Effectors of tissue invasion in Aspergillus fumigatus, the major fungal pathogen of human lungs
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: School of Biological Sciences
Abstract
The often-fatal fungal lung disease invasive aspergillosis (IA) has claimed more than 8 million human lives since its emergence ~ 40 years ago. IA-related mortality is unacceptably high (50- 90%) and usually results from respiratory failure due to haemorrhage occurring at sites of fungal invasion. Given the life-saving potential of anti-invasion therapies, a high premium has been placed upon identifying effectors of tissue invasion, against which drugs and vaccines might be engineered. However, the quest for causal associations between tissue-invasive phenotypes and secreted fungal products has repeatedly failed, presumably due to likely functional redundancy amongst the effector repertoire and insufficiency of genetic approaches in A. fumigatus with which to drive high throughput analyses of secreted fungal products. Using mouse models of IA, in vitro infections of cultured human lung cells, functional genomics and a high throughput A. fumigatus gene deletion methodology we have discovered a first-in-field cohort of 42 effectors of tissue invasion (eTINs) which govern lytic death of human lung cells. We will now combine state-of-the-art genetic, single cell imaging and effector-trap approaches with our established methodological workflow to conclusively define the invasive A. fumigatus secretome and to characterise the modes of entry and/or lytic activity of the individual effectors. This work will reveal for the first time the molecular basis of tissue invasive IA pathologies and define the genomic cohort of targets against which anti-invasion therapies and novel vaccines and diagnostics can be designed.
Technical Summary
To identify A. fumigatus effectors of tissue invasion (eTINs) we used a HTP fusion PCR approach to construct null A. fumigatus mutants for all 253 of the SignalP proteins whose expression, relative to laboratory culture, is significantly upregulated during mouse colonisation. We then screened the mutant collection in a 384 well format, epithelial lysis assay to identify mutants having lytic defects in host co-culture. The starting point for this proposal is a collection of n = 42 signalP protein-encoding genes which are specifically upregulated in response to the mammalian host environment and whose encoded gene products are required for lysis of human respiratory epithelia. This collection is a first-in-field collection of A. fumigatus effectors of tissue invasion (eTINs).
The aims of this study are to:
1. Screen the collection of eTIN null mutants in neutropenic mice to identify dominant effectors of tissue invasion
2. Sort eTINs according to modes of host activation using established in vitro infection models
3. Define spatiotemporal localisation profiles of eTINs during A. fumigatus co-culture with human respiratory epithelia
4. Combine high throughput gene deletion and classical genetics to define the minimal invasive secretome of A. fumigatus
5. Define eTIN modes of translocation and identify host binding partners
The aims of this study are to:
1. Screen the collection of eTIN null mutants in neutropenic mice to identify dominant effectors of tissue invasion
2. Sort eTINs according to modes of host activation using established in vitro infection models
3. Define spatiotemporal localisation profiles of eTINs during A. fumigatus co-culture with human respiratory epithelia
4. Combine high throughput gene deletion and classical genetics to define the minimal invasive secretome of A. fumigatus
5. Define eTIN modes of translocation and identify host binding partners
Planned Impact
1. Scientists, clinicians and industries pursuing novel anti-fungal diagnostics, and vaccines. A single serodiagnostic marker of invasive aspergillosis has been the mainstay of clinical diagnosis for the past quarter century but sensitivity and specificity vary by centre and user. Secreted microbial proteins are of major importance as diagnostic agents and for vaccination strategy. We are already working with protein biochemists, clinicians and antibody technologists to identify the most immunogenic of our novel proteins with a view to producing reagents with which to detect and treat infections due to Aspergillus fumigatus.
