a complex secretion system that mediates the release of macromolecule-degrading enzymes and virulence factors. The formation and release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) are an important mechanism for non-conventional secretion in both ascomycetes and basidiomycetes. Histoplasma capsulatum EVs contain diverse proteins associated with virulence and are immunologically active. Despite the growing knowledge of EVs from H. capsulatum and other pathogenic fungi, the extent that changes in the environment impact the sorting of organic molecules in EVs has not been investigated. In this study, we cultivated H. capsulatum with distinct culture media to investigate the potential plasticity in EV loading in response to differences in nutrition. Our findings reveal that nutrition plays an important role in EV loading and formation, which may translate into differences in biological activities of these fungi in various fluids and tissues.
Insights
Nutrient availability influences the composition and formation of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in Histoplasma capsulatum. This finding suggests environmental factors impact fungal virulence and activity in different tissues.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Cell Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus causing pneumonia and disseminated disease.
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are crucial for non-conventional secretion of virulence factors in fungi.
- The impact of environmental factors on EV cargo in H. capsulatum remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how nutritional variations affect the loading and formation of EVs in Histoplasma capsulatum.
- To explore the plasticity of EV content in response to environmental cues.
Main Methods:
- Cultivation of H. capsulatum using distinct culture media with varying nutrient compositions.
- Analysis of EV formation and protein loading under different nutritional conditions.
Main Results:
- Nutritional status significantly impacts both the formation and the molecular cargo sorted into EVs.
- Distinct culture media led to observable changes in EV characteristics.
Conclusions:
- Nutrition is a key determinant of EV loading and biogenesis in H. capsulatum.
- Environmental plasticity in EV production may influence fungal pathogenesis and behavior in vivo.
