title: Cryptococcus neoformans glucuronoxylomannan fractions of different molecular masses are functionally distinct.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) is the major polysaccharide component of Cryptococcus neoformans. We evaluated in this study whether GXM fractions of different molecular masses were functionally distinct.
  
  
  METHODS
  GXM samples isolated from C. neoformans cultures were fractionated to generate polysaccharide preparations differing in molecular mass. These fractions were used in experiments focused on the association of GXM with cell wall components of C. neoformans, as well as on the interaction of the polysaccharide with host cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GXM fractions of variable molecular masses bound to the surface of a C. neoformans acapsular mutant in a punctate pattern that is in contrast to the usual annular pattern of surface coating observed when GXM samples containing the full molecular mass range were used. The polysaccharide samples were also significantly different in their ability to stimulate cytokine production by host cells. Our findings indicate that GXM fractions are functionally distinct depending on their mass.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde, CTDS-Fiocruz. Avenida Brasil 4036, Prédio da Expansão, 8o andar, Sala 814, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-361, Brazil.
authors.forename: Priscila C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Albuquerque
authors.forename: Fernanda L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.forename: Fabianno F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Dutra
authors.forename: Marcelo T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Bozza
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Frases
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Casadevall
authors.forename: Marcio L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000473:pathology; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D062607:Fungal Capsules / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D011485:Protein Binding; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D011134:Polysaccharides; C027478:glucuronoxylomannan