In Vitro or In Vivo Models, the Next Frontier for Unraveling Interactions between Malassezia spp. and Hosts. How Much
Maritza Torres1, Hans de Cock2, Adriana Marcela Celis Ramírez1
1Grupo de Investigación Celular y Molecular de Microorganismos Patógenos (CeMoP), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Carrera 1 N° 18A-12, Bogotá, Bogotá D.C. 11711, Colombia.
Abstract:
Malassezia is a lipid-dependent genus of yeasts known for being an important part of the skin mycobiota. These yeasts have been associated with the development of skin disorders and cataloged as a causal agent of systemic infections under specific conditions, making them opportunistic pathogens. Little is known about the host-microbe interactions of Malassezia spp., and unraveling this implies the implementation of infection models. In this mini review, we present different models that have been implemented in fungal infections studies with greater attention to Malassezia spp. infections. These models range from in vitro (cell cultures and ex vivo tissue), to in vivo (murine models, rabbits, guinea pigs, insects, nematodes, and amoebas). We additionally highlight the alternative models that reduce the use of mammals as model organisms, which have been gaining importance in the study of fungal host-microbe interactions. This is due to the fact that these systems have been shown to have reliable results, which correlate with those obtained from mammalian models. Examples of alternative models are Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, Tenebrio molitor, and Galleria mellonella. These are invertebrates that have been implemented in the study of Malassezia spp. infections in order to identify differences in virulence between Malassezia species.
Insights
This review explores various infection models for studying Malassezia yeasts, common skin microbes that can cause disease. Alternative invertebrate models offer reliable, ethical insights into Malassezia host-microbe interactions.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Host-Microbe Interactions
Background:
- Malassezia yeasts are key components of the skin mycobiota.
- These yeasts are opportunistic pathogens linked to skin disorders and systemic infections.
- Understanding Malassezia host-microbe interactions requires effective infection models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and present diverse infection models for studying Malassezia species.
- To highlight the utility of alternative, non-mammalian models in Malassezia research.
- To discuss the correlation between alternative and mammalian model results.
Main Methods:
- Overview of in vitro (cell cultures, ex vivo tissues) and in vivo models.
- Focus on mammalian models (murine, rabbits, guinea pigs).
- Emphasis on alternative invertebrate models (nematodes, insects, amoebas) like Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, Tenebrio molitor, and Galleria mellonella.
Main Results:
- Various models exist for studying Malassezia infections.
- Alternative models demonstrate reliable results comparable to mammalian models.
- Invertebrate models aid in identifying virulence differences among Malassezia species.
Conclusions:
- A range of models, including ethical alternatives, are available for Malassezia research.
- Alternative models provide valuable and reliable data for understanding fungal pathogenesis.
- Further research using these models can elucidate Malassezia virulence factors.