2. Pharmaceutical companies seeking novel antifungal agents. The pipeline for new antifungal compounds is sparse and antifungal resistance is advancing. The use of agricultural azoles is prompting emergence of clinically significant resistant isolates. Three new triazoles (albaconazole, isavuconazole and ravuconazole) are in clinical trials however, as with extant triazoles, they target lanosterol 14-demethylase and are likely to be dogged by similar resistance issues. The glucan synthase inhibitor in development by Merck has been stalled in Phase I since 2009, as have the novel compounds corifungin (Acea biotech), T-2307 (Toyama) and the HDAc inhibitor of Methylgene, thereby indicating problems in development. The global market for clinical antifungals was estimated to be $9.4 billion US in 2010 (GBI research) and is anticipated to exceed $18 billion by 2018. The advancement of novel target-based strategies currently falls outside the remit of many large drug discovery companies and it will therefore fall to academic partners to progress research in this area. This deficiency will require pharmaceutical companies to interact with academics that have expertise in drug design and toxicology. This work will have direct applicability to these efforts, and will help us to forge links with pharmaceutical collaborators that will provide tangible and valuable outputs far into the future.
3. Individuals suffering, or at risk from, Aspergillus-related disease: The health burden of diseases caused by fungi is considerable. Where severe invasive infections are concerned, deep-organ infection occurs as a negative corollary to otherwise successful, but nonetheless expensive, treatments for serious illness. In 2002 almost 10,000 patients in England were estimated to have suffered a deep-organ fungal infection. Almost half of them died from their fungal disease (HPA).
4. Healthcare Service Providers: The cost of invasive infections caused by Aspergillus sp. in the US alone was estimated at $633 million in 1996. This cost included the expense of failed chemotherapy, or bone marrow or organ transplantation [Dasbach EJ, Davies GM, Teutsch SM (2000) Burden of aspergillosis-related hospitalizations in the United States. Clin Infect Dis 31:1524-8].
2. Pharmaceutical companies seeking novel antifungal agents. The pipeline for new antifungal compounds is sparse and antifungal resistance is advancing. The use of agricultural azoles is prompting emergence of clinically significant resistant isolates. Three new triazoles (albaconazole, isavuconazole and ravuconazole) are in clinical trials however, as with extant triazoles, they target lanosterol 14-demethylase and are likely to be dogged by similar resistance issues. The glucan synthase inhibitor in development by Merck has been stalled in Phase I since 2009, as have the novel compounds corifungin (Acea biotech), T-2307 (Toyama) and the HDAc inhibitor of Methylgene, thereby indicating problems in development. The global market for clinical antifungals was estimated to be $9.4 billion US in 2010 (GBI research) and is anticipated to exceed $18 billion by 2018. The advancement of novel target-based strategies currently falls outside the remit of many large drug discovery companies and it will therefore fall to academic partners to progress research in this area. This deficiency will require pharmaceutical companies to interact with academics that have expertise in drug design and toxicology. This work will have direct applicability to these efforts, and will help us to forge links with pharmaceutical collaborators that will provide tangible and valuable outputs far into the future.
3. Individuals suffering, or at risk from, Aspergillus-related disease: The health burden of diseases caused by fungi is considerable. Where severe invasive infections are concerned, deep-organ infection occurs as a negative corollary to otherwise successful, but nonetheless expensive, treatments for serious illness. In 2002 almost 10,000 patients in England were estimated to have suffered a deep-organ fungal infection. Almost half of them died from their fungal disease (HPA).
4. Healthcare Service Providers: The cost of invasive infections caused by Aspergillus sp. in the US alone was estimated at $633 million in 1996. This cost included the expense of failed chemotherapy, or bone marrow or organ transplantation [Dasbach EJ, Davies GM, Teutsch SM (2000) Burden of aspergillosis-related hospitalizations in the United States. Clin Infect Dis 31:1524-8].
Organisations
Publications
Bertuzzi M
(2018)
Anti-Aspergillus Activities of the Respiratory Epithelium in Health and Disease.
in Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)
Bertuzzi M
(2021)
Single-Cell Analysis of Fungal Uptake in Cultured Airway Epithelial Cells Using Differential Fluorescent Staining and Imaging Flow Cytometry.
in Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)
Bertuzzi M
(2021)
On the lineage of Aspergillus fumigatus isolates in common laboratory use.
in Medical mycology
Bertuzzi M
(2019)
Microbial uptake by the respiratory epithelium: outcomes for host and pathogen.
in FEMS microbiology reviews
Farhadi Cheshmeh Morvari S
(2023)
Conserved and Divergent Features of pH Sensing in Major Fungal Pathogens
in Current Clinical Microbiology Reports
Fisher MC
(2022)
Tackling the emerging threat of antifungal resistance to human health.
