Extracellular Vesicles From Fungal Infection in Humans: A Key Player in Immunological Responses.

Fungal infections cause approximately 1.6 million deaths annually. Diagnosing and treating fungal infections is difficult due to limited access to diagnostic tests and rising antifungal resistance.

Extracellular vesicles from Distinct Strains Modulate Phagocyte Function and Promote Fungal Persistence.

Fungal extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid-bilayer compartments that transport a wide range of molecules, including proteins, polysaccharides, pigments, small metabolites, lipids, and RNA. In fungal pathogens, EVs harbor virulence factors as well as antigenic determinants that modulate the host immune response. In this work, we investigated the modulatory effects of EVs released by two phenotypically and genotypically distinct strains of (G-217B and G-184A) on bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs).

The flippases Apt1 and Apt2 differentially influence extracellular vesicle cargo and polysaccharide secretion in Cryptococcus neoformans.

In the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, the aminophospholipid translocase 1 (Apt1) flippase plays roles in virulence, membrane architecture, and extracellular vesicle (EV) polysaccharide cargo. The effect of APT1 deletion on the fungal proteome is unknown, limiting the understanding of its functions in physiology. The APT gene family also includes APT2, whose functions in C.

Characterizing extracellular vesicles of human fungal pathogens.

Since their discovery in 2007, there has been growing awareness of the importance of fungal extracellular vesicles (EVs) for fungal physiology, host-pathogen interactions and virulence. Fungal EVs are nanostructures comprising bilayered membranes and molecules of various types that participate in several pathophysiological processes in fungal biology, including secretion, cellular communication, immunopathogenesis and drug resistance. However, many questions remain regarding the classification of EVs, their cellular origin, passage across the cell wall, experimental models for functional and compositional analyses, production in vitro and in vivo and biomarkers for EVs.

Effects of human immunoglobulin A on morphology and gene expression.

Human IgM was previously shown to inhibit Titan-like cell formation of , whereas IgG did not. Here, we conducted an in-depth analysis of the effect of normal human IgA on biology (strain H99) and compared it to that of IgG and IgM. We found that like IgM, IgA affected H99 cell size and morphology.

A general analysis of the impact of international collaboration on the citation indices of scientific publications from 60 institutions across five continents.

Several studies suggest that international collaboration increases the impact of science. In this study, we selected 50 universities and 10 research institutes to analyze whether publications produced over a 10-year period would gain more visibility through the occurrence of international collaboration. To address this question, we selected the top 10 ranked universities in the world (2023), along with the top-ranked universities in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania.

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is the major pattern recognition receptor triggering the protective effect of a extracellular vesicle-based vaccine prototype in murine systemic candidiasis.

Systemic candidiasis remains a significant public health concern worldwide, with high mortality rates despite available antifungal drugs. Drug-resistant strains add to the urgency for alternative therapies. In this context, vaccination has reemerged as a prominent immune-based strategy.

Morphological and pathogenic investigation of the emerging fungal threat .

Unlabelled: is a highly fatal fungal pathogen affecting individuals with advanced HIV disease. Molecular patterns and ultrastructural aspects of are unknown, and pathogenic models have not been investigated in detail. Since the cell wall of fungi is a determinant for interaction with the host and antifungal development, we characterized the ultrastructural aspects of and the general properties of cell wall components under different conditions of growth and .

Protocol for separation of fungal extracellular vesicles using ultracentrifugation from solid medium cultures.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been identified in diverse fungi, including human pathogens. In this protocol, we present two techniques for isolating and analyzing fungal EVs. The first is for high-throughput screening, and the second is for yielding concentrated samples suitable for centrifugation-based density gradients.

Preparation of Biologically Active Fractions Enriched with Glucuronoxylomannan, the Main Antigen of the Cryptococcal Capsule.

Glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) is the principal capsular component in the Cryptococcus genus. This complex polysaccharide participates in numerous events related to the physiology and pathogenesis of Cryptococcus, which highlights the importance of establishing methods for its isolation and analysis. Conventional methods for GXM isolation have been extensively discussed in the literature.

