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Ahmed N, Mahmood MS, Ullah MA, Araf Y, Rahaman TI, Moin AT, Hosen MJ. COVID-19-Associated Candidiasis: Possible Patho-Mechanism, Predisposing Factors, and Prevention Strategies. Curr Microbiol 2022; 79:127. [PMID: 35287179 PMCID: PMC8918595 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-022-02824-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is threatening public health. A large number of affected people need to be hospitalized. Immunocompromised patients and ICU-admitted patients are predisposed to further bacterial and fungal infections, making patient outcomes more critical. Among them, COVID-19-associated candidiasis is becoming more widely recognized as a part of severe COVID-19 sequelae. While the molecular pathophysiology is not fully understood, some factors, including a compromised immune system, iron and zinc deficiencies, and nosocomial and iatrogenic transmissions, predispose COVID-19 patients to candidiasis. In this review, we discuss the existing knowledge of the virulence characteristics of Candida spp. and summarize the key concepts in the possible molecular pathogenesis. We analyze the predisposing factors that make COVID-19 patients more susceptible to candidiasis and the preventive measures which will provide valuable insights to guide the effective prevention of candidiasis in COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafisa Ahmed
- Biotechnology Program, Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Maiesha Samiha Mahmood
- Biotechnology Program, Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Asad Ullah
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Yusha Araf
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Tanjim Ishraq Rahaman
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Life Sciences, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, Bangladesh
| | - Abu Tayab Moin
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Jakir Hosen
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
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Systematic Genetic Interaction Analysis Identifies a Transcription Factor Circuit Required for Oropharyngeal Candidiasis. mBio 2022; 13:e0344721. [PMID: 35012341 PMCID: PMC8749425 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03447-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) is a common infection that complicates a wide range of medical conditions and can cause either mild or severe disease depending on the patient. The pathobiology of OPC shares many features with candidal biofilms of abiotic surfaces. The transcriptional regulation of C. albicans biofilm formation on abiotic surfaces has been extensively characterized and involves six key transcription factors (Efg1, Ndt80, Rob1, Bcr1, Brg1, and Tec1). To determine if the in vitro biofilm transcriptional regulatory network also plays a role in OPC, we carried out a systematic genetic interaction analysis in a mouse model of C. albicans OPC. Whereas each of the six transcription factors are required for in vitro biofilm formation, only three homozygous deletion mutants (tec1ΔΔ, bcr1ΔΔ, and rob1ΔΔ) and one heterozygous mutant (tec1Δ/TEC1) have reduced infectivity in the mouse model of OPC. Although single mutants (heterozygous or homozygous) of BRG1 and EFG1 have no effect on fungal burden, double heterozygous and homozygous mutants have dramatically reduced infectivity, indicating a critical genetic interaction between these two transcription factors during OPC. Using epistasis analysis, we have formulated a genetic circuit, [EFG1+BRG1]→TEC1→BCR1, that is required for OPC infectivity and oral epithelial cell endocytosis. Surprisingly, we also found transcription factor mutants with in vitro defects in filamentation, such as efg1ΔΔ, rob1ΔΔ, and brg1ΔΔ filament, during oral infection and that reduced filamentation does not correlate with infectivity. Taken together, these data indicate that key in vitro biofilm transcription factors are involved in OPC but that the network characteristics and functional connections during infection are distinct from those observed in vivo. IMPORTANCE The pathology of oral candidiasis has features of biofilm formation, a well-studied process in vitro. Based on that analogy, we hypothesized that the network of transcription factors that regulates in vitro biofilm formation has similarities and differences during oral infection. To test this, we employed the first systematic genetic interaction analysis of C. albicans in a mouse model of oropharyngeal infection. This revealed that the six regulators involved in in vitro biofilm formation played roles in vivo but that the functional connections between factors were quite distinct. Surprisingly, we also found that while many of the factors are required for filamentation in vitro, none of the transcription factor deletion mutants was deficient for this key virulence trait in vivo. These observations clearly demonstrate that C. albicans regulates key aspects of its biology differently in vitro and in vivo.
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103
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Radakovic N, Nikolić A, Jovanović NT, Stojković P, Stankovic N, Šolaja B, Opsenica I, Pavic A. Unraveling the anti-virulence potential and antifungal efficacy of 5-aminotetrazoles using the zebrafish model of disseminated candidiasis. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 230:114137. [PMID: 35077918 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114137] [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: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans remains the main causal agent of candidiasis, the most common fungal infection with disturbingly high mortality rates worldwide. The limited diversity and efficacy of clinical antifungal drugs, exacerbated by emerging drug resistance, have resulted in the failure of current antifungal therapies. This imposes an urgent demand for the development of innovative strategies for effective eradication of candidal infections. While the existing clinical drugs display fungicidal or fungistatic activity, the strategy specifically targeting C. albicans filamentation, as the most important virulence trait, represents an attractive approach for overcoming the drawbacks related to clinical antifungals. The results acquired in this study revealed the significant potential of 5-aminotetrazoles as a new class of effective and safe anti-virulence agents. Moreover, these novel agents were active when applied both alone and in combination with clinically approved polyenes. Complete prevention of C. albicans morphogenetic yeast-to-hyphae transition was achieved at doses as low as 1.3 μM under conditions mimicking various filamentation-responsive stimuli in the human body, while no cardio- or hepatotoxicity was observed at doses as high as 200 μM. The treatment of C. albicans-infected zebrafish embryos with nystatin alone had low efficacy, while the combination of nystatin and selected 5-aminotetrazoles prevented fungal filamentation, successfully eliminating the infection and rescuing the infected embryos from lethal disseminated candidiasis. In addition, the most potent anti-virulence 5-aminotetrazole prevented C. albicans in developing the resistance to nystatin when applied in combination, keeping the fungus sensitive to the antifungal drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasa Radakovic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042, Belgrade 152, Serbia
| | - Andrea Nikolić
- University of Belgrade - Faculty of Chemistry, PO Box 51, Studentski trg 16, 11158, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nataša Terzić Jovanović
- University of Belgrade - Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, Njegoševa 12, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Pavle Stojković
- University of Belgrade - Faculty of Chemistry, PO Box 51, Studentski trg 16, 11158, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nada Stankovic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042, Belgrade 152, Serbia
| | - Bogdan Šolaja
- Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Knez Mihailova 35, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Igor Opsenica
- University of Belgrade - Faculty of Chemistry, PO Box 51, Studentski trg 16, 11158, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Aleksandar Pavic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042, Belgrade 152, Serbia.
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104
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Abstract
Candida albicans filamentation, the ability to convert from oval yeast cells to elongated hyphal cells, is a key factor in its pathogenesis. Previous work has shown that the integral membrane protein Dfi1 is required for filamentation in cells grown in contact with a semisolid surface. Investigations into the downstream targets of the Dfi1 pathway revealed potential links to two transcription factors, Sef1 and Czf1. Sef1 regulates iron uptake and iron utilization genes under low-iron conditions, leading us to hypothesize that there exists a link between iron availability and contact-dependent invasive filamentation. In this study, we showed that Sef1 was not required for contact-dependent filamentation, but it was required for wild-type (WT) expression levels of a number of genes during growth under contact conditions. Czf1 is required for contact-dependent filamentation and for WT levels of expression of several genes. Constitutive expression and activation of either Sef1 or Czf1 individually in a dfi1 null strain resulted in a complete rescue of the dfi1 null filamentation defect. Because Sef1 is normally activated in low-iron environments, we embedded WT and dfi1 null cells in iron-free agar medium supplemented with various concentrations of ferrous ammonium sulfate (FAS). dfi1 null cells embedded in media with a low concentration of iron (20 μM FAS) showed increased filamentation in comparison to mutant cells embedded in higher concentrations of iron (50 to 500 μM). WT cells produced filamentous colonies in all concentrations. Together, the data indicate that Dfi1, Czf1, Sef1, and environmental iron regulate C. albicans contact-dependent filamentation. IMPORTANCECandida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for a larger proportion of candidiasis and candidemia cases than any other Candida species. The ability of C. albicans cells to invade and cause disease is linked to their ability to filament. Despite this, there are gaps in our knowledge of the environmental cues and intracellular signaling that triggers the switch from commensal organism to filamentous pathogen. In this study, we identified a link between contact-dependent filamentation and iron availability. Over the course of tissue invasion, C. albicans cells encounter a number of different iron microenvironments, from the iron-rich gut to iron-poor tissues. Increased expression of Sef1-dependent iron uptake genes as a result of contact-dependent signaling will promote the adaptation of C. albicans cells to a low-iron-availability environment.
