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Bednarek A, Satala D, Zawrotniak M, Nobbs AH, Rapala-Kozik M, Kozik A. Glyceraldehyde 3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase on the Surface of Candida albicans and Nakaseomyces glabratus Cells-A Moonlighting Protein That Binds Human Vitronectin and Plasminogen and Can Adsorb to Pathogenic Fungal Cells via Major Adhesins Als3 and Epa6. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1013. [PMID: 38256088 PMCID: PMC10815899 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans and other closely related pathogenic yeast-like fungi carry on their surface numerous loosely adsorbed "moonlighting proteins"-proteins that play evolutionarily conserved intracellular functions but also appear on the cell surface and exhibit additional functions, e.g., contributing to attachment to host tissues. In the current work, we characterized this "moonlighting" role for glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH, EC 1.2.1.12) of C. albicans and Nakaseomyces glabratus. GAPDH was directly visualized on the cell surface of both species and shown to play a significant part in the total capacity of fungal cells to bind two selected human host proteins-vitronectin and plasminogen. Using purified proteins, both host proteins were found to tightly interact with GAPDH, with dissociation constants in an order of 10-8 M, as determined by bio-layer interferometry and surface plasmon resonance measurements. It was also shown that exogenous GAPDH tightly adheres to the surface of candidal cells, suggesting that the cell surface location of this moonlighting protein may partly result from the readsorption of its soluble form, which may be present at an infection site (e.g., due to release from dying fungal cells). The major dedicated adhesins, covalently bound to the cell wall-agglutinin-like sequence protein 3 (Als3) and epithelial adhesin 6 (Epa6)-were suggested to serve as the docking platforms for GAPDH in C. albicans and N. glabratus, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Bednarek
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland;
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (D.S.); (M.Z.); (M.R.-K.)
| | - Dorota Satala
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (D.S.); (M.Z.); (M.R.-K.)
| | - Marcin Zawrotniak
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (D.S.); (M.Z.); (M.R.-K.)
| | - Angela H. Nobbs
- Bristol Dental School Research Laboratories, University of Bristol, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, Whitson Street, Bristol BS1 3NY, UK;
| | - Maria Rapala-Kozik
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (D.S.); (M.Z.); (M.R.-K.)
| | - Andrzej Kozik
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland;
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Chen T, Yao J, Quan K, Xu J, Hang X, Tong Q, Liu G, Luo P, Zeng L, Feng G, Bi H. Repurposing a human acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitor firsocostat to treat fungal candidiasis alone and in combination. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0113123. [PMID: 38018962 PMCID: PMC10777831 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01131-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Opportunistic fungal infections, particularly caused by Candida albicans, remain a common cause of high morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. The escalating prevalence of antifungal drug resistance necessitates the immediate exploration of alternative treatment strategies to combat these life-threatening fungal diseases. In this study, we investigated the antifungal efficacy of firsocostat, a human acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) inhibitor, against C. albicans. Firsocostat alone displayed moderate antifungal activity, while combining it with voriconazole, itraconazole, or amphotericin B exhibited synergistic effects across almost all drug-sensitive and drug-resistant C. albicans strains tested. These observed synergies were further validated in two mouse models of oropharyngeal and systemic candidiasis, where the combination therapies demonstrated superior fungicidal effects compared to monotherapy. Moreover, firsocostat was shown to directly bind to C. albicans ACC and inhibit its enzymatic activity. Sequencing spontaneous firsocostat-resistant mutants revealed mutations mapping to C. albicans ACC, confirming that firsocostat has retained its target in C. albicans. Overall, our findings suggest that repurposing firsocostat, either alone or in combination with other antifungal agents, holds promising potential in the development of antifungal drugs and the treatment of candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Taizhou People’s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing Yao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Keao Quan
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jingchen Xu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xudong Hang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qian Tong
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Genyan Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Peipei Luo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wujin People’s Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Liping Zeng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ganzhu Feng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongkai Bi
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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53
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Steyn HF, White LJ, Hilton KLF, Hiscock JR, Pohl CH. Supramolecular Self-Associating Amphiphiles Inhibit Biofilm Formation by the Critical Pathogens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:1770-1785. [PMID: 38222503 PMCID: PMC10785623 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c08425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
In 2019, 4.95 million deaths were directly attributed to antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections globally. In addition, the mortality associated with fungal infections is estimated at 1.7 million annually, with many of these deaths attributed to species that are no longer susceptible to traditional therapeutic regimes. Herein, we demonstrate the use of a novel class of supramolecular self-associating amphiphilic (SSA) salts as antimicrobial agents against the critical pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. We also identify preliminary structure-activity relationships for this class of compound that will aid the development of next-generation SSAs demonstrating enhanced antibiofilm activity. To gain insight into the possible mode of action for these agents, a series of microscopy studies were performed, taking advantage of the intrinsic fluorescent nature of benzothiazole-substituted SSAs. Analysis of these data showed that the SSAs interact with the cell surface and that a benzothiazole-containing SSA inhibits hyphal formation by C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik
J. F. Steyn
- Department
of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University
of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State 9301, South Africa
| | - Lisa J. White
- School
of Chemistry and Forensic Science, University
of Kent, Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NH, United Kingdom
| | - Kira L. F. Hilton
- School
of Chemistry and Forensic Science, University
of Kent, Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NH, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer R. Hiscock
- School
of Chemistry and Forensic Science, University
of Kent, Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NH, United Kingdom
| | - Carolina H. Pohl
- Department
of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University
of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State 9301, South Africa
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Lim SJ, Muhd Noor ND, Sabri S, Mohamad Ali MS, Salleh AB, Oslan SN. Bibliometric analysis and thematic review of Candida pathogenesis: Fundamental omics to applications as potential antifungal drugs and vaccines. Med Mycol 2024; 62:myad126. [PMID: 38061839 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Invasive candidiasis caused by the pathogenic Candida yeast species has resulted in elevating global mortality. The pathogenicity of Candida spp. is not only originated from its primary invasive yeast-to-hyphal transition; virulence factors (transcription factors, adhesins, invasins, and enzymes), biofilm, antifungal drug resistance, stress tolerance, and metabolic adaptation have also contributed to a greater clinical burden. However, the current research theme in fungal pathogenicity could hardly be delineated with the increasing research output. Therefore, our study analysed the research trends in Candida pathogenesis over the past 37 years via a bibliometric approach against the Scopus and Web of Science databases. Based on the 3993 unique documents retrieved, significant international collaborations among researchers were observed, especially between Germany (Bernhard Hube) and the UK (Julian Naglik), whose focuses are on Candida proteinases, adhesins, and candidalysin. The prominent researchers (Neils Gow, Alistair Brown, and Frank Odds) at the University of Exeter and the University of Aberdeen (second top performing affiliation) UK contribute significantly to the mechanisms of Candida adaptation, tolerance, and stress response. However, the science mapping of co-citation analysis performed herein could not identify a hub representative of subsequent work since the clusters were semi-redundant. The co-word analysis that was otherwise adopted, revealed three research clusters; the cluster-based thematic analyses indicated the severeness of Candida biofilm and antifungal resistance as well as the elevating trend on molecular mechanism elucidation for drug screening and repurposing. Importantly, the in vivo pathogen adaptation and interactions with hosts are crucial for potential vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Jie Lim
- Enzyme Technology and X-ray Crystallography Laboratory, VacBio 5, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Enzyme and Microbial Technology (EMTech) Research Centre, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Noor Dina Muhd Noor
- Enzyme and Microbial Technology (EMTech) Research Centre, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Suriana Sabri
- Enzyme and Microbial Technology (EMTech) Research Centre, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Shukuri Mohamad Ali
- Enzyme Technology and X-ray Crystallography Laboratory, VacBio 5, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Enzyme and Microbial Technology (EMTech) Research Centre, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Abu Bakar Salleh
- Enzyme and Microbial Technology (EMTech) Research Centre, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Siti Nurbaya Oslan
- Enzyme Technology and X-ray Crystallography Laboratory, VacBio 5, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Enzyme and Microbial Technology (EMTech) Research Centre, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
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55
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Kumar S, Arora A, Sapra S, Kumar R, Singh BK, Singh SK. Recent advances in the synthesis and utility of thiazoline and its derivatives. RSC Adv 2024; 14:902-953. [PMID: 38174252 PMCID: PMC10759189 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra06444a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Thiazolines and their derivatives hold significant importance in the field of medicinal chemistry due to their promising potential as pharmaceutical agents. These molecular entities serve as critical scaffolds within numerous natural products, including curacin A, thiangazole, and mirabazole, and play a vital role in a wide array of physiological reactions. Their pharmacological versatility encompasses anti-HIV, neurological, anti-cancer, and antibiotic activities. Over the course of recent decades, researchers have extensively explored and developed analogs of these compounds, uncovering compelling therapeutic properties such as antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Consequently, thiazoline-based compounds have emerged as noteworthy targets for synthetic endeavors. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of recent advancements in the synthesis of thiazolines and thiazoline-based derivatives, along with an exploration of their diverse potential applications across various scientific domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Kumar
- Bioorganic Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi Delhi-110007 India
| | - Aditi Arora
- Bioorganic Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi Delhi-110007 India
| | - Shivani Sapra
- Bioorganic Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi Delhi-110007 India
| | - Rajesh Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, R. D. S College, B. R. A. Bihar University Muzaffarpur 842002 India
| | - Brajendra K Singh
- Bioorganic Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi Delhi-110007 India
| | - Sunil K Singh
- Department of Chemistry, Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi Delhi-110007 India
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56
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Wang Y, Xu J, Ben Abid F, Salah H, Sundararaju S, Al Ismail K, Wang K, Sara Matthew L, Taj-Aldeen S, Ibrahim EB, Tang P, Perez-Lopez A, Tsui CKM. Population genomic analyses reveal high diversity, recombination and nosocomial transmission among Candida glabrata ( Nakaseomyces glabrata) isolates causing invasive infections. Microb Genom 2024; 10:001179. [PMID: 38226964 PMCID: PMC10868614 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida glabrata is a commensal yeast of the gastrointestinal tract and skin of humans. However, it causes opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients, and is the second most common Candida pathogen causing bloodstream infections. Although there are many studies on the epidemiology of C. glabrata infections, the fine- and large-scale geographical nature of C. glabrata remain incompletely understood. Here we investigated both the fine- and large-scale population structure of C. glabrata through genome sequencing of 80 clinical isolates obtained from six tertiary hospitals in Qatar and by comparing with global collections. Our fine-scale analyses revealed high genetic diversity within the Qatari population of C. glabrata and identified signatures of recombination, inbreeding and clonal expansion within and between hospitals, including evidence for nosocomial transmission among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. In addition to signatures of recombination at the population level, both MATa and MATα alleles were detected in most hospitals, indicating the potential for sexual reproduction in clinical environments. Comparisons with global samples showed that the Qatari C. glabrata population was very similar to those from other parts of the world, consistent with the significant role of recent anthropogenic activities in shaping its population structure. Genome-wide association studies identified both known and novel genomic variants associated with reduced susceptibilities to fluconazole, 5-flucytosine and echinocandins. Together, our genomic analyses revealed the diversity, transmission patterns and antifungal drug resistance mechanisms of C. glabrata in Qatar as well as the relationships between Qatari isolates and those from other parts of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jianping Xu
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fatma Ben Abid
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
- Communicable Disease Centre, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Husam Salah
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Khalil Al Ismail
- Communicable Disease Centre, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Kun Wang
- Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Saad Taj-Aldeen
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Emad B. Ibrahim
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Patrick Tang
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Andres Perez-Lopez
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Clement K. M. Tsui
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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57
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Niode NJ, Kepel BJ, Hessel SS, Kairupan TS, Tallei TE. Rhynchophorus ferrugineus larvae: A novel source for combating broad-spectrum bacterial and fungal infections. Vet World 2024; 17:156-170. [PMID: 38406375 PMCID: PMC10884581 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2024.156-170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern due to the growth of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, which makes it difficult to treat infection. Due to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties against a diverse array of bacteria, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus larval antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have demonstrated potential as antimicrobial agents for the treatment of microbial infections and prevention of antibiotic resistance. This study emphasizes the unexplored mechanisms of action of R. ferrugineus larvae against microorganisms. Among the most widely discussed mechanisms is the effect of AMPs in larvae in response to a threat or infection. Modulation of immune-related genes in the intestine and phagocytic capacity of its hemocytes may also affect the antimicrobial activity of R. ferrugineus larvae, with an increase in phenoloxidase activity possibly correlated with microbial clearance and survival rates of larvae. The safety and toxicity of R. ferrugineus larvae extracts, as well as their long-term efficacy, are also addressed in this paper. The implications of future research are explored in this paper, and it is certain that R. ferrugineus larvae have the potential to be developed as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent with proper investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurdjannah Jane Niode
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Sam Ratulangi University, Prof. Dr. R. D. Kandou Hospital Manado, Manado 95115, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
| | - Billy Johnson Kepel
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Sam Ratulangi University, Manado 95115, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
| | - Sofia Safitri Hessel
- Department of Biotechnology, Indonesia Biodiversity and Biogeography Research Institute (INABIG), Bandung 40132, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Tara Sefanya Kairupan
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Sam Ratulangi University, Prof. Dr. R. D. Kandou Hospital Manado, Manado 95115, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
| | - Trina Ekawati Tallei
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Sam Ratulangi University, Manado 95115, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Sam Ratulangi University, Manado 95115, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
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58
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Song D, Liu H, Huang Y, Dongari-Bagtzoglou A, Lei Y. High-Throughput Monitoring of Pathogenic Fungal Growth Using Whole Slide Imaging for Rapid Antifungal Susceptibility Assessment. ANAL LETT 2023; 57:2412-2425. [PMID: 39005971 PMCID: PMC11245173 DOI: 10.1080/00032719.2023.2297301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections are a major health threat with high morbidity and mortality, highlighting the urgent need for rapid diagnostic tools to detect antifungal resistance. Traditional culture-based antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) methods often fall short due to their lengthy process. In our previous research, we developed a whole-slide imaging (WSI) technique for the high-throughput assessment of bacterial antibiotic resistance. Building on this foundation, this study expands the application of WSI by adapting it for rapid AFST through high-throughput monitoring of the growth of hundreds of individual fungi. Due to the distinct "budding" growth patterns of fungi, we developed a unique approach that utilizes specific cell number change to determine fungi replication, instead of cell area change used for bacteria in our previous study, to accurately determine the growth rates of individual fungal cells. This method not only accelerates the determination of antifungal resistance by directly observing individual fungal cell growth, but also yields accurate results. Employing Candida albicans as a representative model organism, reliable minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of fluconazole inhibiting 100% cells of Candida albicans (denoted as MIC100) was obtained within 3h using the developed method, while the modified broth dilution method required 72h for the similar reliable result. In addition, our approach was effectively utilized to test blood culture samples directly, eliminating the need to separate the fungi from whole blood samples spiked with Candida albicans. These features indicate the developed method holds great potential serving as a general tool in rapid antifungal susceptibility testing and MIC determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghui Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Haomin Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yikun Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Anna Dongari-Bagtzoglou
- Department of Oral Health and Diagnostic Sciences, Health Center, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yu Lei
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
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59
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Lin M, Huang Y, Orihara K, Chibana H, Kajiwara S, Chen X. A Putative NADPH Oxidase Gene in Unicellular Pathogenic Candida glabrata Is Required for Fungal ROS Production and Oxidative Stress Response. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 10:16. [PMID: 38248926 PMCID: PMC10817436 DOI: 10.3390/jof10010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Most previous studies on fungal NADPH oxidases (Nox) focused on multicellular fungi and highlighted the important roles of Nox-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cellular differentiation and signaling communication. However, there are few reports about Nox in unicellular fungi. A novel NOX ortholog, CAGL0K05863g (named CgNOX1), in Candida glabrata was investigated in this study. Deletion of CgNOX1 led to a decrease in both intracellular and extracellular ROS production. In addition, the Cgnox1∆ mutant exhibited hypersensitivity to hydrogen peroxide and menadione. Also, the wild-type strain showed higher levels of both CgNOX1 mRNA expression and ROS production under oxidative stress. Moreover, the absence of CgNOX1 resulted in impaired ferric reductase activity. Although there was no effect on in vitro biofilm formation, the CgNOX1 mutant did not produce hepatic apoptosis, which might be mediated by fungal Nox-derived ROS during co-incubation. Together, these results indicated that the novel NOX gene plays important roles in unicellular pathogenic C. glabrata and its interaction with host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maoyi Lin
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan; (M.L.); (Y.H.); (K.O.); (S.K.)
