Differing requirement for inducible nitric oxide synthase activity in clearance of primary and secondary Cryptococcus neoformans infection

31Citations
Citations of this article
29Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

The role of nitric oxide in resistance to cryptococcal infection was investigated. Mice deficient in inducible nitric oxide synthase (INOS) did not survive a primary intratracheal infection as did INOS-replete control mice. Despite adequate recruitment of host cells and generation of interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α at the site of infection, INOS-deficient mice failed to clear yeast from their lungs by five weeks of infection, in contrast to wild-type mice. INOS-deficient mice also had higher yeast brain burdens than did control mice after a primary intracerebral infection. Therefore, generation of nitric oxide is required for resistance to primary cryptococcal infection. However, INOS-deficient mice vaccinated subcutaneously and rechallenged intravenously had lung and brain yeast burdens equivalent to those of vaccinated controls, and therefore expressed effective acquired immunity to Cryptococcus neoformans. Cells harvested from infected INOS-deficient mice by bronchoalveolar lavage acted as anti-cryptococcal effectors in vitro at an effector:target ratio of 100:1, provided IFN-γ was present, but did not inhibit yeast proliferation at a 10:1 effector:target ratio as cells from wild-type mice did. Therefore, INOS activity is important for anti-cryptococcal function of effectors of immunity during the primary response, but not for the generation or expression of secondary immunity to C. neoformans.

Author supplied keywords

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Aguirre, K. M., & Gibson, G. W. (2000). Differing requirement for inducible nitric oxide synthase activity in clearance of primary and secondary Cryptococcus neoformans infection. Medical Mycology, 38(5), 343–353. https://doi.org/10.1080/mmy.38.5.343.353

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free