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105
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Herman A, Herman AP. Could Candida Overgrowth Be Involved in the Pathophysiology of Autism? J Clin Med 2022; 11:442. [PMID: 35054136 PMCID: PMC8778531 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11020442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to summarize the current acquiredknowledge of Candida overgrowth in the intestine as a possible etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The influence of Candida sp. on the immune system, brain, and behavior of children with ASD isdescribed. The benefits of interventions such as a carbohydrates-exclusion diet, probiotic supplementation, antifungal agents, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and microbiota transfer therapy (MTT) will be also discussed. Our literature query showed that the results of most studies do not fully support the hypothesis that Candida overgrowth is correlated with gastrointestinal (GI) problems and contributes to autism behavioral symptoms occurrence. On the one hand, it was reported that the modulation of microbiota composition in the gut may decrease Candida overgrowth, help reduce GI problems and autism symptoms. On the other hand, studies on humans suggesting the beneficial effects of a sugar-free diet, probiotic supplementation, FMT and MTT treatment in ASD are limited and inconclusive. Due to the increasing prevalence of ASD, studies on the etiology of this disorder are extremely needed and valuable. However, to elucidate the possible involvement of Candida in the pathophysiology of ASD, more reliable and well-designed research is certainly required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Herman
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Warsaw School of Engineering and Health, Bitwy Warszawskiej 20 18, 19 Street, 02-366 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Andrzej Przemysław Herman
- Department of Genetic Engineering, The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, Instytucka 3 Street, 05-110 Jabłonna, Poland;
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106
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Parvizi Omran R, Ramírez-Zavala B, Aji Tebung W, Yao S, Feng J, Law C, Dumeaux V, Morschhäuser J, Whiteway M. The zinc cluster transcription factor Rha1 is a positive filamentation regulator in Candida albicans. Genetics 2022; 220:iyab155. [PMID: 34849863 PMCID: PMC8733637 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyab155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Zinc cluster transcription factors (TFs) are essential fungal regulators of gene expression. In the pathogen Candida albicans, the gene orf19.1604 encodes a zinc cluster TF regulating filament development. Hyperactivation of orf19.1604, which we have named RHA1 for Regulator of Hyphal Activity, generates wrinkled colony morphology under nonhyphal growth conditions, triggers filament formation, invasiveness, and enhanced biofilm formation and causes reduced virulence in the mouse model of systemic infection. The strain expressing activated Rha1 shows up-regulation of genes required for filamentation and cell-wall-adhesion-related proteins. Increased expression is also seen for the hyphal-inducing TFs Brg1 and Ume6, while the hyphal repressor Nrg1 is downregulated. Inactivation of RHA1 reduces filamentation under a variety of filament-inducing conditions. In contrast to the partial effect of either single mutant, the double rha1 ume6 mutant strain is highly defective in both serum- and Spider-medium-stimulated hyphal development. While the loss of Brg1 function blocks serum-stimulated hyphal development, this block can be significantly bypassed by Rha1 hyperactivity, and the combination of Rha1 hyperactivity and serum addition can generate significant polarization even in brg1 ume6 double mutants. Thus, in response to external signals, Rha1 functions with other morphogenesis regulators including Brg1 and Ume6, to mediate filamentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raha Parvizi Omran
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | | | - Walters Aji Tebung
- The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Shuangyan Yao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Jinrong Feng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Chris Law
- Centre for Microscopy and Cellular Imaging, Concordia University, Montreal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Vanessa Dumeaux
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
- PERFORM Centre, Concordia University, Montreal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Joachim Morschhäuser
- Institut für Molekulare Infektionsbiologie, Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Malcolm Whiteway
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
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107
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OUP accepted manuscript. Med Mycol 2022; 60:6576775. [DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myac030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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108
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Yang M, Solis NV, Marshall M, Garleb R, Zhou T, Wang D, Swidergall M, Pearlman E, Filler SG, Liu H. Control of β-glucan exposure by the endo-1,3-glucanase Eng1 in Candida albicans modulates virulence. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010192. [PMID: 34995333 PMCID: PMC8775328 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a major opportunistic pathogen of humans. It can grow as morphologically distinct yeast, pseudohyphae and hyphae, and the ability to switch reversibly among different forms is critical for its virulence. The relationship between morphogenesis and innate immune recognition is not quite clear. Dectin-1 is a major C-type lectin receptor that recognizes β-glucan in the fungal cell wall. C. albicans β-glucan is usually masked by the outer mannan layer of the cell wall. Whether and how β-glucan masking is differentially regulated during hyphal morphogenesis is not fully understood. Here we show that the endo-1,3-glucanase Eng1 is differentially expressed in yeast, and together with Yeast Wall Protein 1 (Ywp1), regulates β-glucan exposure and Dectin-1-dependent immune activation of macrophage by yeast cells. ENG1 deletion results in enhanced Dectin-1 binding at the septa of yeast cells; while eng1 ywp1 yeast cells show strong overall Dectin-1 binding similar to hyphae of wild-type and eng1 mutants. Correlatively, hyphae of wild-type and eng1 induced similar levels of cytokines in macrophage. ENG1 expression and Eng1-mediated β-glucan trimming are also regulated by antifungal drugs, lactate and N-acetylglucosamine. Deletion of ENG1 modulates virulence in the mouse model of hematogenously disseminated candidiasis in a Dectin-1-dependent manner. The eng1 mutant exhibited attenuated lethality in male mice, but enhanced lethality in female mice, which was associated with a stronger renal immune response and lower fungal burden. Thus, Eng1-regulated β-glucan exposure in yeast cells modulates the balance between immune protection and immunopathogenesis during disseminated candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengli Yang
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
- School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Norma V. Solis
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, United States of America
| | - Michaela Marshall
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Rachel Garleb
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Tingting Zhou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Daidong Wang
- Amgen Inc. Thousand Oaks, California, United States of America
| | - Marc Swidergall
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, United States of America
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Eric Pearlman
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Institute of Immunology, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Scott G. Filler
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, United States of America
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Haoping Liu
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
- School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Institute of Immunology, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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109
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Vandermeulen MD, Cullen PJ. Gene by Environment Interactions reveal new regulatory aspects of signaling network plasticity. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1009988. [PMID: 34982769 PMCID: PMC8759647 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypes can change during exposure to different environments through the regulation of signaling pathways that operate in integrated networks. How signaling networks produce different phenotypes in different settings is not fully understood. Here, Gene by Environment Interactions (GEIs) were used to explore the regulatory network that controls filamentous/invasive growth in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. GEI analysis revealed that the regulation of invasive growth is decentralized and varies extensively across environments. Different regulatory pathways were critical or dispensable depending on the environment, microenvironment, or time point tested, and the pathway that made the strongest contribution changed depending on the environment. Some regulators even showed conditional role reversals. Ranking pathways' roles across environments revealed an under-appreciated pathway (OPI1) as the single strongest regulator among the major pathways tested (RAS, RIM101, and MAPK). One mechanism that may explain the high degree of regulatory plasticity observed was conditional pathway interactions, such as conditional redundancy and conditional cross-pathway regulation. Another mechanism was that different pathways conditionally and differentially regulated gene expression, such as target genes that control separate cell adhesion mechanisms (FLO11 and SFG1). An exception to decentralized regulation of invasive growth was that morphogenetic changes (cell elongation and budding pattern) were primarily regulated by one pathway (MAPK). GEI analysis also uncovered a round-cell invasion phenotype. Our work suggests that GEI analysis is a simple and powerful approach to define the regulatory basis of complex phenotypes and may be applicable to many systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D. Vandermeulen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States of America
| | - Paul J. Cullen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States of America
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110
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Kumpakha R, Gordon DM. Inhibition of morphological transition and hyphae extension in Candida spp. by occidiofungin. J Appl Microbiol 2021; 132:3038-3048. [PMID: 34941005 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15425] [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: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To assess the efficacy of the antifungal, occidiofungin, against Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis morphological transformation. METHODS AND RESULTS Susceptibility assays and morphological data were used to demonstrate that occidiofungin effectively targets C. albicans and C. tropicalis undergoing morphological transformation. Susceptibility assays found that cell sensitivity to occidiofungin varied with the media conditions used for morphological switching. Microscopy data showed that occidiofungin inhibited hyphae formation when added at the time of morphological induction and hyphal extension when added within the first hour following hyphae induction. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that occidiofungin addition prevented activation of Cek1p MAPK signalling. CONCLUSIONS The data indicated that the antimicrobial compound, occidiofungin, effectively targets hyphae elongation in Candida spp. and suggests the biological target of occidiofungin is necessary for the morphological changes associated with yeast-to-hyphae switching. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Findings from this study demonstrated that occidiofungin effectively targets the invasive growth of dimorphic Candida which suggests this compound may also inhibit the heterogenous population of cells present in a clinical setting. This presents occidiofungin as a promising candidate for the treatment of Candida associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabina Kumpakha
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA
| | - Donna M Gordon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA
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111
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Enhanced Virulence of Candida albicans by Staphylococcus aureus: Evidence in Clinical Bloodstream Infections and Infected Zebrafish Embryos. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7121099. [PMID: 34947081 PMCID: PMC8706905 DOI: 10.3390/jof7121099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Coinfection with Candida and Staphylococcus results in higher mortality in animal studies. However, the pathogenesis and interplay between C. albicans and S. aureus in bloodstream infections (BSIs) is unclear. This study determines the clinical features and outcomes of mixed C. albicans/S. aureus (CA/SA) BSIs and biofilm formation on pathogenesis during coinfection. Demographics and outcomes for mixed BSIs and monomicrobial candidemia were compared. Compared to 115 monomicrobial C. albicans BSIs, 22 patients with mixed CA/SA BSIs exhibited a significantly higher mortality rate and shorter survival time. In vitro and in vivo biofilm analysis showed that C. albicans accounted for the main biofilm architecture, and S. aureus increased its amount. Antibiotic tolerance in S. aureus, which adhered to Candida hyphae observed by scanning electron microscope, was demonstrated by the presence of wild-type C. albicans co-biofilm. Upregulation in exotoxin genes of S. aureus was evidenced by quantitative RT-PCR when a co-biofilm was formed with C. albicans. Mixed CA/SA BSIs result in a higher mortality rate in patients and in vivo surrogate models experiments. This study demonstrates that the virulence enhancement of C. albicans and S. aureus during co-biofilm formation contributes to the high mortality rate.
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112
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Interplay between Candida albicans and Lactic Acid Bacteria in the Gastrointestinal Tract: Impact on Colonization Resistance, Microbial Carriage, Opportunistic Infection, and Host Immunity. Clin Microbiol Rev 2021; 34:e0032320. [PMID: 34259567 PMCID: PMC8404691 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00323-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging studies have highlighted the disproportionate role of Candida albicans in influencing both early community assembly of the bacterial microbiome and dysbiosis during allergic diseases and intestinal inflammation. Nonpathogenic colonization of the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract by C. albicans is common, and the role of this single fungal species in modulating bacterial community reassembly after broad-spectrum antibiotics can be readily recapitulated in mouse studies. One of the most notable features of C. albicans-associated dysbiotic states is a marked change in the levels of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). C. albicans and LAB share metabolic niches throughout the GI tract, and in vitro studies have identified various interactions between these microbes. The two predominant LAB affected are Lactobacillus species and Enterococcus species. Lactobacilli can antagonize enterococci and C. albicans, while Enterococcus faecalis and C. albicans have been reported to exhibit a mutualistic relationship. E. faecalis and C. albicans are also causative agents of a variety of life-threatening infections, are frequently isolated together from mixed-species infections, and share certain similarities in clinical presentation-most notably their emergence as opportunistic pathogens following disruption of the microbiota. In this review, we discuss and model the mechanisms used by Lactobacillus species, E. faecalis, and C. albicans to modulate each other's growth and virulence in the GI tract. With multidrug-resistant E. faecalis and C. albicans strains becoming increasingly common in hospital settings, examining the interplay between these three microbes may provide novel insights for enhancing the efficacy of existing antimicrobial therapies.
