Genes Differentially Expressed in Conidia and Hyphae of Aspergillus fumigatus upon Exposure to Human Neutrophils

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0002655
• Publication Date: 2008-07-09T04:09:30Z
• Authors: Janyce A. Sugui; H. Stanley Kim; Kol A. Zarember; Yun C. Chang; John I. Gallin; Willian C. Nierman; Kyung J. Kwon-Chung
• Keywords: Chronic Granulomatous Disease; Respiratory burst

Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common etiologic agent of invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients. Several studies have addressed mechanism involved host defense but only few investigated pathogen's response to attack by cells. To our knowledge, this first study that investigates genes differentially expressed conidia vs hyphae A. neutrophils from healthy donors as well those with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) which are defective production reactive oxygen species.Transcriptional profiles and exposed neutrophils, either normal or CGD patients, were obtained using genome-wide microarray. Upon exposure 244 up-regulated not hyphae. these degradation fatty acids, peroxisome function glyoxylate cycle suggests reprogram their metabolism adjust environment. In addition, mRNA levels four encoding proteins putatively iron/copper assimilation found be higher compared neutrophils. Deletants several showed phenotypes related proposed functions, i.e. deletants acid catabolism growth on acids sensitivity oxidative menadione. None deletants, however, reduced resistance neutrophil attack.This work reveals complex fungus leukocytes, one major factors antifungal defense, identifies fungal may establishing prolonging infections humans.