Project description:The functional coupling of calcium-mediated signalling and alkaline tolerance has been demonstrated in multiple fungi. The applied relevance of such interplay extends most notably to fungal pathogens of man where the physiological pH of serum and tissues exerts considerable alkaline stress. Drugs targeting the calcium-dependent phosphatase, calcineurin, are potent antifungal agents but also perturb human calcineurin signalling, it has therefore been postulated that abrogation of fungal alkaline tolerance could offer a valuable therapeutic adjunct. To study the interdependency of pH- and calcium-mediated intracellular signalling in the major human fungal pathogen A. fumigatus, we examined the transcriptional response following exposure to 200 mM calcium chloride or alkaline pH (pH 8.0).
Project description:Genomic DNA from five strains, Aspergillus fumigatus Af71, Aspergillus fumigatus Af294, Aspergillus clavatus, Neosartorya fenneliae, and Neosartorya fischeri, were co-hybridized with that of Aspergillus fumigatus Af293 and compared.
Project description:This SuperSeries is composed of the following subset Series: GSE24983: Response of A549 cells treated with Aspergillus fumigatus [WT-CF_vs_WT-GC] GSE24984: Response of A549 cells treated with Aspergillus fumigatus [WT-GC_vs_PrtT-GC] GSE24985: Response of A549 cells treated with Aspergillus fumigatus [WT-CF_vs_PrtT-CF] Refer to individual Series
Project description:To investigate the influence of Aspergillus fumigatus on iron regulation in macrophages, we obtained macrophages in culture from human derived monocytes and co-cultured the monocyte-derived macrophages with Aspergillus conidia at a 1:1 ratio. We collected samples at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours and extracted RNA. We then performed gene expression profiling analysis using data obtained from RNA-seq of control macrophages and macrophage co-cultured with Aspergillus fumigatus at five time points.
Project description:In patients with chronic pulmonary disease colonization with the mold Aspergillus fumigatus is associated with declining pulmonary function and obstructive airway disease. One potential effector of this inflammatory response is the pulmonary mast cell. In vitro studies have demonstrated that A. fumigatus contact induces IgE-independent mast cell degranulation. Conversely, the Aspergillus secondary metabolite gliotoxin has been shown to suppress mast cell activation. These contradictory results emphasize the need for a better understanding of the interactions between A. fumigatus and mast cells. Thus, the objective of this work was to identify A. fumigatus genes that are differentially regulated upon exposure to mast cells. Transcriptional profiling experiments indicated that, in addition to genes encoding for iron acquisition systems, allergens and putative virulence factors, genes from the gliotoxin biosynthesis cluster were significantly down-regulated upon exposure to mast cells. Globally, the results from this study provide insight into the A. fumigatus response to mast cells and suggest that one mechanism by which the host may circumvent the effects of gliotoxin is via the suppression of fungal gliotoxin synthesis by mast cells.
Project description:Amphotericin B (AMB) is the most widely used polyene antifungal drug for the treatment of systemic fungal infections including invasive aspergillosis. We aimed to understand molecular targets of AMB in Aspergillus fumigatus (Afu) by genomic approaches. Keywords: Aspergillus fumigatus treated with amphotericin B for 24 hours
Project description:Gene expression profiling of Aspergillus fumigatus comparing controls grown at normal zinc concentration of aspergillus minimum media (77uM), low (1uM) and high (500uM) zinc concentrations.
Project description:Aspergillus fumigatus is an important human pathogen and a leading fungal killer. This study aimed to determine the small RNA repertoire of A. fumigatus in conidia and mycelium grown for 24 or 48 hours in liquid culture.