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113
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Yaakoub H, Sanchez NS, Ongay-Larios L, Courdavault V, Calenda A, Bouchara JP, Coria R, Papon N. The high osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway in fungi †. Crit Rev Microbiol 2021; 48:657-695. [PMID: 34893006 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2021.2011834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
While fungi are widely occupying nature, many species are responsible for devastating mycosis in humans. Such niche diversity explains how quick fungal adaptation is necessary to endow the capacity of withstanding fluctuating environments and to cope with host-imposed conditions. Among all the molecular mechanisms evolved by fungi, the most studied one is the activation of the phosphorelay signalling pathways, of which the high osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway constitutes one of the key molecular apparatus underpinning fungal adaptation and virulence. In this review, we summarize the seminal knowledge of the HOG pathway with its more recent developments. We specifically described the HOG-mediated stress adaptation, with a particular focus on osmotic and oxidative stress, and point out some lags in our understanding of its involvement in the virulence of pathogenic species including, the medically important fungi Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigatus, compared to the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Finally, we also highlighted some possible applications of the HOG pathway modifications to improve the fungal-based production of natural products in the industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajar Yaakoub
- Univ Angers, Univ Brest, GEIHP, SFR ICAT, Angers, France
| | - Norma Silvia Sanchez
- Departamento de Genética Molecular, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Laura Ongay-Larios
- Unidad de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Vincent Courdavault
- EA2106 "Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales", Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | | | | | - Roberto Coria
- Departamento de Genética Molecular, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Nicolas Papon
- Univ Angers, Univ Brest, GEIHP, SFR ICAT, Angers, France
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Eichelberger KR, Cassat JE. Metabolic Adaptations During Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans Co-Infection. Front Immunol 2021; 12:797550. [PMID: 34956233 PMCID: PMC8692374 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.797550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful pathogens require metabolic flexibility to adapt to diverse host niches. The presence of co-infecting or commensal microorganisms at a given infection site can further influence the metabolic processes required for a pathogen to cause disease. The Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and the polymorphic fungus Candida albicans are microorganisms that asymptomatically colonize healthy individuals but can also cause superficial infections or severe invasive disease. Due to many shared host niches, S. aureus and C. albicans are frequently co-isolated from mixed fungal-bacterial infections. S. aureus and C. albicans co-infection alters microbial metabolism relative to infection with either organism alone. Metabolic changes during co-infection regulate virulence, such as enhancing toxin production in S. aureus or contributing to morphogenesis and cell wall remodeling in C. albicans. C. albicans and S. aureus also form polymicrobial biofilms, which have greater biomass and reduced susceptibility to antimicrobials relative to mono-microbial biofilms. The S. aureus and C. albicans metabolic programs induced during co-infection impact interactions with host immune cells, resulting in greater microbial survival and immune evasion. Conversely, innate immune cell sensing of S. aureus and C. albicans triggers metabolic changes in the host cells that result in an altered immune response to secondary infections. In this review article, we discuss the metabolic programs that govern host-pathogen interactions during S. aureus and C. albicans co-infection. Understanding C. albicans-S. aureus interactions may highlight more general principles of how polymicrobial interactions, particularly fungal-bacterial interactions, shape the outcome of infectious disease. We focus on how co-infection alters microbial metabolism to enhance virulence and how infection-induced changes to host cell metabolism can impact a secondary infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara R. Eichelberger
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- *Correspondence: Kara R. Eichelberger, ; James E. Cassat,
| | - James E. Cassat
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation (VI4), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- *Correspondence: Kara R. Eichelberger, ; James E. Cassat,
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115
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Mycobiota-induced IgA antibodies regulate fungal commensalism in the gut and are dysregulated in Crohn's disease. Nat Microbiol 2021; 6:1493-1504. [PMID: 34811531 PMCID: PMC8622360 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-021-00983-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) plays an important role in gut barrier protection by shaping the resident microbiota community, restricting the growth of bacterial pathogens and enhancing host protective immunity via immunological exclusion. Here, we found that a portion of the microbiota-driven sIgA response is induced by and directed towards intestinal fungi. Analysis of the human gut mycobiota bound by sIgA revealed a preference for hyphae, a fungal morphotype associated with virulence. Candida albicans was a potent inducer of IgA class-switch recombination among plasma cells, via an interaction dependent on intestinal phagocytes and hyphal programming. Characterization of sIgA affinity and polyreactivity showed that hyphae-associated virulence factors were bound by these antibodies and that sIgA influenced C. albicans morphotypes in the murine gut. Furthermore, an increase in granular hyphal morphologies in patients with Crohn's disease compared with healthy controls correlated with a decrease in antifungal sIgA antibody titre with affinity to two hyphae-associated virulence factors. Thus, in addition to its importance in gut bacterial regulation, sIgA targets the uniquely fungal phenomenon of hyphal formation. Our findings indicate that antifungal sIgA produced in the gut can play a role in regulating intestinal fungal commensalism by coating fungal morphotypes linked to virulence, thereby providing a protective mechanism that might be dysregulated in patients with Crohn's disease.
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Ding X, Kambara H, Guo R, Kanneganti A, Acosta-Zaldívar M, Li J, Liu F, Bei T, Qi W, Xie X, Han W, Liu N, Zhang C, Zhang X, Yu H, Zhao L, Ma F, Köhler JR, Luo HR. Inflammasome-mediated GSDMD activation facilitates escape of Candida albicans from macrophages. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6699. [PMID: 34795266 PMCID: PMC8602704 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27034-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is the most common cause of fungal sepsis. Inhibition of inflammasome activity confers resistance to polymicrobial and LPS-induced sepsis; however, inflammasome signaling appears to protect against C. albicans infection, so inflammasome inhibitors are not clinically useful for candidiasis. Here we show disruption of GSDMD, a known inflammasome target and key pyroptotic cell death mediator, paradoxically alleviates candidiasis, improving outcomes and survival of Candida-infected mice. Mechanistically, C. albicans hijacked the canonical inflammasome-GSDMD axis-mediated pyroptosis to promote their escape from macrophages, deploying hyphae and candidalysin, a pore-forming toxin expressed by hyphae. GSDMD inhibition alleviated candidiasis by preventing C. albicans escape from macrophages while maintaining inflammasome-dependent but GSDMD-independent IL-1β production for anti-fungal host defenses. This study demonstrates key functions for GSDMD in Candida's escape from host immunity in vitro and in vivo and suggests that GSDMD may be a potential therapeutic target in C. albicans-induced sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xionghui Ding
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Research Building, Room 814, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Hiroto Kambara
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Research Building, Room 814, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Rongxia Guo
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Research Building, Room 814, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, CAMS Key laboratory for prevention and control of hematological disease treatment related infection, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, 288 Nanjing Road, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Apurva Kanneganti
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Research Building, Room 814, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Maikel Acosta-Zaldívar
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jiajia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, CAMS Key laboratory for prevention and control of hematological disease treatment related infection, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, 288 Nanjing Road, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Fei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, CAMS Key laboratory for prevention and control of hematological disease treatment related infection, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, 288 Nanjing Road, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Ting Bei
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Research Building, Room 814, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Wanjun Qi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Xuemei Xie
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Research Building, Room 814, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Wenli Han
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Research Building, Room 814, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Ningning Liu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Cunling Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Research Building, Room 814, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Research Building, Room 814, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Hongbo Yu
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, 1400 VFW Parkway West Roxbury, Boston, MA, 02132, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Li Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Research Building, Room 814, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Fengxia Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, CAMS Key laboratory for prevention and control of hematological disease treatment related infection, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, 288 Nanjing Road, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Julia R Köhler
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Hongbo R Luo
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Research Building, Room 814, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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Jothi R, Sangavi R, Kumar P, Pandian SK, Gowrishankar S. Catechol thwarts virulent dimorphism in Candida albicans and potentiates the antifungal efficacy of azoles and polyenes. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21049. [PMID: 34702898 PMCID: PMC8548306 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00485-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study was deliberately focused to explore the antivirulence efficacy of a plant allelochemical-catechol against Candida albicans, and attempts were made to elucidate the underlying mechanisms as well. Catechol at its sub-MIC concentrations (2-256 μg/mL) exhibited a dose dependent biofilm as well as hyphal inhibitory efficacies, which were ascertained through both light and fluorescence microscopic analyses. Further, sub-MICs of catechol displayed remarkable antivirulence efficacy, as it substantially inhibited C. albicans' virulence enzymes i.e. secreted hydrolases. Notably, FTIR analysis divulged the potency of catechol in effective loosening of C. albicans' exopolymeric matrix, which was further reinforced using EPS quantification assay. Although, catechol at BIC (256 μg/mL) did not disrupt the mature biofilms of C. albicans, their initial adherence was significantly impeded by reducing their hydrophobic nature. Besides, FTIR analysis also unveiled the ability of catechol in enhancing the production of farnesol-a metabolite of C. albicans, whose accumulation naturally blocks yeast-hyphal transition. The qPCR data showed significant down-regulation of candidate genes viz., RAS1, HWP1 and ALS3 which are the key targets of Ras-cAMP-PKA pathway -the pathway that contribute for C. albicans' pathogenesis. Interestingly, the up-regulation of TUP1 (a gene responsible for farnesol-mediated hyphal inhibition) during catechol exposure strengthen the speculation of catechol triggered farnesol-mediated hyphal inhibition. Furthermore, catechol profusely enhanced the fungicidal efficacy of certain known antifungal agent's viz., azoles (ketoconazole and miconazole) and polyenes (amphotericin-B and nystatin).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Jothi
- Department of Biotechnology, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, 630 003, India
| | - Ravichellam Sangavi
- Department of Biotechnology, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, 630 003, India
| | - Ponnuchamy Kumar
- Food Chemistry and Molecular Cancer Biology Lab, Department of Animal Health and Management, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, India
| | | | - Shanmugaraj Gowrishankar
- Department of Biotechnology, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, 630 003, India.
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The δ subunit of F 1F o-ATP synthase is required for pathogenicity of Candida albicans. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6041. [PMID: 34654833 PMCID: PMC8519961 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26313-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections, especially candidiasis and aspergillosis, claim a high fatality rate. Fungal cell growth and function requires ATP, which is synthesized mainly through oxidative phosphorylation, with the key enzyme being F1Fo-ATP synthase. Here, we show that deletion of the Candida albicans gene encoding the δ subunit of the F1Fo-ATP synthase (ATP16) abrogates lethal infection in a mouse model of systemic candidiasis. The deletion does not substantially affect in vitro fungal growth or intracellular ATP concentrations, because the decrease in oxidative phosphorylation-derived ATP synthesis is compensated by enhanced glycolysis. However, the ATP16-deleted mutant displays decreased phosphofructokinase activity, leading to low fructose 1,6-bisphosphate levels, reduced activity of Ras1-dependent and -independent cAMP-PKA pathways, downregulation of virulence factors, and reduced pathogenicity. A structure-based virtual screening of small molecules leads to identification of a compound potentially targeting the δ subunit of fungal F1Fo-ATP synthases. The compound induces in vitro phenotypes similar to those observed in the ATP16-deleted mutant, and protects mice from succumbing to invasive candidiasis. Our findings indicate that F1Fo-ATP synthase δ subunit is required for C. albicans lethal infection and represents a potential therapeutic target.
