Cell-to-Cell Spread of Cryptococcus neoformans in Macrophages
Author Information
Author(s): Alvarez Mauricio, Casadevall Arturo
Primary Institution: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Hypothesis
Can Cryptococcus neoformans spread from infected macrophages to uninfected macrophages through cell-to-cell transfer?
Conclusion
C. neoformans can escape macrophages and infect adjacent cells through an actin-dependent cell-to-cell transfer, leading to potential damage in host macrophages.
Supporting Evidence
- Cell-to-cell transfer of C. neoformans was observed in about 2% of infected macrophages.
- The transfer process was actin-dependent, as shown by the effects of cytochalasin D.
- Massive vacuole formation occurred after phagosome extrusion in macrophages that had harbored C. neoformans.
Takeaway
This study shows that a type of yeast can jump from one immune cell to another without going outside, which might help it spread and cause more sickness.
Methodology
Time-lapse imaging was used to observe the interactions between Cryptococcus neoformans and murine macrophages.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the in vitro nature of the study and the specific strains of C. neoformans used.
Limitations
The study was conducted in vitro, so the relevance to in vivo situations may be limited.
Participant Demographics
Murine macrophages were used in the study.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website