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Suppression of the functional activity of IL-2-activated lymphocytes by CGRP.

CGRP is a 37-amino acid neuropeptide found in the central and peripheral nervous systems as well as the nerve endings in lymphoid organs. Specific CGRP receptors are present on both T and B lymphocytes. There is increasing evidence that CGRP plays a role in regulation of the immune response. However, few investigations have examined the effects of CGRP on lymphocyte effector functions. In this report, CGRP (0.1 nM-1 microM) was shown to cause concentration-dependent inhibition of IL-2-activated lymphocyte growth inhibition of the fungus Candida albicans and cytotoxic activity for tumor cells. Maximum inhibition of lymphocyte activity by CGRP was 47.4% for the hyphae of C. albicans, 44.8% for a natural killer cell susceptible cell line, and 52.9% for a natural killer cell-resistant cell line. CGRP-mediated inhibition of lymphocyte function was mimicked by 8-bromo-cAMP (1 mM) and was correlated in a concentration-dependent manner with an increase in intracellular levels of cAMP. These increases were potentiated by pretreatment of the lymphocytes with 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (0.5 mM, 10 min), an inhibitor of the cAMP phosphodiesterase. hCGRP 8-37, a selective blocker of the CGRP1 receptor, abrogated the effect of CGRP on lymphocyte function and on intracellular cAMP level elevation induced by rCGRP. CGRP had no direct effect on the capacity of IL-2-activated lymphocytes to adhere to the hyphae of C. albicans. However, both CGRP and 8-bromo-cAMP diminished the capacity of the lymphocytes to release cytoplasmic granular content when stimulated by the hyphae of C. albicans. These data show that CGRP inhibits functional activity of IL-2-activated lymphocytes and suggest that hCGRP8-37 may be a useful tool for assessing the role of CGRP in the immune system.

Animals↗

Lymphocytes utilize CD11b/CD18 for adhesion to Candida albicans.

Large granular lymphocytes require adherence to hyphae of Candida albicans to inhibit growth of this fungus. This study was undertaken to identify the lymphocyte surface structures that mediate this adhesion. Monoclonal antibodies specific for epitopes of the alpha subunit (CD11b) and the beta 2 subunit (CD18) of Mac-1 eliminated lymphocyte adhesion to C. albicans hyphae. Significant inhibition of lymphocyte adhesion to C. albicans was also achieved with known protein ligands of Mac-1. These proteins included the extracellular matrix proteins vitronectin, laminin, and fibrinogen as well as two engineered peptides containing RGD (arginine-glycine-aspartic acid) sequences. Carbohydrates including N-acetyl-D-glucosamine which have been demonstrated to inhibit Mac-l-mediated adhesion to whole yeast and yeast zymosan also blocked lymphocyte adhesion to hyphae. These results identify Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) as the surface structure that mediates lymphocyte adhesion to C. albicans. A model is proposed for lymphocyte Mac-1 activation by microbial ligands.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Localization of cellobiose dehydrogenase in cellulose-grown cultures of Phanerochaete chrysosporium.

To elucidate the function of cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) in cellulose degradation by Phanerochaete chrysosporium, production and localization of CDH were investigated and compared with those in shaking and aerated static cultures grown on cellulose. Substantial CDH activity was detected in the medium of the shake cultures after 8 days of incubation, while no CDH activity was detected in the medium of static cultures at any point during the incubation period. Light microscopy clearly showed that many cellulose particles were adsorbed on the surface of the hypha in static cultures, whereas no cellulose particles were absorbed to the hypha is shake cultures. The addition of laminarinase to static cultures was very effective in detaching cellulose particles from the hypha surfaces. Using a potentiometric assay performed with an oxidation-reduction potential electrode, some CDH activity could be detected on the hypha/cellulose complexes in static cultures. Thus, CDH is produced also in static cultures, albeit in lower amounts that in shake cultures, but the enzyme is not released into the medium. It seem likely that the beta-1,3-glucan layer plays an important role in CDH localization and cellulose degradation. Immunocytochemical confocal laser scanning microscopy for the static cultures demonstrated that most CDH was adsorbed on the surface of the cellulose, especially around the cracks, which were formed by the action of cellulases during the course of incubation. From these observations, we conclude a direct participation of CDH in the degradation of cellulose in cooperation with cellulases.

