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Qadri H, Shah AH, Alkhanani M, Almilaibary A, Mir MA. Immunotherapies against human bacterial and fungal infectious diseases: A review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1135541. [PMID: 37122338 PMCID: PMC10140573 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1135541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Nations' ongoing struggles with a number of novel and reemerging infectious diseases, including the ongoing global health issue, the SARS-Co-V2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) outbreak, serve as proof that infectious diseases constitute a serious threat to the global public health. Moreover, the fatality rate in humans is rising as a result of the development of severe infectious diseases brought about by multiple drug-tolerant pathogenic microorganisms. The widespread use of traditional antimicrobial drugs, immunosuppressive medications, and other related factors led to the establishment of such drug resistant pathogenic microbial species. To overcome the difficulties commonly encountered by current infectious disease management and control processes, like inadequate effectiveness, toxicities, and the evolution of drug tolerance, new treatment solutions are required. Fortunately, immunotherapies already hold great potential for reducing these restrictions while simultaneously expanding the boundaries of healthcare and medicine, as shown by the latest discoveries and the success of drugs including monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), vaccinations, etc. Immunotherapies comprise methods for treating diseases that specifically target or affect the body's immune system and such immunological procedures/therapies strengthen the host's defenses to fight those infections. The immunotherapy-based treatments control the host's innate and adaptive immune responses, which are effective in treating different pathogenic microbial infections. As a result, diverse immunotherapeutic strategies are being researched more and more as alternative treatments for infectious diseases, leading to substantial improvements in our comprehension of the associations between pathogens and host immune system. In this review we will explore different immunotherapies and their usage for the assistance of a broad spectrum of infectious ailments caused by various human bacterial and fungal pathogenic microbes. We will discuss about the recent developments in the therapeutics against the growing human pathogenic microbial diseases and focus on the present and future of using immunotherapies to overcome these diseases. Graphical AbstractThe graphical abstract shows the therapeutic potential of different types of immunotherapies like vaccines, monoclonal antibodies-based therapies, etc., against different kinds of human Bacterial and Fungal microbial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafsa Qadri
- Department of Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Abdul Haseeb Shah
- Department of Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
- *Correspondence: Abdul Haseeb Shah,
| | - Mustfa Alkhanani
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, University of Hafr Al Batin, Hafar Al Batin, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Almilaibary
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al Baha University, Al Baha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manzoor Ahmad Mir
- Department of Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
- Manzoor Ahmad Mir,
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Wang X, Liu P, Jiang Y, Han B, Yan L. The prophylactic effects of monoclonal antibodies targeting the cell wall Pmt4 protein epitopes of Candida albicans in a murine model of invasive candidiasis. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:992275. [PMID: 36081783 PMCID: PMC9446456 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.992275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans (C. albicans) is the most prevalent opportunistic human pathogen, accounting for approximately half of all clinical cases of candidemia. Resistance to the existing antifungal drugs is a major challenge in clinical therapy, necessitating the development and identification of novel therapeutic agents and potential treatment strategies. Monoclonal antibody-based immunotherapy represents a promising therapeutic strategy against disseminated candidiasis. Protein mannosyltransferase (Pmt4) encodes mannosyltransferases initiating O-mannosylation of secretory proteins and is essential for cell wall composition and virulence of C. albicans. Therefore, the Pmt4 protein of C. albicans is an attractive target for the discovery of alternative antibody agents against invasive C. albicans infections. In the present study, we found that monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) C12 and C346 specifically targeted the recombinant protein mannosyltransferase 4 (rPmt4p) of C. albicans. These mAbs were produced and secreted by hybridoma cells isolated from the spleen of mice that were initially immunized with the purified rPmt4p to generate IgG antibodies. The mAbs C12 and C346 exhibited high affinity to C. albicans whole cells. Remarkably, these mAbs reduced the fungal burden, alleviated inflammation in the kidneys, and prolonged the survival rate significantly in the murine model of systemic candidiasis. Moreover, they could activate macrophage opsonophagocytic killing and neutrophil killing of C. albicans strain in vitro. These results suggested that anti-rPmt4p mAbs may provide immunotherapeutic interventions against disseminated candidiasis via opsonophagocytosis and opsonic killing activity. Our findings provide evidence for mAbs as a therapeutic option for the treatment of invasive candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanying Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bing Han
- Department of Pharmacy, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Bing Han,
| | - Lan Yan
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Lan Yan,
