Altered immune response differentially enhances susceptibility to Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii infection in mice expressing the HIV-1 transgene.

ABSTRACT: Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii is the most frequent cause of AIDS-associated cryptococcosis worldwide, while Cryptococcus gattii usually infects immunocompetent people. To understand the mechanisms which cause differential susceptibility to these cryptococcal species in HIV infection, we established and characterized a model of cryptococcosis in CD4C/HIV(MutA) transgenic (Tg) mice expressing gene products of HIV-1 and developing an AIDS-like disease. Tg mice infected intranasally with C. neoformans var. grubii strain H99 or C23 consistently displayed reduced survival compared to non-Tg mice at three graded inocula, while shortened survival of Tg mice infected with C. gattii strain R265 or R272 was restricted to a single high inoculum. HIV-1 transgene expression selectively augmented s

SUBMITTER: Leongson K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3639619 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature