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The impact of Aureobasidium melanogenum cells and extracellular vesicles on human cell lines
Anja Černoša1,2, Cene Gostinčar3, Marija Holcar4
1Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. anja.cernosa@innorenew.eu.
Abstract:
Aureobasidium melanogenum is a black yeast-like fungus that occurs frequently both in nature and in domestic environments. It is becoming increasingly important as an opportunistic pathogen. Nevertheless, its effect on human cells has not yet been studied. In this study, we investigated the effect of A. melanogenum cells and extracellular vesicles (EVs) on human cell lines A549 (human lung cells), HDFa (human dermal fibroblasts), and SH-SY5Y (human neuroblastoma cells). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed no direct interaction between A. melanogenum cells and human cell lines, but there were some changes in HDFa cells. As a possible cause for this change, we tested the cytotoxic effect of EVs from A. melanogenum on the same cell lines. We isolated EVs from the fungus and prepared three different pools: a non-melanin pool (containing mainly EVs), a melanin pool (containing mainly melanin nanoparticles), and a total pool (containing both EVs and melanin nanoparticles). All three pools were characterized and then added to human cell lines to test their cytotoxicity. Unlike in some other fungal opportunistic pathogens, no effects of fungal EVs on human cell viability were observed. Therefore, the opportunistic potential of A. melanogenum remains only partially understood.
Insights
Aureobasidium melanogenum extracellular vesicles (EVs) did not affect human cell viability, despite some changes observed in dermal fibroblasts. Further research is needed to fully understand this fungus
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Cell Biology
- Pathogen Research
Background:
- Aureobasidium melanogenum is a black yeast increasingly recognized as an opportunistic pathogen.
- Its interactions with human cells and the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Aureobasidium melanogenum cells and its extracellular vesicles (EVs) on human cell lines.
- To determine the cytotoxic potential of A. melanogenum EVs and melanin nanoparticles on lung, dermal, and neuroblastoma cells.
Main Methods:
- Human cell lines (A549, HDFa, SH-SY5Y) were exposed to A. melanogenum cells and isolated EVs.
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe cell interactions.
- EVs were isolated and fractionated into non-melanin, melanin, and total pools for cytotoxicity assays.
Main Results:
- SEM revealed no direct interaction between A. melanogenum and human cells, though some changes were noted in HDFa cells.
- Cytotoxicity assays showed no adverse effects of A. melanogenum EVs (in any pool) on the viability of A549, HDFa, or SH-SY5Y cells.
- This contrasts with findings for other fungal opportunistic pathogens.
Conclusions:
- Aureobasidium melanogenum extracellular vesicles do not appear to directly impact human cell viability.
- The cytotoxic mechanisms contributing to the opportunistic nature of A. melanogenum require further investigation.
