Enzymic activities ofTrichophyton rubrumand the chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear leucocytes

Abstract

The enzymic activity of Trichophyton rubrum has been investigated in relation to the plasmadependent chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs). In Boyden-type experiments use of a cytoplasmic extract of T. rubrum (CETr) produces neutrophil ehemotactic factor (NCF) from plasma. CETr was shown to have activity for eight enzymes: heat treatment of CETr led to a partial loss of activity for seven enzymes and a significant reduction in the number of PMNs migrating. Addition of CETr to plasma and incubation for 18 h at 37"C before use led to complete loss of chemotactic activity. The similar incubation of plasma with trypsin led to a complete loss of chemotactic activity. CETr has greater activity than trypsin in the production of NCF from plasma. The results are discussed in relation to reports on the importance of serine esterases in PMN chemotaxis. The failure of PMNs to migrate into keratinized tissue infected with T. rubrum is noted and it is suggested that the high enzymic activities necessary for the colonization of keratinized tissue effect a breakdown of NCF.In experiments with a Boyden-type chamber a cytoplasmic extract of Trichophyton rubrum (CETr) induced a plasma-dependent chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) [8]. Although no chemotaxis occured in the absence of plasma, chemotaxis was induced with use of CETr and plasma in which the complement had been inactivated by heat and it was concluded that CETr mimics the activity of the complement system in the production of neutrophil chemotactic factor (NCF). NCF production by CETr activation of complement also occured and was primarily through the alternative (antibody independent) pathway [8].Trypsin-like enzymes activate complement by both the classical and alternative pathways [14] and Wilkinson [24] has reviewed the studies of Becker and his associates [3,20,21,2] which show the importance of serine esterases in chemotaxis. Among the well known enzymes which may be classified as serine esterases, alkaline phosphate, C1 esterase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, thrombin, cholinesterase, acetylcholinesterase and aliesterase have been listed [4,24]. The hydrolysis of esters and peptides by extracts of T. rubrum and use of synthetic substrates with enzymes from T. rubrum has shown the specificities of trypsin and chymotrypsin [7].

Enzyme release by Trichophyton rubrum depends on nutritional conditions

“…As expected, all of the enzymes that we detected extracellularly belonged to the panel of T. rubrum enzymes which were previously described by the same method [8]. Furthermore, our findings demonstrate that the spectrum of enzymes released by ' T. rubrum is strongly dependent upon nutritional conditions used.…”

Efficacy of pre‐treatment with lufenuron for the prevention ofMicrosporum canisinfection in a feline direct topical challenge model

“…Inflammation in dermatophyte infections is the result of any combination of events, including: complement activation and production of complement-derived chemotactic factors, keratinocyte production of interleukin-8 and leukotriene B4, neutrophil and monocyte/ macrophage migration and activation. [7][8][9] Lufenuron may have acted at any of these sites or by some other yet undefined mechanism.…”

Experimental Chronic Dermatophytosis in Human Skin Grafted to Nude Mouse: Inoculation of Trichophytons and Histopathological Evaluation

“…T. rubrum or T. mentagrophytes may evoke these inflammatory reactions by activating complements. Davies, Swan, and Dahl et aI., using T. rubrum, and Tagami et aI., using T. mentagrophytes, observed that the fungus activated the complement system, to produce chemotactic factors (40)(41)(42)(43)(44).…”