Human Plasma-Like Medium (HPLM) inducesCryptococcus neoformans in vivocell morphologies

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe fungal pathogenCryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans)forms yeast cells of different sizes and morphological characteristics during infection. These features are usually not seen in standard laboratoryin vitroconditions. Here, we describein vivocell morphologies whenC. neoformansis grown in human plasma-like medium at 37°C-5% CO2. We observed mixed-size populations of cells less than 1 μm up to 16.8 μm cell diameter, increased capsule size, high chitin and DNA content in larger cells. Our findings show serum is not required for HPLM-inducedC. neoformanscellular heterogeneity. Thus, this new method offers an opportunity to investigate factors ofC. neoformansthat mediate pathogenesis or host-pathogen interactions in a physiologically relevant setting.IMPORTANCEDescription of newin vitroculture condition using the human plasma-like medium that supports the formation of the full range ofin vivocell morphologies ofC. neoformans.