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Palliyil S, Mawer M, Alawfi SA, Fogg L, Tan TH, De Cesare GB, Walker LA, MacCallum DM, Porter AJ, Munro CA. Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting Surface-Exposed Epitopes of Candida albicans Cell Wall Proteins Confer In Vivo Protection in an Infection Model. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0195721. [PMID: 35285676 PMCID: PMC9017365 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01957-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based immunotherapies targeting systemic and deep-seated fungal infections are still in their early stages of development, with no licensed antifungal mAbs currently being available for patients at risk. The cell wall glycoproteins of Candida albicans are of particular interest as potential targets for therapeutic antibody generation due to their extracellular location and key involvement in fungal pathogenesis. Here, we describe the generation of recombinant human antibodies specifically targeting two key cell wall proteins (CWPs) in C. albicans: Utr2 and Pga31. These antibodies were isolated from a phage display antibody library using peptide antigens representing the surface-exposed regions of CWPs expressed at elevated levels during in vivo infection. Reformatted human-mouse chimeric mAbs preferentially recognized C. albicans hyphal forms compared to yeast cells, and increased binding was observed when the cells were grown in the presence of the antifungal agent caspofungin. In J774.1 macrophage interaction assays, mAb pretreatment resulted in the faster engulfment of C. albicans cells, suggesting a role of the CWP antibodies as opsonizing agents during phagocyte recruitment. Finally, in a series of clinically predictive mouse models of systemic candidiasis, our lead mAb achieved improved survival (83%) and a several-log reduction of the fungal burden in the kidneys, similar to the levels achieved for the fungicidal drug caspofungin and superior to the therapeutic efficacy of any anti-Candida mAb reported to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumya Palliyil
- Scottish Biologics Facility, Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeengrid.7107.1, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Mawer
- Scottish Biologics Facility, Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeengrid.7107.1, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeengrid.7107.1, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Sami A. Alawfi
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeengrid.7107.1, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Lily Fogg
- Scottish Biologics Facility, Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeengrid.7107.1, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Tyng H. Tan
- Scottish Biologics Facility, Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeengrid.7107.1, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeengrid.7107.1, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Giuseppe Buda De Cesare
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeengrid.7107.1, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Louise A. Walker
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeengrid.7107.1, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Donna M. MacCallum
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeengrid.7107.1, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J. Porter
- Scottish Biologics Facility, Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeengrid.7107.1, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Carol A. Munro
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeengrid.7107.1, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
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Boniche C, Rossi SA, Kischkel B, Vieira Barbalho F, Nogueira D’Aurea Moura Á, Nosanchuk JD, Travassos LR, Pelleschi Taborda C. Immunotherapy against Systemic Fungal Infections Based on Monoclonal Antibodies. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6010031. [PMID: 32121415 PMCID: PMC7151209 DOI: 10.3390/jof6010031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing incidence in systemic fungal infections in humans has increased focus for the development of fungal vaccines and use of monoclonal antibodies. Invasive mycoses are generally difficult to treat, as most occur in vulnerable individuals, with compromised innate and adaptive immune responses. Mortality rates in the setting of our current antifungal drugs remain excessively high. Moreover, systemic mycoses require prolonged durations of antifungal treatment and side effects frequently occur, particularly drug-induced liver and/or kidney injury. The use of monoclonal antibodies with or without concomitant administration of antifungal drugs emerges as a potentially efficient treatment modality to improve outcomes and reduce chemotherapy toxicities. In this review, we focus on the use of monoclonal antibodies with experimental evidence on the reduction of fungal burden and prolongation of survival in in vivo disease models. Presently, there are no licensed monoclonal antibodies for use in the treatment of systemic mycoses, although the potential of such a vaccine is very high as indicated by the substantial promising results from several experimental models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Boniche
- Biomedical Sciences Institute, Department of Microbiology, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil; (C.B.); (S.A.R.); (B.K.); (F.V.B.)
| | - Suélen Andreia Rossi
- Biomedical Sciences Institute, Department of Microbiology, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil; (C.B.); (S.A.R.); (B.K.); (F.V.B.)
| | - Brenda Kischkel
- Biomedical Sciences Institute, Department of Microbiology, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil; (C.B.); (S.A.R.); (B.K.); (F.V.B.)
| | - Filipe Vieira Barbalho
- Biomedical Sciences Institute, Department of Microbiology, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil; (C.B.); (S.A.R.); (B.K.); (F.V.B.)
| | - Ágata Nogueira D’Aurea Moura
- Tropical Medicine Institute, Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-000, Brazil;
| | - Joshua D. Nosanchuk
- Departments of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) and Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA;
| | - Luiz R. Travassos
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo 04021-001, Brazil;
| | - Carlos Pelleschi Taborda
- Biomedical Sciences Institute, Department of Microbiology, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil; (C.B.); (S.A.R.); (B.K.); (F.V.B.)
