A 3D Fusarium keratitis model reveals isolate-specific adhesion and invasion properties in the Fusarium solani species complex
- Author: mycolabadmin
- 11/4/2025
- View Source
Summary
Researchers studied three species of Fusarium fungus that cause serious eye infections. They found that one species (F. keratoplasticum) is much more dangerous than the others, invading deeper into the eye and causing more damage. Using a new 3D model that mimics the structure of the human cornea, they discovered that Fusarium fungi penetrate much deeper than other fungal pathogens, which helps explain why eye infections from these fungi are so difficult to treat and why patients often lose their vision.
Background
Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) members are major causes of keratitis in humans with poor clinical outcomes. The underlying mechanisms of fungal keratitis are not well understood, partly due to the absence of complex in vitro infection models that better represent corneal tissue structure.
Objective
To compare the pathogenicity of three FSSC species (F. falciforme, F. keratoplasticum, and F. petroliphilum) in both 2D monolayer and newly established 3D human cornea infection models to understand species-specific infection mechanisms.
Results
F. keratoplasticum emerged as the most virulent species with extensive invasion and host cell damage, occasionally forming transcellular tunnels. F. falciforme showed strong adhesion but limited invasion, while F. petroliphilum was least virulent. All FSSC species disseminated deeper into corneal stroma than C. albicans control under identical conditions.
Conclusion
Species-specific infection routes exist within FSSC that may avoid host cell defense recognition, contributing to high virulence. The 3D human cornea model provides a physiologically relevant platform for studying fungal keratitis pathogenicity and may be valuable for testing antifungal drug efficacy.
- Published in:mSphere,
- Study Type:Comparative Experimental Study,
- Source: 10.1128/msphere.00328-25