Key result
Exposure to Cryptococcus neoformans decreased macrophage intracellular labile zinc levels and significantly reduced transcription levels of specific zinc transporters, especially at 24 hours.
Macrophages exhibit zinc depletion and decreased transcription of zinc transporters in response to Cryptococcus neoformans infection.
AIM: To evaluate alterations of zinc homeostasis in macrophages exposed to Cryptococcus neoformans. Materials & methods: Using a fluorescent zinc probe-based flow cytometry and atomic absorption spectrometry, zinc levels were evaluated in J774.A1 cell lines exposed to C. neoformans H99 cells. The transcription profile of macrophage zinc related homeostasis genes - metallothioneins and zinc transporters (ZnTs) of the SLC30 and SLC39 (Zrt-Irt-protein) families - was analyzed by quantitative PCR. RESULTS: Macrophage intracellular labile zinc levels decreased following exposure to C. neoformans. A significant decrease in transcription levels was detected in specific ZnTs from both the Zrt-Irt-protein and ZnT families, especially 24 h after infection. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that macrophages may exhibit zinc depletion in response to C. neoformans infection.
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Santos et al. (2017) studied Cryptococcus neoformans infection (in vitro). Exposure to Cryptococcus neoformans vs. Unexposed macrophages was evaluated on Intracellular labile zinc levels and transcription profile of zinc related homeostasis genes. Exposure to Cryptococcus neoformans decreased macrophage intracellular labile zinc levels and significantly reduced transcription levels of specific zinc transporters, especially at 24 hours.
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