| | - Yao Huang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan; (M.L.); (Y.H.); (K.O.); (S.K.)
| | - Kanami Orihara
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan; (M.L.); (Y.H.); (K.O.); (S.K.)
| | - Hiroji Chibana
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan;
| | - Susumu Kajiwara
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan; (M.L.); (Y.H.); (K.O.); (S.K.)
| | - Xinyue Chen
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan; (M.L.); (Y.H.); (K.O.); (S.K.)
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Gregor JB, Gutierrez-Schultz VA, Hoda S, Baker KM, Saha D, Burghaze MG, Vazquez C, Burgei KE, Briggs SD. An expanded toolkit of drug resistance cassettes for Candida glabrata, Candida auris, and Candida albicans leads to new insights into the ergosterol pathway. mSphere 2023; 8:e0031123. [PMID: 37929964 PMCID: PMC10732037 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00311-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The increasing problem of drug resistance and emerging pathogens is an urgent global health problem that necessitates the development and expansion of tools for studying fungal drug resistance and pathogenesis. Prior studies in Candida glabrata, Candida auris, and Candida albicans have been mainly limited to the use of NatMX/SAT1 and HphMX/CaHyg for genetic manipulation in prototrophic strains and clinical isolates. In this study, we demonstrated that NatMX/SAT1, HphMX, KanMX, and/or BleMX drug resistance cassettes when coupled with a CRISPR-ribonucleoprotein (RNP)-based system can be efficiently utilized for deleting or modifying genes in the ergosterol pathway of C. glabrata, C. auris, and C. albicans. Moreover, the utility of these tools has provided new insights into ERG genes and their relationship to azole resistance in Candida. Overall, we have expanded the toolkit for Candida pathogens to increase the versatility of genetically modifying complex pathways involved in drug resistance and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin B. Gregor
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | | | - Smriti Hoda
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Kortany M. Baker
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Debasmita Saha
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | | | - Cynthia Vazquez
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Kendra E. Burgei
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Scott D. Briggs
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
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MacAlpine J, Liu Z, Hossain S, Whitesell L, Robbins N, Cowen LE. DYRK-family kinases regulate Candida albicans morphogenesis and virulence through the Ras1/PKA pathway. mBio 2023; 14:e0218323. [PMID: 38015416 PMCID: PMC10746247 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02183-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Candida albicans is an opportunistic human fungal pathogen that frequently causes life-threatening infections in immunocompromised individuals. To cause disease, the fungus employs several virulence traits, including its ability to transition between yeast and filamentous states. Previous work identified a role for the kinase Yak1 in regulating C. albicans filamentation. Here, we demonstrate that Yak1 regulates morphogenesis through the canonical cAMP/PKA pathway and that this regulation is environmentally contingent, as host-relevant concentrations of CO2 bypass the requirement of Yak1 for C. albicans morphogenesis. We show a related kinase, Pom1, is important for filamentation in the absence of Yak1 under these host-relevant conditions, as deletion of both genes blocked filamentous growth under all conditions tested. Finally, we demonstrate that Yak1 is required for filamentation in a mouse model of C. albicans dermatitis using genetic and pharmacological approaches. Overall, our results expand our understanding of how Yak1 regulates an important virulence trait in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie MacAlpine
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zhongle Liu
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Saif Hossain
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Luke Whitesell
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Leah E. Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Li X, Kong B, Sun Y, Sun F, Yang H, Zheng S. Synergistic potential of teriflunomide with fluconazole against resistant Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1282320. [PMID: 38169891 PMCID: PMC10758495 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1282320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Candida albicans is the primary cause of systemic candidiasis, which is involved in high morbidity and mortality. Drug resistance exacerbates these problems. In addition, there are limited antifungal drugs available. In order to solve these problems, combination therapy has aroused great interest. Teriflunomide is an immunosuppressant. In the present work, we aimed to identify whether teriflunomide can reverse the resistance of Candida albicans in the presence of sub-inhibitory concentrations of fluconazole in vitro and in vivo. Methods Seven Candida albicans isolates were used in this study. Susceptibility of Candida albicans in vitro to the drugs was determined using a checkerboard microdilution assay in accordance with the recommendations of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. The effects of drugs on biofilm biomass of Candida albicans were determined by crystal violet staining. The development ability of Candida albicans hyphae was performed using a modified broth microdilution method. Galleria mellonella was used for testing the in vivo efficacy of the combination therapies. Results We found that the combination of teriflunomide (64 µg/mL) and fluconazole (0.5-1 µg/mL) has a significant synergistic effect in all resistant Candida albicans isolates (n=4). Also, this drug combination could inhibit the immature biofilm biomass and hyphae formation of resistant Candida albicans. Galleria mellonella was used for testing the in vivo efficacy of this combination therapies. As for the Galleria mellonella larvae infected by resistant Candida albicans, teriflunomide (1.6 µg/larvae) combined with fluconazole (1.6 µg/larvae) significantly increased their survival rates, and reduced the fungal burden, as well as damage of tissue in comparison to that in the control group or drug monotherapy group. Conclusion These results expand our knowledge about the antifungal potential of teriflunomide as an adjuvant of existing antifungal drugs, and also open new perspectives in the treatment of resistant Candida albicans based on repurposing clinically available nonantifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuyun Li
- Maternal and Child Health Development Research Center, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Bing Kong
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yaqiong Sun
- Obstetrics Department, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Fenghua Sun
- Radiology Department, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Huijun Yang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Shicun Zheng
- Maternal and Child Health Development Research Center, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Maione A, Norcia M, Sinoca M, Galdiero M, Maselli V, Feola A, Carotenuto R, Cuomo P, Capparelli R, Guida M, Galdiero E. Polystyrene Microplastics Exacerbate Candida albicans Infection Ability In Vitro and In Vivo. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:12. [PMID: 38203182 PMCID: PMC10778850 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Plastic pollution is an important environmental problem, and microplastics have been shown to have harmful effects on human and animal health, affecting immune and metabolic physiological functions. Further, microplastics can interfere with commensal microorganisms and exert deleterious effects on exposure to pathogens. Here, we compared the effects of 1 µm diameter polystyrene microplastic (PSMPs) on Candida albicans infection in both in vitro and in vivo models by using HT29 cells and Galleria mellonella larvae, respectively. The results demonstrated that PSMPs could promote Candida infection in HT29 cells and larvae of G. mellonella, which show immune responses similar to vertebrates. In this study, we provide new experimental evidence for the risk to human health posed by PSMPs in conjunction with Candida infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Maione
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (V.M.); (A.F.); (R.C.)
| | - Mariangela Norcia
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (V.M.); (A.F.); (R.C.)
| | - Marica Sinoca
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (V.M.); (A.F.); (R.C.)
| | - Marilena Galdiero
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Naples, Italy;
| | - Valeria Maselli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (V.M.); (A.F.); (R.C.)
| | - Antonia Feola
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (V.M.); (A.F.); (R.C.)
| | - Rosa Carotenuto
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (V.M.); (A.F.); (R.C.)
| | - Paola Cuomo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy; (P.C.); (R.C.)
| | - Rosanna Capparelli
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy; (P.C.); (R.C.)
| | - Marco Guida
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (V.M.); (A.F.); (R.C.)
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy
- Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology (BAT Center), 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Emilia Galdiero
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (V.M.); (A.F.); (R.C.)
- Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology (BAT Center), 80055 Portici, Italy
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Wang J, Zheng Q, Wang H, Shi L, Wang G, Zhao Y, Fan C, Si J. Sesquiterpenes and Sesquiterpene Derivatives from Ferula: Their Chemical Structures, Biosynthetic Pathways, and Biological Properties. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 13:7. [PMID: 38275627 PMCID: PMC10812793 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Ferula is a genus of flowering plants known for its edible and medicinal properties. Since ancient times, many species of Ferula have been used in traditional medicine to treat various health issues across countries, such as digestive disorders, respiratory problems, and even as a remedy for headaches and toothaches. In addition, they are also used as a flavoring agent in various cuisines. As the main active ingredients in Ferula, sesquiterpenes and their derivatives, especially sesquiterpene coumarins, sesquiterpene phenylpropanoids, and sesquiterpene chromones, have attracted the attention of scientists due to the diversity of their chemical structures, as well as their extensive and promising biological properties, such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties. However, there has not been a comprehensive review of sesquiterpenes and their derivatives from this plant. This review aims to provide an overview of the chemical structures, biosynthetic pathways, and biological properties of sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpene derivatives from Ferula, which may help guide future research directions and possible application methods for this valuable edible and medicinal plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junchi Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; (J.W.); (Q.Z.); (H.W.)
| | - Qi Zheng
- The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; (J.W.); (Q.Z.); (H.W.)
| | - Huaxiang Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; (J.W.); (Q.Z.); (H.W.)
| | - Leiling Shi
- Xinjiang Institute of Chinese Materia Medica and Ethnodrug, Urumqi 830002, China; (L.S.); (G.W.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Guoping Wang
- Xinjiang Institute of Chinese Materia Medica and Ethnodrug, Urumqi 830002, China; (L.S.); (G.W.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yaqin Zhao
- Xinjiang Institute of Chinese Materia Medica and Ethnodrug, Urumqi 830002, China; (L.S.); (G.W.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Congzhao Fan
- Xinjiang Institute of Chinese Materia Medica and Ethnodrug, Urumqi 830002, China; (L.S.); (G.W.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Jianyong Si
- The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; (J.W.); (Q.Z.); (H.W.)
