Systemic studies of murine pulmonary cryptococcosis: Candidate virulence factors against cryptococci

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26860774
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Infectious disease medicine
• Research Institution: Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute (2015-2016); Toho University (2014)
• Principal Investigator: Okubo Yoichiro 地方独立行政法人神奈川県立病院機構神奈川県立がんセンター(臨床研究所), その他部局等, 医長 (40516267)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: Cryptococcus gattii / Cryptococcus neoformans / DNAマイクロアレイ / 肉芽腫 / Pgk1 / 樹状細胞ワクチン / CD4

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Cryptococcus gattii R265, which was responsible for the cryptococcosis outbreak on Vancouver Island, can cause life-threatening infectious diseases. However, putative mechanisms of its high virulence remain unclear.To elucidate factors affecting high virulence of this yeast, we conducted the systemic examinations using the lungs of the mice infected with C. gattii R265 and 5815 and C. neoformans H99. In addition, microarray assay with gene ontology analysis was also carried out.
Results showed that C. gattii R265 can easily proliferate in alveoli due to the poor cryptococcal yeast-cell recognition by macrophages and/or other antigen-presenting cells. Furthermore, microarray data suggested C. gattii R265 may have high adherence ability to the alveolar epithelium.
In conclusion, our investigations revealed that C. gattii R265 induces less macrophage response and severe structural alteration of the lungs. These characteristics may be candidates for virulence factor of this yeast.

Free Research Field

病理学