title: Aging: an emergent phenotypic trait that contributes to the virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans.
abstract: The pathogenic fungus, Cryptococcus neoformans, is known to undergo phenotypic variation, which affects its virulence in the host. Recent investigations on C. neoformans cells in humans have validated the concept that phenotypic variation is present and relevant for the outcome of chronic cryptococcosis. The C. neoformans capsule is not the only trait that varies among strains. An emerging variant is the "old cell phenotype" generated when C. neoformans undergoes replicative aging. This phenotype, which other than larger size also exhibits a thickened cell wall, inhibits phagocytosis and killing by antifungals in vitro. In concert with the finding that old cells accumulate in vivo, this emergent trait could have significant impact on cryptococcal virulence and infection, and contribute to treatment failure.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Health Sciences Center T15-080, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8153, USA.
authors.forename: Tejas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bouklas
authors.forename: Bettina C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Fries
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000382:microbiology; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000166:cytology* / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D062607:Fungal Capsules / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D010587:Phagocytosis; D010641:Phenotype; D013997:Time Factors; D014774:Virulence
keywords: C. neoformans; aging; pathogen; phenotypic variation; virulence