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Schaefer S, Vij R, Sprague JL, Austermeier S, Dinh H, Judzewitsch PR, Müller-Loennies S, Lopes Silva T, Seemann E, Qualmann B, Hertweck C, Scherlach K, Gutsmann T, Cain AK, Corrigan N, Gresnigt MS, Boyer C, Lenardon MD, Brunke S. A synthetic peptide mimic kills Candida albicans and synergistically prevents infection. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6818. [PMID: 39122699 PMCID: PMC11315985 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50491-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
More than two million people worldwide are affected by life-threatening, invasive fungal infections annually. Candida species are the most common cause of nosocomial, invasive fungal infections and are associated with mortality rates above 40%. Despite the increasing incidence of drug-resistance, the development of novel antifungal formulations has been limited. Here we investigate the antifungal mode of action and therapeutic potential of positively charged, synthetic peptide mimics to combat Candida albicans infections. Our data indicates that these synthetic polymers cause endoplasmic reticulum stress and affect protein glycosylation, a mode of action distinct from currently approved antifungal drugs. The most promising polymer composition damaged the mannan layer of the cell wall, with additional membrane-disrupting activity. The synergistic combination of the polymer with caspofungin prevented infection of human epithelial cells in vitro, improved fungal clearance by human macrophages, and significantly increased host survival in a Galleria mellonella model of systemic candidiasis. Additionally, prolonged exposure of C. albicans to the synergistic combination of polymer and caspofungin did not lead to the evolution of tolerant strains in vitro. Together, this work highlights the enormous potential of these synthetic peptide mimics to be used as novel antifungal formulations as well as adjunctive antifungal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Schaefer
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Raghav Vij
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Jakob L Sprague
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Sophie Austermeier
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Hue Dinh
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter R Judzewitsch
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sven Müller-Loennies
- Division of Biophysics, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Borstel, Germany
| | - Taynara Lopes Silva
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Eric Seemann
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Britta Qualmann
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Hertweck
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Kirstin Scherlach
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Gutsmann
- Division of Biophysics, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Borstel, Germany
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Amy K Cain
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Nathaniel Corrigan
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mark S Gresnigt
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
- Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Cyrille Boyer
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Megan D Lenardon
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany.
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Hernández-Chávez MJ, Martínez-Duncker I, Clavijo-Giraldo DM, López-Ramirez LA, Mora-Montes HM. Candida tropicalis PMT2 Is a Dispensable Gene for Viability but Required for Proper Interaction with the Host. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:502. [PMID: 39057387 PMCID: PMC11277967 DOI: 10.3390/jof10070502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Candidemia is an opportunistic mycosis with high morbidity and mortality rates. Even though Candida albicans is the main causative agent, other Candida species, such as Candida tropicalis, are relevant etiological agents of candidiasis and candidemia. Compared with C. albicans, there is currently limited information about C. tropicalis' biological aspects, including those related to the cell wall and the interaction with the host. Currently, it is known that its cell wall contains O-linked mannans, and the contribution of these structures to cell fitness has previously been addressed using cells subjected to chemical treatments or in mutants where O-linked mannans and other wall components are affected. Here, we generated a C. tropicalis pmt2∆ null mutant, which was affected in the first step of the O-linked mannosylation pathway. The null mutant was viable, contrasting with C. albicans where this gene is essential. The phenotypical characterization showed that O-linked mannans were required for filamentation; proper cell wall integrity and organization; biofilm formation; protein secretion; and adhesion to extracellular matrix components, in particular to fibronectin; and type I and type II collagen. When interacting with human innate immune cells, it was found that this cell wall structure is dispensable for cytokine production, but mutant cells were more phagocytosed by monocyte-derived macrophages. Furthermore, the null mutant cells showed virulence attenuation in Galleria mellonella larvae. Thus, O-linked mannans are minor components of the cell wall that are involved in different aspects of C. tropicalis' biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco J. Hernández-Chávez
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato 36050, GTO, Mexico; (M.J.H.-C.); (D.M.C.-G.); (L.A.L.-R.)
| | - Iván Martínez-Duncker
- Laboratorio de Glicobiología Humana y Diagnóstico Molecular, Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca 62209, MOR, Mexico;
| | - Diana M. Clavijo-Giraldo
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato 36050, GTO, Mexico; (M.J.H.-C.); (D.M.C.-G.); (L.A.L.-R.)
| | - Luz A. López-Ramirez
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato 36050, GTO, Mexico; (M.J.H.-C.); (D.M.C.-G.); (L.A.L.-R.)
| | - Héctor M. Mora-Montes
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato 36050, GTO, Mexico; (M.J.H.-C.); (D.M.C.-G.); (L.A.L.-R.)
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3
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Reitler P, Regan J, DeJarnette C, Srivastava A, Carnahan J, Tucker KM, Meibohm B, Peters BM, Palmer GE. The atypical antipsychotic aripiprazole alters the outcome of disseminated Candida albicans infections. Infect Immun 2024; 92:e0007224. [PMID: 38899880 PMCID: PMC11238555 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00072-24] [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: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections impose an enormous clinical, social, and economic burden on humankind. One of the most common species responsible for invasive fungal infections is Candida albicans. More than 30% of patients with disseminated candidiasis fail therapy with existing antifungal drugs, including the widely used azole class. We previously identified a collection of 13 medications that antagonize the activity of the azoles on C. albicans. Although gain-of-function mutations responsible for antifungal resistance are often associated with reduced fitness and virulence, it is currently unknown how exposure to azole antagonistic drugs impacts C. albicans physiology, fitness, or virulence. In this study, we examined how exposure to seven azole antagonists affects C. albicans phenotype and capacity to cause disease. Most of the azole antagonists appear to have little impact on fungal growth, morphology, stress tolerance, or gene transcription. However, aripiprazole had a modest impact on C. albicans hyphal growth and increased cell wall chitin content. It also aggravated the disseminated C. albicans infections in mice. This effect was abrogated in immunosuppressed mice, indicating that it is at least in part dependent upon host immune responses. Collectively, these data provide proof of principle that unanticipated drug-fungus interactions have the potential to influence the incidence and outcomes of invasive fungal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parker Reitler
- Integrated Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jessica Regan
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Program, College of Graduate Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Christian DeJarnette
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ashish Srivastava
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jen Carnahan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Katie M Tucker
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Bernd Meibohm
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Brian M Peters
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Glen E Palmer
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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4
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Clack K, Sallam M, Matheson C, Muyldermans S, Nguyen NT. Towards a Wearable Feminine Hygiene Platform for Detection of Invasive Fungal Pathogens via Gold Nanoparticle Aggregation. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:899. [PMID: 39064410 PMCID: PMC11278863 DOI: 10.3390/mi15070899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungus that becomes pathogenic and problematic under certain biological conditions. C. albicans may cause painful and uncomfortable symptoms, as well as deaths in immunocompromised patients. Therefore, early detection of C. albicans is essential. However, conventional detection methods are costly, slow, and inaccessible to women in remote or developing areas. To address these concerns, we have developed a wearable and discrete naked-eye detectable colorimetric platform for C. albicans detection. With some modification, this platform is designed to be directly adhered to existing feminine hygiene pads. Our platform is rapid, inexpensive, user-friendly, and disposable and only requires three steps: (i) the addition of vaginal fluid onto sample pads; (ii) the addition of gold nanoparticle gel and running buffer, and (iii) naked eye detection. Our platform is underpinned by selective thiolated aptamer-based recognition of 1,3-β-D glucan molecules-a hallmark of C. albicans cell walls. In the absence of C. albicans, wearable sample pads turn bright pink. In the presence of C. albicans, the wearable pads turn dark blue due to significant nanoparticle target-induced aggregation. We demonstrate naked-eye colorimetric detection of 4.4 × 106C. albicans cells per ml and nanoparticle stability over a pH range of 3.0-8.0. We believe that this proof-of-concept platform has the potential to have a significant impact on women's health globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley Clack
- Queensland Micro and Nanotechnology Centre (QMNC), Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia; (K.C.); (M.S.)
- School of Environment and Science (ESC), Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia;
| | - Mohamed Sallam
- Queensland Micro and Nanotechnology Centre (QMNC), Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia; (K.C.); (M.S.)
- School of Environment and Science (ESC), Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia;
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery (GRIDD), Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Carney Matheson
- School of Environment and Science (ESC), Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia;
| | - Serge Muyldermans
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology (CMIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Nam-Trung Nguyen
- Queensland Micro and Nanotechnology Centre (QMNC), Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia; (K.C.); (M.S.)
