Phospholipids trigger Cryptococcus neoformans capsular enlargement during interactions with amoebae and macrophages.

ABSTRACT: A remarkable aspect of the interaction of Cryptococcus neoformans with mammalian hosts is a consistent increase in capsule volume. Given that many aspects of the interaction of C. neoformans with macrophages are also observed with amoebae, we hypothesized that the capsule enlargement phenomenon also had a protozoan parallel. Incubation of C. neoformans with Acanthamoeba castellanii resulted in C. neoformans capsular enlargement. The phenomenon required contact between fungal and protozoan cells but did not require amoeba viability. Analysis of amoebae extracts showed that the likely stimuli for capsule enlargement were protozoan polar lipids. Extracts from macrophages and mammalian serum also triggered cryptococcal capsular enlargement. C. neoformans capsule enlargement required expression

SUBMITTER: Chrisman CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3102711 | biostudies-literature | 2011 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature