The Crucial Role of Biofilms in Cryptococcus neoformans Survival within Macrophages and Colonization of the Central Nervous System
Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast-like fungus capable of causing life threatening meningoencephalitis in patients with impaired immunity. This microbe primarily infects the host via inhalation but has the ability to disseminate to the central nervous system (CNS) either as a single ce...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2017-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Fungi |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/3/1/10 |
| _version_ | 1818607882784997376 |
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| author | Lilit Aslanyan David A. Sanchez Silvana Valdebenito Eliseo A. Eugenin Raddy L. Ramos Luis R. Martinez |
| author_facet | Lilit Aslanyan David A. Sanchez Silvana Valdebenito Eliseo A. Eugenin Raddy L. Ramos Luis R. Martinez |
| author_sort | Lilit Aslanyan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast-like fungus capable of causing life threatening meningoencephalitis in patients with impaired immunity. This microbe primarily infects the host via inhalation but has the ability to disseminate to the central nervous system (CNS) either as a single cell or inside of macrophages. Upon traversing the blood brain barrier, C. neoformans has the capacity to form biofilm-like structures known as cryptococcomas. Hence, we will discuss the C. neoformans elements contributing to biofilm formation including the fungus’ ability to survive in the acidic environment of a macrophage phagosome and inside of the CNS. The purpose of this mini-review is to instill fresh interest in understanding the importance of biofilms on fungal pathogenesis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T14:33:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-018e03f33abc46dfab14c43f56bb7ed6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2309-608X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T14:33:49Z |
| publishDate | 2017-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Fungi |
| spelling | doaj.art-018e03f33abc46dfab14c43f56bb7ed62022-12-21T22:28:08ZengMDPI AGJournal of Fungi2309-608X2017-02-01311010.3390/jof3010010jof3010010The Crucial Role of Biofilms in Cryptococcus neoformans Survival within Macrophages and Colonization of the Central Nervous SystemLilit Aslanyan0David A. Sanchez1Silvana Valdebenito2Eliseo A. Eugenin3Raddy L. Ramos4Luis R. Martinez5Department of Biomedical Sciences, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY 11568-8000, USAHoward University College of Medicine, Washington, DC 20059-1027, USAPublic Health Research Institute and Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07103-9998, USAPublic Health Research Institute and Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07103-9998, USADepartment of Biomedical Sciences, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY 11568-8000, USADepartment of Biomedical Sciences, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY 11568-8000, USACryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast-like fungus capable of causing life threatening meningoencephalitis in patients with impaired immunity. This microbe primarily infects the host via inhalation but has the ability to disseminate to the central nervous system (CNS) either as a single cell or inside of macrophages. Upon traversing the blood brain barrier, C. neoformans has the capacity to form biofilm-like structures known as cryptococcomas. Hence, we will discuss the C. neoformans elements contributing to biofilm formation including the fungus’ ability to survive in the acidic environment of a macrophage phagosome and inside of the CNS. The purpose of this mini-review is to instill fresh interest in understanding the importance of biofilms on fungal pathogenesis.http://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/3/1/10biofilmsCNSCryptococcus neoformanscryptococcomasmacrophages |
| spellingShingle | Lilit Aslanyan David A. Sanchez Silvana Valdebenito Eliseo A. Eugenin Raddy L. Ramos Luis R. Martinez The Crucial Role of Biofilms in Cryptococcus neoformans Survival within Macrophages and Colonization of the Central Nervous System Journal of Fungi biofilms CNS Cryptococcus neoformans cryptococcomas macrophages |
| title | The Crucial Role of Biofilms in Cryptococcus neoformans Survival within Macrophages and Colonization of the Central Nervous System |
| title_full | The Crucial Role of Biofilms in Cryptococcus neoformans Survival within Macrophages and Colonization of the Central Nervous System |
| title_fullStr | The Crucial Role of Biofilms in Cryptococcus neoformans Survival within Macrophages and Colonization of the Central Nervous System |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Crucial Role of Biofilms in Cryptococcus neoformans Survival within Macrophages and Colonization of the Central Nervous System |
| title_short | The Crucial Role of Biofilms in Cryptococcus neoformans Survival within Macrophages and Colonization of the Central Nervous System |
| title_sort | crucial role of biofilms in cryptococcus neoformans survival within macrophages and colonization of the central nervous system |
| topic | biofilms CNS Cryptococcus neoformans cryptococcomas macrophages |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/3/1/10 |
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