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5
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Wu Y, Zhang H, Chen H, Du Z, Li Q, Wang R. Fleagrass (Adenosma buchneroides Bonati) Acts as a Fungicide Against Candida albicans by Damaging Its Cell Wall. J Microbiol 2024:10.1007/s12275-024-00146-9. [PMID: 38958871 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-024-00146-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Fleagrass, a herb known for its pleasant aroma, is widely used as a mosquito repellent, antibacterial agent, and for treating colds, reducing swelling, and alleviating pain. The antifungal effects of the essential oils of fleagrass and carvacrol against Candida albicans were investigated by evaluating the growth and the mycelial and biofilm development of C. albicans. Transmission electron microscopy was used to evaluate the integrity of the cell membrane and cell wall of C. albicans. Fleagrass exhibited high fungicidal activity against C. albicans at concentrations of 0.5% v/v (via the Ras1/cAMP/PKA pathway). Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy revealed damage to the cell wall and membrane after treatment with the essential oil, which was further confirmed by the increased levels of β-1,3-glucan and chitin in the cell wall. This study showed that fleagrass exerts good fungicidal and hyphal growth inhibition activity against C. albicans by disrupting its cell wall, and thus, fleagrass may be a potential antifungal drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youwei Wu
- College of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650000, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongxia Zhang
- Department of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongjie Chen
- College of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650000, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhizhi Du
- Department of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, People's Republic of China
| | - Qin Li
- College of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650000, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruirui Wang
- College of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650000, People's Republic of China.
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6
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Ross RL, Santiago-Tirado FH. Advanced genetic techniques in fungal pathogen research. mSphere 2024; 9:e0064323. [PMID: 38470131 PMCID: PMC11036804 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00643-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Although fungi have been important model organisms for solving genetic, molecular, and ecological problems, recently, they are also becoming an important source of infectious disease. Despite their high medical burden, fungal pathogens are understudied, and relative to other pathogenic microbes, less is known about how their gene functions contribute to disease. This is due, in part, to a lack of powerful genetic tools to study these organisms. In turn, this has resulted in inappropriate treatments and diagnostics and poor disease management. There are a variety of reasons genetic studies were challenging in pathogenic fungi, but in recent years, most of them have been overcome or advances have been made to circumvent these barriers. In this minireview, we highlight how recent advances in genetic studies in fungal pathogens have resulted in the discovery of important biology and potential new antifungals and have created the tools to comprehensively study these important pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robbi L. Ross
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Felipe H. Santiago-Tirado
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
- Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
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7
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Shivarathri R, Chauhan M, Datta A, Das D, Karuli A, Jenull S, Kuchler K, Thangamani S, Chowdhary A, Desai JV, Chauhan N. The Candida auris Hog1 MAP kinase is essential for the colonization of murine skin and intradermal persistence. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.18.585572. [PMID: 38562863 PMCID: PMC10983919 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.18.585572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Candida auris , a multidrug-resistant human fungal pathogen, was first identified in 2009 in Japan. Since then, systemic C. auris infections have now been reported in more than 50 countries, with mortality rates of 30-60%. A major contributing factor to its high inter- and intrahospital clonal transmission is that C. auris, unlike most Candida species, displays unique skin tropism and can stay on human skin for a prolonged period. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for C. auris skin colonization, intradermal persistence, and systemic virulence are poorly understood. Here, we report that C. auris Hog1 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is essential for efficient skin colonization, intradermal persistence, as well as systemic virulence. RNA-seq analysis of wildtype parental and hog1 Δ mutant strains revealed marked down-regulation of genes involved in processes such as cell adhesion, cell-wall rearrangement, and pathogenesis in hog1 Δ mutant compared to the wildtype parent. Consistent with these data, we found a prominent role for Hog1 in maintaining cell-wall architecture, as the hog1 Δ mutant demonstrated a significant increase in cell-surface β-glucan exposure and a concomitant reduction in chitin content. Additionally, we observed that Hog1 was required for biofilm formation in vitro and fungal survival when challenged with primary murine macrophages and neutrophils ex vivo . Collectively, these findings have important implications for understanding the C. auris skin adherence mechanisms and penetration of skin epithelial layers preceding bloodstream infections. Importance Candida auris is a World Health Organization (WHO) fungal priority pathogen and an urgent public health threat recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). C. auris has a unique ability to colonize human skin. It also persists on abiotic surfaces in healthcare environments for an extended period of time. These attributes facilitate the inter- and intrahospital clonal transmission of C. auris . Therefore, understanding C. auris skin colonization mechanisms are critical for infection control, especially in hospitals and nursing homes. However, despite its profound clinical relevance, the molecular and genetic basis of C. auris skin colonization mechanisms are poorly understood. Herein, we present data on the identification of the Hog1 MAP kinase as a key regulator of C. auris skin colonization. These findings lay foundation for further characterization of unique mechanisms that promote fungal persistence on human skin.
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8
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Reitler P, Regan J, DeJarnette C, Srivastava A, Carnahan J, Tucker KM, Meibohm B, Peters BM, Palmer GE. The atypical antipsychotic aripiprazole alters the outcome of disseminated Candida albicans infections. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.13.580133. [PMID: 38405954 PMCID: PMC10888916 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.13.580133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) impose an enormous clinical, social, and economic burden on humankind. For many IFIs, ≥ 30% of patients fail therapy with existing antifungal drugs, including the widely used azole class. We previously identified a collection of 13 approved medications that antagonize azole activity. While gain-of-function mutants resulting in antifungal resistance are often associated with reduced fitness and virulence, it is currently unknown how exposure to azole antagonistic drugs impact C. albicans physiology, fitness, or virulence. In this study, we examined how exposure to azole antagonists affected C. albicans phenotype and capacity to cause disease. We discovered that most of the azole antagonists had little impact on fungal growth, morphology, stress tolerance, or gene transcription. However, aripiprazole had a modest impact on C. albicans hyphal growth and increased cell wall chitin content. It also worsened the outcome of disseminated infections in mice at human equivalent concentrations. This effect was abrogated in immunosuppressed mice, indicating an additional impact of aripiprazole on host immunity. Collectively, these data provide proof-of-principle that unanticipated drug-fungus interactions have the potential to influence the incidence and outcomes of invasive fungal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parker Reitler
- Integrated Program in Biomedical Sciences, College of Graduate Health Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jessica Regan
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Program, College of Graduate Health Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Christian DeJarnette
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ashish Srivastava
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jen Carnahan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Katie M. Tucker
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Bernd Meibohm
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Brian M Peters
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Glen E. Palmer
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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9
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Janeczko M, Kochanowicz E. Biochanin A Inhibits the Growth and Biofilm of Candida Species. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:89. [PMID: 38256922 PMCID: PMC10818846 DOI: 10.3390/ph17010089] [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: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the antifungal activity of biochanin A (BCA) against planktonic growth and biofilms of six Candida species, including C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. auris, and C. krusei. We applied various assays that determined (a) the antimicrobial effect on growth of Candida species, (b) the effect on formation of hyphae and biofilm, (c) the effect on the expression of genes related to hyphal growth and biofilm formation, (d) the influence on cell wall structure, and (e) the effect on cell membrane integrity and permeability. Moreover, disk diffusion tests were used to investigate the effect of a combination of BCA with fluconazole to assess their possible synergistic effect on drug-resistant C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. auris. Our results showed that the BCA MIC50 values against Candida species ranged between 125 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL, and the MIC90 values were in a concentration range from 250 µg/mL to 1000 µg/mL. The treatment with BCA inhibited adhesion of cells, cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH), and biofilm formation and reduced hyphal growth in all the analyzed Candida species. Real-time qRT-PCR revealed that BCA down-regulated the expression of biofilm-specific genes in C. albicans. Furthermore, physical destruction of C. albicans cell membranes and cell walls as a result of the treatment with BCA was observed. The combination of BCA and fluconazole did not exert synergistic effects against fluconazole-resistant Candida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Janeczko
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1i, 20-708 Lublin, Poland;
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10
