Viral infection triggers interferon-induced expulsion of live Cryptococcus neoformans by macrophages

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008240
• Publication Date: 2020-02-27T13:26:08Z
• Authors: Paula I. Seoane; Leanne M. Taylor-...; David Stirling; Lucy C. K. Bell; Mahdad Noursadeghi; Dalan Bailey; Robin C. May
• Keywords: Lytic cycle; Pathogenesis

Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic human pathogen, which causes serious disease in immunocompromised hosts. Infection with this pathogen particularly relevant HIV+ patients, where it leads to around 200,000 deaths per annum. A key feature of cryptococcal pathogenesis the ability fungus survive and replicate within phagosome macrophages, as well its be expelled from host cells via a novel non-lytic mechanism known vomocytosis. Here we show that vomocytosis macrophages strongly enhanced by viral coinfection, without altering phagocytosis or intracellular proliferation fungus. This effect occurs distinct, unrelated pathogens recapitulated when are stimulated anti-viral cytokines interferon alpha beta (IFNα IFNβ). Importantly, abrogated type-I signalling blocked, thus underscoring importance interferons phenomenon. Lastly, our data help resolve previous, contradictory animal studies on impact type I suggest secondary stimuli may alter patterns dissemination host.