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119
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Araújo D, Mil-Homens D, Rodrigues ME, Henriques M, Jørgensen PT, Wengel J, Silva S. Antisense locked nucleic acid gapmers to control Candida albicans filamentation. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2021; 39:102469. [PMID: 34606999 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2021.102469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Whereas locked nucleic acid (LNA) has been extensively used to control gene expression, it has never been exploited to control Candida virulence genes. Thus, the main goal of this work was to compare the efficacy of five different LNA-based antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) with respect to the ability to control EFG1 gene expression, to modulate filamentation and to reduce C. albicans virulence. In vitro, all LNA-ASOs were able to significantly reduce C. albicans filamentation and to control EFG1 gene expression. Using the in vivo Galleria mellonella model, important differences among the five LNA-ASOs were revealed in terms of C. albicans virulence reduction. The inclusion of PS-linkage and palmitoyl-2'-amino-LNA chemical modification in these five LNA gapmers proved to be the most promising combination, increasing the survival of G. mellonella by 40%. Our work confirms that LNA-ASOs are useful tools for research and therapeutic development in the candidiasis field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Araújo
- LIBRO-Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Dalila Mil-Homens
- iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria Elisa Rodrigues
- LIBRO-Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Mariana Henriques
- LIBRO-Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Per Trolle Jørgensen
- Biomolecular Nanoscale Engineering Center, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Jesper Wengel
- Biomolecular Nanoscale Engineering Center, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Sónia Silva
- LIBRO-Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research, Vairão, Vila do Conde, Portugal.
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Fischer J, Gresnigt MS, Werz O, Hube B, Garscha U. Candida albicans-induced leukotriene biosynthesis in neutrophils is restricted to the hyphal morphology. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21820. [PMID: 34569657 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100516rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocytes in circulation playing a key role in acute inflammation during microbial infections. Phagocytosis, one of the crucial defence mechanisms of neutrophils against pathogens, is amplified by chemotactic leukotriene (LT)B4 , which is biosynthesized via 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX). However, extensive liberation of LTB4 can be destructive by over-intensifying the inflammatory process. While enzymatic biosynthesis of LTB4 is well characterized, less is known about molecular mechanisms that activate 5-LOX and lead to LTB4 formation during host-pathogen interactions. Here, we investigated the ability of the common opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans to induce LTB4 formation in neutrophils, and elucidated pathogen-mediated drivers and cellular processes that activate this pathway. We revealed that C. albicans-induced LTB4 biosynthesis requires both the morphological transition from yeast cells to hyphae and the expression of hyphae-associated genes, as exclusively viable hyphae or yeast-locked mutant cells expressing hyphae-associated genes stimulated 5-LOX by [Ca2+ ]i mobilization and p38 MAPK activation. LTB4 biosynthesis was orchestrated by synergistic activation of dectin-1 and Toll-like receptor 2, and corresponding signaling via SYK and MYD88, respectively. Conclusively, we report hyphae-specific induction of LTB4 biosynthesis in human neutrophils. This highlights an expanding role of neutrophils during inflammatory processes in the response to C. albicans infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Fischer
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Greifswald University, Greifswald, Germany.,Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Mark S Gresnigt
- Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Oliver Werz
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Ulrike Garscha
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Greifswald University, Greifswald, Germany.,Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
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121
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Paniágua AL, Correia AF, Pereira LC, de Alencar BM, Silva FBA, Almeida RM, de Medeiros Nóbrega YK. Inhibitory effects of Lactobacillus casei Shirota against both Candida auris and Candida spp. isolates that cause vulvovaginal candidiasis and are resistant to antifungals. BMC Complement Med Ther 2021; 21:237. [PMID: 34556109 PMCID: PMC8461885 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-021-03405-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), the second leading cause of genital infection in women of reproductive age, is caused by yeasts of the genus Candida. Treatment is usually empirical and performed with azoles, which have shown increasing ineffectiveness due to resistance from these species. This therapeutic challenge has led to the search for new treatment strategies. Lactobacillus spp. produce several components with microbicidal effects, such as lactic acid. These species are the main components of a healthy vaginal microbiota and have been used as probiotics. The aim of this work was to investigate the in vitro inhibitory effects of Lactobacillus casei Shirota on both the Candida spp. that cause VVC and on C. auris. METHODS The microbicidal effects of L. casei Shirota on the main VVC-causing species, C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. norvegensis and C. parapsilosis, in addition to C. auris were investigated by counting the Colony-forming Units (CFUs) after cocultivation. The antifungal activity of lactic acid against these Candida strains was assessed using the microtiter broth dilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). The effects of L. casei Shirota on hyphal and early biofilm formation was measured by optical microscopy. RESULTS L. casei Shirota showed inhibitory action against all tested Candida spp., ranging from 66.9 to 95.6% inhibition depending on the species. This inhibition is possibly related to the production of lactic acid, since lactic acid has shown microbicidal action against these same Candida spp. at a concentration of 5 mg/mL, which corresponds to half of the normal physiological concentration. In addition, L. casei Shirota was able to reduce the formation of C. albicans hyphae and early biofilms, showing strong anti-Candida effects. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that L. casei Shirota has antifungal activity against the Candida species that cause VVC. L. casei also has microbicidal action against C. auris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Lorenzoni Paniágua
- Clinical Microbiology and Immunology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, University of Brasilia, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasilia, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Amabel Fernandes Correia
- Central Public Health Laboratory of the District Federal (LACEN-DF), Medical Biology Management, Center of Parasitology and Mycology, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Lívia Custódio Pereira
- Vulvar Pathology Clinic, Department of Gynecology, Brasilia University Hospital, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - Bruna Maciel de Alencar
- Clinical Microbiology and Immunology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, University of Brasilia, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasilia, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Brandão Alves Silva
- Clinical Microbiology and Immunology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, University of Brasilia, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasilia, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Rosane Mansan Almeida
- Clinical Microbiology and Immunology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, University of Brasilia, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasilia, DF, 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Yanna Karla de Medeiros Nóbrega
- Clinical Microbiology and Immunology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, University of Brasilia, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasilia, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
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Rana A, Gupta N, Thakur A. Post-transcriptional and translational control of the morphology and virulence in human fungal pathogens. Mol Aspects Med 2021; 81:101017. [PMID: 34497025 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2021.101017] [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: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Host-pathogen interactions at the molecular level are the key to fungal pathogenesis. Fungal pathogens utilize several mechanisms such as adhesion, invasion, phenotype switching and metabolic adaptations, to survive in the host environment and respond. Post-transcriptional and translational regulations have emerged as key regulatory mechanisms ensuring the virulence and survival of fungal pathogens. Through these regulations, fungal pathogens effectively alter their protein pool, respond to various stress, and undergo morphogenesis, leading to efficient and comprehensive changes in fungal physiology. The regulation of virulence through post-transcriptional and translational regulatory mechanisms is mediated through mRNA elements (cis factors) or effector molecules (trans factors). The untranslated regions upstream and downstream of the mRNA, as well as various RNA-binding proteins involved in translation initiation or circularization of the mRNA, play pivotal roles in the regulation of morphology and virulence by influencing protein synthesis, protein isoforms, and mRNA stability. Therefore, post-transcriptional and translational mechanisms regulating the morphology, virulence and drug-resistance processes in fungal pathogens can be the target for new therapeutics. With improved "omics" technologies, these regulatory mechanisms are increasingly coming to the forefront of basic biology and drug discovery. This review aims to discuss various modes of post-transcriptional and translation regulations, and how these mechanisms exert influence in the virulence and morphogenesis of fungal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Rana
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad 121001, India
| | - Nidhi Gupta
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad 121001, India
| | - Anil Thakur
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad 121001, India.
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Kadosh D. Rapid Proliferation Compensates for Defective Filamentation in Candida albicans Pathogenesis. Trends Microbiol 2021; 29:867-868. [PMID: 34462187 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2021.08.006] [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: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A recent study (Dunker et al.) has shown that a Candida albicans mutant, defective for filamentation, is fully virulent due to rapid cellular proliferation in host tissues. These findings challenge the current paradigm in C. albicans pathogenesis and suggest that defects in one virulence property can be compensated for by enhancements in another.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Kadosh
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr., MC: 7758, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA.
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Development of Carbazole Derivatives Compounds against Candida albicans: Candidates to Prevent Hyphal Formation via the Ras1-MAPK Pathway. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7090688. [PMID: 34575726 PMCID: PMC8466151 DOI: 10.3390/jof7090688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphogenesis contributes to the virulence of the opportunistic human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Ras1-MAPK pathways play a critical role in the virulence of C. albicans by regulating cell growth, morphogenesis, and biofilm formation. Ume6 acts as a transcription factor, and Nrg1 is a transcriptional repressor for the expression of hyphal-specific genes in morphogenesis. Azoles or echinocandin drugs have been extensively prescribed for C. albicans infections, which has led to the development of drug-resistant strains. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new molecules to effectively treat fungal infections. Here, we showed that Molecule B and Molecule C, which contained a carbazole structure, attenuated the pathogenicity of C. albicans through inhibition of the Ras1/MAPK pathway. We found that Molecule B and Molecule C inhibit morphogenesis through repressing protein and RNA levels of Ras/MAPK-related genes, including UME6 and NRG1. Furthermore, we determined the antifungal effects of Molecule B and Molecule C in vivo using a candidiasis murine model. We anticipate our findings are that Molecule B and Molecule C, which inhibits the Ras1/MAPK pathway, are promising compounds for the development of new antifungal agents for the treatment of systemic candidiasis and possibly for other fungal diseases.
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125
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Papp LA, Ács-Szabó L, Batta G, Miklós I. Molecular and comparative genomic analyses reveal evolutionarily conserved and unique features of the Schizosaccharomyces japonicus mycelial growth and the underlying genomic changes. Curr Genet 2021; 67:953-968. [PMID: 34427722 PMCID: PMC8594269 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-021-01206-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Fungal pathogens, from phytopathogenic fungus to human pathogens, are able to alternate between the yeast-like form and filamentous forms. This morphological transition (dimorphism) is in close connection with their pathogenic lifestyles and with their responses to changing environmental conditions. The mechanisms governing these morphogenetic conversions are still not fully understood. Therefore, we studied the filamentous growth of the less-known, non-pathogenic dimorphic fission yeast, S. japonicus, which belongs to an ancient and early evolved branch of the Ascomycota. Its RNA sequencing revealed that several hundred genes were up- or down-regulated in the hyphae compared to the yeast-phase cells. These genes belonged to different GO categories, confirming that mycelial growth is a rather complex process. The genes of transport- and metabolic processes appeared especially in high numbers among them. High expression of genes involved in glycolysis and ethanol production was found in the hyphae, while other results pointed to the regulatory role of the protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. The homologues of 49 S. japonicus filament-associated genes were found by sequence alignments also in seven distantly related dimorphic and filamentous species. The comparative genomic analyses between S. japonicus and the closely related but non-dimorphic S. pombe shed some light on the differences in their genomes. All these data can contribute to a better understanding of hyphal growth and those genomic rearrangements that underlie it.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Attila Papp
- Department of Genetics and Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
| | - Lajos Ács-Szabó
- Department of Genetics and Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
| | - Gyula Batta
- Department of Genetics and Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
| | - Ida Miklós
- Department of Genetics and Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary.