in Nature reviews. Microbiology
Furukawa T
(2022)
Exploring a novel genomic safe-haven site in the human pathogenic mould Aspergillus fumigatus.
in Fungal genetics and biology : FG & B
Hameed T
(2024)
Inferring fungal growth rates from optical density data.
in PLoS computational biology
Description | Filmed and narrated video content for GILEAD publicity campaign on antifungal mode of action studies |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Impact | Insights into timescales and potency of antifungal therapies will help to educate healthcare practitioners on modes of action and relative in vitro efficacies of different antifungal interventions and advances knowledge in the field of antifungal modes of action. |
Description | GILEAD Aspergillosis Update Meeting |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Impact | Under development |
Description | Irish Fungal Society invited lecture: Modus operandi of an accidental fungal pathogen of humans |
Geographic Reach | Europe |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Impact | 100 attendees |
Description | Top Ten Mycology papers of 2023: British Thoracic Society |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
Impact | Top Ten Mycology papers of 2023: British Thoracic Society |
URL | https://www.brit-thoracic.org.uk/media/rtkfencl/bts-winter-meeting-2023-final-programme-thorax-suppl... |
Description | Tackling Emerging Co-Infections |
Amount | £250,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | MC_PC_21021 |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2022 |
End | 12/2023 |
Description | Wellcome Trust Collaborative Award |
Amount | £2,145,376 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Z19551/Z/19/Z |
Organisation | Imperial College London |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2021 |
End | 06/2025 |
Description | A new research consortium established for rodent models of post-viral invasive aspergillosis |
Organisation | Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | A new research consortium established for rodent models of post-viral invasive aspergillosis. A multicentre consortium was established to study the mechanistic basis of post-viral fungal lung infection. The consortium includes researchers from the Centre for Medical Mycology at University of Exeter, Centre for Virus Research at University of Glasgow, Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection at Imperial College London, St Georges University London, Department of Science and Technology Laboratories at Porton Down. The aim of the project is collaborative design and implementation of rodent models of fungal viral co-infection. |
Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative design and implementation of rodent models of fungal viral co-infection |
Impact | New protocols for Home Office Project Licences Consortium publications in preparation currently |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | A new research consortium established for rodent models of post-viral invasive aspergillosis |
Organisation | Imperial College London |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | A new research consortium established for rodent models of post-viral invasive aspergillosis. A multicentre consortium was established to study the mechanistic basis of post-viral fungal lung infection. The consortium includes researchers from the Centre for Medical Mycology at University of Exeter, Centre for Virus Research at University of Glasgow, Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection at Imperial College London, St Georges University London, Department of Science and Technology Laboratories at Porton Down. The aim of the project is collaborative design and implementation of rodent models of fungal viral co-infection. |
Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative design and implementation of rodent models of fungal viral co-infection |
Impact | New protocols for Home Office Project Licences Consortium publications in preparation currently |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | A new research consortium established for rodent models of post-viral invasive aspergillosis |
Organisation | St George's University of London |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | A new research consortium established for rodent models of post-viral invasive aspergillosis. A multicentre consortium was established to study the mechanistic basis of post-viral fungal lung infection. The consortium includes researchers from the Centre for Medical Mycology at University of Exeter, Centre for Virus Research at University of Glasgow, Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection at Imperial College London, St Georges University London, Department of Science and Technology Laboratories at Porton Down. The aim of the project is collaborative design and implementation of rodent models of fungal viral co-infection. |
Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative design and implementation of rodent models of fungal viral co-infection |
Impact | New protocols for Home Office Project Licences Consortium publications in preparation currently |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | A new research consortium established for rodent models of post-viral invasive aspergillosis |
Organisation | University of Glasgow |
Department | MRC - University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | A new research consortium established for rodent models of post-viral invasive aspergillosis. A multicentre consortium was established to study the mechanistic basis of post-viral fungal lung infection. The consortium includes researchers from the Centre for Medical Mycology at University of Exeter, Centre for Virus Research at University of Glasgow, Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection at Imperial College London, St Georges University London, Department of Science and Technology Laboratories at Porton Down. The aim of the project is collaborative design and implementation of rodent models of fungal viral co-infection. |
Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative design and implementation of rodent models of fungal viral co-infection |
Impact | New protocols for Home Office Project Licences Consortium publications in preparation currently |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | MRC Laboratory Molecular Biology |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Department | MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Constructs for expression of recombinant integral membrane protein in HEK cells (for reconstitution of multimolecular machine). |
Collaborator Contribution | Specialist expertise in heterologous protein expression (integral membrane proteins); vectors, cell lines. |
Impact | Multidisciplinary: Medical Mycology-Protein structure |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Appeared on BBC Radio (Paul Shuttleworth Radio Shropshire) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Elaine Bignell appeared on BBC Radio (Paul Shuttleworth) to discuss fungal lung infections. //www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0f08k1c (1:15:34) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0f08k1 |
Description | Edinburgh Science Festival: How to kill a fungus? |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Elaine Bignell gave a talk at the Edinburgh Science Festival 2022. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | GILEAD Educational Updates |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | On behalf of GILEAD I have spoken to several special interest groups including via a webinar for Medical Microbiologists (2021), Intensive Care Practitioners (Birmingham 2020), nurses and consultant haematologists at the Manchester Royal Infirmary (2021) and Medical Microbiologists at a specialist symposium held by GILEAD at the University of Manchester (2020). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |
Description | Invited lecture: British Mycological Society Annual Scientific Conference 2023 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Modus operandi of an accidental fungal pathogen of humans - delivered to 100+ delegates |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | January 2022 MRC Seminar Series: Tackling fungi that cause human lung disease (Elaine Bignell) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Tackling fungi that cause human lung disease - A talk delivered to the Directorate, Board & Programme Managers and Institute staff of the Medical Research Council |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WKtneF1wrk&list=PLSus4fp7v7sQuXdUwREyHbUMR8cqNZKYj&index=15 |
Description | Killer Fungus Outbreak at British Science Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Escape room experience - find the cure for a killer fungus |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | MRC Seminar Series: Tackling fungi that cause lung disease |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
Results and Impact | Elaine Bignell delivered a talk for the MRC Seminar Series attended by all MRC Centre members and MRC personnel. The talk focused upon the fundamental basis of environmental sensing in fungi and how such research can become translated for drug discovery. The talk resulted in a new collaboration with Chris Tate (of the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology) and joint authorship of an opinion-piece publication on novel routes to antifungal drug discovery. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WKtneF1wrk&list=PLSus4fp7v7sQuXdUwREyHbUMR8cqNZKYj&index=15 |
Description | MRC Seminar Series: Tackling fungi that cause lung disease |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
Results and Impact | Elaine Bignell delivered a talk for the MRC Seminar Series attended by all MRC Centre members and MRC personnel. The talk focused upon the fundamental basis of environmental sensing in fungi and how such research can become translated for drug discovery. The talk resulted in a new collaboration with Chris Tate (of the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology) and joint authorship of an opinion-piece publication on novel routes to antifungal drug discovery. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WKtneF1wrk&list=PLSus4fp7v7sQuXdUwREyHbUMR8cqNZKYj&index=15 |
Description | Mycotalks: S1 E12 Antivirulence strategies for tackling Aspergilloses |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | A talk delivered to Medical Mycologists of all career stages that describes molecular genetic approaches to novel antifungal drug discovery |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGB64q16cgc |
Description | SKY News online interview |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Elaine Bignell gave an interview for SKY News: The Last Of Us: The science behind the real 'zombie' fungus - and is it an actual threat? | Science & Tech News | Sky News |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://news.sky.com/story/the-last-of-us-the-science-behind-the-real-zombie-fungus-and-is-it-an-act... |
Description | The Evening Standard (A Podcast) Tech & Science Daily podcast: The Last of Us secrets revealed |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Elaine Bignell recorded a podcast for the Evening Standard discussing the Last of Us. The Evening Standard (A Podcast) Tech & Science Daily podcast: The Last of Us secrets revealed | Evening Standard |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.standard.co.uk/tech/the-last-of-us-secrets-revealed-b1059439.html |