Caenorhabditis elegans DAF-16 regulates lifespan and immune responses to Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii infections

Thitinan Kitisin, Watcharamat Muangkaew, Passanesh Sukphopetch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Cryptococcosis is a life-threatening infection is primarily caused by two sibling species Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. Several virulence-related factors of these cryptococci have been widely investigated in Caenorhabditis elegans, representing a facile in vivo model of host–pathogen interaction. While recent studies elucidated cryptococcal virulence factors, intrinsic host factors that affect susceptibility to infections by cryptococci remain unclear and poorly investigated. Results: Here, we showed that defects in C. elegans insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling (IIS) pathway influenced animal lifespan and mechanisms of host resistance in cryptococcal infections, which required the activation of aging regulator DAF-16/Forkhead box O transcription factor. Moreover, accumulation of lipofuscin, DAF-16 nuclear localization, and expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD-3) were elevated in C. elegans due to host defenses during cryptococcal infections. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated the relationship between longevity and immunity, which may provide a possibility for novel therapeutic intervention to improve host resistance against cryptococcal infections.

Original languageEnglish
Article number162
JournalBMC Microbiology
Volume22
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2022

Keywords

  • Caenorhabditis elegans
  • Cryptococcus gattii
  • Cryptococcus neoformans
  • DAF-16
  • Insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) pathway

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