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Zhu X, Chen Y, Yu D, Fang W, Liao W, Pan W. Progress in the application of nanoparticles for the treatment of fungal infections: A review. Mycology 2023; 15:1-16. [PMID: 38558835 PMCID: PMC10977003 DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2023.2285764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The burden of fungal infections on human health is increasing worldwide. Aspergillus, Candida, and Cryptococcus are the top three human pathogenic fungi that are responsible for over 90% of infection-related deaths. Moreover, effective antifungal therapeutics are lacking, primarily due to host toxicity, pathogen resistance, and immunodeficiency. In recent years, nanomaterials have proved not only to be more efficient antifungal therapeutic agents but also to overcome resistance against fungal medication. This review will examine the limitations of standard antifungal therapy as well as focus on the development of nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlin Zhu
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Youming Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Yu
- Department of General Practice, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjie Fang
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wanqing Liao
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weihua Pan
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Anand R, Kashif M, Pandit A, Babu R, Singh AP. Reprogramming in Candida albicans Gene Expression Network under Butanol Stress Abrogates Hyphal Development. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17227. [PMID: 38139056 PMCID: PMC10743114 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is the causative agent of invasive fungal infections. Its hyphae-forming ability is regarded as one of the important virulence factors. To unravel the impact of butanol on Candida albicans, it was placed in O+ve complete human serum with butanol (1% v/v). The Candida transcriptome under butanol stress was then identified by mRNA sequencing. Studies including electron microscopy demonstrated the inhibition of hyphae formation in Candida under the influence of butanol, without any significant alteration in growth rate. The numbers of genes upregulated in the butanol in comparison to the serum alone were 1061 (20 min), 804 (45 min), and 537 (120 min). Candida cells exhibited the downregulation of six hypha-specific transcription factors and the induction of four repressor/regulator genes. Many of the hypha-specific genes exhibited repression in the medium with butanol. The genes related to adhesion also exhibited repression, whereas, among the heat-shock genes, three showed inductions in the presence of butanol. The fungal-specific genes exhibited induction as well as repression in the butanol-treated Candida cells. Furthermore, ten upregulated genes formed the core stress gene set in the presence of butanol. In the gene ontology analysis, enrichment of the processes related to non-coding RNA, ribosome biosynthesis, and metabolism was observed in the induced gene set. On the other side, a few GO biological process terms, including biofilm formation and filamentous growth, were enriched in the repressed gene set. Taken together, under butanol stress, Candida albicans is unable to extend hyphae and shows growth by budding. Many of the genes with perturbed expression may have fitness or virulence attributes and may provide prospective sites of antifungal targets against C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh Anand
- Infectious Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi 110067, India; (R.A.)
| | - Mohammad Kashif
- Infectious Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi 110067, India; (R.A.)
| | - Awadhesh Pandit
- Next Generation Sequencing Facility, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Ram Babu
- Department of Botany, Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Agam P. Singh
- Infectious Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi 110067, India; (R.A.)
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Román E, Prieto D, Hidalgo-Vico S, Alonso-Monge R, Pla J. The defective gut colonization of Candida albicans hog1 MAPK mutants is restored by overexpressing the transcriptional regulator of the white opaque transition WOR1. Virulence 2023; 14:2174294. [PMID: 36760104 PMCID: PMC9928469 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2174294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcriptional master regulator of the white opaque transition of Candida albicans WOR1 is important for the adaptation to the commensal lifestyle in the mammalian gut, a major source of invasive candidiasis. We have generated cells that overproduce Wor1 in mutants defective in the Hog1 MAP kinase, defective in several stress responses and unable to colonize the mice gut. WOR1 overexpression allows hog1 to be established as a commensal in the murine gut in a commensalism model and even compete with wild-type C. albicans cells for establishment. This increased fitness correlates with an enhanced ability to adhere to biotic surfaces as well as increased proteinase and phospholipase production and a decrease in filamentation in vitro. We also show that hog1 WOR1OE are avirulent in a systemic candidiasis model in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Román
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain,CONTACT Elvira Román
| | - Daniel Prieto
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Hidalgo-Vico
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rebeca Alonso-Monge
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Pla
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain,Jesús Pla Parasitología Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Das S, Capoor MR, Singh A, Agarwal Y. Diagnostic Utility of Galactomannan Enzyme Immunoassay in Invasive Aspergillosis in Pediatric patients with Hematological Malignancy. Mycopathologia 2023; 188:1055-1063. [PMID: 37806994 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-023-00798-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to determine the diagnostic utility of galactomannan enzyme immunoassay (GM EIA) in invasive aspergillosis (IA) in children with hematological malignancy (high risk population) in terms of sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive values (PPV) at various cut offs while validating the revised EORTC/MSG 2019 criteria in order to obtain the best cut-off. MATERIAL AND METHODS For 100 pediatric patients, serum and respiratory samples were collected. Clinical, mycological workup (potassium-hydroxide mount, fungal culture) and GM EIA was done to classify proven, probable, and possible IA as per EORTC-MSG guidelines,2019. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were calculated of GM indices at cut-off 0.5, 0.7 and 1, and validated with revised EORTC -MSG, 2019. RESULTS Of 100 patients enrolled, 75 were diagnosed with ALL, 14 with AML, two with Hodgkin's, three had non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and six had undifferentiated leukemia. With routine mycological findings, 51 were classified as probable IA, 11 as possible IA, and 38 as no IA. Aspergillus flavus was the most prevalent on culture (56.9%, 29/51) followed by A. fumigatus (29%, 15/51) A. niger (7.8%, 4/51), A. terreus (3.9%, 2/51) and A. nidulans (2%, 1/51). GM EIA demonstrated sensitivity 82.3%, specificity 97.4%, PPV 98.1%, and NPV 77.1% at cut-off 0.67 when comparing probable/possible IA v/s no IA groups. The GM EIA had the best sensitivity (82.4%), specificity (81.8%), PPV (95.5%), and NPV (50%) at cut off 0.78 when the probable IA group was compared to the possible IA. Seven patients succumbed of whom 5 had GMI ≥ 2. CONCLUSION This study deduces the optimal cut-off for serum GM EIA to be 0.67 obtained by ROC analysis when comparing possible and probable IA versus no IA and reinforces the definition of probable category of EORTC-MSG criteria, 2019. At 0.5 ODI the sensitivity (87.1%) and NPV (80.5%) are high, thus making it the most suitable cut-off for detecting true positive and ruling out IA respectively, in pediatric patients with hematological malignancy. GM EIA when performed adjunctive to clinico-radiological findings can prove to be screening, diagnostic and prognostic test for IA in pediatric hematological malignancy patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sutapa Das
- Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Malini R Capoor
- Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, Delhi, India.
| | - Amitabh Singh
- Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Yatish Agarwal
- Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, Delhi, India
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Zhu X, Wang A, Zheng Y, Li D, Wei Y, Gan M, Li Y, Si S. Anti-Biofilm Activity of Cocultimycin A against Candida albicans. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17026. [PMID: 38069349 PMCID: PMC10707031 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans (C. albicans), the most common fungal pathogen, has the ability to form a biofilm, leading to enhanced virulence and antibiotic resistance. Cocultimycin A, a novel antifungal antibiotic isolated from the co-culture of two marine fungi, exhibited a potent inhibitory effect on planktonic C. albicans cells. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-biofilm activity of cocultimycin A against C. albicans and explore its underlying mechanism. Crystal violet staining showed that cocultimycin A remarkably inhibited biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner and disrupted mature biofilms at higher concentrations. However, the metabolic activity of mature biofilms treated with lower concentrations of cocultimycin A significantly decreased when using the XTT reduction method. Cocultimycin A could inhibit yeast-to-hypha transition and mycelium formation of C. albicans colonies, which was observed through the use of a light microscope. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that biofilms treated with cocultimycin A were disrupted, yeast cells increased, and hypha cells decreased and significantly shortened. The adhesive ability of C. albicans cells treated with cocultimycin A to the medium and HOEC cells significantly decreased. Through the use of a qRT-PCR assay, the expression of multiple genes related to adhesion, hyphal formation and cell membrane changes in relation to biofilm cells treated with cocultimycin A. All these results suggested that cocultimycin A may be considered a potential novel molecule for treating and preventing biofilm-related C. albicans infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Maoluo Gan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China; (X.Z.); (A.W.); (Y.Z.); (D.L.); (Y.W.); (S.S.)
| | - Yan Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China; (X.Z.); (A.W.); (Y.Z.); (D.L.); (Y.W.); (S.S.)
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Wu M, Xu X, Hu R, Chen Q, Chen L, Yuan Y, Li J, Zhou L, Feng S, Wang L, Chen S, Gu M. A Membrane-Targeted Photosensitizer Prevents Drug Resistance and Induces Immune Response in Treating Candidiasis. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2207736. [PMID: 37875397 PMCID: PMC10724446 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202207736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans (C. albicans), a ubiquitous polymorphic fungus in humans, causes different types of candidiasis, including oral candidiasis (OC) and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), which are physically and mentally concerning and financially costly. Thus, developing alternative antifungals that prevent drug resistance and induce immunity to eliminate Candida biofilms is crucial. Herein, a novel membrane-targeted aggregation-induced emission (AIE) photosensitizer (PS), TBTCP-QY, is developed for highly efficient photodynamic therapy (PDT) of candidiasis. TBTCP-QY has a high molar absorption coefficient and an excellent ability to generate 1 O2 and •OH, entering the interior of biofilms due to its high permeability. Furthermore, TBTCP-QY can efficiently inhibit biofilm formation by suppressing the expression of genes related to the adhesion (ALS3, EAP1, and HWP1), invasion (SAP1 and SAP2), and drug resistance (MDR1) of C. albicans, which is also advantageous for eliminating potential fungal resistance to treat clinical infectious diseases. TBTCP-QY-mediated PDT efficiently targets OC and VVC in vivo in a mouse model, induces immune response, relieves inflammation, and accelerates the healing of mucosal defects to combat infections caused by clinically isolated fluconazole-resistant strains. Moreover, TBTCP-QY demonstrates excellent biocompatibility, suggesting its potential applications in the clinical treatment of OC and VVC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming‐Yu Wu
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural DrugsSchool of Life Science and EngineeringSouthwest Jiaotong UniversityChengduSichuan610031China
| | - Xiaoyu Xu
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
| | - Rui Hu
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
- Department of Respiratory DiseasesThe Research and Application Center of Precision MedicineThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450014China
| | - Qingrong Chen
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
| | - Luojia Chen
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
| | - Yuncong Yuan
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Medical Intensive Care UnitMaternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei ProvinceTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430070China
| | - Li Zhou
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
| | - Shun Feng
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural DrugsSchool of Life Science and EngineeringSouthwest Jiaotong UniversityChengduSichuan610031China
| | - Lianrong Wang
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
- Department of Respiratory DiseasesThe Research and Application Center of Precision MedicineThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450014China
| | - Shi Chen
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
| | - Meijia Gu
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
- Department of Respiratory DiseasesThe Research and Application Center of Precision MedicineThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450014China
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71
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Phuna ZX, Madhavan P. A reappraisal on amyloid cascade hypothesis: the role of chronic infection in Alzheimer's disease. Int J Neurosci 2023; 133:1071-1089. [PMID: 35282779 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2022.2045290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder that accounted for the most common cause of dementia in the elderly population. Lately, 'infection hypothesis' has been proposed where the infection of microbes can lead to the pathogenesis of AD. Among different types of microbes, human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), Chlamydia pneumonia, Spirochetes and Candida albicans are frequently detected in the brain of AD patients. Amyloid-beta protein has demonstrated to exhibit antimicrobial properties upon encountering these pathogens. It can bind to microglial cells and astrocytes to activate immune response and neuroinflammation. Nevertheless, HIV-1 and HSV-1 can develop into latency whereas Chlamydia pneumonia, Spirochetes and Candida albicans can cause chronic infections. At this stage, the DNA of microbes remains undetectable yet active. This can act as the prolonged pathogenic stimulus that over-triggers the expression of Aβ-related genes, which subsequently lead to overproduction and deposition of Aβ plaque. This review will highlight the pathogenesis of each of the stated microbial infection, their association in AD pathogenesis as well as the effect of chronic infection in AD progression. Potential therapies for AD by modulating the microbiome have also been suggested. This review will aid in understanding the infectious manifestations of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Xin Phuna
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Priya Madhavan
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Selangor, Malaysia
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72
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Ke CL, Lew SQ, Hsieh Y, Chang SC, Lin CH. Convergent and divergent roles of the glucose-responsive kinase SNF4 in Candida tropicalis. Virulence 2023; 14:2175914. [PMID: 36745535 PMCID: PMC9928470 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2175914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The sucrose non-fermenting 1 (SNF1) complex is a heterotrimeric protein kinase complex that is an ortholog of the mammalian AMPK complex and is evolutionally conserved in most eukaryotes. This complex contains a catalytic subunit (Snf1), a regulatory subunit (Snf4) and a scaffolding subunit (Sip1/Sip2/Gal73) in budding yeast. Although the function of AMPK has been well studied in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans, the role of AMPK in Candida tropicalis has never been investigated. In this study, we focused on SNF4 in C. tropicalis as this fungus cannot produce a snf1Δ mutant. We demonstrated that C. tropicalis SNF4 shares similar roles in glucose derepression and is necessary for cell wall integrity and virulence. The expression of both SNF1 and SNF4 was significantly induced when glucose was limited. Furthermore, snf4Δ strains exhibited high sensitivity to many surface-perturbing agents because the strains contained lower levels of glucan, chitin and mannan. Interestingly, in contrast to C. albicans sak1Δ and snf4Δ, C. tropicalis snf4Δ exhibited phenotypes for cell aggregation and pseudohypha production. These data indicate that SNF4 performs convergent and divergent roles in C. tropicalis and possibly other unknown roles in the C. tropicalis SNF1-SNF4 AMPK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cai-Ling Ke
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shi Qian Lew
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi Hsieh
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Szu-Cheng Chang
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hsuan Lin
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan,CONTACT Ching-Hsuan Lin
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73
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Arita GS, Ma Q, Leaves I, Pradhan A, Hickey E, Dambuza I, Bebes A, Vincenzi Conrado PC, Barros Galinari C, Vicente Seixas FA, Kioshima ÉS, de Souza Bonfim-Mendonça P, Svidzinski TIE, Brown AJP. The impact of ORF19.36.1 in the pathobiology of Candida albicans. Microb Pathog 2023; 185:106437. [PMID: 37913825 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our previous proteomics data obtained from Candida albicans recovered after serial passage in a murine model of systemic infection revealed that Orf19.36.1 expression correlates with the virulence of the fungus. Therefore, the impact of ORF19.36.1 upon virulence was tested in this study. MATERIALS & METHODS CRISPR-Cas9 technology was used to construct homozygous C. albicans orf19.36.1 null mutants and the phenotypes of these mutants examined in vitro (filamentation, invasion, adhesion, biofilm formation, hydrolase activities) and in vivo assays. RESULTS The deletion of ORF19.36.1 did not significantly impact the phenotypes examined or the virulence of C. albicans in two infection models. CONCLUSION These results suggest that, although Orf19.36.1 expression correlates with virulence, this protein is not essential for C. albicans pathobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glaucia Sayuri Arita
- Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, Laboratory of Medical Mycology, State University of Maringa, T20 Building, Room 203, Colombo Avenue, 5790 - Zone 7, Maringá, PR, 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Qinxi Ma
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Ian Leaves
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Arnab Pradhan
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Emer Hickey
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Ivy Dambuza
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Attila Bebes
- Centre for Cytomics, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Pollyanna Cristina Vincenzi Conrado
- Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, Laboratory of Medical Mycology, State University of Maringa, T20 Building, Room 203, Colombo Avenue, 5790 - Zone 7, Maringá, PR, 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Camila Barros Galinari
- Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, Laboratory of Medical Mycology, State University of Maringa, T20 Building, Room 203, Colombo Avenue, 5790 - Zone 7, Maringá, PR, 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Flávio Augusto Vicente Seixas
- Department of Technology, State University of Maringa, Ângelo Moreira da Fonseca Avenue, 1800 - Danielle Park, Umuarama, PR, 87506-370, Brazil
| | - Érika Seki Kioshima
- Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, Laboratory of Medical Mycology, State University of Maringa, T20 Building, Room 203, Colombo Avenue, 5790 - Zone 7, Maringá, PR, 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Patrícia de Souza Bonfim-Mendonça
- Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, Laboratory of Medical Mycology, State University of Maringa, T20 Building, Room 203, Colombo Avenue, 5790 - Zone 7, Maringá, PR, 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Terezinha Inez Estivalet Svidzinski
- Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, Laboratory of Medical Mycology, State University of Maringa, T20 Building, Room 203, Colombo Avenue, 5790 - Zone 7, Maringá, PR, 87020-900, Brazil.
