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Infection and apparent invasion of Vero cells by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

M J Mendes-Giannini1, L C Ricci, M A Uemura

  • 1Department of Clinical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNESP, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil.

Journal of Medical and Veterinary Mycology : Bi-Monthly Publication of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology
|January 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis uses multiple mechanisms to cause disease. This study demonstrates its yeast form invades mammalian cells via adhesion, individual cell invasion, and spread to neighboring cells.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Cell Biology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a fungus that causes paracoccidioidomycosis.
  • The fungus likely employs diverse mechanisms to infect hosts and induce disease.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the virulence factors of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.
  • To characterize the invasion process of the yeast form of P. brasiliensis in vitro.
  • To elucidate the steps involved in fungal cell entry and intercellular spread.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized an in vitro model system with cultured mammalian cells (Vero cells).
  • Observed and analyzed the interaction between the yeast form of P. brasiliensis and epithelial cells.
  • Documented the sequential events of fungal adhesion, invasion, and cell-to-cell spread.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated a clear invasion process of the yeast form of P. brasiliensis in Vero cell cultures.
  • Identified three distinct steps in the fungal invasion process: initial adhesion, invasion of individual epithelial cells, and subsequent spread to adjacent cells.
  • Provided in vitro evidence for the pathogenic potential of P. brasiliensis yeast cells.

Conclusions:

  • The yeast form of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis actively invades mammalian cells.
  • The invasion process is a multi-step mechanism involving adhesion and intercellular spread.
  • This study contributes to understanding P. brasiliensis virulence and host-pathogen interactions.

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