Traversing the Cell Wall: The Chitinolytic Activity of Histoplasma capsulatum Extracellular Vesicles Facilitates Their Release

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Abstract
Histoplasma capsulatum is the causative agent of histoplasmosis. Treating this fungal infection conventionally has significant limitations, prompting the search for alternative therapies. In this context, fungal extracellular vesicles (EVs) hold relevant potential as both therapeutic agents and targets for the treatment of fungal infections. To explore this further, we conducted a study using pharmacological inhibitors of chitinase (methylxanthines) to investigate their potential to reduce EV release and its subsequent impact on fungal virulence in an in vivo invertebrate model. Our findings revealed that a subinhibitory concentration of the methylxanthine, caffeine, effectively reduces EV release, leading to a modulation of H. capsulatum virulence. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported instance of a pharmacological inhibitor that reduces fungal EV release without any observed fungicidal effects.
Funding Information
  • Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) (E26/204.281/2021, 5U54MD007592)
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH) (E26/204.281/2021, 5U54MD007592)
  • Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (E26/204.281/2021, 5U54MD007592)
  • Department of Defense (DoD) (E26/204.281/2021, 5U54MD007592)
  • Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) (E26/204.281/2021, 5U54MD007592)
  • Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) (E26/204.281/2021, 5U54MD007592)
  • UTEP Excellence Graduate School Fellowship (E26/204.281/2021, 5U54MD007592)
  • the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) (E26/204.281/2021, 5U54MD007592)

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