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Seiser S, Arzani H, Ayub T, Phan-Canh T, Staud C, Worda C, Kuchler K, Elbe-Bürger A. Native human and mouse skin infection models to study Candida auris-host interactions. Microbes Infect 2024; 26:105234. [PMID: 37813159 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2023.105234] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared certain fungal pathogens as global health threats for the next decade. Candida auris (C. auris) is a newly emerging skin-tropic multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen that can cause life-threatening infections of high mortality in hospitals and healthcare settings. Here, we address an unmet need and present novel native ex vivo skin models, thus extending previous C. auris-host interaction studies. We exploit histology and immunofluorescence analysis of ex vivo skin biopsies of human adult and fetal, as well as mouse origin infected with C. auris via distinct routes. We demonstrate that an intact skin barrier efficiently protects from C. auris penetration and invasion. Although C. auris readily grows on native human skin, it can reach deeper layers only upon physical disruption of the barrier by needling or through otherwise damaged skin. By contrast, a barrier disruption is not necessary for C. auris penetration of native mouse skin. Importantly, we show that C. auris undergoes morphogenetic changes upon skin penetration, as it acquires pseudohyphal growth phenotypes in deeper human and mouse dermis. Taken together, this new human and mouse skin model toolset yields new insights into C. auris colonization, adhesion, growth and invasion properties of native versus damaged human skin. The results form a crucial basis for future studies on skin immune defense to colonizing pathogens, and offer new options for testing the action and efficacy of topical antimicrobial compound formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia Seiser
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Dermatology, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Hossein Arzani
- Medical University of Vienna, Max Perutz Labs Vienna, Campus Vienna Biocenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 9/2, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Tanya Ayub
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Dermatology, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Trinh Phan-Canh
- Medical University of Vienna, Max Perutz Labs Vienna, Campus Vienna Biocenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 9/2, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Clement Staud
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christof Worda
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Karl Kuchler
- Medical University of Vienna, Max Perutz Labs Vienna, Campus Vienna Biocenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 9/2, 1030 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Adelheid Elbe-Bürger
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Dermatology, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
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11
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Chung E, Ren G, Johnston I, Matharu RK, Ciric L, Walecka A, Cheong YK. Applied Methods to Assess the Antimicrobial Activity of Metallic-Based Nanoparticles. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1259. [PMID: 38002383 PMCID: PMC10669044 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10111259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
With the rise of antibiotic resistance, the drive to discover novel antimicrobial substances and standard testing methods with the aim of controlling transmissive diseases are substantially high. In healthcare sectors and industries, although methods for testing antibiotics and other aqueous-based reagents are well established, methods for testing nanomaterials, non-polar and other particle-based suspensions are still debatable. Hence, utilities of ISO standard validations of such substances have been recalled where corrective actions had to be taken. This paper reports a serial analysis obtained from testing the antimicrobial activities of 10 metallic-based nanomaterials against 10 different pathogens using five different in vitro assays, where the technique, limitation and robustness of each method were evaluated. To confirm antimicrobial activities of metallic-based nanomaterial suspensions, it was found that at least two methods must be used, one being the agar well diffusion method, which was found to be the most reliable method. The agar well diffusion method provided not only information on antimicrobial efficacy through the size of the inhibitory zones, but it also identified antimicrobial ions and synergistic effects released by the test materials. To ascertain the effective inhibitory concentration of nanoparticles, the resazurin broth dilution method is recommended, as MIC can be determined visually without utilising any equipment. This method also overcomes the limit of detection (LoD) and absorbance interference issues, which are often found in the overexpression of cell debris and nanoparticles or quantum dots with optical profiles. In this study, bimetallic AgCu was found to be the most effective antimicrobial nanoparticle tested against across the bacterial (MIC 7 µg/mL) and fungal (MIC 62.5 µg/mL) species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etelka Chung
- Centre for Engineering Research, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK; (E.C.); (I.J.)
| | - Guogang Ren
- Centre for Engineering Research, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK; (E.C.); (I.J.)
| | - Ian Johnston
- Centre for Engineering Research, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK; (E.C.); (I.J.)
| | - Rupy Kaur Matharu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK;
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK;
| | - Lena Ciric
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK;
| | - Agnieszka Walecka
- Intensive Care Unit, Royal Free Hospital, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG, UK;
| | - Yuen-Ki Cheong
- Centre for Engineering Research, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK; (E.C.); (I.J.)
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12
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Anaya EU, Amin AE, Wester MJ, Danielson ME, Michel KS, Neumann AK. Dectin-1 multimerization and signaling depends on fungal β-glucan structure and exposure. Biophys J 2023; 122:3749-3767. [PMID: 37515324 PMCID: PMC10541497 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Dectin-1A is a C-type lectin innate immunoreceptor that recognizes β-(1,3;1,6)-glucan, a structural component of Candida species cell walls. β-Glucans can adopt solution structures ranging from random coil to insoluble fiber due to tertiary (helical) and quaternary structure. Fungal β-glucans of medium and high molecular weight are highly structured, but low molecular weight glucan is much less structured. Despite similar affinity for Dectin-1, the ability of glucans to induce Dectin-1A-mediated signaling correlates with degree of structure. Glucan denaturation experiments showed that glucan structure determines agonistic potential, but not receptor binding affinity. We explored the impact of glucan structure on molecular aggregation of Dectin-1A. Stimulation with glucan signaling decreased Dectin-1A diffusion coefficient. Fluorescence measurements provided direct evidence of ligation-induced Dectin-1A aggregation, which positively correlated with increasing glucan structure content. In contrast, Dectin-1A is predominantly in a low aggregation state in resting cells. Molecular aggregates formed during interaction with highly structured, agonistic glucans did not exceed relatively small (<15 nm) clusters of a few engaged receptors. Finally, we observed increased molecular aggregation of Dectin-1A at fungal particle contact sites in a manner that positively correlated with the degree of exposed glucan on the particle surface. These results indicate that Dectin-1A senses the solution conformation of β-glucans through their varying ability to drive receptor dimer/oligomer formation and activation of membrane proximal signaling events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo U Anaya
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Akram Etemadi Amin
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Michael J Wester
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | | | | | - Aaron K Neumann
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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13
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Wang Y, Xue N, Wang Z, Zeng X, Ji N, Chen Q. Targeting Th17 cells: a promising strategy to treat oral mucosal inflammatory diseases. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1236856. [PMID: 37564654 PMCID: PMC10410157 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1236856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
With the improved quality of life, oral health is under increased pressure. Numerous common oral mucosal diseases, such as oral lichen planus(OLP) and gingivitis, are related to the destruction of the oral immune barrier. The cytokines secreted by T-helper 17 (Th17) cells are essential for maintaining oral immune homeostasis and play essential roles in immune surveillance. When antigens stimulate the epithelium, Th17 cells expand, differentiate, and generate inflammatory factors to recruit other lymphocytes, such as neutrophils, to clear the infection, which helps to maintain the integrity of the epithelial barrier. In contrast, excessive Th17/IL-17 axis reactions may cause autoimmune damage. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the role of Th17 cells in oral mucosa may provide prospects for treating oral mucosal diseases. We reviewed the role of Th17 cells in various oral and skin mucosal systemic diseases with oral characteristics, and based on the findings of these reports, we emphasize that Th17 cellular response may be a critical factor in inflammatory diseases of the oral mucosa. In addition, we should pay attention to the role and relationship of "pathogenic Th17" and "non-pathogenic Th17" in oral mucosal diseases. We hope to provide a reference for Th17 cells as a potential therapeutic target for treating oral mucosal inflammatory disorders in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ning Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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14
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Diniz-Lima I, da Fonseca LM, Dos Reis JS, Decote-Ricardo D, Morrot A, Previato JO, Previato LM, Freire-de-Lima CG, Freire-de-Lima L. Non-self glycan structures as possible modulators of cancer progression: would polysaccharides from Cryptococcus spp. impact this phenomenon? Braz J Microbiol 2023; 54:907-919. [PMID: 36840821 PMCID: PMC10235250 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-023-00936-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are responsible for a large number of annual deaths. Most cases are closely related to patients in a state of immunosuppression, as is the case of patients undergoing chemotherapy. Cancer patients are severely affected by the worrisome proportions that an IFI can take during cancer progression, especially in an already immunologically and metabolically impaired patient. There is scarce knowledge about strategies to mitigate cancer progression in these cases, beyond conventional treatment with antifungal drugs with a narrow therapeutic range. However, in recent years, ample evidence has surfaced describing the possible interferences that IFI may have both on the progression of pre-existing cancers and in the induction of newly transformed cells. The leading gambit for modulation of tumor progression comes from the ability of fungal virulence factors to modulate the host's immune system, since they are found in considerable concentrations in the tumor microenvironment during infection. In this context, cryptococcosis is of particular concern, since the main virulence factor of the pathogenic yeast is its polysaccharide capsule, which carries constituents with high immunomodulatory properties and cytotoxic potential. Therefore, we open a discussion on what has already been described regarding the progression of cryptococcosis in the context of cancer progression, and the possible implications that fungal glycan structures may take in both cancer development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israel Diniz-Lima
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Marques da Fonseca
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Jhenifer Santos Dos Reis
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Debora Decote-Ricardo
- Departamento de Microbiologia E Imunologia Veterinária, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 23890-000, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Morrot
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Jose Osvaldo Previato
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Lucia Mendonça Previato
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Celio Geraldo Freire-de-Lima
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Freire-de-Lima
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil.