| | - Alistair J P Brown
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
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Cohen N, Orenbuch-Harroch E, Olshtain-Pops K, Lachish T, Korem M. Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors for Severity of Chronic Disseminated Candidiasis in Jerusalem, Israel. Mycopathologia 2023; 188:873-883. [PMID: 37326819 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-023-00755-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Chronic disseminated candidiasis (CDC) occurs mostly in patients with acute hematologic malignancy and its clinical manifestations derive from immune reconstitution following neutrophil recovery. The aim of this study was to describe epidemiological and clinical characteristics of CDC and define risk factors for disease severity. Demographic and clinical data were collected from medical files of patients with CDC hospitalized in two tertiary medical centers in Jerusalem between 2005 and 2020. Associations between different variables and disease severity were evaluated, as well as characterization of Candida species. The study included 35 patients. CDC incidence slightly increased during study years and the average number of involved organs and disease duration was 3 ± 1.26 and 178 ± 123 days, respectively. Candida grew in blood in less than third of cases and the most common isolated pathogen was Candida tropicalis (50%). Histopathological or microbiological workup in patients who underwent an organ biopsy demonstrated Candida in about half of the patients. Nine months after starting antifungals, 43% of the patients still didn't have resolution of organ lesions in imaging modalities. Factors associated with protracted and extensive disease were prolonged fever prior to CDC and absence of candidemia. A C- Reactive Protein (CRP) cutoff level of 7.18 mg/dL was found to predict extensive disease. In conclusion, CDC incidence is increasing and the number of involved organs is higher than previously described. Clinical factors such as fever duration prior to CDC and absence of candidemia can predict severe course of disease and assist in treatment decisions and follow-up planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nerel Cohen
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- Medical Corps, Israel Defense Forces, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Efrat Orenbuch-Harroch
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Karen Olshtain-Pops
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- The Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hadassah Medical Center, P.O. Box 12000, 9112102, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Tamar Lachish
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Maya Korem
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
- The Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hadassah Medical Center, P.O. Box 12000, 9112102, Jerusalem, Israel.
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75
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Kabtani J, Boulanouar F, Militello M, Cassagne C, Ranque S. Candida massiliensis sp. nov. Isolated from a Clinical Sample. Mycopathologia 2023; 188:957-971. [PMID: 37728680 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-023-00792-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
The majority of Candida species are known as non-pathogenic yeasts and rarely involved in human diseases. However, recently case reports of human infections caused by non-albicans Candida species have increased, mostly in immunocompromised hosts. Our study aimed to describe and characterize as thoroughly as possible, a new species of the Metschnikowia clade, named here Candida massiliensis (PMML0037), isolated from a clinical sample of human sputum. We targeted four discriminant genetic regions: "Internal Transcribed Spacers" of rRNA, D1/D2 domains (28S large subunit rRNA) and part of the genes encoding Translation Elongation Factor 1-α and β-tubulin2. The genetic data were compared to morphological characters, from scanning electron microscopy (TM 4000 Plus, SU5000), physiological, including the results of oxidation and assimilation tests of different carbon sources by the Biolog system, and chemical mapping by Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy. Lastly, the in vitro antifungal susceptibility profile was performed using the E-test™ exponential gradient method. The multilocus analysis supported the genetic position of Candida massiliensis (PMML0037) as a new species of the Metschnikowia clade, and the phenotypic analysis highlighted its unique morphological and chemical profile when compared to the other Candida/Metschnikowia species included in the study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Muriel Militello
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 13005, Marseille, France
- AP-HM, IRD, SSA, MEPHI, Aix-Marseille Université, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Carole Cassagne
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 13005, Marseille, France
- AP-HM, IRD, SSA, VITROME, Aix-Marseille Université, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Stéphane Ranque
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 13005, Marseille, France.
- AP-HM, IRD, SSA, VITROME, Aix-Marseille Université, 13005, Marseille, France.
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76
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Bravo-Chaucanés CP, Chitiva LC, Vargas-Casanova Y, Diaz-Santoyo V, Hernández AX, Costa GM, Parra-Giraldo CM. Exploring the Potential Mechanism of Action of Piperine against Candida albicans and Targeting Its Virulence Factors. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1729. [PMID: 38136600 PMCID: PMC10742119 DOI: 10.3390/biom13121729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant-derived compounds have proven to be a source of inspiration for new drugs. In this study, piperine isolated from the fruits of Piper nigrum showed anti-Candida activity. Furthermore, the mechanisms of action of piperine and its impact on virulence factors in Candida albicans, which have not been comprehensively understood, were also assessed. Initially, piperine suppressed the hyphal transition in both liquid and solid media, hindered biofilm formation, and resulted in observable cell distortions in scanning electron microscope (SEM) samples, for both fluconazole-sensitive and fluconazole-resistant C. albicans strains. Additionally, the morphogenetic switches triggered by piperine were found to rely on the activity of mutant C. albicans strains. Secondly, piperine treatment increased cell membrane permeability and disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential, as evidenced by propidium iodine and Rhodamine 123 staining, respectively. Moreover, it induced the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species in C. albicans. Synergy was obtained between the piperine and the fluconazole against the fluconazole-sensitive strain. Interestingly, there were no hemolytic effects of piperine, and it resulted in reduced cytotoxicity on fibroblast cells at low concentrations. The results suggest that piperine could have a dual mode of action inhibiting virulence factors and modulating cellular processes, leading to cell death in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Patricia Bravo-Chaucanés
- Unidad de Proteómica y Micosis Humanas, Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, DC, Colombia; (C.P.B.-C.); (Y.V.-C.); (V.D.-S.)
| | - Luis Carlos Chitiva
- Grupo de Investigación Fitoquímica Universidad Javeriana (GIFUJ), Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, DC, Colombia; (L.C.C.); (A.X.H.); (G.M.C.)
| | - Yerly Vargas-Casanova
- Unidad de Proteómica y Micosis Humanas, Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, DC, Colombia; (C.P.B.-C.); (Y.V.-C.); (V.D.-S.)
| | - Valentina Diaz-Santoyo
- Unidad de Proteómica y Micosis Humanas, Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, DC, Colombia; (C.P.B.-C.); (Y.V.-C.); (V.D.-S.)
| | - Andrea Ximena Hernández
- Grupo de Investigación Fitoquímica Universidad Javeriana (GIFUJ), Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, DC, Colombia; (L.C.C.); (A.X.H.); (G.M.C.)
| | - Geison M. Costa
- Grupo de Investigación Fitoquímica Universidad Javeriana (GIFUJ), Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, DC, Colombia; (L.C.C.); (A.X.H.); (G.M.C.)
| | - Claudia Marcela Parra-Giraldo
- Unidad de Proteómica y Micosis Humanas, Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, DC, Colombia; (C.P.B.-C.); (Y.V.-C.); (V.D.-S.)
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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77
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Andrade-Pavón D, Sánchez-Sandoval E, Tamariz J, Ibarra JA, Hernández-Rodríguez C, Villa-Tanaca L. Inhibitors of 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase Decrease the Growth, Ergosterol Synthesis and Generation of petite Mutants in Candida glabrata and Candida albicans. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16868. [PMID: 38069194 PMCID: PMC10706242 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida glabrata and Candida albicans, the most frequently isolated candidiasis species in the world, have developed mechanisms of resistance to treatment with azoles. Among the clinically used antifungal drugs are statins and other compounds that inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR), resulting in decreased growth and ergosterol levels in yeasts. Ergosterol is a key element for the formation of the yeast cell membrane. However, statins often cause DNA damage to yeast cells, facilitating mutation and drug resistance. The aim of the current contribution was to synthesize seven series of compounds as inhibitors of the HMGR enzyme of Candida ssp., and to evaluate their effect on cellular growth, ergosterol synthesis and generation of petite mutants of C. glabrata and C. albicans. Compared to the reference drugs (fluconazole and simvastatin), some HMGR inhibitors caused lower growth and ergosterol synthesis in the yeast species and generated fewer petite mutants. Moreover, heterologous expression was achieved in Pichia pastoris, and compounds 1a, 1b, 6g and 7a inhibited the activity of recombinant CgHMGR and showed better binding energy values than for α-asarone and simvastatin. Thus, we believe these are good candidates for future antifungal drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dulce Andrade-Pavón
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de Bacterias y Levaduras, Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Santo Tomás, Alc. Miguel Hidalgo, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico or (D.A.-P.); (C.H.-R.)
| | - Eugenia Sánchez-Sandoval
- Core Facilities Department, Gothenburg University, Medicinaregatan 9 A-B, 41390 Göteborg, Sweden;
| | - Joaquín Tamariz
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Santo Tomás, Alc. Miguel Hidalgo, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico;
| | - Jose Antonio Ibarra
- Laboratorio de Genética Microbiana, Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Santo Tomás, Alc. Miguel Hidalgo, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico;
| | - César Hernández-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de Bacterias y Levaduras, Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Santo Tomás, Alc. Miguel Hidalgo, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico or (D.A.-P.); (C.H.-R.)
| | - Lourdes Villa-Tanaca
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de Bacterias y Levaduras, Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Santo Tomás, Alc. Miguel Hidalgo, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico or (D.A.-P.); (C.H.-R.)