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126
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Case NT, Duah K, Larsen B, Wong CJ, Gingras AC, O'Meara TR, Robbins N, Veri AO, Whitesell L, Cowen LE. The macrophage-derived protein PTMA induces filamentation of the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109584. [PMID: 34433036 PMCID: PMC8454912 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Evasion of killing by immune cells is crucial for fungal survival in the host. For the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans, internalization by macrophages induces a transition from yeast to filaments that promotes macrophage death and fungal escape. Nutrient deprivation, alkaline pH, and oxidative stress have been implicated as triggers of intraphagosomal filamentation; however, the impact of other host-derived factors remained unknown. Here, we show that lysates prepared from macrophage-like cell lines and primary macrophages robustly induce C. albicans filamentation. Enzymatic treatment of lysate implicates a phosphorylated protein, and bioactivity-guided fractionation coupled to mass spectrometry identifies the immunomodulatory phosphoprotein PTMA as a candidate trigger of C. albicans filamentation. Immunoneutralization of PTMA within lysate abolishes its activity, strongly supporting PTMA as a filament-inducing component of macrophage lysate. Adding to the known repertoire of physical factors, this work implicates a host protein in the induction of C. albicans filamentation within immune cells. The human fungal pathogen Candida albicans filaments within host macrophages, enabling its escape. Case et al. demonstrate that lysates prepared from macrophage-like cell lines and primary macrophages induce C. albicans filamentation and implicate the immunomodulatory protein prothymosin alpha (PTMA) as a trigger of filamentation produced by host immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola T Case
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Kwamaa Duah
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Brett Larsen
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Cassandra J Wong
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Anne-Claude Gingras
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Teresa R O'Meara
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Amanda O Veri
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Luke Whitesell
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
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127
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Donovan C, Arenas E, Ayyala RS, Margo CE, Espana EM. Fungal keratitis: Mechanisms of infection and management strategies. Surv Ophthalmol 2021; 67:758-769. [PMID: 34425126 PMCID: PMC9206537 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Fungal corneal ulcers are an uncommon, yet challenging, cause of vision loss. In the United States, geographic location appears to dictate not only the incidence of fungal ulcers, but also the fungal genera most encountered. These patterns of infection can be linked to environmental factors and individual characteristics of fungal organisms. Successful management of fungal ulcers is dependent on an early diagnosis. New diagnostic modalities like confocal microscopy and polymerase chain reaction are being increasingly used to detect and identify infectious organisms. Several novel therapies, including crosslinking and light therapy, are currently being tested as alternatives to conventional antifungal medications. We explore the biology of Candida, Fusarium, and Aspergillus, the three most common genera of fungi causing corneal ulcers in the United States and discuss current treatment regimens for the management of fungal keratitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Donovan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cornea and External Disease Service, Morsani College of Medicine, university of South Florida, Tampa, USA
| | - Eduardo Arenas
- Departamento de Oftalmologia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia y Universidad el Bosque, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Ramesh S Ayyala
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cornea and External Disease Service, Morsani College of Medicine, university of South Florida, Tampa, USA
| | - Curtis E Margo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cornea and External Disease Service, Morsani College of Medicine, university of South Florida, Tampa, USA; Pathology and Cell Biology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Edgar M Espana
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cornea and External Disease Service, Morsani College of Medicine, university of South Florida, Tampa, USA; Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, university of South Florida, Tampa, USA.
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128
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Prabhakar A, González B, Dionne H, Basu S, Cullen PJ. Spatiotemporal control of pathway sensors and cross-pathway feedback regulate a differentiation MAPK pathway in yeast. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:jcs258341. [PMID: 34347092 PMCID: PMC8353523 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.258341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways control cell differentiation and the response to stress. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the MAPK pathway that controls filamentous growth (fMAPK) shares components with the pathway that regulates the response to osmotic stress (HOG). Here, we show that the two pathways exhibit different patterns of activity throughout the cell cycle. The different patterns resulted from different expression profiles of genes encoding mucin sensors that regulate the pathways. Cross-pathway regulation from the fMAPK pathway stimulated the HOG pathway, presumably to modulate fMAPK pathway activity. We also show that the shared tetraspan protein Sho1p, which has a dynamic localization pattern throughout the cell cycle, induced the fMAPK pathway at the mother-bud neck. A Sho1p-interacting protein, Hof1p, which also localizes to the mother-bud neck and regulates cytokinesis, also regulated the fMAPK pathway. Therefore, spatial and temporal regulation of pathway sensors, and cross-pathway regulation, control a MAPK pathway that regulates cell differentiation in yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Paul J. Cullen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260-1300, USA
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129
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Kumar A. The Complex Genetic Basis and Multilayered Regulatory Control of Yeast Pseudohyphal Growth. Annu Rev Genet 2021; 55:1-21. [PMID: 34280314 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-071719-020249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryotic cells are exquisitely responsive to external and internal cues, achieving precise control of seemingly diverse growth processes through a complex interplay of regulatory mechanisms. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae provides a fascinating model of cell growth in its stress-responsive transition from planktonic single cells to a filamentous pseudohyphal growth form. During pseudohyphal growth, yeast cells undergo changes in morphology, polarity, and adhesion to form extended and invasive multicellular filaments. This pseudohyphal transition has been studied extensively as a model of conserved signaling pathways regulating cell growth and for its relevance in understanding the pathogenicity of the related opportunistic fungus Candida albicans, wherein filamentous growth is required for virulence. This review highlights the broad gene set enabling yeast pseudohyphal growth, signaling pathways that regulate this process, the role and regulation of proteins conferring cell adhesion, and interesting regulatory mechanisms enabling the pseudohyphal transition. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Genetics, Volume 55 is November 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuj Kumar
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA;
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130
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Ichikawa Y, Bruno VM, Woolford CA, Kim H, Do E, Brewer GC, Mitchell AP. Environmentally contingent control of Candida albicans cell wall integrity by transcriptional regulator Cup9. Genetics 2021; 218:iyab075. [PMID: 33989396 PMCID: PMC8864738 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyab075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The fungal pathogen Candida albicans is surrounded by a cell wall that is the target of caspofungin and other echinocandin antifungals. Candida albicans can grow in several morphological forms, notably budding yeast and hyphae. Yeast and hyphal forms differ in cell wall composition, leading us to hypothesize that there may be distinct genes required for yeast and hyphal responses to caspofungin. Mutants in 27 genes reported previously to be caspofungin hypersensitive under yeast growth conditions were all caspofungin hypersensitive under hyphal growth conditions as well. However, a screen of mutants defective in transcription factor genes revealed that Cup9 is required for normal caspofungin tolerance under hyphal and not yeast growth conditions. In a hyphal-defective efg1Δ/Δ background, Cup9 is still required for normal caspofungin tolerance. This result argues that Cup9 function is related to growth conditions rather than cell morphology. RNA-seq conducted under hyphal growth conditions indicated that 361 genes were up-regulated and 145 genes were down-regulated in response to caspofungin treatment. Both classes of caspofungin-responsive genes were enriched for cell wall-related proteins, as expected for a response to disruption of cell wall integrity and biosynthesis. The cup9Δ/Δ mutant, treated with caspofungin, had reduced RNA levels of 40 caspofungin up-regulated genes, and had increased RNA levels of 8 caspofungin down-regulated genes, an indication that Cup9 has a narrow rather than global role in the cell wall integrity response. Five Cup9-activated surface-protein genes have roles in cell wall integrity, based on mutant analysis published previously (PGA31 and IFF11) or shown here (ORF19.3499, ORF19.851, or PGA28), and therefore may explain the hypersensitivity of the cup9Δ/Δmutant to caspofungin. Our findings define Cup9 as a new determinant of caspofungin susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Ichikawa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Division of Cancer Biology, The Cancer Institute of JFCR, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8550, Japan
| | - Vincent M Bruno
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Institute of Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Carol A Woolford
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Hannah Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Institute for Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Eunsoo Do
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Grace C Brewer
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Aaron P Mitchell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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131
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Wang X, Xu R, Wang Y, Liu Z, Lou R, Sugiyama T. Yesprit and Yeaseq: Applications for designing primers and browsing sequences for research using the four Schizosaccharomyces species. Yeast 2021; 38:583-591. [PMID: 34251689 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based gene targeting method, which can delete a specific gene or introduce tags, has been widely utilized to study gene function in fission yeast. One of the critical steps in this method is to design primers for amplifying DNA fragments of deletion or tagging modules and for checking the integration of those DNA fragments at designated loci. Although the primer design tool Pombe PCR Primer Program (PPPP) is available for Schizosaccharomyces pombe, there is no such publicly available application for the other three fission yeast species, S. cryophilus, S. japonicus, and S. octosporus. Likewise, no application enabling DNA/protein sequence retrieval for these three fission yeast species is available either. Therefore, access to such functionality would substantially assist in retrieval of gene sequences of interest and primer design in these fission yeast species. In this report, we describe two applications for fission yeast study: Yesprit and Yeaseq. Yesprit is a primer design tool for strain construction using the PCR-based method, and Yeaseq is a sequence viewer that can acquire the DNA/protein sequences of specific genes. Both tools can be run on the Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. We believe that the Yesprit and Yeaseq will facilitate research using the four fission yeast species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xindi Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruoming Xu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yichen Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziyue Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ronghui Lou
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.,iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tomoyasu Sugiyama
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
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132
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Mogavero S, Sauer FM, Brunke S, Allert S, Schulz D, Wisgott S, Jablonowski N, Elshafee O, Krüger T, Kniemeyer O, Brakhage AA, Naglik JR, Dolk E, Hube B. Candidalysin delivery to the invasion pocket is critical for host epithelial damage induced by Candida albicans. Cell Microbiol 2021; 23:e13378. [PMID: 34245079 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The human pathogenic fungus Candida albicans is a frequent cause of mucosal infections. Although the ability to transition from the yeast to the hypha morphology is essential for virulence, hypha formation and host cell invasion per se are not sufficient for the induction of epithelial damage. Rather, the hypha-associated peptide toxin, candidalysin, a product of the Ece1 polyprotein, is the critical damaging factor. While synthetic, exogenously added candidalysin is sufficient to damage epithelial cells, the level of damage does not reach the same level as invading C. albicans hyphae. Therefore, we hypothesized that a combination of fungal attributes is required to deliver candidalysin to the invasion pocket to enable the full damaging potential of C. albicans during infection. Utilising a panel of C. albicans mutants with known virulence defects, we demonstrate that the full damage potential of C. albicans requires the coordinated delivery of candidalysin to the invasion pocket. This process requires appropriate epithelial adhesion, hyphal extension and invasion, high levels of ECE1 transcription, proper Ece1 processing and secretion of candidalysin. To confirm candidalysin delivery, we generated camelid VH Hs (nanobodies) specific for candidalysin and demonstrate localization and accumulation of the toxin only in C. albicans-induced invasion pockets. In summary, a defined combination of virulence attributes and cellular processes is critical for delivering candidalysin to the invasion pocket to enable the full damage potential of C. albicans during mucosal infection. TAKE AWAYS: Candidalysin is a peptide toxin secreted by C. albicans causing epithelial damage. Candidalysin delivery to host cell membranes requires specific fungal attributes. Candidalysin accumulates in invasion pockets created by invasive hyphae. Camelid nanobodies enabled visualisation of candidalysin in the invasion pocket.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selene Mogavero