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15
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Bhavya G, De Britto S, Satapute P, Geetha N, Jogaiah S. Biofabricated yeast: super-soldier for detoxification of heavy metals. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 39:148. [PMID: 37022650 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03596-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
The advances in nanotechnology have shown enormous impacts in environmental technology as a potent weapon for degradation of toxic organic pollutants and detoxification of heavy metals. It is either by in-situ or ex-situ adaptive strategies. Mycoremediation of environmental pollutants has been a success story of the past decade, by employing the wide arsenal of biological capabilities of fungi. Recently, the proficiency and uniqueness of yeast cell surface alterations have encouraged the generation of engineered yeast cells as dye degraders, heavy metal reduction and its recovery, and also as detoxifiers of various hazardous xenobiotic compounds. As a step forward, recent trends in research are towards developing biologically engineered living materials as potent, biocompatible and reusable hybrid nanomaterials. They include chitosan-yeast nanofibers, nanomats, nanopaper, biosilica hybrids, and TiO2-yeast nanocomposites. The nano-hybrid materials contribute significantly as supportive stabilizer, and entrappers, which enhances the biofabricated yeast cells' functionality. This field serves as an eco-friendly cutting-edge cocktail research area. In this review, we highlight recent research on biofabricated yeast cells and yeast-based biofabricated molecules, as potent heavy metals, toxic chemical detoxifiers, and their probable mechanistic properties with future application perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurulingaiah Bhavya
- Nanobiotechnology laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru, Karnataka, 570006, India
| | - Savitha De Britto
- Division of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, University of Goroka, 441, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Praveen Satapute
- Laboratory of Plant Healthcare and Diagnostics, Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Karnatak University, Dharwad, PG, Karnataka, 580 003, India
| | - Nagaraja Geetha
- Nanobiotechnology laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru, Karnataka, 570006, India
| | - Sudisha Jogaiah
- Laboratory of Plant Healthcare and Diagnostics, Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Karnatak University, Dharwad, PG, Karnataka, 580 003, India.
- Department of Environmental Science, Central University of Kerala, Tejaswini Hills, Periye (PO), Kasaragod (DT), Periye, Kerala, 671316, India.
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16
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Codreanu SI, Ciurea CN. Candida spp. DNA Extraction in the Age of Molecular Diagnosis. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11040818. [PMID: 37110241 PMCID: PMC10143247 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11040818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The standard procedure for the detection of candidemia is blood culture, a method that might require 3-5 days for a positive result. Compared with culturing, molecular diagnosis techniques can provide faster diagnosis. The current paper aimed to present the main strengths and constraints of current molecular techniques for Candida spp. DNA extraction, analyzing their efficiency from a time, price, and ease of usage point of view. A comprehensive search was conducted using the PubMed NIH database for peer-reviewed full-text articles published before October 2022. The studies provided adequate data on the diagnosis of the infection with the Candida spp. DNA extraction is a relevant step in yielding pure qualitative DNA to be amplified in molecular diagnostic techniques. The most used fungal DNA extraction strategies are: mechanical (bead beating, ultrasonication, steel-bullet beating), enzymatic (proteinase K, lysozyme, lyticase), and chemical extraction (formic acid, liquid nitrogen, ammonium chloride). More clinical studies are needed to formulate adequate guidelines for fungal DNA extraction as the current paper highlighted discrepancies in the reported outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smaranda Ioana Codreanu
- Faculty of Medicine, "George Emil Palade" University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Târgu Mures, 38 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540139 Târgu Mures, Romania
| | - Cristina Nicoleta Ciurea
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, "George Emil Palade" University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Târgu Mures, 38 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540139 Târgu Mures, Romania
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17
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Prasad P, Tippana M. Morphogenic plasticity: the pathogenic attribute of Candida albicans. Curr Genet 2023; 69:77-89. [PMID: 36947241 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-023-01263-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans is a commensal organism of the human gastrointestinal tract and a prevalent opportunistic pathogen. It exhibits different morphogenic forms to survive in different host niches with distinct environmental conditions (pH, temperature, oxidative stress, nutrients, serum, chemicals, radiation, etc.) and genetic factors (transcription factors and genes). The different morphogenic forms of C. albicans are yeast, hyphal, pseudohyphal, white, opaque, and transient gray cells, planktonic and biofilm forms of cells. These forms differ in the parameters like cellular phenotype, colony morphology, adhesion to solid surfaces, gene expression profile, and the virulent traits. Each form is functionally distinct and responds discretely to the host immune system and antifungal drugs. Hence, morphogenic plasticity is the key to virulence. In this review, we address the characteristics, the pathogenic potential of the different morphogenic forms and the conditions required for morphogenic transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Prasad
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal, Telangana, India.
| | - Meena Tippana
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal, Telangana, India
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18
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Lange T, Kasper L, Gresnigt MS, Brunke S, Hube B. "Under Pressure" - How fungi evade, exploit, and modulate cells of the innate immune system. Semin Immunol 2023; 66:101738. [PMID: 36878023 PMCID: PMC10109127 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
The human immune system uses an arsenal of effector mechanisms to prevent and counteract infections. Yet, some fungal species are extremely successful as human pathogens, which can be attributed to a wide variety of strategies by which these fungi evade, exploit, and modulate the immune system. These fungal pathogens normally are either harmless commensals or environmental fungi. In this review we discuss how commensalism, but also life in an environmental niche without human contact, can drive the evolution of diverse and specialized immune evasion mechanisms. Correspondingly, we discuss the mechanisms contributing to the ability of these fungi to cause superficial to life-threatening infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Lange
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Lydia Kasper
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Mark S Gresnigt
- Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany; Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.
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19
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Amorim CF, Iglesias BA, Pinheiro TR, Lacerda LE, Sokolonski AR, Pedreira BO, Moreira KS, Burgo TAL, Meyer R, Azevedo V, Portela RW. Photodynamic inactivation of different Candida species and inhibition of biofilm formation induced by water-soluble porphyrins. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2023; 42:103343. [PMID: 36806829 DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2023.103343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Candida spp. is the main fungal genus related to infections in humans, and its treatment has become a challenge due to the production of biofilm and its resistance/multi-resistance profile to conventional antifungals. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy stands out as a treatment characterized by a broad spectrum of antimicrobial action, being able to induce oxidative stress in pathogens, and porphyrins are photosensitizers with high selectivity to pathogens. Thus, this work aimed to analyze the photoinactivation of different species of Candida by two cationic (4-H2TMeP+ and 3-H2TMeP+) and one anionic (4-H2TPSP‒) porphyrins. MATERIALS AND METHODS Microdilution assays were performed to determine the MIC100, with subsequent determination of MFC100. Determination of oxidative species was done through the use of scavengers, while biofilm morphological features were investigated using the atomic force microscopy. RESULTS Cationic porphyrins were significantly efficient in inactivating Candida albicans and non-albicans species with 100% growth inhibition and fungicidal activity (MFC100/MIC100 ≤ 4.0). The cationic porphyrins were also able to interfere in Candida spp biofilm formation. The photo-oxidative mechanism activated by 3-H2TMeP+ in Candida spp. is concurrent with the production of singlet oxygen and oxygen radical species. In the AFM analysis, 3-H2TMeP+ was able to reduce yeast adhesion to the surface. CONCLUSIONS Cationic porphyrins can photo-inactivate different species of Candida in both planktonic and biofilm-associated forms, and reduce the adhesion of these fungi to the surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Ferreira Amorim
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Health Sciences Institute, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia State 40110-100, Brazil
| | - Bernardo Almeida Iglesias
- Bioinorganic and Porphyrinoid Materials Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul State, Santa Maria 97105-900, Brazil.
| | - Ticiane Rosa Pinheiro
- Bioinorganic and Porphyrinoid Materials Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul State, Santa Maria 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Luiz Eduardo Lacerda
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Health Sciences Institute, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia State 40110-100, Brazil
| | - Ana Rita Sokolonski
- Laboratory of Oral Biochemistry, Health Sciences Institute, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia State 40110-100, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Oliveira Pedreira
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Health Sciences Institute, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia State 40110-100, Brazil
| | - Kelly Schneider Moreira
- Coulomb Electrostatic and Mechanochemistry Laboratory, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul State, Santa Maria 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Thiago Augusto Lima Burgo
- Coulomb Electrostatic and Mechanochemistry Laboratory, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul State, Santa Maria 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Roberto Meyer
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Health Sciences Institute, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia State 40110-100, Brazil
| | - Vasco Azevedo
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Wagner Portela
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Health Sciences Institute, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia State 40110-100, Brazil.