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78
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Tourabi M, Nouioura G, Touijer H, Baghouz A, El Ghouizi A, Chebaibi M, Bakour M, Ousaaid D, Almaary KS, Nafidi HA, Bourhia M, Farid K, Lyoussi B, Derwich E. Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Insecticidal Properties of Chemically Characterized Essential Oils Extracted from Mentha longifolia: In Vitro and In Silico Analysis. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3783. [PMID: 37960139 PMCID: PMC10650643 DOI: 10.3390/plants12213783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The present study aimed to explore the phytochemical profile, and evaluate the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and insecticidal properties, of Moroccan Mentha longifolia L. essential oil (ML-EO) using in vitro and in silico assays. Noteworthily, as chromatography (GC-MS/MS) revealed that ML-EO is majorly composed of piperitenone oxide (53.43%), caryophyllene (20.02%), and (-) germacrene D (16.53%). It possesses excellent antioxidant activity with an IC50 of 1.49 ± 0.00 for DPPH and 0.051 ± 0.06 μg/mL for ABTS. Moreover, the RP and TAC activities were 0.80 ± 0.01 μg/mL and 315.532 ± 0.00 mg EAA/g, respectively. ML-EO exhibited a potent antimicrobial effect, specifically against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It also exhibited strong antifungal ability, especially against Candida albicans. Regarding insecticidal activity, for ML-EO, a dose of 20 µL/mL produced a complete reduction in fecundity, fertility, and emergence of adult C. maculatus with mortality rates reaching 100%. In silico results showed that the antioxidant activity is mostly attributed to α-Cadinol, the antibacterial efficiency is attributed to piperitenone oxide, and antifungal capacity is related to cis-Muurola-4(15),5-diene and piperitenone oxide. Accordingly, ML-EO has high potential to be used as an alternative for preserving food and stored grain and protecting them against microbes and insect pests in the food and pharmaceutical sectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meryem Tourabi
- Laboratory of Natural Substances, Pharmacology, Environment, Modeling, Health & Quality of Life, Faculty of Sciences, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30003, Morocco; (M.T.); (G.N.); (A.E.G.); (M.B.); (D.O.); (B.L.); (E.D.)
| | - Ghizlane Nouioura
- Laboratory of Natural Substances, Pharmacology, Environment, Modeling, Health & Quality of Life, Faculty of Sciences, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30003, Morocco; (M.T.); (G.N.); (A.E.G.); (M.B.); (D.O.); (B.L.); (E.D.)
| | - Hanane Touijer
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Environment, Agri-Food and Health, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30003, Morocco;
| | - Asmae Baghouz
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Conservation, and Valorization of Natural Resources, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science Dhar El Mahraz, University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, B.P. 1796 Atlas, Fez 30003, Morocco;
| | - Asmae El Ghouizi
- Laboratory of Natural Substances, Pharmacology, Environment, Modeling, Health & Quality of Life, Faculty of Sciences, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30003, Morocco; (M.T.); (G.N.); (A.E.G.); (M.B.); (D.O.); (B.L.); (E.D.)
- Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Fez 30000, Morocco;
| | - Mohamed Chebaibi
- Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Fez 30000, Morocco;
- Biomedical and Translational Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Fez, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30000, Morocco
| | - Meryem Bakour
- Laboratory of Natural Substances, Pharmacology, Environment, Modeling, Health & Quality of Life, Faculty of Sciences, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30003, Morocco; (M.T.); (G.N.); (A.E.G.); (M.B.); (D.O.); (B.L.); (E.D.)
- Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Fez 30000, Morocco;
| | - Driss Ousaaid
- Laboratory of Natural Substances, Pharmacology, Environment, Modeling, Health & Quality of Life, Faculty of Sciences, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30003, Morocco; (M.T.); (G.N.); (A.E.G.); (M.B.); (D.O.); (B.L.); (E.D.)
| | - Khalid S. Almaary
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Hiba-Allah Nafidi
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada;
| | - Mohammed Bourhia
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ibn Zohr University, Laayoune 70000, Morocco
| | - Khallouki Farid
- Ethnopharmacology and Pharmacognosy Team, Department of Biology, Moulay Ismail University of Meknes, Errachidia 52000, Morocco;
| | - Badiaa Lyoussi
- Laboratory of Natural Substances, Pharmacology, Environment, Modeling, Health & Quality of Life, Faculty of Sciences, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30003, Morocco; (M.T.); (G.N.); (A.E.G.); (M.B.); (D.O.); (B.L.); (E.D.)
| | - Elhoussine Derwich
- Laboratory of Natural Substances, Pharmacology, Environment, Modeling, Health & Quality of Life, Faculty of Sciences, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30003, Morocco; (M.T.); (G.N.); (A.E.G.); (M.B.); (D.O.); (B.L.); (E.D.)
- Unity of GC/MS, GC-FID, City of Innovation, Sidi Mohamed bin Abdellah University, Fez 30003, Morocco
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Tsai WC, Liu FL, Huang MH, Huang CH. Enhancing Immunity and Modulating Vaginal Microflora Against Candidal Vaginitis Through Nanoemulsion Supplemented with Porphyra Oligosaccharide as an Intravaginal Vaccine Adjuvant. Int J Nanomedicine 2023; 18:6333-6346. [PMID: 37954454 PMCID: PMC10637204 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s431009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Intravaginal vaccination is an encouraging approach to prevent infectious vaginitis, with nanoemulsions showing effectiveness as mucosal adjuvants. Purpose This study aimed to formulate a nanoemulsion incorporating Porphyra oligosaccharide (PO@NE) and assess its effectiveness as a mucosal adjuvant in intravaginal vaccines against candidal vaginitis. Materials and Methods PO@NE was prepared, and the stability, immunomodulatory activity and cytotoxicity were screened in vitro. Further, the preventive effect of PO@NE as adjuvants for heat-killed Candida albicans (HK-CA) vaccines was explored in a murine model of candidal vaginitis, in comparison with those supplemented with polysaccharide (PP@NE). The mice were intravaginally vaccinated with 106 HK-CA cells, suspended in 1% NE without or with either PO or PP at a final concentration of 6.5 μg/mL, in a total volume of 20 μL. This vaccination was intravaginally administered once a week for 3 weeks. One week following the final vaccination, the mice underwent an intravaginal challenge with 107 C. albicans cells. One week after the challenge, the mice were euthanized to isolate serum, spleen, vaginal washes, and vaginal tissues for analysis. Results PP@NE and PO@NE, with diameters approximately around 100 nm, exhibited exceptional stability at 4°C and low cytotoxicity when used at a concentration of 1% (v/v). Intravaginal vaccination with HK-CA adjuvanted with PO@NE effectively protected against candidal vaginitis evidenced by less Candida hyphae colonization, milder mucosal damage and cell infiltration. Moreover, enhanced mucosal antibody production, induction of T helper (Th)1 and Th17-related immune responses, enlarged the population of CD8+ cells, and elevated vaginal microflora diversity were observed in vaccinated mice. Interestingly, the potency was rather attenuated when PO@NE was replaced with PP@NE. Conclusion These findings indicate PO@NE as a HK-CA vaccine adjuvant for candidal vaginitis prevention via enhancement of both cellular and humoral immunity and modulation of vaginal microflora, emphasizing further intravaginal vaccination development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chung Tsai
- Department of Food Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Ling Liu
- Department of Food Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hsi Huang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Hsiung Huang
- Department of Food Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
- Center for Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
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80
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Madkhali OA. Drug Delivery of Gelatin Nanoparticles as a Biodegradable Polymer for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases: Perspectives and Challenges. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:4327. [PMID: 37960007 PMCID: PMC10648051 DOI: 10.3390/polym15214327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of gelatin nanoparticles (GNPs) for the treatment of infectious diseases. The inherent properties of these nanoparticles make them attractive options for drug delivery. Their biocompatibility ensures that they can interact with biological systems without causing adverse reactions, while their biodegradability ensures that they can break down harmlessly in the body once their function is performed. Furthermore, their capacity for controlled drug release ensures that therapeutic agents can be delivered over a sustained period, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy. This review examines the current landscape of GNP-based drug delivery, with a specific focus on its potential applications and challenges in the context of infectious diseases. Key challenges include controlling drug release rates, ensuring nanoparticle stability under physiological conditions, scaling up production while maintaining quality, mitigating potential immunogenic reactions, optimizing drug loading efficiency, and tracking the biodistribution and clearance of GNPs in the body. Despite these hurdles, GNPs hold promising potential in the realm of infectious disease treatment. Ongoing research and innovation are essential to overcome these obstacles and completely harness the potential of GNPs in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osama A Madkhali
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan 45124, Saudi Arabia
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81
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Koide R, Yamamoto S, Kobayashi Y, Irie J, Enaida H. ATYPICAL ENDOGENOUS FUNGAL ENDOPHTHALMITIS CAUSED BY CANDIDA RUGOSA. Retin Cases Brief Rep 2023; 17:672-675. [PMID: 35333842 PMCID: PMC10597450 DOI: 10.1097/icb.0000000000001275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to report a case of atypical endogenous fungal endophthalmitis caused by Candida rugosa , a rare species of nonalbicans Candida . METHODS This report describes a case of a 45-year-old woman who presented with a reduced visual acuity in the right eye in addition to vitreous opacity during breast cancer treatment, which was suspected as fungal endophthalmitis from medical examination and history. Various tests were performed for diagnosis. RESULTS Blood test results were normal, including the blood beta-D-glucan level, and blood cultures were negative. Diagnosis could not be made using systemic computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging results. Therefore, a lesion sample was collected by using vitrectomy. C. rugosa was identified through DNA (extracted from the lesion sample) analysis using Basic Local Alignment Search Tool. The visual acuity of the right eye improved after vitrectomy. CONCLUSION We encountered a rare case of atypical endogenous fungal endophthalmitis caused by C. rugosa . Clinicians sometimes encounter invasive candidiasis caused by rare nonalbicans Candida species. DNA analysis using Basic Local Alignment Search Tool is effective for diagnosing such cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryohei Koide
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga-849-8501, Japan;
- Division of Ophthalmology, Nagasaki Harbor Medical Center, Nagasaki, Japan; and
| | - Soichiro Yamamoto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga-849-8501, Japan;
- Division of Ophthalmology, Nagasaki Harbor Medical Center, Nagasaki, Japan; and
| | - Yoshiyuki Kobayashi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga-849-8501, Japan;
| | - Junji Irie
- Division of Pathology, Nagasaki Harbor Medical Center, Nagasaki, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Enaida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga-849-8501, Japan;
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82
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Pijuan J, Moreno DF, Yahya G, Moisa M, Ul Haq I, Krukiewicz K, Mosbah R, Metwally K, Cavalu S. Regulatory and pathogenic mechanisms in response to iron deficiency and excess in fungi. Microb Biotechnol 2023; 16:2053-2071. [PMID: 37804207 PMCID: PMC10616654 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Iron is an essential element for all eukaryote organisms because of its redox properties, which are important for many biological processes such as DNA synthesis, mitochondrial respiration, oxygen transport, lipid, and carbon metabolism. For this reason, living organisms have developed different strategies and mechanisms to optimally regulate iron acquisition, transport, storage, and uptake in different environmental responses. Moreover, iron plays an essential role during microbial infections. Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been of key importance for decrypting iron homeostasis and regulation mechanisms in eukaryotes. Specifically, the transcription factors Aft1/Aft2 and Yap5 regulate the expression of genes to control iron metabolism in response to its deficiency or excess, adapting to the cell's iron requirements and its availability in the environment. We also review which iron-related virulence factors have the most common fungal human pathogens (Aspergillus fumigatus, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Candida albicans). These factors are essential for adaptation in different host niches during pathogenesis, including different fungal-specific iron-uptake mechanisms. While being necessary for virulence, they provide hope for developing novel antifungal treatments, which are currently scarce and usually toxic for patients. In this review, we provide a compilation of the current knowledge about the metabolic response to iron deficiency and excess in fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Pijuan
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Molecular MedicineInstitut de Recerca Sant Joan de DéuBarcelonaSpain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIIIMadridSpain
| | - David F. Moreno
- Department of Molecular Cellular and Developmental BiologyYale UniversityNew HavenConnecticutUSA
- Systems Biology InstituteYale UniversityWest HavenConnecticutUSA
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et CellulaireIllkirchFrance
| | - Galal Yahya
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of PharmacyZagazig UniversityAl SharqiaEgypt
| | - Mihaela Moisa
- Faculty of Medicine and PharmacyUniversity of OradeaOradeaRomania
| | - Ihtisham Ul Haq
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Polymers TechnologySilesian University of TechnologyGliwicePoland
- Programa de Pós‐graduação em Inovação TecnológicaUniversidade Federal de Minas GeraisBelo HorizonteBrazil
| | - Katarzyna Krukiewicz
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Polymers TechnologySilesian University of TechnologyGliwicePoland
- Centre for Organic and Nanohybrid ElectronicsSilesian University of TechnologyGliwicePoland
| | - Rasha Mosbah
- Infection Control UnitHospitals of Zagazig UniversityZagazigEgypt
| | - Kamel Metwally
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of PharmacyUniversity of TabukTabukSaudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of PharmacyZagazig UniversityZagazigEgypt
| | - Simona Cavalu
- Faculty of Medicine and PharmacyUniversity of OradeaOradeaRomania
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Sano T, Sasaki H, Maki Y, Nagaoka R, Hamamoto T, Sugaoka S, Kanda T, Takeuchi M, Kawana A, Kimizuka Y. Ocular candidiasis in a tertiary hospital in Japan: A 10-year single-center retrospective study. J Infect Chemother 2023; 29:1081-1087. [PMID: 37392844 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2023.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Ocular candidiasis is a major complication of candidemia that is sometimes sight-threatening. Although prompt ophthalmologic consultation and antifungal medication have been emphasized, recent changes in the causative species and drug susceptibilities make the picture unclear. This study aimed to determine whether there are trends among patients with ocular candidiasis and included 80 patients with candidemia who underwent ophthalmological screening at our hospital between 2010 and 2020. Data on the clinical characteristics, comorbidities, biochemical test results, causative Candida species, treatment, outcomes, visual acuity, and antifungal susceptibility were collected and analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed by comparing two groups, namely, the ocular candidiasis (n = 29) and non-ocular candidiasis (n = 51) groups. In the ocular candidiasis group, there were significantly more cases of central venous catheter insertion (82.8%, p = 0.026) and Candida albicans candidemia (72.4%, p < 0.001). Regarding ocular involvement, the majority of patients were asymptomatic. Most cases improved with antifungal therapy, but one case underwent vitrectomy. Between 2016 and 2020, there was a diversification of species, with a decrease in Candida parapsilosis and the emergence of Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis. Regarding drug susceptibility, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of echinocandin and 5-fluorocytosine against Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida glabrata were slightly increased. In conclusion, in addition to appropriately performing ophthalmologic examinations, it is beneficial to select antifungal agents according to the diversity of species and drug susceptibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoya Sano
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan.
| | - Hisashi Sasaki
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan.
| | - Yohei Maki
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan.
| | - Ryosuke Nagaoka
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan.
| | - Takaaki Hamamoto
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan.
| | - Shimpei Sugaoka
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan.
| | - Takayuki Kanda
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan.
| | - Masaru Takeuchi
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan.
| | - Akihiko Kawana
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan.
| | - Yoshifumi Kimizuka
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan.
