Polystyrene nanoparticles reduce the <i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i> virulence via induction of mitochondrial dysfunction.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungus that poses a significant threat to human health, with its polysaccharide capsule being a key virulence factor that can upregulate the expression of host gene ARG1, encoding arginase-1, which suppresses T-cell-mediated antifungal immune responses. Nanoplastics may cause oxidative and mitochondrial stress in mammalian cells, potentially impacting fungal physiology and pathogenic mechanisms as well.

Methods

We utilized mouse models and fungal burden assays to investigate the effects of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) on C. neoformans infection. Mice were subjected to oropharyngeal aspiration of 50 μl of 80 nm PS-NPs at a concentration of 5 μg/μl, administered three times a week over a specified duration. T

SUBMITTER: Zheng D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12626963 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature