We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
The Invasive Chytrid Fungus of Amphibians Paralyzes Lymphocyte Responses: Evasion of Host Immunity may Explain why this Pathogen has Devastated Amphibian Populations Worldwide.
- Authors
Fites, J. Scott; Ramsey, Jeremy P.; Holden, Whitney M.; Collier, Sarah P.; Sutherland, Danica M.; Reinert, Laura K.; Gayek, A. Sophia; Dermody, Terence S.; Aune, Thomas M.; Oswald-Richter, Kyra; Rollins-Smith, Louise A.
- Abstract
The chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, causes chytridiomycosis and is a major contributor to global amphibian declines. Although amphibians have robust immune defenses, clearance of this pathogen is impaired. Because inhibition of host immunity is a common survival strategy of pathogenic fungi, we hypothesized that B. dendrobatidis evades clearance by inhibiting immune functions. We found that B. dendrobatidis cells and supernatants impaired lymphocyte proliferation and induced apoptosis; however, fungal recognition and phagocytosis by macrophages and neutrophils was not impaired. Fungal inhibitory factors were resistant to heat, acid, and protease. Their production was absent in zoospores and reduced by nikkomycin Z, suggesting that they may be components of the cell wall. Evasion of host immunity may explain why this pathogen has devastated amphibian populations worldwide.
- Subjects
BATRACHOCHYTRIUM dendrobatidis; CHYTRIDIALES; AMPHIBIAN diseases; PATHOGENIC fungi; PHAGOCYTOSIS
- Publication
Journal of Herpetological Medicine & Surgery, 2013, Vol 23, Issue 1/2, p8
- ISSN
1529-9651
- Publication type
Article