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84
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Cazals M, Bédard E, Soucy C, Savard P, Prévost M. How clean is your ice machine? Revealing microbial amplification and presence of opportunistic pathogens in hospital ice-water machines. J Hosp Infect 2023; 141:9-16. [PMID: 37604277 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2023.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ice machines in healthcare facilities have been suspected and even linked to outbreaks and pseudo-outbreaks. Guidelines exist for maintenance of these devices but there is no clear independent infection control standard, and little is known about their microbial contamination. AIM To evaluate the microbial contamination, amplification, and presence of opportunistic pathogens in ice-water machines in a healthcare facility. METHODS Concentrations of general microbial indicators (heterotrophic plate counts (HPC), total and intact cells), faecal indicators (enterococci) and opportunistic pathogens (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), Candida spp.) were measured in 36 ice-water machines on patient wards of a 772-bed hospital. Profile sampling was performed on five ice-water machines and adjacent faucets to identify sites of microbial proliferation. FINDINGS Candida spp. were found in half of ice-water samples while enterococci and P. aeruginosa were present in six and 11 drain inlets respectively. NTM were measured in all ice-water samples and 35 out of 36 biofilms. Pre-filters and ice machines are sites for additional amplification: NTM densities were on average 1.3 log10 higher in water of ice machine flushed 5 min compared to flushed adjacent tap water. CONCLUSION Ice machine design needs to be adapted to reduce microbial proliferation. The absence of correlation between HPC densities (current microbial indicators) and NTM concentrations suggests a need for cleaning efficiency indicators better correlated with opportunistic pathogens. Cleaning and disinfection guidelines of ice machines in healthcare facilities need to be improved, especially when ice is given to the most vulnerable patients, and NTM may be an efficiency indicator.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Cazals
- Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering Department, Polytechnique Montréal, Montreal, Canada.
| | - E Bédard
- Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering Department, Polytechnique Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - C Soucy
- Infection Prevention and Control, University of Montreal Hospital Centre (CHUM), Montreal, Canada
| | - P Savard
- Infection Prevention and Control, University of Montreal Hospital Centre (CHUM), Montreal, Canada; Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology and University of Montreal Hospital Centre Research Centre (CRCHUM), University of Montreal, Canada
| | - M Prévost
- Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering Department, Polytechnique Montréal, Montreal, Canada
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85
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Lu HY, Tsai WC, Liu JS, Huang CH. Preparation and evaluation of Cordyceps militaris polysaccharide- and sesame oil-loaded nanoemulsion for the treatment of candidal vaginitis in mice. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 167:115506. [PMID: 37716120 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Candida albicans is the most prevalent fungal pathogen, affecting over 75% of women who have experienced candidal vaginitis. Given the identification of drug-resistant C. albicans strains, there is an urgent need to develop therapeutic methods for treating vaginal Candida infection. Polysaccharide is the major bioactive component of Cordyceps militaris, known to modulate immune responses and alleviate inflammation. Sesame oil is known with anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory activities. METHODS C. militaris polysaccharide was prepared and formulated with sesame oil to prepare emulsion and nanoemulsion, which are ideal mucosal delivery systems for both hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds concurrently. The physical property and storage stability of these formulations were illustrated, and their effects on ameliorating vaginitis were investigated in a murine model of vaginal Candida infection. RESULTS C. militaris polysaccharide-containing nanoemulsion showed smaller particle size, lower polydispersity index, higher zeta-potential and better stability than emulsion. Intravaginal administration of C. militaris polysaccharide-containing nanoemulsion significantly attenuated C. militaris colonization and vaginitis. Notably, these formulations exerted distinct effects on modulating cell infiltration and splenic cytokine production. Moreover, different profile of vaginal microflora was observed among the treatment groups, revealing the potential action mechanisms of these formulations to mitigate vaginal Candida infection. CONCLUSION C. militaris polysaccharide- and sesame oil-containing nanoemulsion is potential to be developed as intravaginal therapeutic strategy for C. albicans-induced vaginitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsueh-Yu Lu
- Department of Food Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chung Tsai
- Department of Food Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Shan Liu
- Department of Food Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Hsiung Huang
- Department of Food Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan; Center for Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan.
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Brandquist ND, Lampman C, Smith EJ, Basilio L, Almansob A, Iwen PC, Blankenship JR. Significant variation of filamentation phenotypes in clinical Candida albicans strains. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1207083. [PMID: 37928181 PMCID: PMC10623444 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1207083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Candida albicans is an opportunistic human pathogen that typically resides as part of the microbiome in the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts of a large portion of the human population. This fungus lacks a true sexual cycle and evolves in a largely clonal pattern. The ability to cause disease is consistent across the species as strains causing systemic infections appear across the known C. albicans intra-species clades. Methods In this work, strains collected from patients with systemic C. albicans infections isolated at the Nebraska Medicine clinical laboratory were typed by MLST analysis. Since the ability to form filaments has been linked to pathogenesis in C. albicans, these clinical strains, as well as a previously genotyped set of clinical strains, were tested for their ability to filament across a variety of inducing conditions. Results Genotyping of the clinical strains demonstrated that the strains isolated at one of the major medical centers in our region were as diverse as strains collected across the United States. We demonstrated that clinical strains exhibit a variety of filamentation patterns across differing inducing conditions. The only consistent pattern observed in the entire set of clinical strains tested was an almost universal inability to filament in standard solid inducing conditions used throughout the C. albicans field. A different solid filamentation assay that produces more robust filamentation profiles from clinical strains is proposed in this study, although not all strains expected to filament in vivo were filamentous in this assay. Discussion Our data supports growing evidence that broad phenotypic diversity exists between the C. albicans type strain and clinical strains, suggesting that the type strain poorly represents filamentation patterns observed in most clinical isolates. These data further highlight the need to use diverse clinical strains in pathogenesis assays.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cierra Lampman
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Elias J. Smith
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Lizeth Basilio
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Akram Almansob
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Peter C. Iwen
- Nebraska Public Health Laboratory, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Jill R. Blankenship
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, United States
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Montoya C, Kurylec J, Ossa A, Orrego S. Cyclic strain of poly (methyl methacrylate) surfaces triggered the pathogenicity of Candida albicans. Acta Biomater 2023; 170:415-426. [PMID: 37625677 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans is an opportunistic yeast and the primary etiological factor in oral candidiasis and denture stomatitis. The pathogenesis of C. albicans could be triggered by several variables, including environmental, nutritional, and biomaterial surface cues. Specifically, biomaterial interactions are driven by different surface properties, including wettability, stiffness, and roughness. Dental biomaterials experience repetitive (cyclic) stresses from chewing and biomechanical movements. Pathogenic biofilms are formed over these biomaterial surfaces under cyclic strain. This study investigated the effect of the cyclic strain (deformation) of biomaterial surfaces on the virulence of Candida albicans. Candida biofilms were grown over Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) surfaces subjected to static (no strain) and cyclic strain with different levels (ε˜x=0.1 and 0.2%). To evaluate the biomaterial-biofilm interactions, the biofilm characteristics, yeast-to-hyphae transition, and the expression of virulent genes were measured. Results showed the biofilm biomass and metabolic activity to be significantly higher when Candida adhered to surfaces subjected to cyclic strain compared to static surfaces. Examination of the yeast-to-hyphae transition showed pseudo-hyphae cells (pathogenic) in cyclically strained biomaterial surfaces, whereas static surfaces showed spherical yeast cells (commensal). RNA sequencing was used to determine and compare the transcriptome profiles of cyclically strained and static surfaces. Genes and transcription factors associated with cell adhesion (CSH1, PGA10, and RBT5), biofilm formation (EFG1), and secretion of extracellular matrix (ECM) (CRH1, ADH5, GCA1, and GCA2) were significantly upregulated in the cyclically strained biomaterial surfaces compared to static ones. Genes and transcription factors associated with virulence (UME6 and HGC1) and the secretion of extracellular enzymes (LIP, PLB, and SAP families) were also significantly upregulated in the cyclically strained biomaterial surfaces compared to static. For the first time, this study reveals a biomaterial surface factor triggering the pathogenesis of Candida albicans, which is essential for understanding, controlling, and preventing oral infections. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Fungal infections produced by Candida albicans are a significant contributor to various health conditions. Candida becomes pathogenic when certain environmental conditions change, including temperature, pH, nutrients, and CO2 levels. In addition, surface properties, including wettability, stiffness, and roughness, drive the interactions between Candida and biomaterials. Clinically, Candida adheres to biomaterials that are under repetitive deformation due to body movements. In this work, we revealed that when Candida adhered to biomaterial surfaces subjected to repetitive deformation, the microorganism becomes pathogenic by increasing the formation of biofilms and the expression of virulent factors related to hyphae formation and secretion of enzymes. Findings from this work could aid the development of new strategies for treating fungal infections in medical devices or implanted biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Montoya
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Julia Kurylec
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Alex Ossa
- Production Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Universidad EAFIT, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Santiago Orrego
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Bioengineering Department, College of Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
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88
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Roos VC, Denardi LB, Teixeira CA, Machado VS, Verdi CM, Dos Santos ID, Wagner R, Sagrillo MR, Pacheco PDS, Gindri AL, Santos RCV. Chemical composition, antifungal activity, antibiofilm and citotoxicity of the essential oil of Citrus deliciosa tenore. Nat Prod Res 2023:1-6. [PMID: 37837471 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2023.2269590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
The leaves of Citrus deliciosa Tenore were collected in southern Brazil, dried, and subjected to the hydrodistillation process to obtain the essential oil. The extraction of essential oil yielded 0.97% ± 0.04. The chromatographic profile of this compound revealed 11 substances, being methyl N-methyl-anthranilate (75.1%), γ-terpinene (13.8%), and Limonene (7%) as major substances. The essential oil shows antifungal action against all tested yeasts, with promising action against Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus gattii, and Trichosporon asahii. This compound was also able to inhibit the biofilm production of Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, and T. asahii. The essential oil of tangerine showed weak antioxidant action. It did not show cytotoxicity in human mononuclear cells. It is hoped that these results may guide future studies for the production of formulations that can be used in the treatment of biofilms caused by yeasts, as well as in candidiasis, cryptococcosis, and/or trichosporonosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitor Corteline Roos
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Microbiologia Oral - LAPEMICRO, UFSM, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Laura Bedin Denardi
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Micológicas - LAPEMI, UFSM, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Vanessa Schopf Machado
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Microbiologia Oral - LAPEMICRO, UFSM, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Camila Marina Verdi
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Microbiologia Oral - LAPEMICRO, UFSM, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ingrid Duarte Dos Santos
- Núcleo Integrado de Desenvolvimento em Análises Laboratoriais - NIDAL, UFSM, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Roger Wagner
- Núcleo Integrado de Desenvolvimento em Análises Laboratoriais - NIDAL, UFSM, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Michele Rorato Sagrillo
- Laboratório de Cultivo Celular, Programa de Pós-graduação em Nanociências - UFN, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Amanda Leitão Gindri
- Laboratório de Plantas Medicinais - LABPLAM, URI, Santiago, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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89
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Hatami F, Manifar S, Asghari-Paskiabi F, Bagheri Amiri F, Nojoumi SA, Jahanshiri Z. Molecular mechanisms of azole resistance in Candida glabrata isolated from oropharyngeal candidiasis in head and neck cancer patients. Arch Oral Biol 2023; 154:105757. [PMID: 37419061 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2023.105757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the current work was to assess the molecular mechanisms of fluconazole-resistant Candida glabrata strains isolated from oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) in head and neck patients, as well as evaluation of virulence factors. DESIGN Antifungal susceptibility pattern of sixty six clinical isolates of C. glabrata were evaluated by broth-microdilution method. The expression of ERG11, CDR1, CDR2, PDR1 genes as well as ERG11 gene capable of possible mutations was also detected in 21 fluconazol-resistant C. glabrata isolates. Phospholipase and proteinase activity of these isolates was estimated, too. The correlation between the virulence factors, antifungal susceptibility patterns and cancer type was also analyzed. RESULTS Seven synonymous and four non-synonymous mutations were found in 21 fluconazole-resistant C. glabrata isolates; subsequently, four amino acid substitutions including H257P, Q47H, S487Y and I285N were then reported for the first time. High expression of CDR1 and PDR1 in related to other gene findings were tested in these isolates. Additionally, there was no significant difference between stage of cancer and MIC of all antimicrobial drugs. Significant differences between MIC of fluconazole, voriconazole and cancer types were also, found. The proteinase activity (92.4%) was higher than phospholipase activity in the isolates. Further, no significant difference between proteinase (rs: 0.003), phospholipase (rs: -0.107) activity and fluconazole MICs was observed. CONCLUSION C. glabrata isolated from OPC in head and neck patients represented high capacities for proteolytic enzymes activity and high mRNA level of CDR1 and PDR1 gene and ERG11 mutations play an important role in azole drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farahnaz Hatami