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | | | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Stefanie Allert
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Daniela Schulz
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Stephanie Wisgott
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Nadja Jablonowski
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Osama Elshafee
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Krüger
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Olaf Kniemeyer
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Julian R Naglik
- Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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133
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Chow EWL, Pang LM, Wang Y. From Jekyll to Hyde: The Yeast-Hyphal Transition of Candida albicans. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10070859. [PMID: 34358008 PMCID: PMC8308684 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10070859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a major fungal pathogen of humans, accounting for 15% of nosocomial infections with an estimated attributable mortality of 47%. C. albicans is usually a benign member of the human microbiome in healthy people. Under constant exposure to highly dynamic environmental cues in diverse host niches, C. albicans has successfully evolved to adapt to both commensal and pathogenic lifestyles. The ability of C. albicans to undergo a reversible morphological transition from yeast to filamentous forms is a well-established virulent trait. Over the past few decades, a significant amount of research has been carried out to understand the underlying regulatory mechanisms, signaling pathways, and transcription factors that govern the C. albicans yeast-to-hyphal transition. This review will summarize our current understanding of well-elucidated signal transduction pathways that activate C. albicans hyphal morphogenesis in response to various environmental cues and the cell cycle machinery involved in the subsequent regulation and maintenance of hyphal morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eve Wai Ling Chow
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore;
| | - Li Mei Pang
- National Dental Centre Singapore, National Dental Research Institute Singapore (NDRIS), 5 Second Hospital Ave, Singapore 168938, Singapore;
| | - Yue Wang
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore;
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 10 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore
- Correspondence:
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134
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Dunker C, Polke M, Schulze-Richter B, Schubert K, Rudolphi S, Gressler AE, Pawlik T, Prada Salcedo JP, Niemiec MJ, Slesiona-Künzel S, Swidergall M, Martin R, Dandekar T, Jacobsen ID. Rapid proliferation due to better metabolic adaptation results in full virulence of a filament-deficient Candida albicans strain. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3899. [PMID: 34162849 PMCID: PMC8222383 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24095-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans to undergo a yeast-to-hypha transition is believed to be a key virulence factor, as filaments mediate tissue damage. Here, we show that virulence is not necessarily reduced in filament-deficient strains, and the results depend on the infection model used. We generate a filament-deficient strain by deletion or repression of EED1 (known to be required for maintenance of hyphal growth). Consistent with previous studies, the strain is attenuated in damaging epithelial cells and macrophages in vitro and in a mouse model of intraperitoneal infection. However, in a mouse model of systemic infection, the strain is as virulent as the wild type when mice are challenged with intermediate infectious doses, and even more virulent when using low infectious doses. Retained virulence is associated with rapid yeast proliferation, likely the result of metabolic adaptation and improved fitness, leading to high organ fungal loads. Analyses of cytokine responses in vitro and in vivo, as well as systemic infections in immunosuppressed mice, suggest that differences in immunopathology contribute to some extent to retained virulence of the filament-deficient mutant. Our findings challenge the long-standing hypothesis that hyphae are essential for pathogenesis of systemic candidiasis by C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Dunker
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, Jena, Germany
| | - Melanie Polke
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, Jena, Germany
- Laboratory Dr. Wisplinghoff, Department of Molecular Biology, Horbeller Strasse 18-20, Cologne, Germany
| | - Bianca Schulze-Richter
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BBZ), College of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Deutscher Platz 5, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Katja Schubert
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, Jena, Germany
| | - Sven Rudolphi
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, Jena, Germany
| | - A Elisabeth Gressler
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BBZ), College of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Deutscher Platz 5, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tony Pawlik
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, Jena, Germany
| | - Juan P Prada Salcedo
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Am Hubland, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - M Joanna Niemiec
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, Jena, Germany
| | - Silvia Slesiona-Künzel
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, Jena, Germany
| | - Marc Swidergall
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor UCLA Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ronny Martin
- Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Dandekar
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Am Hubland, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ilse D Jacobsen
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, Jena, Germany.
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135
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Holič R, Šťastný D, Griač P. Sec14 family of lipid transfer proteins in yeasts. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2021; 1866:158990. [PMID: 34118432 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2021.158990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The hydrophobicity of lipids prevents their free movement across the cytoplasm. To achieve highly heterogeneous and precisely regulated lipid distribution in different cellular membranes, lipids are transported by lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) in addition to their transport by vesicles. Sec14 family is one of the most extensively studied groups of LTPs. Here we provide an overview of Sec14 family of LTPs in the most studied yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as well as in other selected non-Saccharomyces yeasts-Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Kluyveromyces lactis, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Yarrowia lipolytica. Discussed are specificities of Sec14-domain LTPs in various yeasts, their mode of action, subcellular localization, and physiological function. In addition, quite few Sec14 family LTPs are target of antifungal drugs, serve as modifiers of drug resistance or influence virulence of pathologic yeasts. Thus, they represent an important object of study from the perspective of human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Holič
- Institute of Animal Biochemistry and Genetics, Centre of Biosciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Dominik Šťastný
- Institute of Animal Biochemistry and Genetics, Centre of Biosciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Griač
- Institute of Animal Biochemistry and Genetics, Centre of Biosciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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136
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Farrokhi Y, Al-Shibli B, Al-Hameedawi DFJ, Neshati Z, Makhdoumi A. Escherichia coli enhances the virulence factors of Candida albicans, the cause of vulvovaginal candidiasis, in a dual bacterial/fungal biofilm. Res Microbiol 2021; 172:103849. [PMID: 34089837 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2021.103849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Co-infection with other microorganisms can promote the Candida albicans to be invasive. In this study, Escherichia coli and C. albicans were co-isolated from the women with candidiasis symptoms. The in vitro effects of E. coli on C. albicans hypha development, biofilm formation, antibiotic susceptibility, dispersion from the biofilm, expression of Als3, Hwp1, and Tup1 genes, and pathogenesis in Galleria mellonella were investigated. Electron microscopic images revealed that hypha induction was markedly increased in the bacteria-fungi co-culture. Biofilm formation was increased 2.2 fold in the presence of E. coli. The minimum inhibitory concentration of nystatin against Candida was increased from (μg mL-1) 25 to 50 in the dual biofilm. Candida dissemination was increased up to 2.7 fold from the mixed fungi/bacteria biofilm. The expression of ALS3 and HWP1 genes was increased (5.9 and 2.0 fold, respectively) while the TUP1 gene expression was decreased (0.4 fold) when C. albicans was incubated with E. coli. The simultaneous injection of C. albicans and E. coli to the insect larvae increased Galleria mortality up to 40%. This study demonstrated the effects of E. coli to promote fungi virulence factors, which suggest polymicrobial interaction should be considered during treatment of fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeganeh Farrokhi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Batool Al-Shibli
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Zeinab Neshati
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran; Novel Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Makhdoumi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
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137
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Swetha TK, Subramenium GA, Kasthuri T, Sharumathi R, Pandian SK. 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde impairs Candida albicans - Staphylococcus epidermidis interaction in co-culture by suppressing crucial supportive virulence traits. Microb Pathog 2021; 158:104990. [PMID: 34048889 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.104990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Polymicrobial biofilms involving fungal-bacterial interactions are stated to modulate host immune response and exhibit enhanced antibiotic resistance. In this milieu, clinically important opportunistic pathogens Candida albicans and Staphylococcus epidermidis associate synergistically and instigate implant and blood stream infections. Impediment of virulence traits that support successive pathogenic lifestyle and inter-kingdom interactions without altering the microbial growth represents an attractive alternate strategy. To accomplish this objective, 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (5HM2F), a reported antibiofilm agent against C. albicans, was considered for this study. 5HM2F significantly repressed the biofilm formation of S. epidermidis and mixed-species at 300 μg/mL and 400 μg/mL, respectively without modulating the growth. Microscopic analyses and phenotypic assays explicated the competency of 5HM2F to impede biofilm formation, hyphal growth, initial attachment, intercellular adhesion, and fungal-bacterial interaction. Further, 5HM2F greatly reduced the secreted hydrolases production. Reduced content of biofilm matrix components upon 5HM2F treatment was believed to be the underlying reason for enhanced antibiotic and/antifungal susceptibility. Additionally, qPCR analysis correlated well with in vitro bioassays wherein, 5HM2F was identified to repress the expression of important genes associated with hyphal morphogenesis, adhesion, biofilm formation and virulence in both mono-species and mixed-species. Reduced virulence and colonization of mono-species and mixed-species in 5HM2F treated Caenorhabditis elegans substantiated the antibiofilm and antivirulence potential of 5HM2F. Overall, this study proposes 5HM2F as a potent therapeutic candidate against single and mixed-species biofilm infections of C. albicans and S. epidermidis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thirupathi Kasthuri
- Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Science Campus, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Rajendran Sharumathi
- Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Science Campus, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Shunmugiah Karutha Pandian
- Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Science Campus, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India.
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138
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Candida albicans requires iron to sustain hyphal growth. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 561:106-112. [PMID: 34022710 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.05.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans is an important opportunistic fungal pathogen of immunocompromised individuals. The ability to switch between yeast and hyphal growth forms is critical for its pathogenesis. Hyphal development in C. albicans requires two temporally linked regulations for initiation and maintenance. Here, we performed transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) to analyze the transcriptional consequences for the two different phases of hyphal development. Genome-wide transcription profiling reveals that the sets associated with hyphal initiation were significantly enriched in genes for hyphal cell wall, biofilm matrix and actin polarization. In addition to hypha-specific genes, numerous genes involved in iron acquisition, such as FTR1 and SEF1, are highly induced specifically during sustained hyphal development even when additional free iron is supplied in the medium. Therefore, iron uptake genes are induced by signals that can support prolonged hyphal development in an iron-independent manner. The induction of iron acquisition genes during hyphal elongation was further confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR under various hypha-inducing conditions. Remarkably, preventing C. albicans from acquiring iron blocks BRG1 activation, leading to impaired hyphal maintenance, and ectopically expressed BRG1 can sustain hyphal development bypassing the requirement of iron. Our study elucidates an underlying mechanism of how multiple virulence factors are interconnected and are induced simultaneously during infection.
