Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that may lead to life-threatening meningoencephalitis and pulmonary infections in immunosuppressed hosts. The lack of an effective fungicidal regimen and the development of antifungal resistant strains suggest that continued investigation is necessary to devise immunotherapeutic strategies and/or drug targets to combat C. neoformans infections. Studies to date involve investigating the host-pathogen interaction of cryptococcal infections through the genetic manipulation of the yeast, as well as the characterization of the host immune response. Macrophage phagocytosis and killing assays have proven to be invaluable tools in evaluating the putative effects of the genetic manipulation of C. neoformans strains on the virulence composite of the yeast. In addition, the assay is used to assess the efficacy of various immunotherapeutic agents (i.e., antibodies and cytokines) to enhance this cell-based antifungal activity. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a brief overview on host immunity to C. neoformans infection and, in addition, describe a protocol for performing macrophage phagocytosis and killing assays with C. neoformans and its mutants.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Mitchell, T. G., and Perfect, J. R. (1995) Cryptococcosis in the era of AIDS-100 years after the discovery of Cryptococcus neoformans. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 8, 515–548.
Mukherjee, S., Feldmesser, M., and Casadevall, A. (1996) J774 murine macrophage-like cell interactions with Cryptococcus neoformans in the presence and absence of opsonins. J. Infect. Dis. 173, 1222–1231.
Mukherjee, S., Lee, S. C., and Casadevall, A. (1995) Antibodies to Cryptococcus neoformans glucuronoxylomannan enhance antifungal activity of murine macrophages. Infect. Immun. 63, 573–579.
Cox, G. M., Harrison, T. S., McDade, H. C., et al. (2003) Superoxide dismutase influences the virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans by affecting growth within macrophages. Infect. Immun. 71, 173–180.
Noverr, M. C., Cox, G. M., Perfect, J. R., and Huffnagle, G. B. (2003) Role of PLB1 in pulmonary inflammation and cryptococcal eicosanoid production. Infect. Immun. 71, 1538–1547.
Tucker, S. C., and Casadevall, A. (2002) Replication of Cryptococcus neoformans in macrophages is accompanied by phagosomal permeabilization and accumulation of vesicles containing polysaccharide in the cytoplasm. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 99, 3165–3170.
Cox, G. M., McDade, H. C., Chen, S. C., et al. (2001) Extracellular phospholipase activity is a virulence factor for Cryptococcus neoformans. Mol. Microbiol. 39, 166–175.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2005 Humana Press Inc.
About this protocol
Cite this protocol
Wormley, F.L., Perfect, J.R. (2005). Immunology of Infection Caused by Cryptococcus neoformans . In: Ernst, E.J., Rogers, P.D. (eds) Antifungal Agents. Methods in Molecular Medicine™, vol 118. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-943-5:193
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-943-5:193
Publisher Name: Humana Press
Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-277-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-943-1
eBook Packages: Springer Protocols