Basidiomycota↗

Positioning of nuclei in the secondary Mycelium of Schizophyllum commune in relation to differential gene expression.

In this paper we propose a novel type of gene regulation in the MATA|l4 MATB|l4 heterokaryon of Schizophyllum commune by means of differential positioning of the nuclei. It was found that binucleate hyphae with juxtaposed nuclei secrete SC4 hydrophobin (abundant during fruit-body formation), while SC3 (abundant during aerial hyphae formation in both mono- and dikaryons) appeared to be absent. Certain growth conditions disrupted the binucleate state in that the compatible nuclei became separated at a considerable distance. Under these conditions SC4 was not secreted while SC3 was secreted to a high degree. Disruption of the binucleate state was earlier observed in developing aerial hyphae which secrete SC3. Apparently, when the nuclei are in close proximity the dikaryon-expressed genes are switched on by interaction of the products of the MATA and MATB mating-type genes, while SC3 is suppressed by interacting products of the MATB genes, as occurs in the common MATA heterokaryon (MATA= MATB|l4). Growth conditions that lead to disruption of the binucleate state apparently result in abolishment of interaction between the MATB mating-type genes. Under these conditions, dikaryon-specific mRNAs do not accumulate in the MATA|l4 MATB|l4 heterokaryon, while SC3 mRNA becomes highly abundant.

Cell Nucleus↗

Dispersed polyphosphate in fungal vacuoles in Eucalyptus pilularis/Pisolithus tinctorius ectomycorrhizas.

Ectomycorrhizas produced between Pisolithus tinctorius and Eucalyptus pilularis under axenic conditions were rapidly frozen, freeze-substituted in tetrahydrofuran and embedded anhydrously, and dry-sectioned for X-ray microanalysis. The vacuoles of the sheath and Hartig net hyphae were rich in phosphorus and potassium. They also contained sulfur and variable amounts of chlorine. In anhydrously processed freeze-substituted mycorrhizas, dispersed electron-opaque material filled the fungal vacuoles. X-ray maps indicated that P was distributed evenly throughout the entire vacuole profile and was not concentrated in spherical bodies or subregions of the vacuole. There were no electron-opaque granules surrounded by electron-lucent areas, such as are commonly seen in chemically fixed material. The fungal vacuoles were also rich in K, which similarly gave a signal from the entire vacuolar profile. Such P-rich vacuoles occurred in both the mycorrhizal sheath and Hartig net hyphae. Stained sections of ether-acrolein freeze-substituted mycorrhizas also showed only dispersed material in the fungal vacuoles as, in most cases, did acetone-osmium freeze-substituted material. Precipitation of metachromatic granules by ethanol suggested that large amounts of polyphosphate are stored in these regions under the conditions of our experiments, as well as in the tips of actively growing hyphae of the same fungus. The higher plant vacuoles of ectomycorrhizas gave a much lower signal for K, and P was barely detectable. Much more K was located in the vacuoles of the root exodermal cells than in epidermal cells. The analysis of element distribution between the vacuole and cytoplasm in root cells agrees well with that found for other plant species using other techniques. We conclude that polyphosphate is indeed present in the vacuoles of the fungal cells of these ectomycorrhizas, but that in vivo it is in a dispersed form, not in granules.

Basidiomycota↗

Differential expression of chitin synthase III and IV mRNAs in ascomata of Tuber borchii Vittad.

