Secreted subtilisins of Microsporum canis are involved in adherence of arthroconidia to feline corneocytes

J Med Microbiol. 2008 Sep;57(Pt 9):1152-1156. doi: 10.1099/jmm.0.47827-0.

Abstract

Microsporum canis is a pathogenic fungus that causes a superficial cutaneous infection called dermatophytosis, mainly in cats and humans. The mechanisms involved in adherence of M. canis to epidermis have never been investigated. Here, a model was developed to study the adherence of M. canis to feline corneocytes through the use of a reconstructed interfollicular feline epidermis (RFE). In this model, adherence of arthroconidia to RFE was found to be time-dependent, starting at 2 h post-inoculation and still increasing at 6 h. Chymostatin, a serine protease inhibitor, inhibited M. canis adherence to RFE by 53%. Moreover, two mAbs against the keratinolytic protease subtilisin 3 (Sub3) inhibited M. canis adherence to RFE by 23%, suggesting that subtilisins, and Sub3 in particular, are involved in the adherence process.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cats
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Keratinocytes / microbiology*
  • Microsporum / enzymology*
  • Microsporum / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Subtilisins / genetics
  • Subtilisins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Subtilisins