Chitin-like molecules associate with Cryptococcus neoformans glucuronoxylomannan to form a glycan complex with previously unknown properties

Caroline L. Ramos, Fernanda L. Fonseca, Jessica Rodrigues, Allan J. Guimarães, Leonardo P. Cinelli, Kildare Miranda, Leonardo Nimrichter, Arturo Casadevall, Luiz R. Travassos, Marcio L. Rodriguesa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

In prior studies, we demonstrated that glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), the major capsular polysaccharide of the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, interacts with chitin oligomers at the cell wall-capsule interface. The structural determinants regulating these carbohydrate-carbohydrate interactions, as well as the functions of these structures, have remained unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that glycan complexes composed of chitooligomers and GXM are formed during fungal growth and macrophage infection by C. neoformans. To investigate the required determinants for the assembly of chitin-GXM complexes, we developed a quantitative scanning electron microscopy-based method using different polysaccharide samples as inhibitors of the interaction of chitin with GXM. This assay revealed that chitin-GXM association involves noncovalent bonds and large GXM fibers and depends on the N-acetyl amino group of chitin. Carboxyl and O-acetyl groups of GXM are not required for polysaccharide-polysaccharide interactions. Glycan complex structures composed of cryptococcal GXM and chitin-derived oligomers were tested for their ability to induce pulmonary cytokines in mice. They were significantly more efficient than either GXM or chitin oligomers alone in inducing the production of lung interleukin 10 (IL-10), IL-17, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). These results indicate that association of chitin-derived structures with GXM through their N-acetyl amino groups generates glycan complexes with previously unknown properties.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1086-1094
Number of pages9
JournalEukaryotic Cell
Volume11
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2012
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Chitin-like molecules associate with Cryptococcus neoformans glucuronoxylomannan to form a glycan complex with previously unknown properties'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this