Open AccessThe effects of Cryptococcus neoformans ‐secreted antigens on tumor necrosis factor‐α‐induced intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 expression on human lung epithelial cells
Author(s) -
Merkel Glenn J,
Scofield Barbara A
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2000.tb01541.x
Subject(s) - cryptococcus neoformans , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , tumor necrosis factor alpha , intracellular , intercellular adhesion molecule 1 , cryptococcosis , a549 cell , antigen , lung , cell adhesion molecule , secretion , epithelium , inflammation , intercellular adhesion molecule , adhesion , cell adhesion , immunology , cell culture , cell , chemistry , medicine , biochemistry , genetics , organic chemistry
Since primary infection with Cryptococcus neoformans usually occurs in the lungs, and since pulmonary cryptococcosis involves interactions between yeasts and alveolar epithelial cells, we have begun to study the effects of C. neoformans and its secreted antigens (SA) on epithelial reactions potentially associated with localized inflammation. We report here that SAs from encapsulated and acapsular strains of C. neoformans caused significant reductions in tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α)‐induced intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) expression on A549 lung epithelial cells in culture. We also present evidence that the reduction in ICAM‐1 expression was not associated with SA‐induced shedding of this adhesion molecule.