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20
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Atypical changes in Candida albicans cells treated with the Venetin-1 complex from earthworm coelomic fluid. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2844. [PMID: 36807384 PMCID: PMC9938250 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29728-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present research, the effect of a protein-polysaccharide complex Venetin-1 obtained from the coelomic fluid of Dendrobaena veneta earthworm on Candida albicans cells was characterized. The compound destroyed fungal cells without showing cytotoxicity to human skin fibroblasts, which was demonstrated in earlier studies. Since it had an effect on the fungal cell wall and membrane, this complex was compared with the known antifungal antibiotic fluconazole. Both preparations disturbed the division of yeast cells and resulted in the formation of aggregates and chains of unseparated cells, which was illustrated by staining with fluorochromes. Fluorescent staining of the cell wall with Calcofluor white facilitated comparison of the types of aggregates formed after the action of both substances. The analysis performed with the use of Congo red showed that Venetin-1 exposed deeper layers of the cell wall, whereas no such effect was visible after the use of fluconazole. The FTIR analysis confirmed changes in the mannoprotein layer of the cell wall after the application of the Venetin-1 complex. Staining with Rhodamine 123 and the use of flow cytometry allowed comparison of changes in the mitochondria. Significantly elongated mitochondria were observed after the Venetin-1 application, but not after the application of the classic antibiotic. Phase contrast microscopy revealed vacuole enlargement after the Venetin-1 application. The flow cytometry analysis of C. albicans cells treated with Venetin-1 and fluconazole showed that both substances caused a significant decrease in cell viability.
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21
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Derkacz D, Krasowska A. Alterations in the Level of Ergosterol in Candida albicans' Plasma Membrane Correspond with Changes in Virulence and Result in Triggering Diversed Inflammatory Response. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043966. [PMID: 36835379 PMCID: PMC9964392 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans possesses multiple virulence factors which enable colonization and infection of host tissues. Candida-related infections frequently occur in immunocompromised patients, which is related to an insufficient inflammatory response. Furthermore, immunosuppression and multidrug resistance of C. albicans clinical isolates make the treatment of candidiasis a challenge for modern medicine. The most common resistance mechanism of C. albicans to antifungals includes point mutations in the ERG11 gene, which encodes target protein for azoles. We investigated whether the mutations or deletion of the ERG11 gene influence the pathogen-host interactions. We prove that both C. albicans erg11∆/∆ and ERG11K143R/K143R exhibit increased cell surface hydrophobicity. Additionally, C. albicans KS058 has an impaired ability of biofilm and hyphae formation. Analysis of the inflammatory response of human dermal fibroblasts and vaginal epithelial cell lines revealed that altered morphology of C. albicans erg11∆/∆ results in a significantly weaker immune response. C. albicans ERG11K143R/K143R triggered stronger production of pro-inflammatory response. Analysis of genes encoding adhesins confirmed differences in the expression pattern of key adhesins for both erg11∆/∆ and ERG11K143R/K143R strains. Obtained data indicate that alterations in Erg11p consequence in resistance to azoles and affect the key virulence factors and inflammatory response of host cells.
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22
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Khan A, Moni SS, Ali M, Mohan S, Jan H, Rasool S, Kamal MA, Alshahrani S, Halawi M, Alhazmi HA. Antifungal Activity of Plant Secondary Metabolites on Candida albicans: An Updated Review. Curr Mol Pharmacol 2023; 16:15-42. [PMID: 35249516 DOI: 10.2174/1874467215666220304143332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Fungal infections have been increasing continuously worldwide, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Fungi, regarded as eukaryotic pathogens, have many similarities to the host cells, which inhibit anti-fungal drug development progress. Various fungal model systems have been studied, and it was concluded that Candida spp. is the most common disease-causing fungus. Candida species are well known to cause infections not only in our mouth, skin, and vagina, but they are also a frequent cause of life-threatening hospital bloodstream infections. The morphological and developmental pathways of Candida have been studied extensively, providing insight into the fungus development. Candida albicans is known to be the most pathogenic species responsible for a variety of infections in humans. Conventional anti-fungal drugs, mainly azoles drugs available in the market, have been used for years developing resistance in C. albicans. Hence, the production of new anti-fungal drugs, which require detailed molecular knowledge of fungal pathogenesis, needs to be encouraged. Therefore, this review targets the new approach of "Green Medicines" or the phytochemicals and their secondary metabolites as a source of novel anti-fungal agents to overcome the drug resistance of C. albicans, their mechanism of action, and their combined effects with the available anti-fungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andleeb Khan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - M Ali
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia
| | - Syam Mohan
- Substance Abuse and Toxicology Research Center, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia
- School of Health Sciences, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Huma Jan
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar -190006, J&K, India
| | - Saiema Rasool
- Department of School Education, Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir, Srinagar, 190001 J&K, India
| | - Mohammad A Kamal
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, P. O. Box 80216, Jeddah 21589. Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
- Enzymoics, 7 Peterlee place, Hebersham, NSW 2770; Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Australia
| | - Saeed Alshahrani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maryam Halawi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hassan A Alhazmi
- Substance Abuse and Toxicology Research Center, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia
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23
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Sun Z, Ge X, Qiu B, Xiang Z, Jiang C, Wu J, Li Y. Vulvovaginal candidiasis and vaginal microflora interaction: Microflora changes and probiotic therapy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1123026. [PMID: 36816582 PMCID: PMC9936092 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1123026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaginal microbiome is mutually beneficial to the host and has a significant impact on health and disease. Candida species, including Candida albicans, are part of the mucosal flora of most healthy women. Under suitable conditions, they can live in the vulvovaginal mucosa, resulting in symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Based on the analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences, great progress has been made in exploring the composition and structure of vaginal bacterial community. Moreover, researchers have conducted several studies on whether vaginal microbiome will change during VVC infection. In addition, it has been reported that vaginal colonization of probiotics in vaginal microorganisms, especially Lactobacillus, can effectively reduce the risk of VVC and treat VVC. This review aims to summarize the changes of vaginal microflora during VVC infection, and further point out the possibility of using lactic acid bacteria as probiotics to treat VVC, so as to reduce the adverse consequences of VVC infection and reduce the expensive treatment cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongwen Sun
- Department of Medical Technology, Suzhou Vocational Health College, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinnuo Ge
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bo Qiu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ze Xiang
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chun Jiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Departments of Cardiology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
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24
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Jones CR, Zhang ZJ, Tsai HJ. Quantifying the Mechanical Properties of Yeast Candida albicans Using Atomic Force Microscopy-based Force Spectroscopy. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2667:1-13. [PMID: 37145272 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3199-7_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Fungi can adapt to a wide range of environmental stresses in the wild and host milieu by employing their plastic genome and great diversity in morphology. Among different adaptive strategies, mechanical stimuli, such as changes in osmotic pressure, surface remodeling, hyphal formation, and cell divisions, could guide the physical cues into physiological responses through a complex signaling network. While fungal pathogens require a pressure-driven force to expand and penetrate host tissues, quantitatively studying the biophysical properties at the host-fungal interface is critical to understand the development of fungal diseases. Microscopy-based techniques have enabled researchers to monitor the dynamic mechanics on fungal cell surface in responses to the host stress and antifungal drugs. Here, we describe a label-free, high-resolution method based on atomic force microscopy, with a step-by-step protocol to measure the physical properties in human fungal pathogen Candida albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zhenyu Jason Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
| | - Hung-Ji Tsai
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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25
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Wang WH, Lai TX, Wu YC, Chen ZT, Tseng KY, Lan CY. Associations of Rap1 with Cell Wall Integrity, Biofilm Formation, and Virulence in Candida albicans. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0328522. [PMID: 36416583 PMCID: PMC9769648 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03285-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Rap1 (repressor activator protein 1) is a multifunctional protein, playing important roles in telomeric and nontelomeric functions in many eukaryotes. Candida albicans Rap1 has been previously shown to be involved in telomeric regulation, but its other functions are still mostly unknown. In this study, we found that the deletion of the RAP1 gene altered cell wall properties, composition, and gene expression. In addition, deletion of RAP1 affected C. albicans biofilm formation and modulated phagocytosis and cytokine release by host immune cells. Finally, the RAP1 gene deletion mutant showed attenuation of C. albicans virulence in a Galleria mellonella infection model. Therefore, these findings provide new insights into Rap1 functions that are particularly relevant to pathogenesis and virulence of C. albicans. IMPORTANCE C. albicans is an important fungal pathogen of humans. The cell wall is the outermost layer of C. albicans and is important for commensalism and infection by this pathogen. Moreover, the cell wall is also an important target for antifungals. Studies of how C. albicans maintains its cell wall integrity are critical for a better understanding of fungal pathogenesis and virulence. This work focuses on exploring unknown functions of C. albicans Rap1 and reveals its contribution to cell wall integrity, biofilm formation, and virulence. Notably, these findings will also improve our general understanding of complex machinery to control pathogenesis and virulence of fungal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Han Wang
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Xiu Lai
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chia Wu
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Zzu-Ting Chen
- Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Yun Tseng
