Dynamic changes in the morphology of Cryptococcus neoformans during murine pulmonary infection

摘要: The pathogenesis of Cryptococcus neoformans infection has been studied extensively with respect to inflammatory and pathological changes, but very little information is available regarding the morphology yeast cells during course infection. Electron microscopy in murine pulmonary revealed increased cell wall thickness time, this difference was only partially accounted for by increases diameter. Cell walls melanized were thicker than those nonmelanized 2 h after infection, became blacker suggesting that melanization contributes thickness. Heterogeneous populations emerged, appearance giant forms. While C. ATCC strain 24067 (serotype D) full spectrum sizes observed, strains H99 A) 3501 divisible into two populations, micro In contrast cellular heterogeneity, epitope recognized a protective mAb on capsular glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) found at all times Immunoelectron using mAbs GXM demonstrated reactivity intracellular structures, synthesis polysaccharide occurs, least part, cytoplasm. summary, results indicate that: (i) dynamic morphology; (ii) forms arise tissue infection; (iii) blacken thicken consistent melanin (iv) epitopes are capsule, cytoplasm, synthesis. population highly state, implying immune system must confront varying characteristics