Aspergillus Fumigatus Spore Proteases Alter the Respiratory Mucosa Architecture and Facilitate Equine Herpesvirus 1 Infection.
Abstract: Numerous Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) airborne spores are inhaled daily by humans and animals due to their ubiquitous presence. The interaction between the spores and the respiratory epithelium, as well as its impact on the epithelial barrier function, remains largely unknown. The epithelial barrier protects the respiratory epithelium against viral infections. However, it can be compromised by environmental contaminants such as pollen, thereby increasing susceptibility to respiratory viral infections, including alphaherpesvirus equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1). To determine whether Af spores disrupt the epithelial integrity and enhance susceptibility to viral infections, equine respiratory mucosal ex vivo explants were pretreated with Af spore diffusate, followed by EHV-1 inoculation. Spore proteases were characterized by zymography and identified using mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Proteases of the serine protease, metalloprotease, and aspartic protease groups were identified. Morphological analysis of hematoxylin-eosin (HE)-stained sections of the explants revealed that Af spores induced the desquamation of epithelial cells and a significant increase in intercellular space at high and low concentrations, respectively. The increase in intercellular space in the epithelium caused by Af spore proteases correlated with an increase in EHV-1 infection. Together, our findings demonstrate that Af spore proteases disrupt epithelial integrity, potentially leading to increased viral infection of the respiratory epithelium.
Publication Date: 2024-07-27 PubMed ID: 39205182PubMed Central: PMC11358968DOI: 10.3390/v16081208Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This research article investigates how Aspergillus Fumigatus (Af) spores, a common airborne fungus, can compromise the epithelial barrier of the respiratory system, thereby increasing susceptibility to viral infections such as Equine Herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1).
Introducing the Research Context
- The study begins by highlighting the fact that humans and animals inhale a substantial quantity of Aspergillus Fumigatus (Af) airborne spores daily due to their widespread distribution.
- The impact of such spores on the respiratory system and its protective epithelial barrier remains largely understudied.
- The researchers note that while the epithelial barrier serves to protect the respiratory system from viral infections, it can become disrupted by environmental contaminants, including pollen and Af spores, leading to an increased vulnerability to viruses such as EHV-1.
Methodologies of The Study
- To investigate this issue, the researchers pretreated equine (horse) respiratory mucosal explants (tissue samples) with a substance derived from Af spores, then exposed the tissue to EHV-1.
- The proteases (proteins that digest other proteins) present in Af spores were analyzed and identified using techniques called zymography and mass spectrometry-based proteomics. The researchers found proteases from the serine, metallo-, and aspartic protease groups.
Results and Discussion
- Analyses of these tissue samples showed that Af spores caused the shedding or desquamation of epithelial cells and an increase in the space between cells.
- This disruption to the epithelial integrity caused by the Af spore proteases correlated with an increase in susceptibility to EHV-1 infection.
- Broadly, the results suggest that Af spores and their associated proteases damage the protective epithelial barrier of the respiratory system, thereby potentially enhancing the risk of viral infections.
Cite This Article
APA
Portaels J, Van Crombrugge E, Van Den Broeck W, Lagrou K, Laval K, Nauwynck H.
(2024).
Aspergillus Fumigatus Spore Proteases Alter the Respiratory Mucosa Architecture and Facilitate Equine Herpesvirus 1 Infection.
Viruses, 16(8).
https://doi.org/10.3390/v16081208 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Department of Morphology, Medical Imaging, Orthopedics and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Herpesvirus 1, Equid / physiology
- Herpesvirus 1, Equid / pathogenicity
- Aspergillus fumigatus / enzymology
- Horses
- Spores, Fungal
- Respiratory Mucosa / virology
- Herpesviridae Infections / virology
- Herpesviridae Infections / veterinary
- Peptide Hydrolases / metabolism
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Epithelial Cells / virology
- Epithelial Cells / microbiology
Grant Funding
- 01D15319 / Ghent University
- G035920N / Research Foundation - Flanders
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.
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