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Taiwan Mycology Reference Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan Township, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Yu Lan
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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26
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Alonso MF, Bain JM, Rudkin FM, Erwig LP, Brown AJ, Gow NA. The nature of the fungal cargo induces significantly different temporal programmes of macrophage phagocytosis. Cell Surf 2022; 8:100082. [PMID: 36299405 PMCID: PMC9589029 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcsw.2022.100082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Phagocytosis is an essential component of our immune defence against fungal pathogens. Differences in the dynamics of phagocyte migration, recognition, uptake and phagolysosome maturation are dependent on the characteristics of the fungal cargo, and in particular to differences in cell wall composition and cellular morphology. However, studies that have focused on phagocyte interactions with individual fungal species have not enabled comparisons in the kinetics of these interactions to be made between these different species. We therefore used live cell video microscopy to examine the temporal dynamics of phagocytosis for a range of fungal cargoes by thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal macrophages from C57BL/6 mice. Uniform populations of macrophages were challenged at the same time with yeast cells of Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Cryptococcus neoformans (wild-type and an acapsular mutant, cap59Δ), and spores of Aspergillus fumigatus and Mucor circinelloides to enable standardized comparative interactions to be quantified from different stages of phagocytosis. Differences in the rate of uptake of fungal cells varied by up to 26-fold, whilst differences in time to induce phagosome acidification varied by as much as 29-fold. Heat-killing or opsonizing the fungal targets markedly affected the kinetics of the interaction in a species-specific manner. Fungal and macrophage killing assays further revealed cargo-specific differences in phagocytosis and diversity in fungal evasion mechanisms. Therefore, simultaneous assessment of the interaction of macrophages with different fungal pathogens highlighted major differences in the kinetics and growth responses during fungus-phagocyte interactions that are likely to impact on pathogenesis and virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Fernanda Alonso
- The Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Judith M. Bain
- The Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Fiona M. Rudkin
- The Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Lars P. Erwig
- The Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Alistair J.P. Brown
- The Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Neil A.R. Gow
- The Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
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27
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De Cesare GB, Hafez A, Stead D, Llorens C, Munro CA. Biomarkers of caspofungin resistance in Candida albicans isolates: A proteomic approach. Virulence 2022; 13:1005-1018. [PMID: 35730400 PMCID: PMC9225221 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2022.2081291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a clinically important polymorphic fungal pathogen that causes life-threatening invasive infections in immunocompromised patients. Antifungal therapy failure is a substantial clinical problem, due to the emergence of an increasing number of drug-resistant isolates. Caspofungin is a common antifungal drug, often used as first-line therapy that inhibits cell wall β-(1,3)-glucan synthesis. In this work, the cell surface of different echinocandin-resistant C. albicans clinical isolates was compared with sensitive isolates and their responses to echinocandin treatment analyzed. Proteomic analysis detected changes in the repertoire of proteins involved in cell wall organization and maintenance, in drug-resistant strains compared to susceptible isolates and after incubation with caspofungin. Moreover, an interaction network was created from the differential expression results. Our findings suggest drug resistance may involve not only a different cell wall architecture, but also a different response to drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Buda De Cesare
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, UK
| | - Ahmed Hafez
- Biotechvana, Parc Científic Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Faculty of Computer and Information, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
| | - David Stead
- Aberdeen Proteomics, Rowett Institute ofNutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, UK
| | - Carlos Llorens
- Biotechvana, Parc Científic Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Carol A. Munro
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, UK
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28
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Wong SSW, Dellière S, Schiefermeier-Mach N, Lechner L, Perkhofer S, Bomme P, Fontaine T, Schlosser AG, Sorensen GL, Madan T, Kishore U, Aimanianda V. Surfactant protein D inhibits growth, alters cell surface polysaccharide exposure and immune activation potential of Aspergillus fumigatus. Cell Surf 2022; 8:100072. [PMID: 35118215 PMCID: PMC8792412 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcsw.2022.100072] [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: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Humoral immunity plays a defensive role against invading microbes. However, it has been largely overlooked with respect to Aspergillus fumigatus, an airborne fungal pathogen. Previously, we have demonstrated that surfactant protein D (SP-D), a major humoral component in human lung-alveoli, recognizes A. fumigatus conidial surface exposed melanin pigment. Through binding to melanin, SP-D opsonizes conidia, facilitates conidial phagocytosis, and induces the expression of protective pro-inflammatory cytokines in the phagocytic cells. In addition to melanin, SP-D also interacts with galactomannan (GM) and galactosaminogalactan (GAG), the cell wall polysaccharides exposed on germinating conidial surfaces. Therefore, we aimed at unravelling the biological significance of SP-D during the germination process. Here, we demonstrate that SP-D exerts direct fungistatic activity by restricting A. fumigatus hyphal growth. Conidial germination in the presence of SP-D significantly increased the exposure of cell wall polysaccharides chitin, α-1,3-glucan and GAG, and decreased β-1,3-glucan exposure on hyphae, but that of GM was unaltered. Hyphae grown in presence of SP-D showed positive immunolabelling for SP-D. Additionally, SP-D treated hyphae induced lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine, but increased IL-10 (anti-inflammatory cytokine) and IL-8 (a chemokine) secretion by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), compared to control hyphae. Moreover, germ tube surface modifications due to SP-D treatment resulted in an increased hyphal susceptibility to voriconazole, an antifungal drug. It appears that SP-D exerts its anti-A. fumigatus functions via a range of mechanisms including hyphal growth-restriction, hyphal surface modification, masking of hyphal surface polysaccharides and thus altering hyphal immunostimulatory properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Sze Wah Wong
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS, Unité de Mycologie Moléculaire, UMR2000, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Sarah Dellière
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS, Unité de Mycologie Moléculaire, UMR2000, F-75015 Paris, France
- Department of Mycology & Parasitologie, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | | | - Lukas Lechner
- Health University of Applied Sciences Tyrol/FH Gesundheit Tirol, Innrain 98, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Susanne Perkhofer
- Health University of Applied Sciences Tyrol/FH Gesundheit Tirol, Innrain 98, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Perrine Bomme
- Ultrastructural Bio Imaging Unit, C2RT, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Thierry Fontaine
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, INREA, USC2019, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Anders G. Schlosser
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Grith L. Sorensen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Taruna Madan
- Department of Innate Immunity, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Mumbai, India
| | - Uday Kishore
- Biosciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Vishukumar Aimanianda
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS, Unité de Mycologie Moléculaire, UMR2000, F-75015 Paris, France
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29
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Wei Y, Wang Z, Liu Y, Liao B, Zong Y, Shi Y, Liao M, Wang J, Zhou X, Cheng L, Ren B. Extracellular vesicles of Candida albicans regulate its own growth through the l-arginine/nitric oxide pathway. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 107:355-367. [PMCID: PMC9703431 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12300-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases &, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000 Sichuan Province China
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000 Sichuan Province China
| | - Zheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases &, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000 Sichuan Province China
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000 Sichuan Province China
| | - Yaqi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases &, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000 Sichuan Province China
| | - Binyou Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases &, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000 Sichuan Province China
| | - Yawen Zong
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases &, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000 Sichuan Province China
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000 Sichuan Province China
| | - Yangyang Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases &, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000 Sichuan Province China
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000 Sichuan Province China
| | - Min Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases &, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000 Sichuan Province China
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000 Sichuan Province China
| | - Jiannan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases &, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000 Sichuan Province China
| | - Xuedong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases &, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000 Sichuan Province China
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000 Sichuan Province China
| | - Lei Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases &, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000 Sichuan Province China
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000 Sichuan Province China
| | - Biao Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases &, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000 Sichuan Province China
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30
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The Role of Sfp1 in Candida albicans Cell Wall Maintenance. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8111196. [PMID: 36422017 PMCID: PMC9692975 DOI: 10.3390/jof8111196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell wall is the first interface for Candida albicans interaction with the surrounding environment and the host cells. Therefore, maintenance of cell wall integrity (CWI) is crucial for C. albicans survival and host-pathogen interaction. In response to environmental stresses, C. albicans undergoes cell wall remodeling controlled by multiple signaling pathways and transcription regulators. Here, we explored the role of the transcription factor Sfp1 in CWI. A deletion of the SFP1 gene not only caused changes in cell wall properties, cell wall composition and structure but also modulated expression of cell wall biosynthesis and remodeling genes. In addition, Cas5 is a known transcription regulator for C. albicans CWI and cell wall stress response. Interestingly, our results indicated that Sfp1 negatively controls the CAS5 gene expression by binding to its promoter element. Together, this study provides new insights into the regulation of C. albicans CWI and stress response.
