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A microsomal fraction of Cryptococcus neoformans induces lymphocyte blastogenesis in infected guinea pigs

A E Jones, E Reiss, T J Spira

    Mycopathologia
    |September 11, 1981
    PubMed

    Insights

    Researchers identified specific Cryptococcus neoformans antigens from fractions of disrupted yeast cells. These antigens, particularly the microsomal fraction (MS), effectively stimulated immune responses in infected guinea pigs, indicating their potential as diagnostic or vaccine targets.

    Area of Science:

    • Immunology
    • Microbiology
    • Cell Biology

    Background:

    • Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen causing cryptococcosis.
    • Understanding the immune response to C. neoformans is crucial for developing treatments and vaccines.
    • Identifying specific fungal antigens that elicit immune responses is a key area of research.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To isolate and characterize antigens from Cryptococcus neoformans.
    • To evaluate the immunogenicity of these antigens in vivo and in vitro.
    • To assess the role of fungal capsule size in immune response.

    Main Methods:

    • Differential centrifugation was used to fractionate a C. neoformans homogenate into a 105,000 x g supernatant (105 K) and a microsomal fraction (MS).
    • Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and electron microscopy were used to analyze the protein and structural components of the fractions.
    • In vitro lymphocyte blastogenesis assays were performed using peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) and peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) from infected guinea pigs.
    • Delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity tests were also conducted.

    Main Results:

    • Both MS and 105 K fractions elicited delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity and in vitro blastogenesis in infected guinea pigs.
    • PAGE revealed distinct protein profiles for MS (two major proteins) and 105 K (seven proteins).
    • MS and 105 K antigens stimulated PBL and PEC, with maximal responses observed after 4 days of incubation. Spleen cells showed no response.
    • Infection with virulent cryptococci primed animals, leading to significant PBL and PEC responses to MS and 105 K antigens.
    • While large capsule isolates were found in the brain, small capsule isolates were not. However, lymphocyte reactivity did not differ significantly between groups based on capsule size.

    Conclusions:

    • Specific antigens present in the MS and 105 K fractions of C. neoformans are immunogenic.
    • The MS fraction appears to be a potent stimulator of cellular immune responses.
    • These findings contribute to understanding host-pathogen interactions and may inform the development of diagnostic tools or vaccines against C. neoformans infections.

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