Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
2006-2-13
pubmed:abstractText
Infection by Cryptococcus neoformans begins with inhalation of infectious propagules. Fungi reach the lung tissue and interact with epithelial cells in a crucial but poorly understood process. In this study, the interaction of C. neoformans with the human alveolar epithelial cell lineage A549 was investigated, focusing on the relevance of the capsular polysaccharide in this process. The association of encapsulated strains with A549 cells was significantly inhibited by a monoclonal antibody to glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), a major component of the cryptococcal capsule. A purified preparation of GXM produced similar results, suggesting the occurrence of surface receptors for this polysaccharide on the surface of alveolar cells. A549 cells were in fact able to bind soluble GXM, as confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence analysis using the anti-polysaccharide antibody. C. neoformans is internalized after GXM-mediated interaction with A549 cells in a process that culminates with death of host cells. Our results suggest that C. neoformans can use GXM for attachment to alveolar epithelia, allowing the fungus to reach the intracellular environment and damage host cells through still uncharacterized mechanisms.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Feb
pubmed:issn
1286-4579
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
8
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
493-502
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2006
pubmed:articleTitle
Glucuronoxylomannan-mediated interaction of Cryptococcus neoformans with human alveolar cells results in fungal internalization and host cell damage.
pubmed:affiliation
Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Bioquímica Microbiana, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, CCS, Bloco I, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941590, Brazil.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't