Analysis of Cryptococcus Extracellular Vesicles.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are produced by all domains of life. In fungal pathogens, they participate in virulence mechanisms and/or induce protective immunity, depending on the pathogenic species. EVs produced by pathogenic members of the Cryptococcus genus mediate virulence, antifungal resistance, as well as humoral and cell-mediated immunity.

Comprehensive characterization of extracellular vesicles produced by environmental (Neff) and clinical (T4) strains of .

We conducted a comprehensive comparative analysis of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from two strains, Neff (environmental) and T4 (clinical). Morphological analysis via transmission electron microscopy revealed slightly larger Neff EVs (average = 194.5 nm) compared to more polydisperse T4 EVs (average = 168.

Extracellular Vesicles from Mycelial Cells: Implication for Fungal-Host Interplays.

The release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) has been implicated as an alternative transport mechanism for the passage of macromolecules through the fungal cell wall, a phenomenon widely reported in yeasts but poorly explored in mycelial cells. In the present work, we have purified and characterized the EVs released by mycelia of the emerging, opportunistic, widespread and multidrug-resistant filamentous fungus . Transmission electron microscopy images and light scattering measurements revealed the fungal EVs, which were observed individually or grouped with heterogeneous morphology, size and electron density.

Proteomics reveals that the antifungal activity of fenbendazole against Cryptococcus neoformans requires protein kinases.

Cryptococcus neoformans is responsible for over 100 000 deaths annually, and the treatment of this fungal disease is expensive and not consistently effective. Unveiling new therapeutic avenues is crucial. Previous studies have suggested that the anthelmintic drug fenbendazole is an affordable and nontoxic candidate to combat cryptococcosis.

Corrected and republished from: "Extracellular Vesicle Formation in Impacts Fungal Virulence".

Small molecules are components of fungal extracellular vesicles (EVs), but their biological roles are only superficially known. is a eukaryotic gene that is required for the activity of benzimidazoles against . In this study, during the phenotypic characterization of mutants expected to lack expression, we observed a reduced EV production.

Funding for research on cryptococcal disease: an analysis based on the G-finder report.

Members of the genus Cryptococcus are the causative agents of cryptococcal meningitis, a disease mainly associated with HIV-induced immunosuppression. Patients with cryptococcal meningitis are at a serious risk of death. Most patients suffering from cryptococcosis belong to neglected populations.

The multiple frontiers in the study of extracellular vesicles produced by fungi.

The production of extracellular vesicles (EVs) by fungi has been recognized for about a decade. Here we discuss the roles played by fungal EVs in biofilm formation, antifungal resistance, and release of immunogens with vaccine potential. We also explore their significance in promoting international collaboration and understanding of fungal biology.

The characterization of RNA-binding proteins and RNA metabolism-related proteins in fungal extracellular vesicles.

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are essential for regulating RNA metabolism, stability, and translation within cells. Recent studies have shown that RBPs are not restricted to intracellular functions and can be found in extracellular vesicles (EVs) in different mammalian cells. EVs released by fungi contain a variety of proteins involved in RNA metabolism.

Repurposing Benzimidazoles against Causative Agents of Chromoblastomycosis: Albendazole Has Superior In Vitro Activity Than Mebendazole and Thiabendazole.

Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a neglected human implantation mycosis caused by several dematiaceous fungal species. Currently available therapy is usually associated with physical methods, especially surgery, and with high refractoriness. Therefore, drug discovery for CBM is essential.

Coregulation of extracellular vesicle production and fluconazole susceptibility in .

Resistance to fluconazole (FLC), the most widely used antifungal drug, is typically achieved by altering the azole drug target and/or drug efflux pumps. Recent reports have suggested a link between vesicular trafficking and antifungal resistance. Here, we identified novel regulators of extracellular vesicle (EV) biogenesis that impact FLC resistance.