A full-length genomic clone encoding a class III chitin synthase (CHS) and one DNA fragment corresponding to a class IV CHS were isolated from the mycorrhizal fungus Tuber borchii and used for an extensive expression analysis, together with a previously identified DNA fragment corresponding to a class II CHS. All three Chs mRNAs are constitutively expressed in vegetative mycelia, regardless of the age, mode of growth, and proliferation capacity of the hyphae. A strikingly different situation was observed in ascomata, where class III and IV, but not class II, mRNAs are differentially expressed in a maturation stage-dependent manner and accumulate, respectively, in sporogenic and vegetative hyphae. These data, the first on the expression of distinct Chs mRNAs during fruitbody development, point to the different cellular roles that can be played by distinct chitin synthases in the differentiation of spores of sexual origin (CHS III) or in ascoma enlargement promoted by the growth of vegetative hyphae (CHS IV).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Microtubules Are required for motility and positioning of vesicles and mitochondria in hyphal tip cells of Allomyces macrogynus.

We have used video-enhanced light microscopy and digital image processing to characterize the intracellular motility and positioning of vesicles ( approximately 1-microm diameter) and mitochondria in growing hyphal tip cells of Allomyces macrogynus. These observations were coupled with cytoskeletal inhibitory experiments to define the roles of the microtubule and actin cytoskeletons in organelle translocation and positioning. Vesicles and mitochondria were abundant in apical and subapical hypha regions. Vesicles traveled along paths that were parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cell. Anterograde (i.e., toward the hyphal apex) and retrograde (i.e., away from the hyphal apex) movements of vesicles occurred at average rates of 4.0 and 2.2 microm/s, respectively. Bidirectional travel of vesicles along common paths was noted in the cortical cytoplasm. Mitochondria were aligned mostly parallel to the long axis of the hypha, except those extending into the hyphal apex, which were oriented toward the Spitzenkörper. In regions of the subapical hypha mitochondria were often restricted to the cortical cytoplasm and nuclei occupied the central cytoplasmic region. Mitochondria displayed rapid anterograde movements reaching speeds of 3.0 microm/s, but primarily maintained a constant position relative to either the advancing cytoplasm or the lateral cell wall. Cytoskeletal disruption experiments showed that the positioning of mitochondria and motility of vesicles and mitochondria were microtubule-based and suggested that the actin cytoskeleton played uncertain roles.

Chytridiomycota↗

Ca(2+) shuttling in vesicles during tip growth in Neurospora crassa.

Tip-growing organisms maintain an apparently essential tip-high gradient of cytoplasmic Ca(2+). In the oomycete Saprolegnia ferax, in pollen tubes and root hairs, the gradient is produced by a tip-localized Ca(2+) influx from the external medium. Such a gradient is normally dispensable for Neurospora crassa hyphae, which may maintain their Ca(2+) gradient by some form of internal recycling. We localized Ca(2+) in N. crassa hyphae at the ultrastructural level using two techniques (a) electron spectroscopic imaging of freeze-dried hyphae and (b) pyroantimoniate precipitation. The results of both methods support the presence of Ca(2+) in the wall vesicles and Golgi body equivalents, providing a plausible mechanism for the generation and maintenance of the gradient by Ca(2+) shuttling in vesicles to the apex, without exogenous Ca(2+) influx. Ca(2+) sequestration into the vesicles seems to be dependent on Ca(2+)-ATPases since cyclopiazonic acid, a specific inhibitor of Ca(2+) pumps, eliminated all Ca(2+) deposits from the vesicles of N. crassa.

Antimony↗

Relationship of internal cyclic AMP levels, rates of protein synthesis and mucor dimorphism.

Changes in the intracellular pools of cyclic AMP and specific rates of protein synthesis have been described as correlates of the yeast-to-hypha conversion in Mucor racemosis. A further examination of the relationship between these physiological parameters and the cellular morphogenesis was conducted in the present study. The levels of intracellular cyclic AMP consistently varied as a function of the cell morphology rather than the CO2 tension, oxygen tension or growth rate. The specific rate of protein synthesis failed to change during a N2-to-air-induced yeast-to-hypha transition. Previously reported changes in this parameter during CO2-to-air- and CO2-to-N2-induced yeast-to-hypha shifts may be a consequence of growth rate changes rather than development per se.

