Glucuronoxylomannan of Cryptococcus neoformans exacerbates in vitro yeast cell growth by interleukin 10-dependent inhibition of CD4+ T lymphocyte responses

Glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), the major capsular polysaccharide of Cryptococcus neoformans, is the most important virulence factor of this fungus. We analyzed the molecular events related to protective immune responses against a non-encapsulated strain of C. neoformans, mediated by murine splenic CD4+ T lymphocytes in vitro, and the impact of GXM addition upon these events. Both the lymphoproliferation of CD4+ T cells and the control of fungus growth were dependent on B7 co-stimulation. Addition of GXM did not modify CD4+ T cell proliferation, but exacerbated infection in cultures obtained from normal and infected hosts. GXM enhanced the secretion of IL-10 and IL-4, while it reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ. The blockade of IL-10 activity with neutralizing antibodies increased TNF-α production and reduced yeast cell growth. The findings suggest that GXM exacerbates infection by down-regulating cell-mediated protective immune response and that IL-10 is implicated in yeast evasion.