cryptococcosis
- Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyThe Novel J-Domain Protein Mrj1 Is Required for Mitochondrial Respiration and Virulence in Cryptococcus neoformans
Cryptococcus neoformans is the causative agent of cryptococcal meningitis, a disease responsible for ∼15% of all HIV-related deaths. Unfortunately, development of antifungal drugs is challenging because potential targets are conserved between humans and C. neoformans. In this context, we...
- Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyCARD9 Is Required for Classical Macrophage Activation and the Induction of Protective Immunity against Pulmonary Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen that is found throughout the environment and can cause life-threatening infections of the lung and central nervous system in severely immunocompromised individuals. Caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9 (CARD9) is a critical molecule that is activated after interactions of C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) found on...
- Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyIdentification of Pathogen Genomic Differences That Impact Human Immune Response and Disease during Cryptococcus neoformans Infection
Even with the best available care, mortality rates in cryptococcal meningitis range from 20% to 60%. Disease is often due to infection by the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans and involves a complex interaction between the human host and the fungal pathogen. Although previous studies have suggested genetic differences in the pathogen impact human disease, it has proven...
- Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyThe Monothiol Glutaredoxin Grx4 Regulates Iron Homeostasis and Virulence in Cryptococcus neoformans
Fungal pathogens cause life-threatening diseases in humans, particularly in immunocompromised people, and there is a tremendous need for a greater understanding of pathogenesis to support new therapies. One prominent fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans, causes meningitis in people suffering from HIV/AIDS. In the present study, we focused on characterizing...
- Research ArticleVaccination with Recombinant Cryptococcus Proteins in Glucan Particles Protects Mice against Cryptococcosis in a Manner Dependent upon Mouse Strain and Cryptococcal Species
The encapsulated fungi Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii are responsible for nearly 200,000 deaths annually, mostly in immunocompromised individuals. An effective vaccine could substantially reduce the burden of cryptococcosis. However, a major gap in cryptococcal vaccine development has been the discovery of protective antigens to use in vaccines. Here, six cryptococcal proteins with potential as vaccine...