Carbon Dioxide↗

Sporogenesis in Streptomyces melanochromogenes.

The mode of spore differentiation in a strain of Streptomyces melanochromogenes was followed by analysis of ultrathin sections of sporulating aerial hyphae at various stages of sporogenesis. A special accent was laid on the formation of the sporulation septum and its alterations in the course of spore delimitation and separation. Distinct differences in formation and substructure have been observed between the cross walls of vegetative hyphae and the sporulation septa. Cross walls of vegetative hyphae are formed in a way typical for Gram-positive bacteria by a centripetal annular ingrowth of cytoplasmic membrane, on which wall material immediately is deposited. The development of the sporulation septa is characterized by the accumulation of amorphous material in addition to the newly synthesized wall layer inside the invaginating cytoplasmic membrane. This amorphous septal material will later be decomposed presumably by two lytic systems which cause the separation of the spores. The central region of the finished sporulation septum is perforated by microplasmodesmata. Spores are released by a break down of the surface sheath. The complete spores are enveloped by a two-layered cell wall and the spiny surface sheath.

Cell Wall↗

Fungus invasion of human hair tissue in tinea capitis caused by Microsporum canis: light and electron microscopic study.

Previously, we reported a morphological change of Trichophyton violaceum in hair tissue in black dot ringworm. To investigate the morphology of Microsporum canis in human hais tissue, three cases of tinea capitis by M. canis were examined by both light and electron microscopy. The fungal elements, which were located deeplyin the keratogenous zone, showed nonseptate hyphae in the outer part of the hair cortex. With the upward development of hair tissues, some hyphae invaded the keratinized inner root sheath and were there transformed into arthrospores, which then occupied the large volume of the inner root sheath; each spore was surrounded by an electron-lucent halo. In some affected hair follicles, at the follicular isthmus level, a microabscess composed of polymorphonuclear leukocytes was often formed in the outer root sheath adjacent to the arthrospores in the keratinized inner root sheath. On the other hand, the remaining hyphae in the cortex became degenerated. Fungi did not invade the hair-germinative cells. There is a distinct relationship between the morphological change of fungi and the differentiation of hair cells in tinea capitis by M. canis as well as in that by T. violaceum, although the direction of invasion and pathological roles of fungal elements within hair tissue are significantly different between the two species of fungi.

Child, Preschool↗

Tissue responses against Cladosporium trichoides and its parasitic forms in congenitally athymic nude mice and their heterozygous littermates.

The tissue responses against Cladosporium trichoides and its parasitic forms were studied using nude (nu/nu) mice and their heterozygous (nu/+) littermates of BALB/c background. 1.0, 0.1 and 0.01% cell suspensions were prepared from a culture broth which had been inoculated with the C. trichoides and cultured with reciprocal shaking at 27 degrees C for 7 days. Sixty nu/nu or 60 nu/+ mice were divided into three groups consisting of 20 each which was allotted to one of the three cell suspensions. Each mouse was inoculated intravenously with 0.1 ml of either the cell suspensions. Two mice from each of the six groups were sacrificed at adequate intervals until 30 days after inoculation and histopathologic sections stained with H & E or by PAS were prepared from their visceral organs. There were no characteristic findings in the nu/nu and nu/+ mice inoculated with the 0.01% cell suspension. When inoculated with the 1.0% cell suspension, the brain was the favorite target organ in both groups of mice and the kidney was the second. When inoculated with the 0.1% cell suspension, brain lesions were observed only in the nu/nu mice. The susceptibility of the nu/nu mice was higher than that of the nu/+ mice. The parasitic forms in the brain of the nu/nu and nu/+ mice were slender septate true hyphae with or without polymorphonuclear leucocyte infiltrate, while in the liver, spleen and lung of both groups of mice the parasitic forms were short thick hyphae, moniliform hyphae, chlamydospores or round cells (sclerotic cells). Many giant cells containing fungal elements appeared in the liver of the nu/nu mice.