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139
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Germination of a Field: Women in Candida albicans Research. CURRENT CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s40588-021-00169-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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140
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d'Enfert C, Kaune AK, Alaban LR, Chakraborty S, Cole N, Delavy M, Kosmala D, Marsaux B, Fróis-Martins R, Morelli M, Rosati D, Valentine M, Xie Z, Emritloll Y, Warn PA, Bequet F, Bougnoux ME, Bornes S, Gresnigt MS, Hube B, Jacobsen ID, Legrand M, Leibundgut-Landmann S, Manichanh C, Munro CA, Netea MG, Queiroz K, Roget K, Thomas V, Thoral C, Van den Abbeele P, Walker AW, Brown AJP. The impact of the Fungus-Host-Microbiota interplay upon Candida albicans infections: current knowledge and new perspectives. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 45:fuaa060. [PMID: 33232448 PMCID: PMC8100220 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuaa060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a major fungal pathogen of humans. It exists as a commensal in the oral cavity, gut or genital tract of most individuals, constrained by the local microbiota, epithelial barriers and immune defences. Their perturbation can lead to fungal outgrowth and the development of mucosal infections such as oropharyngeal or vulvovaginal candidiasis, and patients with compromised immunity are susceptible to life-threatening systemic infections. The importance of the interplay between fungus, host and microbiota in driving the transition from C. albicans commensalism to pathogenicity is widely appreciated. However, the complexity of these interactions, and the significant impact of fungal, host and microbiota variability upon disease severity and outcome, are less well understood. Therefore, we summarise the features of the fungus that promote infection, and how genetic variation between clinical isolates influences pathogenicity. We discuss antifungal immunity, how this differs between mucosae, and how individual variation influences a person's susceptibility to infection. Also, we describe factors that influence the composition of gut, oral and vaginal microbiotas, and how these affect fungal colonisation and antifungal immunity. We argue that a detailed understanding of these variables, which underlie fungal-host-microbiota interactions, will present opportunities for directed antifungal therapies that benefit vulnerable patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe d'Enfert
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, USC 2019 INRA, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Ann-Kristin Kaune
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Ashgrove Road West, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Leovigildo-Rey Alaban
- BIOASTER Microbiology Technology Institute, 40 avenue Tony Garnier, 69007 Lyon, France
- Université de Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Sayoni Chakraborty
- Microbial Immunology Research Group, Emmy Noether Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, and the Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Neugasse 25, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Nathaniel Cole
- Gut Microbiology Group, Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Ashgrove Road West, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Margot Delavy
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, USC 2019 INRA, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
- Université de Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Daria Kosmala
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, USC 2019 INRA, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
- Université de Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Benoît Marsaux
- ProDigest BV, Technologiepark 94, B-9052 Gent, Belgium
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ricardo Fróis-Martins
- Immunology Section, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Moran Morelli
- Mimetas, Biopartner Building 2, J.H. Oortweg 19, 2333 CH Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Diletta Rosati
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marisa Valentine
- Microbial Immunology Research Group, Emmy Noether Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, and the Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Zixuan Xie
- Gut Microbiome Group, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119–129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yoan Emritloll
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, USC 2019 INRA, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Peter A Warn
- Magic Bullet Consulting, Biddlecombe House, Ugbrook, Chudleigh Devon, TQ130AD, UK
| | - Frédéric Bequet
- BIOASTER Microbiology Technology Institute, 40 avenue Tony Garnier, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Marie-Elisabeth Bougnoux
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, USC 2019 INRA, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Stephanie Bornes
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMRF0545, 20 Côte de Reyne, 15000 Aurillac, France
| | - Mark S Gresnigt
- Microbial Immunology Research Group, Emmy Noether Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, and the Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Microbial Immunology Research Group, Emmy Noether Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, and the Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Ilse D Jacobsen
- Microbial Immunology Research Group, Emmy Noether Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, and the Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Mélanie Legrand
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, USC 2019 INRA, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Salomé Leibundgut-Landmann
- Immunology Section, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Chaysavanh Manichanh
- Gut Microbiome Group, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119–129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carol A Munro
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Ashgrove Road West, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Mihai G Netea
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Karla Queiroz
- Mimetas, Biopartner Building 2, J.H. Oortweg 19, 2333 CH Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Karine Roget
- NEXBIOME Therapeutics, 22 allée Alan Turing, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Vincent Thomas
- BIOASTER Microbiology Technology Institute, 40 avenue Tony Garnier, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Claudia Thoral
- NEXBIOME Therapeutics, 22 allée Alan Turing, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | - Alan W Walker
- Gut Microbiology Group, Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Ashgrove Road West, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Alistair J P Brown
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
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141
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Diez-Orejas R, Casarrubios L, Feito MJ, Rojo JM, Vallet-Regí M, Arcos D, Portolés MT. Effects of mesoporous SiO 2-CaO nanospheres on the murine peritoneal macrophages/Candidaalbicans interface. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 94:107457. [PMID: 33752172 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The use of nanoparticles for intracellular drug delivery could reduce the toxicity and side effects of the drug but, the uptake of these nanocarriers could induce adverse effects on cells and tissues after their incorporation. Macrophages play a central role in host defense and are responsible for in vivo nanoparticle trafficking. Assessment of their defense capacity against pathogenic micro-organisms after nanoparticle uptake, is necessary to prevent infections associated with nanoparticle therapies. In this study, the effects of hollow mesoporous SiO2-CaO nanospheres labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC-NanoMBGs) on the function of peritoneal macrophages was assessed by measuring their ability to phagocytize Candidaalbicans expressing a red fluorescent protein. Two macrophage/fungus ratios (MOI1 and MOI5) were used and two experimental strategies were carried out: a) pretreatment of macrophages with FITC-NanoMBGs and subsequent fungal infection; b) competition assays after simultaneous addition of fungus and nanospheres. Macrophage pro-inflammatory phenotype markers (CD80 expression and interleukin 6 secretion) were also evaluated. Significant decreases of CD80+ macrophage percentage and interleukin 6 secretion were observed after 30 min, indicating that the simultaneous incorporation of NanoMBG and fungus favors the macrophage non-inflammatory phenotype. The present study evidences that the uptake of these nanospheres in all the studied conditions does not alter the macrophage function. Moreover, intracellular FITC-NanoMBGs induce a transitory increase of the fungal phagocytosis by macrophages at MOI 1 and after a short time of interaction. In the competition assays, as the intracellular fungus quantity increased, the intracellular FITC-NanoMBG content decreased in a MOI- and time-dependent manner. These results have confirmed that macrophages clearly distinguish between inert material and the live yeast in a dynamic intracellular incorporation. Furthermore, macrophage phagocytosis is a critical determinant to know their functional state and a valuable parameter to study the nanomaterial / macrophages / Candida albicans interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Diez-Orejas
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - L Casarrubios
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - M J Feito
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - J M Rojo
- Departamento de Medicina Celular y Molecular, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - M Vallet-Regí
- Departamento de Química en Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre i+12, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, CIBER-BBN, Madrid, Spain
| | - D Arcos
- Departamento de Química en Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre i+12, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, CIBER-BBN, Madrid, Spain
| | - M T Portolés
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, CIBER-BBN, Madrid, Spain.
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142
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Witchley JN, Basso P, Brimacombe CA, Abon NV, Noble SM. Recording of DNA-binding events reveals the importance of a repurposed Candida albicans regulatory network for gut commensalism. Cell Host Microbe 2021; 29:1002-1013.e9. [PMID: 33915113 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2021.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans is a fungal component of the human gut microbiota and an opportunistic pathogen. C. albicans transcription factors (TFs), Wor1 and Efg1, are master regulators of an epigenetic switch required for fungal mating that also control colonization of the mammalian gut. We show that additional mating regulators, WOR2, WOR3, WOR4, AHR1, CZF1, and SSN6, also influence gut commensalism. Using Calling Card-seq to record Candida TF DNA-binding events in the host, we examine the role and relationships of these regulators during murine gut colonization. By comparing in-host transcriptomes of regulatory mutants with enhanced versus diminished commensal fitness, we also identify a set of candidate commensalism effectors. These include Cht2, a GPI-linked chitinase whose gene is bound by Wor1, Czf1, and Efg1 in vivo, that we show promotes commensalism. Thus, the network required for a C. albicans sexual switch is biochemically active in the host intestine and repurposed to direct commensalism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica N Witchley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Pauline Basso
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Cedric A Brimacombe
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Nina V Abon
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Suzanne M Noble
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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143
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Villa S, Hamideh M, Weinstock A, Qasim MN, Hazbun TR, Sellam A, Hernday AD, Thangamani S. Transcriptional control of hyphal morphogenesis in Candida albicans. FEMS Yeast Res 2021; 20:5715912. [PMID: 31981355 PMCID: PMC7000152 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foaa005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a multimorphic commensal organism and opportunistic fungal pathogen in humans. A morphological switch between unicellular budding yeast and multicellular filamentous hyphal growth forms plays a vital role in the virulence of C. albicans, and this transition is regulated in response to a range of environmental cues that are encountered in distinct host niches. Many unique transcription factors contribute to the transcriptional regulatory network that integrates these distinct environmental cues and determines which phenotypic state will be expressed. These hyphal morphogenesis regulators have been extensively investigated, and represent an increasingly important focus of study, due to their central role in controlling a key C. albicans virulence attribute. This review provides a succinct summary of the transcriptional regulatory factors and environmental signals that control hyphal morphogenesis in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Villa
- Masters in Biomedical Science Program, Midwestern University, 19555 N. 59th Ave. Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Mohammad Hamideh
- Masters in Biomedical Science Program, Midwestern University, 19555 N. 59th Ave. Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Anthony Weinstock
- Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, 19555 N. 59th Ave. Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Mohammad N Qasim
- Quantitative and Systems Biology Graduate Program, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
| | - Tony R Hazbun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Adnane Sellam
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Aaron D Hernday
- Quantitative and Systems Biology Graduate Program, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
| | - Shankar Thangamani
- Department of Pathology and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, 19555 N. 59th Ave. Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
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Barbitoff YA, Matveenko AG, Matiiv AB, Maksiutenko EM, Moskalenko SE, Drozdova PB, Polev DE, Beliavskaia AY, Danilov LG, Predeus AV, Zhouravleva GA. Chromosome-level genome assembly and structural variant analysis of two laboratory yeast strains from the Peterhof Genetic Collection lineage. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2021; 11:6129118. [PMID: 33677552 PMCID: PMC8759820 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Thousands of yeast genomes have been sequenced with both traditional and long-read technologies, and multiple observations about modes of genome evolution for both wild and laboratory strains have been drawn from these sequences. In our study, we applied Oxford Nanopore and Illumina technologies to assemble complete genomes of two widely used members of a distinct laboratory yeast lineage, the Peterhof Genetic Collection (PGC), and investigate the structural features of these genomes including transposable element content, copy number alterations, and structural rearrangements. We identified numerous notable structural differences between genomes of PGC strains and the reference S288C strain. We discovered a substantial enrichment of mid-length insertions and deletions within repetitive coding sequences, such as in the SCH9 gene or the NUP100 gene, with possible impact of these variants on protein amyloidogenicity. High contiguity of the final assemblies allowed us to trace back the history of reciprocal unbalanced translocations between chromosomes I, VIII, IX, XI, and XVI of the PGC strains. We show that formation of hybrid alleles of the FLO genes during such chromosomal rearrangements is likely responsible for the lack of invasive growth of yeast strains. Taken together, our results highlight important features of laboratory yeast strain evolution using the power of long-read sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yury A Barbitoff
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia.,Bioinformatics Institute, St. Petersburg 197342, Russia
| | - Andrew G Matveenko
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia.,Bioinformatics Institute, St. Petersburg 197342, Russia
| | - Anton B Matiiv
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia.,Bioinformatics Institute, St. Petersburg 197342, Russia
| | - Evgeniia M Maksiutenko
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia.,St. Petersburg Branch, Vavilov Institute of General Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | - Svetlana E Moskalenko
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia.,St. Petersburg Branch, Vavilov Institute of General Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | | | | | - Alexandra Y Beliavskaia
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Lavrentii G Danilov
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | - Alexander V Predeus
- Bioinformatics Institute, St. Petersburg 197342, Russia.,University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK, L7 3EA
| | - Galina A Zhouravleva
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
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145
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Papp LA, Ács-Szabó L, Póliska S, Miklós I. A modified culture medium and hyphae isolation method can increase quality of the RNA extracted from mycelia of a dimorphic fungal species. Curr Genet 2021; 67:823-830. [PMID: 33837814 PMCID: PMC8405466 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-021-01181-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The capability of RNA isolation with good efficiency and high quality is essential for a downstream application such as RNA sequencing. It requires successful cell culturing and an effective RNA isolation method. Although effective methods are available, production of the homogenous mycelia and extraction of good-quality mycelial RNA from true invasive hyphae, which penetrated into the agar plates, are difficult. To overcome these problems, the aim of this study was to develop technical modifications which allow production of homogenous mycelial biomass without extra stimuli agents and improve quality of the RNA extracted from the fungal hyphae. Our alternative culture medium was suitable for production both yeast-phase cells and hyphae of the Schizosaccharomyces japonicus and other dimorphic species, such as the Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Jaminaea angkorensis. To improve quality of the mycelial RNA, we developed an isolation procedure of the hyphal tip, which eliminated the unnecessary vacuoles-containing parts of the hyphae. To increase RNA quantity, we used glass beads in the RNA extraction protocol to achieve stronger breaking of the mycelial walls. All these modifications can also be useful for researchers working with other dimorphic fungi and can contribute to the higher comparability of the transcriptional data coming from yeast-phase cells and hyphae or even from different species.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Attila Papp
- Department of Genetics and Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Lajos Ács-Szabó
- Department of Genetics and Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Szilárd Póliska
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of General Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Ida Miklós
- Department of Genetics and Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary.
