Aspergillus fumigatus is a mold that can cause severe and often fatal infections in humans. A recent international study led by Gustavo Goldman from the University of São Paulo in Brazil has shed light on what makes this fungus so dangerous.
Researchers found that fungal spores produce an enzyme called glycosylasparaginase, which weakens the immune system’s response to infection. This enzyme suppresses the release of pro-inflammatory substances by immune cells, allowing the pathogen to spread unhindered in the tissue.
The study analyzed the surface proteins on the spores and identified 62 proteins unique to Aspergillus fumigatus, but not found in closely related species. One of these proteins, glycosylasparaginase, was found to play a key role in the infection process by dampening the immune response.
The researchers used a mouse model to test their hypothesis and found that when the gene for glycosylasparaginase was switched off, the fungus was attacked more strongly by the immune system. This suggests that the enzyme normally helps the fungus evade the immune system.
These findings can help develop new therapies for infections with Aspergillus fumigatus, which is urgently needed as there are currently only a few effective drugs to combat fungal infections and resistance to them is spreading.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2024-09-fungal-spores-mold-aspergillus-fumigatus.html