Cryptococcus neoformans Rim101 Is Associated with Cell Wall Remodeling and Evasion of the Host Immune Responses

<jats:title>ABSTRACT</jats:title><jats:p>Infectious microorganisms often play a role in modulating the immune responses of their infected hosts. We demonstrate that<jats:named-content content-type="genus-species">Cryptococcus neoformans</jats:named-content>signals through the Rim101 transcription factor to regulate cell wall composition and the host-pathogen interface. In the absence of Rim101,<jats:named-content content-type="genus-species">C. neoformans</jats:named-content>exhibits an altered cell surface in response to host signals, generating an excessive and ineffective immune response that results in accelerated host death. This host immune response to the<jats:italic>rim101</jats:italic>Δ mutant strain is characterized by increased neutrophil influx into the infected lungs and an altered pattern of host cytokine expression compared to the response to wild-type cryptococcal infection. To identify genes associated with the observed phenotypes, we performed whole-genome RNA sequencing experiments under capsule-inducing conditions. We defined the downstream regulon of the Rim101 transcription factor and determined potential cell wall processes involved in the capsule attachment defects and altered mechanisms of virulence in the<jats:italic>rim101</jats:italic>Δ mutant. The cell wall generates structural stability for the cell and allows the attachment of surface molecules such as capsule polysaccharides. In turn, the capsule provides an effective mask for the immunogenic cell wall, shielding it from recognition by the host immune system.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>IMPORTANCE</jats:bold><jats:named-content content-type="genus-species">Cryptococcus neoformans</jats:named-content>is an opportunistic human pathogen that is a significant cause of death in immunocompromised individuals. There are two major causes of death due to this pathogen: meningitis due to uncontrolled fungal proliferation in the brain in the face of a weakened immune system and immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome characterized by an overactive immune response to subclinical levels of the pathogen. In this study, we examined how<jats:named-content content-type="genus-species">C. neoformans</jats:named-content>uses the conserved Rim101 transcription factor to specifically remodel the host-pathogen interface, thus regulating the host immune response. These studies explored the complex ways in which successful microbial pathogens induce phenotypes that ensure their own survival while simultaneously controlling the nature and degree of the associated host response.</jats:p>