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146
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Sá NPD, Barros PPD, Junqueira JC, Valério AD, Lino CI, Oliveira RBD, Rosa CA, Johann S. Antivirulence activity and in vivo efficacy of a thiazole derivative against candidiasis. J Mycol Med 2021; 31:101134. [PMID: 33862540 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2021.101134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans is a pathogen equipped with a variety of commensal and virulence traits that help it colonize the microbiota and invade host tissue during infection. In this study, we investigated the potential anticandidal activity of 3-[2-(4-(4-methoxyphenyl)thiazol-2-yl)hydrazino)]butan-1-ol (MT), a thiazolylhydrazone compound synthesized by our group, and identified it as a promising antifungal agent. The activity of MT was evaluated in vitro and in vivo against C. albicans as well as its ability to inhibit virulence factors. For this, the ability of MT to inhibit the adhesion of C. albicans to human buccal epithelial cells and biofilm formation and filamentation was tested. In addition, the potential in vivo activity of MT was evaluated in murine models of oral candidiasis. Our results confirmed the antifungal activity of MT, with a minimal inhibitory concentration range of 0.5-2 µg/mL. Indeed, MT treatment in vitro decreased the expression of C. albicans genes involved in biofilm formation and morphogenesis and encoding hydrolytic enzymes, which was also confirmed through phenotypic observations. In addition, MT promoted a decrease in the colony forming units recovered from the tongues of mice with oral candidiasis. In this work, we present a potent antivirulence compound that shows potential for candidiasis therapy, especially for topical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nívea Pereira de Sá
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, PO Box 486, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Patrícia Pimentel de Barros
- Departamento de Biociências e Diagnóstico Bucal, Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Nursing, University of Guarulhos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana Campos Junqueira
- Departamento de Biociências e Diagnóstico Bucal, Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aline Dias Valério
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, PO Box 486, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Cleudiomar Inácio Lino
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Renata Barbosa de Oliveira
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Carlos Augusto Rosa
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, PO Box 486, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Susana Johann
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, PO Box 486, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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147
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Abstract
Fungal pathologies caused by the genus Candida have increased in recent years due to the involvement of immunosuppressed people and the advance of resistance mechanisms acquired by these microorganisms. Liposomes are nanovesicles with lipid bilayers in which they store compounds. α-Bisabolol is a sesquiterpene with proven biological activities, and in this work it was tested alone in liposomes and in association with Fluconazole in vitro to evaluate the antifungal potential, Fluconazole optimization, and virulence inhibitory effect in vitro. Antifungal assays were performed against standard strains of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida krusei by microdilution to identify the IC50 values and to obtain the cell viability. The Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) was performed by subculturing on the solid medium, and at their subinhibitory concentration (Matrix Concentration (MC): 16,384 µg/mL) (MC/16), the compounds, both isolated and liposomal, were associated with fluconazole in order to verify the inhibitory effect of this junction. Tests to ascertain changes in morphology were performed in microculture chambers according to MC concentrations. Liposomes were characterized from the vesicle size, polydispersity index, average Zeta potential, and scanning electron microscopy. The IC50 value of the liposomal bisabolol associated with fluconazole (FCZ) was 2.5 µg/mL against all strains tested, revealing a potentiating effect. Liposomal bisabolol was able to potentiate the effect of fluconazole against the CA and CT strains by reducing its concentration and completely inhibiting fungal growth. α-Bisabolol in liposomal form inhibited the morphological transition in all strains tested at a concentration of MC/8. The liposomes were homogeneous, with vesicles with diameters of 203.8 nm for the liposomal bisabolol and a surface charge potential of −34.2 mV, conferring stability to the nanosystem. Through scanning microscopy, the spherical shapes of the vesicles were observed.
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148
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F. Q. Smith D, Casadevall A. Fungal immunity and pathogenesis in mammals versus the invertebrate model organism Galleria mellonella. Pathog Dis 2021; 79:ftab013. [PMID: 33544836 PMCID: PMC7981337 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftab013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) have emerged as a model system to explore experimental aspects of fungal pathogenesis. The benefits of the G. mellonella model include being faster, cheaper, higher throughput and easier compared with vertebrate models. Additionally, as invertebrates, their use is subject to fewer ethical and regulatory issues. However, for G. mellonella models to provide meaningful insight into fungal pathogenesis, the G. mellonella-fungal interactions must be comparable to mammalian-fungal interactions. Indeed, as discussed in the review, studies suggest that G. mellonella and mammalian immune systems share many similarities, and fungal virulence factors show conserved functions in both hosts. While the moth model has opened novel research areas, many comparisons are superficial and leave large gaps of knowledge that need to be addressed concerning specific mechanisms underlying G. mellonella-fungal interactions. Closing these gaps in understanding will strengthen G. mellonella as a model for fungal virulence in the upcoming years. In this review, we provide comprehensive comparisons between fungal pathogenesis in mammals and G. mellonella from immunological and virulence perspectives. When information on an antifungal immune component is unknown in G. mellonella, we include findings from other well-studied Lepidoptera. We hope that by outlining this information available in related species, we highlight areas of needed research and provide a framework for understanding G. mellonella immunity and fungal interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F. Q. Smith
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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149
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Okamoto-Shibayama K, Yoshida A, Ishihara K. Inhibitory Effect of Resveratrol on Candida albicans Biofilm Formation. THE BULLETIN OF TOKYO DENTAL COLLEGE 2021; 62:1-6. [PMID: 33583879 DOI: 10.2209/tdcpublication.2020-0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans is the primary candidiasis-causing fungal pathogen in humans, and one of its most important virulence factors is the ability to form biofilms. Moreover, these biofilms are often resistant to antifungal agents, so there is a need to develop alternative elimination strategies and therapeutic agents for such infections. The antifungal activity of resveratrol, a phytoalexin polyphenolic compound, impairs the morphological transition of C. albicans under various hypha-inducing conditions and inhibits growth of the yeast-form and mycelia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of resveratrol against C. albicans biofilm formation. The developmental, sustained, and mature stages of biofilm formation were affected or inhibited by resveratrol. Exposure to resveratrol at the developmental stage inhibited growth of C. albicans in a dose-dependent manner. A >30% reduction was observed in sustained biofilm growth in the presence of 200 μg/ml resveratrol in comparison with in its absence. In terms of disruption of matured biofilm, 6.25-100 μg/ml resveratrol significantly reduced cell viability of C. albicans compared with in a control sample (p<0.05). The present results indicate that resveratrol has the potential to serve as an anti-Candida treatment and preventive tool which functions by inhibiting existing or under-forming C. albicans biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuko Okamoto-Shibayama
- Department of Microbiology, Tokyo Dental College.,Oral Health Science Center, Tokyo Dental College
| | | | - Kazuyuki Ishihara
- Department of Microbiology, Tokyo Dental College.,Oral Health Science Center, Tokyo Dental College
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150
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Jensen HE. Animal models of invasive mycoses. APMIS 2021; 130:427-435. [PMID: 33644890 DOI: 10.1111/apm.13110] [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: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Animal models of invasive fungal infections have been developed and are applied in a huge number of different animal species for a number of research purposes, for example, the study of pathogenesis, defense mechanisms, and therapeutic strategies. From the different models, which in most cases are based on the same fungal species and often the same strain, as in spontaneous human infections, fundamental results and knowledge of the diagnosis, progression, prophylaxis, and therapy have been achieved. However, in all models, one should be critical with respect to mimicking the disease entity of humans, which is often the focus of the research. In many of the models for instance, the time course is different to the one of humans, and in others, the propensity for localization and containment in specific organs does not parallel the situation in humans. Nevertheless, many animal models of invasive mycoses have proven valuable in a number of research areas. With regard to new generations of anti-mycotic drugs, the models play an essential role in demonstrating antifungal activity, as well as in demonstrating the absence of toxic side effects, a critical step which cannot be accomplished by in vitro studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Elvang Jensen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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