Immunization with a heat-killed Prm1 deletion strain protects the host from Cryptococcus neoformans infection

• Published in: Emerging microbes & infections 2023-12, Vol.12 (2), p.2244087-2244087
• Main Authors: Li, Chao, Meng, Yang, Li, Hailong, Du, Wei, Gao, Xindi, Suo, Chenhao, Gao, Yiru, Ni, Yue, Sun, Tianshu, Yang, Sheng, Lan, Tian, Xin, Meiling, Ding, Chen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: cell wall; Cryptococcus neoformans; Fungal infections; fungal vaccine; IFN-γ; Infections; macrophage polarization; Prm1; Yeast
• ISSN: 2222-1751; 2222-1751
• DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2244087

Systemic infection with , a dangerous and contagious pathogen found throughout the world, frequently results in lethal cryptococcal pneumonia and meningoencephalitis, and no effective treatments and vaccination of cryptococcosis are available. Here, we describe Prm1, a novel regulator of virulence cells exhibit extreme sensitivity to various environmental stress conditions. Furthermore, cells show deficiencies in the biosynthesis of chitosan and mannoprotein, which in turn result in impairment of cell wall integrity. Treatment of mice with heat-killed cells was found to facilitate the host immunological defence against infection with wild-type . Further investigation demonstrated that cells strongly promote pulmonary production of interferon-γ, leading to activation of macrophage M1 differentiation and inhibition of M2 polarization. Therefore, our findings suggest that Prm1 may be a viable target for the development of anti-cryptococcosis medications and, cells lacking Prm1 represent a promising candidate for a vaccine.