Characterization of the Aspergillus fumigatus chitosanase CsnB and evaluation of its potential use in serological diagnostics.

Aspergillus fumigatus is currently the major air-borne fungal pathogen as its asexual spores are distributed through the air. In severely immunocompromised patients, inhalation of these conidia can result in life-threatening infections. Invasive Aspergillosis, a major Aspergillus-associated disease, is associated with a high mortality reflecting short-comings in diagnostics and therapy. Current diagnostics largely rely on the serological detection of the galactomannan antigen. Detection of circulating antibodies is an alternative approach. In this study, we have characterized the chitosanase CsnB, a protein that was previously shown to be a major secreted A. fumigatus antigen and therefore a potential target for antibody-based diagnostics. To analyze the biological function of CsnB we have deleted the csnB gene and generated CsnB-specific antibodies. We found that A. fumigatus is able to grow on chitosan in a CsnB-dependent manner. During growth on chitosan elevated levels of CsnB are found in the supernatants indicating that chitosan triggers enhanced CsnB production. Unexpectedly we have found a similar activity for tartrate. Using recombinant proteins we analyzed antibody responses in patients at risk to develop invasive aspergillosis. We focussed this study on two antigens: CsnB and for comparison mitogillin, a secreted A. fumigatus ribotoxin. IgG responses were found to both proteins, but elevated antibody levels to CsnB and/or mitogillin showed no correlation to the results of the galactomannan antigen assay or clinical signs that are characteristic for fungal infections.