XI International Meeting on Paracoccidioidomycosis

XI International Meeting on Paracoccidioidomycosis

Resume:156-2

Oral / Poster

156-2

PbHAD32 participates in the adherence of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis conidia to epithelial lung cells

Authors:

Orville Hernandez (UDEA - Biology InstituteBCM - CIB - Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit) ; Agostinho J. Almeida (ICVS - Life and Health Sciences Research Institute) ; Diana Tamayo (UDEA - Biology InstituteBCM - CIB - Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit) ; Isaura Torres (UDEA - Biology InstituteBCM - CIB - Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit) ; Ana Maria Garcia (BCM - CIB - Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit) ; Angela Lopez (UDEA - School of Medicine) ; Angela Restrepo (MEM-CIB - Medical and Experimental Mycology Group) ; Juan G. Mcewen (BCM - CIB - Cellular and Molecular Biology UnitUDEA - School of Medicine)

Abstract

The adhesion process of the dimorphic pathogenic fungus P. brasiliensis to pulmonary epithelial cells is considered an essential event for the establishment of an effective infectious process. If the process of adhesion is prevented the virulence of the P. brasiliensis isolate decrease. Previously, we showed that the hydrolase PbHAD32 is important for the adherence and virulence of P. brasiliensis in its pathogenic yeast form. In this study we generated P. brasiliensis conidia cells with down regulation in PbHAD32 gene expression, in orfer to further elucidate the role of this protein, specifically in the context of conidial thermo-dimorphism and interaction with epithelial cells. PbHAD32 gene expression profile analysis revealed increased mRNA levels during the conidia to mycelia (C-M) germination when we compared the conidia to yeast (C-Y) transition. Moreover, PbHAD32 is consistently expressed at higher levels upon infection of epithelial cells, but to a greater extent in conidia germinating to mycelia. Interestingly, conidia germinating to mycelia have a greater capacity to adhere to epithelial cells than conidia transiting to the yeast form. Altogether, our data not only corroborate the importance of this 32-KDa protein during initial adherence to host cells, but also demonstrate that this hydrolase may play a distinct role, or at least participate at different moments during the C-M and C-Y processes. The present study allow us to understand better the mechanism of infection in the pathogenic fungus, P. brasiliensis, and the possible role of this gene in the dissemination of the fungus.਀ Acknowledgement: Colciencias (project No 221334319183), Corporacion para Investigaciones Biologicas and Universidad de Antioquia supported this work. The National Doctoral Program of COLCIENCIAS supported Orville Hernandez..

Keyword: P. brasiliensis, Hydrolase, Adhesion, Virulence

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