While rare, the fungal infection mucormycosis can be fatal. It tends to impact individuals who are immunocompromised or who have diabetes. This fungus can grow into blood vessels, destroying tissue, and it ultimately kills more than 50% of people who get it. But it seems that a common blood protein known as albumin can act as a shield against this infection. Albumin is made by the liver, and it is known to aid in the maintenance of fluid balance, as well as hormone and protein transport. But a new report published in Nature has shown that albumin seems to also helps defend against the pathogen that causes mucormyosis, which is also known as black fungus.
Researchers analyzed data from hundreds of patients to learn more about why the infection can target people with certain metabolic disorders, like diabetes. The scientists found that these patients also often had low levels of albumin. Low albumin levels have previously been linked to low survival rates among some patients with infectious diseases.
When albumin was eliminated from blood, the fungus was easily able to colonize and grow in that blood. But when albumin was present in blood, the fungal pathogen was unable to grow in it.
Further work revealed that albumin is able to bind to fatty acids. When albumin and the fungus come together, the fatty acids are released by albumin, preventing the production of a tissue-destroying fungal toxin called mucoricin.
When people are deficient in albumin, the fatty acid composition in blood is disrupted, and the risk of mucormycosis increases.
Now, researchers may be able to find ways other diagnose, prevent, or treat the fungal infection. The study authors also suggested that it could be possible to prevent or treat mucormyosis by simply raising albumin levels. At-risk individuals could also be identified by measuring their albumin levels. When more research will be needed, this work could be a major step toward helping individuals who are impacted by this infection.
Sources: Medical Express, Nature