Iron overload exacerbates experimental meningoencephalitis by Cryptococcus neoformans.
This study was aimed at investigating the effects of iron overload on the onset and outcome of cerebral cryptococcosis. To this purpose, iron dextran-administered mice were intracerebrally challenged with virulent melanogenic and avirulent non-melanogenic strains of Cryptococcus neoformans. The results shown here provide the first evidence that iron overload exacerbates the outcome of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis, irrespective of the fungal strain employed; pathogen colonization of the brain is facilitated, local cytokine response is delayed and/or prevented.
Barluzzi
Roberta
R
Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
Saleppico
Silvia
S
Nocentini
Angela
A
Boelaert
Johan R
JR
Neglia
Rachele
R
Bistoni
Francesco
F
Blasi
Elisabetta
E
D000818:Animals; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D016919:Meningitis, Cryptococcal / Q000209:etiology*; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000209:etiology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout
D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma