Keratinocyte Response to Infection with Sporothrix schenckii

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Dermatology
• Immunology

Background:

• Sporotrichosis is a fungal infection caused by Sporothrix schenckii.
• Keratinocytes are the primary skin cells involved in the initial host response.
• Limited data exists on keratinocyte responses to Sporothrix infection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of Sporothrix schenckii infection on human keratinocytes (HaCaT cell line).
• To analyze changes in the cytoskeleton and innate immune molecule expression.
• To understand the inflammatory response induced by different fungal forms.

Main Methods:

• Infection of HaCaT cells with conidia and yeast cells of Sporothrix schenckii.
• Analysis of actin cytoskeleton modifications.
• Evaluation of surface receptor and cytokine expression using molecular techniques.

Main Results:

• Sporothrix schenckii infection induced actin cytoskeleton alterations, including membrane protuberances and loss of stress fibers.
• Overexpression of surface receptors (MR, TLR6, CR3, TLR2) was observed.
• Elevated production of chemokines (MCP-1, IL-8) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-α, IFN-γ, IL-6) was detected, with differential TNF-α response to conidia.

Conclusions:

• Keratinocyte infection by Sporothrix schenckii leads to significant inflammatory responses.
• Fungal infection causes cytoskeleton rearrangements in skin cells.
• The study provides insights into the early cellular mechanisms of sporotrichosis pathogenesis.