Animals↗

Abnormal form of Aspergillus terreus isolated from mycotic abscesses.

A remarkable outer cell-wall thickening (up to 1.5 muM) was observed on septate hyphae obtained from pus collected from multiple abscesses of a 25-year-old female patient. Ultrastructural examination of the hyphae showed a thick electron dense layer of microfibrillar material surrounding the electron transparent cell wall. The organism was able to grow only on hypertonic media upon initial isolation but on later subculture it grew on normal isotonic media. The thick microfibrillar material diminished progressively upon subculture but could be demonstrated in 7 day secondary cultures in isotonic liquid medium. There, microfibrillar bridges appeared to bind hyphae together. The observations suggested that this microfibrillar material was a true extracellular component. The immunological status of the patient was not examined, but her 10 year history of multiple mycotic abscesses and dermatophytoses suggested some abnormalities.

Abscess↗

Studies on perithecium of Ceratocystis stenoceras by a scanning electron microscope.

The surface and cavity of the perithecium of Ceratocystic stenoceras were studied with a scanning electron microscope. The body was spherical, 96-231 u in diameter, and the surface was covered with hyphae. The neck was a lanky hollow cylinder and the wall consisted of a bundle of tubular hyphae encircling a central canal. A whorl of hyaline hyphae was found at the tip of the neck. The surface of the neck from the body to a distance of about 1/6 was rough and warty. But the surface of the neck above that place was smooth, on which a regular design could be seen. The wall of the neck the body consisted of 5-6 layers of cells. However, the wall at the tip was of 1-2 layers of cells. The cavity was filled with ascospores. They were like segments of an orange of 1 X 2 u with smooth surface.

Fungi↗

The pathogenesis of dermatophilosis.

Pathogen, host and environmental factors must be considered in order to understand the pathogenesis of dermatophilosis. A frequently cited sequence of events involves physical damage to the skin, bacterial multiplication in the epidermis, repeated cycles of invasion by hyphae, infiltration by neutrophils and exudate, regeneration of epidermis and reinvasion. This paper is concerned with pathogen driven mechanisms involved in the origin and development of Dermatophilus congolensis infections. Primary infections of calves under controlled conditions at clipped, cleaned, defatted sites result in characteristic dermatophilosis crusts, illustrating that D. congolensis itself is pathogenic. Calves infected in this way develop protective immune responses to subsequent infections. In contrast first and second infections of calves simultaneously infested with Amblyomma variegatum result in more severe lesions that take significantly longer to heal than lesions on tick free calves. Immunity to D. congolensis is isolate specific, however the antigens that elicit immunity have not been defined, they might include pathogenic or virulence factors. Hyphae are the life-cycle stage most closely associated with the living epidermis. During in vitro growth hyphae secrete antigens and proteolytic enzymes into culture medium. Proteolytic activity has been linked to virulence of D. congolensis. The characteristics of proteases released into culture medium varies between isolates. This raises the possibility that proteases, with as yet undefined functions, act as pathogenic and virulence factors, that they are the targets for protective immune responses and that A. variegatum infestation interferes with host immune responses that normally inhibit their activity.

Actinomycetales Infections↗

Primary fluorescence (autofluorescence) of fruiting bodies of the wood-rotting fungus Fomes fomentarius.

Autofluorescence of fruiting bodies of the wood-rotting fungus Fomes fomentarius has been observed and is described among native macrofungi for the first time. The strongest yellow autofluorescence with blue excitation was displayed by pith sets, a weaker yellow, yellow-green to yellow-red fluorescence was due to generative thin-walled hyphae while the weakest yellow-reddish fluorescence was emitted by thick-walled skeletal hyphae (though their parts may emit a more intensive yellow fluorescence). This yellow, yellow-green to yellow-red autofluorescence was assessed to be more intensive than the emission described so far in bacteria and fungi (except for lysed hyphae of the fungus Trametes versicolor). With green excitation all F. fomentarius cells emitted strong red autofluorescence.

