Production and composition evaluation of extracellular vesicles from Aspergillus fumigatus

Author(s)

André Moreira Pessoni

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2021-06-07

Examining board members

Fausto Bruno dos Reis Almeida; Paulo Sergio Rodrigues Coelho; Patrícia Alves de Castro Silva

• Advisor: Fausto Bruno dos Reis Almeida

Abstract

Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungus considered to be the main causative agent of infections in immunocompromised individuals, with great medical importance. The success of these infections depends on the secretion of several molecules to the extracellular space, mediated, for example, by extracellular vesicles (EVs). Fungal EVs contain proteins, lipids, pigments, polysaccharides, DNA, RNA and other molecules that can be crucial to fungal pathophysiology, however there are few studies demonstrating the composition of EVs produced by the Aspergillus genus. Thus, our objective was to evaluate the production and composition of EVs produced by A. fumigatus in liquid and solid media. Our results confirm that A. fumigatus produces EVs in both media, with higher yield in solid media, and demonstrate the presence of secondary metabolites, different populations of RNAs and proteins. Among the molecules found, we were able to identify molecules related to fungal virulence, with action against insects, protozoa and mammalian cells, to the modulation of host\'s immune response and, consequently, to the fungus survival. The findings reported in this study may help to elucidate the function of EVs produced by A. fumigatus and to understand the biological processes to which they are related. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/02504-2 - Production and composition evaluation of extracellular vesicles from Aspergillus fumigatus
• Grantee: André Moreira Pessoni
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master