- Tropical Medicine Institute, Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-000, Brazil;
- Correspondence:
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Tarang S, Kesherwani V, LaTendresse B, Lindgren L, Rocha-Sanchez SM, Weston MD. In silico Design of a Multivalent Vaccine Against Candida albicans. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1066. [PMID: 31974431 PMCID: PMC6978452 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57906-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive candidiasis (IC) is the most common nosocomial infection and a leading cause of mycoses-related deaths. High-systemic toxicity and emergence of antifungal-resistant species warrant the development of newer preventive approaches against IC. Here, we have adopted an immunotherapeutic peptide vaccine-based approach, to enhance the body's immune response against invasive candida infections. Using computational tools, we screened the entire candida proteome (6030 proteins) and identified the most immunodominant HLA class I, HLA class II and B- cell epitopes. By further immunoinformatic analyses for enhanced vaccine efficacy, we selected the 18- most promising epitopes, which were joined together using molecular linkers to create a multivalent recombinant protein against Candida albicans (mvPC). To increase mvPC's immunogenicity, we added a synthetic adjuvant (RS09) to the mvPC design. The selected mvPC epitopes are homologous against all currently available annotated reference sequences of 22 C. albicans strains, thus offering a higher coverage and greater protective response. A major advantage of the current vaccine approach is mvPC's multivalent nature (recognizing multiple-epitopes), which is likely to provide enhanced protection against complex candida antigens. Here, we describe the computational analyses leading to mvPC design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikha Tarang
- Creighton University School of Dentistry, Department of Oral Biology, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA.
| | - Varun Kesherwani
- Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Blake LaTendresse
- Creighton University School of Dentistry, Department of Oral Biology, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA
| | - Laramie Lindgren
- Creighton University School of Dentistry, Department of Oral Biology, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA
| | - Sonia M Rocha-Sanchez
- Creighton University School of Dentistry, Department of Oral Biology, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA
| | - Michael D Weston
- Creighton University School of Dentistry, Department of Oral Biology, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA
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Shi J, Li S, Gao A, Zhu K, Zhang H. Tetrandrine enhances the antifungal activity of fluconazole in a murine model of disseminated candidiasis. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2018; 46:21-31. [PMID: 30097119 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2018.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tetrandrine (TET), a bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Stephaniae tetrandrae, has a long history in Chinese clinical applications as an anti-inflammatory or anti-arrhythmic agent in the treatment of diverse diseases. In our previous study, TET exhibited the synergisitic action on azoles against pathogenic fungi. PURPOSE In the current study, we examined whether TET can enhance the antifungal activity of FLC against disseminated candidiasis in mice. METHODS BALB/c mice were inoculated intravenously with FLC-sensitive or FLC-resistant strains of Candida albicans, randomized and treated intraperitoneally with different doses of TET and/or FLC daily for 7 days. The treatment effectiveness, fungal burdens and the levels of the IFN-γ, IL-10, TGF-β1 and IL-17A are determined in serum by ELISA and in the kidney by Real-time RT-PCR methods. RESULTS We found that treatment with 45, 30 and 15 mg/kg of TET, enhanced the antifungal activities of a sub-critical dose (0.4 or 5 mg/kg) and minimal dose (0.8 or 10 mg/kg) of FLC against FLC-sensitive and FLC-resistant (respectively) infected mice. In the resistant strains the resistance mechanisms included MDR1 overexpression-and CDR1/CDR2 overexpression. Furthermore, when animals were treated with a sub-high dose (1.6-3.2 and 20-30 mg/kg) of FLC in the presence of fixed amounts of TET at 45, 30 and 15 mg/kg, the therapeutic doses of FLC could be substantially reduced in all strains tested. The findings in infected animal are consistent with the conclusion that TET exerts a synergistic effect on FLC against C. albicans by fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) and time-killing test in vitro. CONCLUSION In summary, our data indicate that TET will enhance the antifungal activity of FLC against C. albicans infection in disseminated mice model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianping Shi
- The First Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Mycology, Jinan University,#601 Huangpu West Ave, Guangzhou, China; Shenzhen Shajing Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuixiu Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Mycology, Jinan University,#601 Huangpu West Ave, Guangzhou, China
| | - Aili Gao
- Guangzhou Institute of Dermatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kunju Zhu
- The First Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Mycology, Jinan University,#601 Huangpu West Ave, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Mycology, Jinan University,#601 Huangpu West Ave, Guangzhou, China.
