Intracellular oxidative response of human monocytes and granulocytes to different strains of Aspergillus fumigatus

Mycoses. 2006 Mar;49(2):73-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2006.01188.x.

Abstract

Aspergillus fumigatus is one of the most prevalent airborne fungal pathogens, causing severe and often fatal infections. Its fungal virulence factors have not been clearly identified. Reactive oxygen species produced by phagocytic cells are potent fungicides for A. fumigatus. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of conidia pigmentation, fungal development stage and genotype strain on human leucocytes oxidative response. Various A. fumigatus strains were used and the oxidative response was analysed by flow cytometry. A significant difference was observed between live- and killed-conidia. A pigmentless strain gave an important intracellular oxidative response compared with pigmented strains. But no difference was observed between strains isolated from patients with invasive aspergillosis (IA) and bronchial colonisation. The modification of healthy phagocytes' oxidative response caused by A. fumigatus components is not sufficient to explain the virulence of fungus and to predict an evolution of patients with IA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aspergillosis
  • Aspergillus fumigatus / immunology
  • Aspergillus fumigatus / pathogenicity*
  • Aspergillus fumigatus / physiology
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Granulocytes / immunology*
  • Granulocytes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Monocytes / immunology
  • Monocytes / metabolism*
  • Phagocytes / immunology
  • Phagocytes / metabolism
  • Pigmentation
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism*
  • Rhodamines / metabolism
  • Spores, Fungal

Substances

  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Rhodamines
  • dihydrorhodamine 123