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soheila Manifar
- Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Cancer Institute of Tehran, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Fahimeh Bagheri Amiri
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Ali Nojoumi
- Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; Microbiology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Jahanshiri
- Department of Mycology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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90
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Gutzmann DJ, Kramer JJ, Toomey BM, Boone CHT, Atkin AL, Nickerson KW. Transcriptional regulation of the synthesis and secretion of farnesol in the fungus Candida albicans: examination of the Homann transcription regulator knockout collection. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2023; 13:jkad172. [PMID: 37522561 PMCID: PMC10542173 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans is an efficient colonizer of human gastrointestinal tracts and skin and is an opportunistic pathogen. C. albicans exhibits morphological plasticity, and the ability to switch between yeast and filamentous morphologies is associated with virulence. One regulator of this switch is the quorum sensing molecule farnesol that is produced by C. albicans throughout growth. However, the synthesis, secretion, regulation, and turnover of farnesol are not fully understood. To address this, we used our improved farnesol assay to screen a transcription regulator knockout library for differences in farnesol accumulation in whole cultures, pellets, and supernatants. All screened mutants produced farnesol and they averaged 9.2× more farnesol in the pellet than the supernatant. Nineteen mutants had significant differences with ten mutants producing more farnesol than their SN152+ wild-type control strain while nine produced less. Seven mutants exhibited greater secretion of farnesol while two exhibited less. We examined the time course for farnesol accumulation in six mutants with the greatest accumulation differences and found that those differences persisted throughout growth and they were not time dependent. Significantly, two high-accumulating mutants did not exhibit the decay in farnesol levels during stationary phase characteristic of wild-type C. albicans, suggesting that a farnesol modification/degradation mechanism is absent in these mutants. Identifying these transcriptional regulators provides new insight into farnesol's physiological functions regarding cell cycle progression, white-opaque switching, yeast-mycelial dimorphism, and response to cellular stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Gutzmann
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Jaxon J Kramer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Brigid M Toomey
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Cory H T Boone
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Audrey L Atkin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Kenneth W Nickerson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
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91
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Periferakis AT, Periferakis A, Periferakis K, Caruntu A, Badarau IA, Savulescu-Fiedler I, Scheau C, Caruntu C. Antimicrobial Properties of Capsaicin: Available Data and Future Research Perspectives. Nutrients 2023; 15:4097. [PMID: 37836381 PMCID: PMC10574431 DOI: 10.3390/nu15194097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Capsaicin is a phytochemical derived from plants of the genus Capsicum and subject of intensive phytochemical research due to its numerous physiological and therapeutical effects, including its important antimicrobial properties. Depending on the concentration and the strain of the bacterium, capsaicin can exert either bacteriostatic or even bactericidal effects against a wide range of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, while in certain cases it can reduce their pathogenicity by a variety of mechanisms such as mitigating the release of toxins or inhibiting biofilm formation. Likewise, capsaicin has been shown to be effective against fungal pathogens, particularly Candida spp., where it once again interferes with biofilm formation. The parasites Toxoplasma gondi and Trypanosoma cruzi have been found to be susceptible to the action of this compound too while there are also viruses whose invasiveness is significantly dampened by it. Among the most encouraging findings are the prospects for future development, especially using new formulations and drug delivery mechanisms. Finally, the influence of capsaicin in somatostatin and substance P secretion and action, offers an interesting array of possibilities given that these physiologically secreted compounds modulate inflammation and immune response to a significant extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aristodemos-Theodoros Periferakis
- Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Elkyda, Research & Education Centre of Charismatheia, 17675 Athens, Greece
| | - Argyrios Periferakis
- Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Elkyda, Research & Education Centre of Charismatheia, 17675 Athens, Greece
- Akadimia of Ancient Greek and Traditional Chinese Medicine, 16675 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Periferakis
- Akadimia of Ancient Greek and Traditional Chinese Medicine, 16675 Athens, Greece
- Pan-Hellenic Organization of Educational Programs (P.O.E.P), 17236 Athens, Greece
| | - Ana Caruntu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, “Carol Davila” Central Military Emergency Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Titu Maiorescu” University, 031593 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ioana Anca Badarau
- Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ilinca Savulescu-Fiedler
- Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Coltea Clinical Hospital, 030167 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Internal Medicine, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristian Scheau
- Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, “Foisor” Clinical Hospital of Orthopaedics, Traumatology and Osteoarticular TB, 021382 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Constantin Caruntu
- Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Dermatology, ‘Prof. N.C. Paulescu’ National Institute of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, 011233 Bucharest, Romania
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92
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Anaya EU, Amin AE, Wester MJ, Danielson ME, Michel KS, Neumann AK. Dectin-1 multimerization and signaling depends on fungal β-glucan structure and exposure. Biophys J 2023; 122:3749-3767. [PMID: 37515324 PMCID: PMC10541497 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Dectin-1A is a C-type lectin innate immunoreceptor that recognizes β-(1,3;1,6)-glucan, a structural component of Candida species cell walls. β-Glucans can adopt solution structures ranging from random coil to insoluble fiber due to tertiary (helical) and quaternary structure. Fungal β-glucans of medium and high molecular weight are highly structured, but low molecular weight glucan is much less structured. Despite similar affinity for Dectin-1, the ability of glucans to induce Dectin-1A-mediated signaling correlates with degree of structure. Glucan denaturation experiments showed that glucan structure determines agonistic potential, but not receptor binding affinity. We explored the impact of glucan structure on molecular aggregation of Dectin-1A. Stimulation with glucan signaling decreased Dectin-1A diffusion coefficient. Fluorescence measurements provided direct evidence of ligation-induced Dectin-1A aggregation, which positively correlated with increasing glucan structure content. In contrast, Dectin-1A is predominantly in a low aggregation state in resting cells. Molecular aggregates formed during interaction with highly structured, agonistic glucans did not exceed relatively small (<15 nm) clusters of a few engaged receptors. Finally, we observed increased molecular aggregation of Dectin-1A at fungal particle contact sites in a manner that positively correlated with the degree of exposed glucan on the particle surface. These results indicate that Dectin-1A senses the solution conformation of β-glucans through their varying ability to drive receptor dimer/oligomer formation and activation of membrane proximal signaling events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo U Anaya
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Akram Etemadi Amin
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Michael J Wester
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | | | | | - Aaron K Neumann
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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93
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Dallastella M, de Oliveira WK, Rodrigues ML, Goldenberg S, Alves LR. The characterization of RNA-binding proteins and RNA metabolism-related proteins in fungal extracellular vesicles. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1247329. [PMID: 37780856 PMCID: PMC10539620 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1247329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are essential for regulating RNA metabolism, stability, and translation within cells. Recent studies have shown that RBPs are not restricted to intracellular functions and can be found in extracellular vesicles (EVs) in different mammalian cells. EVs released by fungi contain a variety of proteins involved in RNA metabolism. These include RNA helicases, which play essential roles in RNA synthesis, folding, and degradation. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, responsible for acetylating tRNA molecules, are also enriched in EVs, suggesting a possible link between these enzymes and tRNA fragments detected in EVs. Proteins with canonical RNA-binding domains interact with proteins and RNA, such as the RNA Recognition Motif (RRM), Zinc finger, and hnRNP K-homology (KH) domains. Polyadenylate-binding protein (PABP) plays a critical role in the regulation of gene expression by binding the poly(A) tail of messenger RNA (mRNA) and facilitating its translation, stability, and localization, making it a key factor in post-transcriptional control of gene expression. The presence of proteins related to the RNA life cycle in EVs from different fungal species suggests a conserved mechanism of EV cargo packing. Various models have been proposed for selecting RNA molecules for release into EVs. Still, the actual loading processes are unknown, and further molecular characterization of these proteins may provide insight into the mechanism of RNA sorting into EVs. This work reviews the current knowledge of RBPs and proteins related to RNA metabolism in EVs derived from distinct fungi species, and presents an analysis of proteomic datasets through GO term and orthology analysis, Our investigation identified orthologous proteins in fungal EVs on different fungal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Dallastella
- Gene Expression Regulation Laboratory, Carlos Chagas Institute (ICC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, FIOCRUZ, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Willian Klassen de Oliveira
- Laboratory for Applied Sciences and Technology in Health, Carlos Chagas Institute, FIOCRUZ PR, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Marcio L. Rodrigues
- Gene Expression Regulation Laboratory, Carlos Chagas Institute (ICC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, FIOCRUZ, Curitiba, Brazil
- Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Samuel Goldenberg
- Gene Expression Regulation Laboratory, Carlos Chagas Institute (ICC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, FIOCRUZ, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Lysangela R. Alves
- Gene Expression Regulation Laboratory, Carlos Chagas Institute (ICC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, FIOCRUZ, Curitiba, Brazil
- Research Center in Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Disease and Immunity CHU de Quebec Research Center, University Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
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94
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Wang Q, Tu J, Yang W, Liang T, Liu N, Sheng C. Discovery of Pyrazolone Carbothioamide Derivatives as Inhibitors of the Pdr1-KIX Interaction for Combinational Treatment of Azole-Resistant Candidiasis. J Med Chem 2023; 66:11893-11904. [PMID: 37584282 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Candida glabrata has emerged as an important opportunistic pathogen of invasive candidiasis due to increasing drug resistance. Targeting Pdr1-KIX interactions with small molecules represents a potential strategy for treating drug-resistant candidiasis. However, effective Pdr1-KIX inhibitors are rather limited, hindering the validation of target druggability. Here, new Pdr1-KIX inhibitors were designed and assayed. Particularly, compound B8 possessed a new chemical scaffold and exhibited potent KIX binding affinity, leading to enhanced synergistic efficacy with fluconazole to treat resistant C. glabrata infection (FICI = 0.28). Compound B8 acted by inhibiting the efflux pump and down-regulating resistance-associated genes through blocking the Pdr1-KIX interaction. Compound B8 exhibited excellent in vitro and in vivo antifungal potency in combination with fluconazole against azole-resistant C. glabrata. It also had direct antifungal effect to treat C. glabrata infection, suggesting new mechanisms of action independent of Pdr1-KIX inhibition. Therefore, compound B8 represents a promising lead compound for antifungal drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingwen Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Jie Tu
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Wanzhen Yang
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Tingting Liang
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Na Liu
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), Shanghai 200433, China
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95
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Wolnicka-Glubisz A, Wisniewska-Becker A. Dual Action of Curcumin as an Anti- and Pro-Oxidant from a Biophysical Perspective. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1725. [PMID: 37760028 PMCID: PMC10525529 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12091725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Curcumin, a natural polyphenol widely used as a spice, colorant and food additive, has been shown to have therapeutic effects against different disorders, mostly due to its anti-oxidant properties. Curcumin also reduces the efficiency of melanin synthesis and affects cell membranes. However, curcumin can act as a pro-oxidant when blue light is applied, since upon illumination it can generate singlet oxygen. Our review aims to describe this dual role of curcumin from a biophysical perspective, bearing in mind its concentration, bioavailability-enhancing modifications and membrane interactions, as well as environmental conditions such as light. In low concentrations and without irradiation, curcumin shows positive effects and can be recommended as a beneficial food supplement. On the other hand, when used in excess or irradiated, curcumin can be toxic. Therefore, numerous attempts have been undertaken to test curcumin as a potential photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy (PDT). At that point, we underline that curcumin-based PDT is limited to the treatment of superficial tumors or skin and oral infections due to the weak penetration of blue light. Additionally, we conclude that an increase in curcumin bioavailability through the using nanocarriers, and therefore its concentration, as well as its topical use if skin is exposed to light, may be dangerous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Wolnicka-Glubisz
- Department of Biophysics and Cancer Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Wisniewska-Becker
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
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96
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Zhao X, Hu X, Han J, Yin R, Zhang S, Liu H. Gut mycobiome: A "black box" of gut microbiome-host interactions. WIREs Mech Dis 2023; 15:e1611. [PMID: 37157158 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Fungi, being a necessary component of the gut microbiome, potentially have direct or indirect effects on the health and illness status of the host. The gut mycobiome is an inducer of the host's immunity, maintaining intestinal homeostasis, and protecting against infections, as well as a reservoir of opportunistic microorganisms and a potential cofactor when the host is immunocompromised. In addition, gut fungi interact with a diverse range of microbes in the intestinal niches. In this article, we reviewed the composition of gut mycobiome, their association with host health and illness, and summarized the specific Candida albicans-host interactions, in order to provide insights and directions for the ongoing study of fungi. This article is categorized under: Infectious Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaomin Hu
- Department of Medical Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Junjie Han