Fluorescence↗

High-affinity NO(3-)-H+ cotransport in the fungus Neurospora: induction and control by pH and membrane voltage.

High-affinity nitrate transport was examined in intact hyphae of Neurospora crassa using electrophysiological recordings to characterize the response of the plasma membrane to NO3- challenge and to quantify transport activity. The NO3(-)-associated membrane current was determined using a three electrode voltage clamp to bring membrane voltage under experimental control and to compensate for current dissipation along the longitudinal cell axis. Nitrate transport was evident in hyphae transferred to NO3(-)-free, N-limited medium for 15 hr, and in hyphae grown in the absence of a nitrogen source after a single 2-min exposure to 100 microM NO3-. In the latter, induction showed a latency of 40-80 min and rose in scalar fashion with full transport activity measurable approx. 100 min after first exposure to NO3-; it was marked by the appearance of a pronounced sensitivity of membrane voltage to extracellular NO3- additions which, after induction, resulted in reversible membrane depolarizations of (+)54-85 mV in the presence of 50 microM NO3-; and it was suppressed when NH4+ was present during the first, inductive exposure to NO3-. Voltage clamp measurements carried out immediately before and following NO3- additions showed that the NO3(-)-evoked depolarizations were the consequence of an inward-directed current that appeared in parallel with the depolarizations across the entire range of accessible voltages (-400 to +100 mV). Measurements of NO3- uptake using NO3(-)-selective macroelectrodes indicated a charge stoichiometry for NO3- transport of 1(+):1(NO3-) with common K(m) and Jmax values around 25 microM and 75 pmol NO3- cm-2sec-1, respectively, and combined measurements of pHo and [NO3-]o showed a net uptake of approx. 1 H+ with each NO3- anion. Analysis of the NO3- current demonstrated a pronounced voltage sensitivity within the normal physiological range between -300 and -100 mV as well as interactions between the kinetic parameters of membrane voltage, pHo and [NO3-]o. Increasing the bathing pH from 5.5 to 8.0 reduced the current and the associated membrane depolarizations 2- to 4-fold. At a constant pHo of 6.1, driving the membrane voltage from -350 to -150 mV resulted in an approx. 3-fold reduction in the maximum current and a 5-fold rise in the apparent affinity for NO3-. By contrast, the same depolarization effected an approx. 20% fall in the K(m) for transport as a function in [H+]o. These, and additional results are consistent with a charge-coupling stoichiometry of 2(H+) per NO3- anion transported across the membrane, and implicate a carrier cycle in which NO3- binding is kinetically adjacent to the rate-limiting step of membrane charge transit. The data concur with previous studies demonstrating a pronounced voltage-dependence to high-affinity NO3- transport system in Arabidopsis, and underline the importance of voltage as a kinetic factor controlling NO3- transport; finally, they distinguish metabolite repression of NO3- transport induction from its sensitivity to metabolic blockade and competition with the uptake of other substrates that draw on membrane voltage as a kinetic substrate.

Antimetabolites↗

Factors affecting the morphogenetic switch in Yarrowia lipolytica.

Yarrowia lipolytica is a dimorphic yeast usually isolated from dairy products. Here we described methods for inducing in a homogeneous way a true yeast-hypha transition in liquid medium. As a first step, the cells must be synchronized in the G1 phase of the cell cycle by nitrogen starvation. Using either N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) or serum as the only carbon sources, more than 90% of the cells form hypha after 4-6 h of incubation. Bovine albumin is also able to induce the yeast-hypha transition, although to a lesser extent. The addition of glucose to cultures growing with GlcNAc arrest the morphogenetic switch but not when added to cultures growing in the presence of serum. Serum also induces invasive growth in solid medium. Neither pH, nitrogen starvation, nor temperature play a relevant role in the morphogenetic switch. Our results suggest that, as occurs in Candida albicans, at least two morphogenetic signal pathways exist in Y. lipolytica.

Acetylglucosamine↗