Interactions of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis with host cells: recent advances.
Host-fungal interactions are inherently complex and dynamic. In order to identify new microbial targets and develop more effective antifungal therapies, it is important to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of disease. Paracoccidioidomycosis provokes a variety of clinical symptoms, and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis can reach many tissues, but primarily attacks the lungs. The ability of the pathogen to interact with the host surface structures is essential to further colonization, invasion, and growth. Epithelial cells may represent the first host barrier or the preferential site of entry of the fungus. For this reason, interactions between P. brasiliensis and Vero/A549 epithelial cells were evaluated, with an emphasis on the adherence, induction of cytoskeletal alterations, and differential signaling activity of the various surface molecules. The adhesion to and invasion of epithelial cells by P. brasiliensis may represent strategies employed to thwart the initial host immune response, and may help in the subsequent dissemination of the pathogen throughout the body.
Mendes-Giannini
Maria José Soares
MJ
Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, UNESP, R. Expedicionários do Brasil, 1621, Araraquara, SP CEP 14801-902, Brazil giannini@fcfar.unesp.br
Monteiro da Silva
Juliana Leal
JL
de Fátima da Silva
Julhiany
J
Donofrio
Fabiana Cristina
FC
Miranda
Elaine Toscano
ET
Andreotti
Patrícia Ferrari
PF
Soares
Christiane Pienna
CP
D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002460:Cell Line; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000382:microbiology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D010228:Paracoccidioides / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D010229:Paracoccidioidomycosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D014709:Vero Cells / Q000382:microbiology