Fungal extracellular vesicles: immunomodulation and cellular communication

• Grant number: 21/06794-5
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants - Phase 2
• Start date: September 01, 2022
• End date: August 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Cellular Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Fausto Bruno dos Reis Almeida
• Grantee: Fausto Bruno dos Reis Almeida
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Gustavo Henrique Goldman ; Marcio Lourenço Rodrigues
• Associated research grant: 16/03322-7 - Role of galectin-3 in the Cryptococcus neoformans infection, AP.JP
• Associated research grant(s): 23/14798-6 - Characterization and role of extracellular vesicles from Avian Influenza-virus-infected cells in the immune response modulation, AP.R SPRINT
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/05708-9 - Role of fungal extracellular vesicles during cellular communication, BP.PD; 24/15805-9 - Role of extracellular vesicles from Cryptococcus neoformans in the cellular communication, BP.IC; 22/09523-5 - Identification and characterization of carbohydrates present in extracellular vesicles of Candida auris in response to antifungal exposure, BP.DR; + associated scholarships 24/00403-2 - Deciphering the Functional Role of Protein Corona in Cellular Communication mediated by Fungal Extracellular Vesicles, BP.PD; 24/01074-2 - Immunoregulatory role of extracellular vesicles from Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus, BP.MS; 23/12634-6 - Extracellular vesicles as mediators in interspecies communication in fungi, BP.IC; 23/14259-8 - Role of extracellular vesicles from Cryptococcus neoformans in the cellular communication, BP.IC; 23/05800-7 - Role of fungal extracellular vesicles during cellular communication, BP.PD; 22/08432-6 - Role of Extracellular Vesicles produced by Candida haemulonii in pathogenesis and fungal multiresistance, BP.DR - associated scholarships

Abstract

Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) play an important role in export systems. They act as vehicles for the transference of complex cargoes with broad biological functions. These vesicles cross the fungal cell wall to reach the extracellular space and transport its major virulence factors contributing to fungal infection outcomes. Since we had the FAPESP young investigator grant phase 1, our group has demonstrated that fungal EVs exerts immunomodulatory functions during fungus-host interactions and mediate intra-species cellular communication. Furthermore, we have verified that fungal EVs may also plays crucial roles regarding to inter-species cellular communication. These observations motivate the proposal to study the fungal inter-species cellular communication, and to better understand the role of fungal EVs in immunomodulation and intra-species cellular communication. More specifically, we propose to do the following aims: (1) to clarify the immunomodulatory properties of EVs from C. neoformans, P. brasiliensis, A. fumigatus, and C. albicans; (2) to dissect the responsible interactions of EVs from C. neoformans, P. brasiliensis, A. fumigatus, and C. albicans in intra- and inter-species communication by several approaches. Our expectation is that fungal EVs are responsible for important functions on fungal infection process. Thus, the development of this young investigators grants phase 2 will consolidate the EVs research line initiated by FAPESP and will provide opportunities to develop new strategies against fungal infections. (AU)

Scientific publications

(6)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MARTINS-SANTANA, LEONARDO; REZENDE, CAROLINE PATINI; ROSSI, ANTONIO; MARTINEZ-ROSSI, NILCE MARIA; ALMEIDA, FAUSTO. Addressing Microbial Resistance Worldwide: Challenges over Controlling Life-Threatening Fungal Infections. PATHOGENS, v. 12, n. 2, p. 15-pg., 2023-02-01. (21/06794-5, 19/22596-9, 21/10255-2, 20/03215-1)

OLIVEIRA, BIANCA T. M.; DOURADO, THALES M. H.; SANTOS, PATRICK W. S.; BITENCOURT, TAMIRES A.; TIRAPELLI, CARLOS R.; COLOMBO, ARNALDO L.; ALMEIDA, FAUSTO. Extracellular Vesicles from Candida haemulonii var. vulnera Modulate Macrophage Oxidative Burst. JOURNAL OF FUNGI, v. 9, n. 5, p. 15-pg., 2023-05-12. (21/06794-5, 20/02841-6, 22/08432-6)

OLIVEIRA, BIANCA T. M.; BITENCOURT, TAMIRES A.; SANTOS, PATRICK; PAGANO, ANTONIO D.; PESSONI, ANDRE M.; REZENDE, CAROLINE P.; PIRAINE, RENAN A.; MASSON, ANA P.; FACA, VITOR; CAMPOS, VINICIUS F.; et al. Deciphering cargo contents in extracellular vesicles of Candida haemulonii var. vulnera. COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL, v. 27, p. 14-pg., 2025-05-13. (22/08432-6, 21/10599-3, 24/14942-2, 21/06794-5, 20/02841-6)

BITENCOURT, TAMIRES A.; PESSONI, ANDRE M.; OLIVEIRA, BIANCA T. M.; ALVES, LYSANGELA R.; ALMEIDA, FAUSTO. The RNA Content of Fungal Extracellular Vesicles: At the "Cutting-Edge" of Pathophysiology Regulation. CELLS, v. 11, n. 14, p. 11-pg., 2022-07-01. (19/02504-2, 19/23801-5, 21/06794-5, 20/02841-6)

SANTOS, PATRICK; REZENDE, CAROLINE P.; PIRAINE, RENAN; OLIVEIRA, BIANCA; FERREIRA, FRANCIELLE B.; CARVALHO, VINICIUS S.; CALADO, RODRIGO T.; PELLEGRINI, MATTEO; ALMEIDA, FAUSTO. Extracellular vesicles from human breast cancer-resistant cells promote acquired drug resistance and pro-inflammatory macrophage response. FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY, v. 15, p. 17-pg., 2024-10-15. (21/06794-5, 19/25826-5)

FREITAS, MATEUS SILVEIRA; BITENCOURT, TAMIRES APARECIDA; REZENDE, CAROLINE PATINI; MARTINS, NUBIA SABRINA; DOURADO, THALES DE MILETO HENRIQUE; TIRAPELLI, CARLOS R.; ALMEIDA, FAUSTO. Aspergillus fumigatus Extracellular Vesicles Display Increased Galleria mellonella Survival but Partial Pro-Inflammatory Response by Macrophages. JOURNAL OF FUNGI, v. 9, n. 5, p. 15-pg., 2023-05-04. (21/06794-5, 19/22454-0)