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31
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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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32
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Transcriptomics and Phenotyping Define Genetic Signatures Associated with Echinocandin Resistance in Candida auris. mBio 2022; 13:e0079922. [PMID: 35968956 PMCID: PMC9426441 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00799-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida auris emerged as a human fungal pathogen only during the past decade. Remarkably, C. auris displays high degrees of genomic diversity and phenotypic plasticity, with four major clades causing hospital outbreaks with high mortality and morbidity rates. C. auris can show clinical resistance to all classes of antifungal drugs, including echinocandins that are usually recommended as first-line therapies for invasive candidiasis. Here, we exploit transcriptomics coupled with phenotypic profiling to characterize a set of clinical C. auris isolates displaying pronounced echinocandin resistance (ECN-R). A hot spot mutation in the echinocandin FKS1 target gene is present in all resistant isolates. Moreover, ECN-R strains share a core signature set of 362 genes differentially expressed in ECN-R isolates. Among others, mitochondrial gene expression and genes affecting cell wall function appear to be the most prominent, with the latter correlating well with enhanced adhesive traits, increased cell wall mannan content, and altered sensitivity to cell wall stress of ECN-R isolates. Moreover, ECN-R phenotypic signatures were also linked to pathogen recognition and interaction with immune cells. Hence, transcriptomics paired with phenotyping is a suitable tool to predict resistance and fitness traits as well as treatment outcomes in pathogen populations with complex phenotypic diversity. IMPORTANCE The surge in antimicrobial drug resistance in some bacterial and fungal pathogens constitutes a significant challenge to health care facilities. The emerging human fungal pathogen Candida auris has been particularly concerning, as isolates can display pan-antifungal resistance traits against all drugs, including echinocandins. However, the mechanisms underlying this phenotypic diversity remain poorly understood. We identify transcriptomic signatures in C. auris isolates resistant to otherwise fungicidal echinocandins. We identify a set of differentially expressed genes shared by resistant strains compared to unrelated susceptible isolates. Moreover, phenotyping demonstrates that resistant strains show distinct behaviors, with implications for host-pathogen interactions. Hence, this work provides a solid basis to identify the mechanistic links between antifungal multidrug resistance and fitness costs that affect the interaction of C. auris with host immune defenses.
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Xie Y, Zhou X, Zhang J, Yu H, Song Z. Immunomodulatory responses of differentially polarized macrophages to fungal infections. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 111:109089. [PMID: 35964406 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Macrophages, the first line of defense against invasive fungi in the innate immune system, are widely distributed in the blood and tissues of the body. In response to various internal and external stimulators, macrophages can polarize into classically activated macrophages (M1) and alternatively activated macrophages (M2). These two types of polarized macrophages play different roles in antifungal activity and in maintaining the steady-state balance between inflammation and tissue repair. However, the antifungal mechanisms of M1- and M2-type macrophages have not been fully described. In this review, the immune regulatory mechanisms against pathogenic fungi of these two classical types of macrophages in various tissues are summarized. The effects of antifungal factors on macrophage differentiation are also highlighted. The description of these data, on the one hand provides valuable insight for future investigations and also highlights new strategies for the treatment of pathogenic fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Xie
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, PR China.
| | - Xue Zhou
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, PR China.
| | - Jinping Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, PR China; The Public Platform of Molecular Biotechnology, Public Center of Experimental Technology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hong Yu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, PR China; The Public Platform of Cell Biotechnology, Public Center of Experimental Technology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, PR China.
| | - Zhangyong Song
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, PR China; The Public Platform of Molecular Biotechnology, Public Center of Experimental Technology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, People's Republic of China.
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Zhao M, Zhang M, Xu K, Wu K, Xie R, Li R, Wang Q, Liu W, Wang W, Wang X. Antimicrobial Effect of Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Human Oral Mucosal Epithelial Cells on Candida albicans. Front Immunol 2022; 13:777613. [PMID: 35844569 PMCID: PMC9283572 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.777613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans (C. albicans) is a commensal microorganism that colonizes the mucosal surfaces of healthy individuals. Changes in the host or environment can lead to overgrowth of C. albicans and infection of the host. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released by almost all cell types and play an increasingly recognized role in fighting microbial infection. The aim of the present study was to assess whether EVs derived from human oral mucosal epithelial (Leuk-1) cells can suppress the growth and invasion of C. albicans. The in vitro efficacy of Leuk-1-EVs against C. albicans was assessed by optical microscopy, laser scanning confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The germ tube formation rate, the percentage of hyphae and the microcolony optical density were also used to analyze the growth of C. albicans in a coculture model with Leuk-1 cells and EVs or after inhibition of the secretion of EVs. A mouse model of oral candidiasis was established and submucosal injection of Leuk-1-EVs in the tongue was performed. Macroscopic observation, H&E staining, PAS staining, and scanning electron microscopy were used to assess antifungal effects of Leuk-1-EVs in vivo. The in vitro results showed that the growth of C. albicans was inhibited and that the morphology and ultrastructure were changed following Leuk-1-EVs treatment. The in vivo results exhibited that white lesions of the tongue, C. albicans infection, and oral mucosal inflammation of the infected mice were significantly alleviated after Leuk-1-EVs treatment. We thus reveal an antifungal capability of EVs derived from oral epithelial cells against C. albicans that is mediated by direct damage effects and potential synergy between EVs and human oral mucosal epithelial cells. This finding offers an intriguing, previously overlooked method of antifungal defense against C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maomao Zhao
- Department of Oral Medicine, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Miaomiao Zhang
- Department of Oral Medicine, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kaiyuan Xu
- Department of Oral Medicine, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kaihui Wu
- Department of Oral Medicine, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruiqi Xie
- Department of Oral Medicine, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruowei Li
- Department of Oral Medicine, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiong Wang
- Department of Mycology, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Disease and STIs, Nanjing, China
| | - Weida Liu
- Department of Mycology, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Disease and STIs, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenmei Wang
- Department of Oral Medicine, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Xiang Wang, ; Wenmei Wang,
| | - Xiang Wang
- Department of Oral Medicine, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Xiang Wang, ; Wenmei Wang,
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Wang Y, Zou Y, Chen X, Li H, Yin Z, Zhang B, Xu Y, Zhang Y, Zhang R, Huang X, Yang W, Xu C, Jiang T, Tang Q, Zhou Z, Ji Y, Liu Y, Hu L, Zhou J, Zhou Y, Zhao J, Liu N, Huang G, Chang H, Fang W, Chen C, Zhou D. Innate immune responses against the fungal pathogen Candida auris. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3553. [PMID: 35729111 PMCID: PMC9213489 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31201-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant human fungal pathogen responsible for nosocomial outbreaks worldwide. Although considerable progress has increased our understanding of the biological and clinical aspects of C. auris, its interaction with the host immune system is only now beginning to be investigated in-depth. Here, we compare the innate immune responses induced by C. auris BJCA001 and Candida albicans SC5314 in vitro and in vivo. Our results indicate that C. auris BJCA001 appears to be less immunoinflammatory than C. albicans SC5314, and this differential response correlates with structural features of the cell wall. Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant human fungal pathogen responsible for nosocomial outbreaks worldwide. Here, the authors identify differential innate immune responses induced by C. auris and Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo, which correlate with structural features of the cell wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Wang
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Nanjing Advanced Academy of Life and Health, Nanjing, 211135, China
| | - Yun Zou
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Nanjing Advanced Academy of Life and Health, Nanjing, 211135, China
| | - Xiaoqing Chen
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Zhe Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Baocai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yongbin Xu
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yiquan Zhang
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rulin Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20008, China
| | - Xinhua Huang
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Wenhui Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Chaoyue Xu
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.,Nanjing Advanced Academy of Life and Health, Nanjing, 211135, China.,College of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tong Jiang
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qinyu Tang
- Department of Dermatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200065, China
| | - Zili Zhou
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Ying Ji
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yingqi Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Lingfei Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Jia Zhou
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yao Zhou
- National Engineering Research Center for Non-Food Biorefinery, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, 530007, Guangxi, China
| | - Jingjun Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200065, China
| | - Ningning Liu
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guanghua Huang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Huashan Hospital and State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haishuang Chang
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenxia Fang
- National Engineering Research Center for Non-Food Biorefinery, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, 530007, Guangxi, China
| | - Changbin Chen
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China. .,Nanjing Advanced Academy of Life and Health, Nanjing, 211135, China.
| | - Dongsheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, 100071, China.
