Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 2, 2025

Isolating Central Nervous System Tissues and Associated Meninges for the Downstream Analysis of Immune cells
09:35

Isolating Central Nervous System Tissues and Associated Meninges for the Downstream Analysis of Immune cells

Published on: May 19, 2020

9.6K

The Impact of Paracoccidioides spp Infection on Central Nervous System Cell Junctional Complexes

Sérgio Monteiro de Almeida1,2, Amanda Kulik3, Mineia Alessandra Scaranello Malaquias4

  • 1Medical Pathology Department, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. sergio.ma@ufpr.br.

Mycopathologia
|August 3, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Neuroparacoccidioidomycosis (NPCM) with HIV co-infection alters blood-brain barrier proteins. Claudin-5 decreased, while Claudin-1 increased, suggesting fungal entry via paracellular routes or macrophages.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Mycology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a prevalent fungal infection in Latin America.
  • Central nervous system (CNS) involvement occurs in 2.5% of HIV-positive individuals with PCM.
  • Understanding the impact of neuroparacoccidioidomycosis (NPCM) and HIV co-infection on CNS barriers is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of NPCM and HIV/NPCM co-infection on tight junction (TJ) and adherens junction (AJ) proteins in the CNS.
  • To analyze the expression of specific TJ, AJ, and pericyte markers in affected CNS tissues.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of four formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) CNS tissue specimens: NPCM, NPCM/HIV co-infection, HIV-positive, and normal autopsy.
  • Immunohistochemistry and immunoperoxidase assay to evaluate endothelial and astrocyte expression of CLDNs, occludin, β-catenin, E-cadherin, and alpha-smooth muscle actin.
  • Comparison of protein expression patterns across different clinical conditions.

Main Results:

  • Reduced Claudin-5 (CLDN-5) expression in capillaries of HIV/NPCM co-infected tissues compared to NPCM or HIV monoinfected tissues.
  • Significant decrease in CLDN-5 and compensatory increase in Claudin-1 (CLDN-1) expression observed in NPCM/HIV co-infection samples.
  • Alterations in TJ protein expression suggest potential disruption of the blood-brain barrier.

Conclusions:

  • Paracoccidioides spp. may breach the blood-brain barrier via paracellular pathways due to altered Claudin expression.
  • Fungal dissemination into the CNS could also occur through infected macrophages (Trojan horse mechanism).
  • These findings highlight the impact of fungal infections and HIV co-infection on CNS barrier integrity.
Keywords:
Adherens junctionCentral nervous systemHIVParacoccidioides spp.Spinal cordTight junctions

More Related Videos

Concomitant Isolation of Primary Astrocytes and Microglia for Protozoa Parasite Infection09:34

Concomitant Isolation of Primary Astrocytes and Microglia for Protozoa Parasite Infection

Published on: March 18, 2020

7.8K
A Choroid Plexus Epithelial Cell-based Model of the Human Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier to Study Bacterial Infection from the Basolateral Side09:58

A Choroid Plexus Epithelial Cell-based Model of the Human Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier to Study Bacterial Infection from the Basolateral Side

Published on: May 6, 2016

14.4K

Related Concept Videos

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
107
Paracrine Signaling01:21

Paracrine Signaling

Paracrine signaling allows cells to communicate with their immediate neighbors via secretion of signaling molecules. Such a signal can only trigger a response in nearby target cells because the signal molecules degrade quickly or are inactivated if not taken up. Prominent examples of paracrine signaling include nitric oxide signaling in blood vessels, synaptic signaling of neurons, the blood clotting system, tissue repair/wound healing, and local allergic skin reactions. Nitric oxide as a...
55.5K
EPS and iPS Cells in Disease Research01:21

EPS and iPS Cells in Disease Research

Embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells are excellent models for disease research because of their ability to self-renew and differentiate into most cell types. Somatic cells from a patient are isolated and reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs. These iPSCs are later differentiated into the desired cell type, which mirrors the diseased cell of the patient. In this way, disease models have been created for investigating diseases such as Down syndrome, type I diabetes,...
2.9K
Diversity of Protists II01:27

Diversity of Protists II

Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
116
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology01:29

Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of pneumonia involves the following steps:
465
Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis01:23

Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis

Cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive disorder, significantly affects the function of exocrine glands. This genetically inherited disease is characterized by the production of thick and sticky mucus, which can severely affect various organs and systems in the body.
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation,...
350