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Ubah O, Palliyil S. Monoclonal Antibodies and Antibody Like Fragments Derived from Immunised Phage Display Libraries. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 1053:99-117. [PMID: 29549637 PMCID: PMC7120432 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-72077-7_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Morbidity and mortality associated with infectious diseases are always on the rise, especially in poorer countries and in the aging population. The inevitable, but unpredictable emergence of new infectious diseases has become a global threat. HIV/AIDS, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and the more recent H1N1 influenza are only a few of the numerous examples of emerging infectious diseases in the modern era. However despite advances in diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines, there is need for more specific, efficacious, cost-effective and less toxic treatment and preventive drugs. In this chapter, we discuss a powerful combinatorial technology in association with animal immunisation that is capable of generating biologic drugs with high affinity, efficacy and limited off-site toxicity, and diagnostic tools with great precision. Although time consuming, immunisation still remains the preferred route for the isolation of high-affinity antibodies and antibody-like fragments. Phage display is a molecular diversity technology that allows the presentation of large peptide and protein libraries on the surface of filamentous phage. The selection of binding fragments from phage display libraries has proven significant for routine isolation of invaluable peptides, antibodies, and antibody-like domains for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Here we highlight the many benefits of combining immunisation with phage display in combating infectious diseases, and how our knowledge of antibody engineering has played a crucial role in fully exploiting these platforms in generating therapeutic and diagnostic biologics towards antigenic targets of infectious organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Obinna Ubah
- Scottish Biologics Facility, Elasmogen Ltd, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Soumya Palliyil
- Scottish Biologics Facility, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.
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Blockwise synthesis of a pentasaccharide structurally related to the mannan fragment from the Candida albicans cell wall corresponding to the antigenic factor 6. Russ Chem Bull 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s11172-015-1251-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Karelin AA, Tsvetkov YE, Paulovičová E, Paulovičová L, Nifantiev NE. A Blockwise Approach to the Synthesis of (1→2)-Linked Oligosaccharides Corresponding to Fragments of the Acid-Stable β-Mannan from theCandida albicansCell Wall. European J Org Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.201501464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Moriyama B, Gordon LA, McCarthy M, Henning SA, Walsh TJ, Penzak SR. Emerging drugs and vaccines for candidemia. Mycoses 2014; 57:718-33. [PMID: 25294098 DOI: 10.1111/myc.12265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2014] [Revised: 08/26/2014] [Accepted: 09/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Candidemia and other forms of invasive candidiasis are important causes of morbidity and mortality. The evolving challenge of antimicrobial resistance among fungal pathogens continues to highlight the need for potent, new antifungal agents. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science searches (up to January 2014) of the English-language literature were performed with the keywords 'Candida' or 'Candidemia' or 'Candidiasis' and terms describing investigational drugs with activity against Candida spp. Conference abstracts and the bibliographies of pertinent articles were also reviewed for relevant reports. ClinicalTrials.gov was searched for relevant clinical trials. Currently available antifungal agents for the treatment of candidemia are summarised. Investigational antifungal agents with potential activity against Candida bloodstream infections and other forms of invasive candidiasis and vaccines for prevention of Candida infections are also reviewed as are selected antifungal agents no longer in development. Antifungal agents currently in clinical trials include isavuconazole, albaconazole, SCY-078, VT-1161 and T-2307. Further data are needed to determine the role of these compounds in the treatment of candidemia and other forms of invasive candidiasis. The progressive reduction in antimicrobial drug development may result in a decline in antifungal drug discovery. Still, there remains a critical need for new antifungal agents to treat and prevent invasive candidiasis and other life-threatening mycoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brad Moriyama
- Pharmacy Department, NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Combination of fluconazole with non-antifungal agents: A promising approach to cope with resistant Candida albicans infections and insight into new antifungal agent discovery. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2014; 43:395-402. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2013.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2013] [Revised: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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12
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Characterization of the recombinant Candida albicans β-1,2-mannosyltransferase that initiates the β-mannosylation of cell wall phosphopeptidomannan. Biochem J 2014; 457:347-60. [PMID: 24138199 DOI: 10.1042/bj20131012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The presence of β-mannosides in their cell walls confers specific features on the pathogenic yeasts Candida albicans and Candida glabrata compared with non-pathogenic yeasts. In the present study, we investigated the enzymatic properties of Bmt1 (β-mannosyltransferase 1), a member of the recently identified β-mannosyltransferase family, from C. albicans. A recombinant soluble enzyme lacking the N-terminal region was expressed as a secreted protein from the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. In parallel, functionalized natural oligosaccharides isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and a C. albicans mutant strain, as well as synthetic α-oligomannosides, were prepared and used as potential acceptor substrates. Bmt1p preferentially utilizes substrates containing linear chains of α-1,2-linked mannotriose or mannotetraose. The recombinant enzyme consecuti-vely transfers two mannosyl units on to these acceptors, leading to the production of α-mannosidase-resistant oligomannosides. NMR experiments further confirmed the presence of a terminal βMan (β-1,2-linked mannose) unit in the first enzyme product. In the future, a better understanding of specific β-1,2-mannosyltransferase molecular requirements will help the design of new potential antifungal drugs.
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