Silencing of unveils the role of -linked glycans during the host-fungus interaction.

Background: is a neglected fungal pathogen for the human being and other mammals. In several fungal systems, Och1 is a Golgi α1,6-mannosyltransferase with a key function in the synthesis of -linked glycans; which are important elements during the host-fungus interplay. The role of in fungal virulence seems to be species-specific, being an essential component for virulence and dispensable during the interaction of with the host.

Methods: Here, we silenced and characterized the phenotype of the mutant strains.

Results: The mutant strains did not show defects in the cell or colony morphology, the growth rate or the ability to undergo dimorphism; but the cell wall changed in both composition and exposure of inner components at the surface. When interacting with human monocytes, the silenced strains had a reduced ability to stimulate TNFα and IL-6 but stimulated higher levels of IL-10. The interaction with human macrophages was also altered, with reduced numbers of silenced cells phagocytosed. These strains showed virulence attenuation in both and in the mouse model of sporotrichosis. Nonetheless, the cytokine levels in infected organs did not vary significantly when compared with the wild-type strain.

Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that silencing affects different aspects of the -host interaction.