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ruopeng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuyang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hongwei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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97
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Abdallah EM, Alhatlani BY, de Paula Menezes R, Martins CHG. Back to Nature: Medicinal Plants as Promising Sources for Antibacterial Drugs in the Post-Antibiotic Era. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3077. [PMID: 37687324 PMCID: PMC10490416 DOI: 10.3390/plants12173077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Undoubtedly, the advent of antibiotics in the 19th century had a substantial impact, increasing human life expectancy. However, a multitude of scientific investigations now indicate that we are currently experiencing a phase known as the post-antibiotic era. There is a genuine concern that we might regress to a time before antibiotics and confront widespread outbreaks of severe epidemic diseases, particularly those caused by bacterial infections. These investigations have demonstrated that epidemics thrive under environmental stressors such as climate change, the depletion of natural resources, and detrimental human activities such as wars, conflicts, antibiotic overuse, and pollution. Moreover, bacteria possess a remarkable ability to adapt and mutate. Unfortunately, the current development of antibiotics is insufficient, and the future appears grim unless we abandon our current approach of generating synthetic antibiotics that rapidly lose their effectiveness against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Despite their vital role in modern medicine, medicinal plants have served as the primary source of curative drugs since ancient times. Numerous scientific reports published over the past three decades suggest that medicinal plants could serve as a promising alternative to ineffective antibiotics in combating infectious diseases. Over the past few years, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, saponins, and terpenoids have exhibited noteworthy antibacterial potential, primarily through membrane-disruption mechanisms, protein binding, interference with intermediary metabolism, anti-quorum sensing, and anti-biofilm activity. However, to optimize their utilization as effective antibacterial drugs, further advancements in omics technologies and network pharmacology will be required in order to identify optimal combinations among these compounds or in conjunction with antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emad M. Abdallah
- Department of Science Laboratories, College of Science and Arts, Qassim University, Ar Rass 51921, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Bader Y. Alhatlani
- Unit of Scientific Research, Applied College, Qassim University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ralciane de Paula Menezes
- Technical School of Health, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38400-732, MG, Brazil;
- Laboratory of Antimicrobial Testing, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38405-320, MG, Brazil;
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乔 婕, 芦 丽, 何 玉, 门 春, 楚 新, 武 蓓, 赵 慧, 王 梅. [Fungal peritoneal dialysis catheter-related exit-site infection combined with tunnel infection: A case report]. BEIJING DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF PEKING UNIVERSITY. HEALTH SCIENCES 2023; 55:748-754. [PMID: 37534662 PMCID: PMC10398773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter-related infection (i.e. exit-site infection and tunnel infection) is one of the main causes of PD-related peritonitis. If it cannot be controlled effectively, it could lead to PD technique failure. Therefore, timely and effective diagnosis and treatment and active prevention so as to reduce PD catheter-related infection is an important treatment goal in PD patients. PD catheter exit-site infection (ESI) and tunnel infection can be caused by a variety of microorganisms, mainly bacteria, while fungi are very rare. Few public data can be used to guide treatment of PD catheter-related fungal infection, and there is no related report in China till now. Once fungal peritonitis occurred, the patient can only withdraw from PD treatment. Here, we report a case of fungal PD catheter ESI combined with tunnel infection which was successfully diagnosed and treated in our PD center. A 71-year-old woman came to clinic because of "PD for 5 years, secretions from exit site for 8 days and aggravation for 1 day". The patient suffered from peritonitis, ESI and tunnel infection for many times in the past 5 years, involving a variety of pathogens. Eight days before, she found white viscous discharge from exit site. The subcutaneous cuff completely came out of it and rubbed its skin. The Schaefer exit-site score was 3 points. Due to the suspected ESI 2 months before, the discharge swab for bacterial culture was positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, so the exit site swab for bacterial culture was done again, and gentamicin injection was applied topically once a day for empirical treatment. The exit site was evaluated one day before: The subcutaneous tunnel was significantly swollen and slightly tender at 2.5 cm away from the exit site, and with white medium amount of viscous secretions. The exit-site score increased to 4 points. Routine test of dialysis effluent was (-). The bacterial culture of the exit-site discharge was rechecked twice, and Candida parapsilosis was positive for two times, so the diagnosis of fungal PD catheter ESI combined with tunnel infection was clear. Immediately we searched for the causes of ESI and tunnel infection. We found that the patient had a suspicious history of gray toenail on the foot. The toenail smear was positive for fungi and visible hyphae. She washed feet with hands every day, and washed clothes on a low bench every day, which made the exit-site and tunnel squeezed for a long time. Based on the above causes, we gave her comprehensive treatment as follows: For ESI and tunnel fungal infections, fluco-nazole was used systemically according to the drug sensitivity results, and miconazole cream was applied to the exit-site locally. For the subcutaneous cuff that came out completely, daily iodophor disinfection was given locally. At the same time, local antifungal treatment was given to the foot. We followed up closely during treatment, evaluated the exit-site every 2-3 days, and took photos of the exit-site to dynamically observe the effect. After 14 days of treatment, the exit-site score continued to be 0-1, the bacterial culture of the exit-site was negative, the cuff culture was negative, and the tunnel B-ultrasound was normal. The patient had been followed up regularly once a month for 60 months, no ESI and tunnel infection occurred. Fungal PD catheter ESI and tunnel infection are rare complications of PD. When the standard anti-infection treatment is ineffective, the possibility of fungal infection should be considered, so as to avoid prolonged use of antibiotics, aggravating fungal infection, and even progressing to fungal peritonitis, leading to withdrawal from PD. Accurate exit-site evaluation is helpful for timely diagnosis and early treatment of ESI and tunnel infection. The exit-site discharge culture and drug sensitivity test before treatment are helpful to identify the pathogen and adjust subsequent treatment. At the same time, repeated discharge culture is required in order to exclude positive fungal culture results caused by contamination. Once fungal catheter-related infection is diagnosed, we should search for possible causes actively, subsequent targeted and comprehensive treatment plays a decisive role for the prognosis of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- 婕 乔
- />北京大学人民医院肾内科,北京 100044Department of Nephrology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - 丽霞 芦
- />北京大学人民医院肾内科,北京 100044Department of Nephrology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - 玉婷 何
- />北京大学人民医院肾内科,北京 100044Department of Nephrology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - 春翠 门
- />北京大学人民医院肾内科,北京 100044Department of Nephrology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - 新新 楚
- />北京大学人民医院肾内科,北京 100044Department of Nephrology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - 蓓 武
- />北京大学人民医院肾内科,北京 100044Department of Nephrology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - 慧萍 赵
- />北京大学人民医院肾内科,北京 100044Department of Nephrology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - 梅 王
- />北京大学人民医院肾内科,北京 100044Department of Nephrology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
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Njovu IK, Nalumaga PP, Ampaire L, Nuwagira E, Mwesigye J, Musinguzi B, Kassaza K, Taseera K, Kiguli Mukasa J, Bazira J, Iramiot JS, Baguma A, Bongomin F, Kwizera R, Achan B, Cox MJ, King JS, May R, Ballou ER, Itabangi H. Investigating Metabolic and Molecular Ecological Evolution of Opportunistic Pulmonary Fungal Coinfections: Protocol for a Laboratory-Based Cross-Sectional Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2023; 12:e48014. [PMID: 37581914 PMCID: PMC10466149 DOI: 10.2196/48014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fungal-bacterial cocolonization and coinfections pose an emerging challenge among patients suspected of having pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB); however, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms and microbiome interactions are poorly understood. Understanding how environmental microbes, such as fungi and bacteria, coevolve and develop traits to evade host immune responses and resist treatment is critical to controlling opportunistic pulmonary fungal coinfections. In this project, we propose to study the coexistence of fungal and bacterial microbial communities during chronic pulmonary diseases, with a keen interest in underpinning fungal etiological evolution and the predominating interactions that may exist between fungi and bacteria. OBJECTIVE This is a protocol for a study aimed at investigating the metabolic and molecular ecological evolution of opportunistic pulmonary fungal coinfections through determining and characterizing the burden, etiological profiles, microbial communities, and interactions established between fungi and bacteria as implicated among patients with presumptive PTB. METHODS This will be a laboratory-based cross-sectional study, with a sample size of 406 participants. From each participant, 2 sputa samples (one on-spot and one early morning) will be collected. These samples will then be analyzed for both fungal and bacterial etiology using conventional metabolic and molecular (intergenic transcribed spacer and 16S ribosomal DNA-based polymerase chain reaction) approaches. We will also attempt to design a genome-scale metabolic model for pulmonary microbial communities to analyze the composition of the entire microbiome (ie, fungi and bacteria) and investigate host-microbial interactions under different patient conditions. This analysis will be based on the interplays of genes (identified by metagenomics) and inferred from amplicon data and metabolites (identified by metabolomics) by analyzing the full data set and using specific computational tools. We will also collect baseline data, including demographic and clinical history, using a patient-reported questionnaire. Altogether, this approach will contribute to a diagnostic-based observational study. The primary outcome will be the overall fungal and bacterial diagnostic profile of the study participants. Other diagnostic factors associated with the etiological profile, such as incidence and prevalence, will also be analyzed using univariate and multivariate schemes. Odds ratios with 95% CIs will be presented with a statistical significance set at P<.05. RESULTS The study has been approved by the Mbarara University Research Ethic Committee (MUREC1/7-07/09/20) and the Uganda National Council of Science and Technology (HS1233ES). Following careful scrutiny, the protocol was designed to enable patient enrollment, which began in March 2022 at Mbarara University Teaching Hospital. Data collection is ongoing and is expected to be completed by August 2023, and manuscripts will be submitted for publication thereafter. CONCLUSIONS Through this protocol, we will explore the metabolic and molecular ecological evolution of opportunistic pulmonary fungal coinfections among patients with presumptive PTB. Establishing key fungal-bacterial cross-kingdom synergistic relationships is crucial for instituting fungal bacterial coinfecting etiology. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN33572982; https://tinyurl.com/caa2nw69. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/48014.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israel Kiiza Njovu
- Medical Mycology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Pauline Petra Nalumaga
- Medical Mycology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Lucas Ampaire
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Edwin Nuwagira
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - James Mwesigye
- Medical Mycology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Benson Musinguzi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Muni University, Arua, Uganda
| | - Kennedy Kassaza
- Medical Mycology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Kabanda Taseera
- Medical Mycology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - James Kiguli Mukasa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Health Sciences, Soroti University, Soroti, Uganda
| | - Joel Bazira
- Medical Mycology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Jacob Stanley Iramiot
- Mycology Unit, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Busitema University, Mbale, Uganda
| | - Andrew Baguma
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Kabale University, Kabale, Uganda
| | - Felix Bongomin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Richard Kwizera
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Beatrice Achan
- Department of Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Michael J Cox
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jason S King
- School of Biosciences, Sheffield University, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Robin May
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth R Ballou
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Herbert Itabangi
- Medical Mycology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
- Mycology Unit, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Busitema University, Mbale, Uganda
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100
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Shen J, Ma M, Duan W, Huang Y, Shi B, Wu Q, Wei X. Autophagy Alters the Susceptibility of Candida albicans Biofilms to Antifungal Agents. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2015. [PMID: 37630575 PMCID: PMC10458732 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11082015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans (C. albicans) reigns as a major cause of clinical candidiasis. C. albicans biofilms are known to increase resistance to antifungal agents, making biofilm-related infections particularly challenging to treat. Drug resistance is of particular concern due to the spread of multidrug-resistant fungal pathogens, while autophagy is crucial for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of an activator and an inhibitor of autophagy on the susceptibility of C. albicans biofilms to antifungal agents and the related mechanisms. The susceptibility of C. albicans biofilms to different antifungal agents after treatment with or without the autophagy activator or inhibitor was evaluated using XTT assay. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, as well as the expression of ROS-related and autophagy-related genes, were examined to evaluate the autophagic activity of C. albicans biofilms when treated with antifungal agents. The autophagosomes were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The susceptibility of C. albicans biofilms to antifungal agents changed when autophagy changed. The ALP activity and ROS level of C. albicans biofilms increased with the treatment of antifungal agents, and autophagosomes could be observed in C. albicans biofilms. Autophagy was involved in the susceptibility of C. albicans biofilms to antifungal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiadi Shen
- Department of Endodontics, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China; (J.S.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Ming Ma
- Department of Endodontics, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China; (J.S.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Wei Duan
- Department of Endodontics, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China; (J.S.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Yun Huang
- Department of Endodontics, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China; (J.S.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Banruo Shi
- Department of Endodontics, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China; (J.S.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Qiaochu Wu
- Department of Endodontics, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China; (J.S.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Xin Wei
- Department of Endodontics, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China; (J.S.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China
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