Dual RNA-Seq Analysis of and HaCat Keratinocyte Co-Culture Highlights Important Genes for Fungal-Host Interaction.

The dermatophyte is the major fungal pathogen of skin, hair, and nails that uses keratinized substrates as the primary nutrients during infection. Few strategies are available that permit a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the interaction of with the host because of the limitations of models mimicking this interaction. Dual RNA-seq is a powerful tool to unravel this complex interaction since it enables simultaneous evaluation of the transcriptome of two organisms. Using this technology in an in vitro model of co-culture, this study evaluated the transcriptional profile of genes involved in fungus-host interactions in 24 h. Our data demonstrated the induction of glyoxylate cycle genes, and , which encodes a carboxylic acid transporter that may improve the assimilation of nutrients and fungal survival in the host. Furthermore, genes encoding keratinolytic proteases were also induced. In human keratinocytes (HaCat) cells, the , , and genes were induced and the products of these genes are known to have antimicrobial activity. In addition, the and genes involved in the epithelial barrier integrity were inhibited. This analysis showed the modulation of important genes involved in ⁻host interaction, which could represent potential antifungal targets for the treatment of dermatophytoses.