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Diniz-Lima I, da Fonseca LM, dos Reis JS, Rodrigues da Costa Santos MA, da Costa KM, do Nascimento Santos CA, Barcelos PM, Guimarães-Pinto K, Filardy AA, Freire-de-Lima ME, Decote-Ricardo D, Morrot A, Freire-de-Lima CG, Freire-de-Lima L. The Sweet Side of Fungal Infections: Structural Glycan Diversity and Its Importance for Pathogenic Adaptation. MEDICINES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:medicines9060037. [PMID: 35736250 PMCID: PMC9230512 DOI: 10.3390/medicines9060037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Fungal infections are the most common secondary infections in debilitated individuals in a state of chronic disease or immunosuppression. Despite this, most fungal infections are neglected, mainly due to the lower frequency of their more severe clinical forms in immunocompetent individuals with a healthy background. However, over the past few years, several cases of severe fungal infections in healthy individuals have provoked a change in the epidemiological dynamics of fungal infections around the world, both due to recurrent outbreaks in previously infrequent regions and the greater emergence of more pathogenic fungal variants affecting healthy individuals, such as in the Cryptococcus genus. Therefore, before the arrival of a scenario of prevalent severe fungal infections, it is necessary to assess more carefully what are the real reasons for the increased incidence of fungal infection globally. What are the factors that are currently contributing to this new possible epidemiological dynamic? Could these be of a structural nature? Herein, we propose a discussion based on the importance of the virulence factors of glycoconjugate composition in the adaptation of pathogenic fungal species into the current scenario of increasing severity of these infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israel Diniz-Lima
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
| | - Leonardo Marques da Fonseca
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
| | - Jhenifer Santos dos Reis
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
| | - Marcos André Rodrigues da Costa Santos
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
| | - Kelli Monteiro da Costa
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
| | - Carlos Antonio do Nascimento Santos
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
| | - Pedro Marçal Barcelos
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
| | - Kamila Guimarães-Pinto
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (K.G.-P.); (A.A.F.)
| | - Alessandra Almeida Filardy
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (K.G.-P.); (A.A.F.)
| | - Marco Edilson Freire-de-Lima
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Química Orgânica, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 23890-000, Brazil;
| | - Debora Decote-Ricardo
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia Veterinária, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 23890-000, Brazil;
| | - Alexandre Morrot
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil;
| | - Celio Geraldo Freire-de-Lima
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +55-21-3938-6646
| | - Leonardo Freire-de-Lima
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
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Faria-Gonçalves P, Oliveira AS, Gaspar C, Rodrigues L, Palmeira-de-Oliveira R, Martinez-de-Oliveira J, Gonçalves T, Palmeira-de-Oliveira A, Rolo J. Vulvovaginal Candida albicans Clinical Isolates’ Resistance to Phagocytosis In-Vitro. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12060838. [PMID: 35743869 PMCID: PMC9225182 DOI: 10.3390/life12060838] [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: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have revealed that Candida albicans isolates involved in chronic vulvovaginal candidosis (cVVC) phenotypically express less virulent traits than clinical isolates involved in sporadic infections. In this study, we aimed to further explore this finding by studying the behaviour of those same clinical isolates in in-vitro models of infection. Eighteen clinical Candida albicans isolates were collected from women suffering sporadic (eight isolates) or chronic infections (ten isolates). Adhesion to HeLa cells (human cervical cancer epithelial cell line) and resistance to phagocytosis by RAW 264.7 cells (murine macrophages cell line) were tested in-vitro. In addition, phenotypic expression of virulence factors related with either adhesion or resistance to phagocytosis was tested in-vitro. Results indicated that yeast isolates involved in sporadic infection adhered in a higher proportion of HeLa cells than those of chronic infections, which was related with their ability to produce biofilm (p < 0.05). The ability to evade phagocytosis was related to an elevated production of proteases (p < 0.05) by chronic isolates, while sporadic isolates’ resistance to phagocytosis was related to a higher hydrophobicity of cell walls (p < 0.05). We conclude that the evasion of macrophage-mediated phagocytosis related to the production of proteases might be an important factor involved in the recurrence of vulvovaginal candidosis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Faria-Gonçalves
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.F.-G.); (A.S.O.); (C.G.); (R.P.-d.-O.); (J.M.-d.-O.); (A.P.-d.-O.)
- FCS-UBI—Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- FMUMN—Faculty of Medicine, University Mandume Ya Ndemufayo, Lubango 3FJP+27X, Angola
| | - Ana Sofia Oliveira
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.F.-G.); (A.S.O.); (C.G.); (R.P.-d.-O.); (J.M.-d.-O.); (A.P.-d.-O.)
- FCS-UBI—Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Carlos Gaspar
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.F.-G.); (A.S.O.); (C.G.); (R.P.-d.-O.); (J.M.-d.-O.); (A.P.-d.-O.)
- FCS-UBI—Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Labfit-HPRD—Health Products Research and Development Lda, 6200-284 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Lisa Rodrigues
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (L.R.); (T.G.)
- FMUC—Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rita Palmeira-de-Oliveira
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.F.-G.); (A.S.O.); (C.G.); (R.P.-d.-O.); (J.M.-d.-O.); (A.P.-d.-O.)
- FCS-UBI—Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Labfit-HPRD—Health Products Research and Development Lda, 6200-284 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - José Martinez-de-Oliveira
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.F.-G.); (A.S.O.); (C.G.); (R.P.-d.-O.); (J.M.-d.-O.); (A.P.-d.-O.)
| | - Teresa Gonçalves
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (L.R.); (T.G.)
- FMUC—Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Palmeira-de-Oliveira
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.F.-G.); (A.S.O.); (C.G.); (R.P.-d.-O.); (J.M.-d.-O.); (A.P.-d.-O.)
- FCS-UBI—Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Labfit-HPRD—Health Products Research and Development Lda, 6200-284 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Joana Rolo
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.F.-G.); (A.S.O.); (C.G.); (R.P.-d.-O.); (J.M.-d.-O.); (A.P.-d.-O.)
- Correspondence:
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Fullerene C60 derivatives as antimicrobial photodynamic agents. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY C: PHOTOCHEMISTRY REVIEWS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochemrev.2021.100471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Yan K, Stanley M, Kowalski B, Raimi OG, Ferenbach AT, Wei P, Fang W, van Aalten DMF. Genetic validation of Aspergillus fumigatus phosphoglucomutase as a viable therapeutic target in invasive aspergillosis. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102003. [PMID: 35504355 PMCID: PMC9168620 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102003] [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] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is the causative agent of invasive aspergillosis, an infection with mortality rates of up to 50%. The glucan-rich cell wall of A. fumigatus is a protective structure that is absent from human cells and is a potential target for antifungal treatments. Glucan is synthesized from the donor uridine diphosphate glucose, with the conversion of glucose-6-phosphate to glucose-1-phosphate by the enzyme phosphoglucomutase (PGM) representing a key step in its biosynthesis. Here, we explore the possibility of selectively targeting A. fumigatus PGM (AfPGM) as an antifungal treatment strategy. Using a promoter replacement strategy, we constructed a conditional pgm mutant and revealed that pgm is required for A. fumigatus growth and cell wall integrity. In addition, using a fragment screen, we identified the thiol-reactive compound isothiazolone fragment of PGM as targeting a cysteine residue not conserved in the human ortholog. Furthermore, through scaffold exploration, we synthesized a para-aryl derivative (ISFP10) and demonstrated that it inhibits AfPGM with an IC50 of 2 μM and exhibits 50-fold selectivity over the human enzyme. Taken together, our data provide genetic validation of PGM as a therapeutic target and suggest new avenues for inhibiting AfPGM using covalent inhibitors that could serve as tools for chemical validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaizhou Yan
- Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Mathew Stanley
- Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Bartosz Kowalski
- Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Olawale G Raimi
- Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew T Ferenbach
- Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Pingzhen Wei
- National Engineering Research Center for Non-Food Biorefinery, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Wenxia Fang
- National Engineering Research Center for Non-Food Biorefinery, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Daan M F van Aalten
- Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.
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40
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Kopiasz RJ, Kulbacka N, Drężek K, Podgórski R, Łojszczyk I, Mierzejewska J, Ciach T, Augustynowicz-Kopeć E, Głogowska A, Iwańska A, Tomaszewski W, Jańczewski D. Influence of PEG Subunit on the Biological Activity of Ionenes: Synthesis of Novel Polycations, Antimicrobial and Toxicity Studies. Macromol Biosci 2022; 22:e2200094. [PMID: 35524947 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202200094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
An alarming increase of antibiotic resistance among pathogens creates an urgent need to develop new antimicrobial agents. Many reported polycations show high antimicrobial activity along with low hemolytic activity. Unfortunately, most of those molecules remain highly cytotoxic against various mammalian cells. In this work, we present a systematic study on the impact of triethylene glycol monomethyl ether side groups (short PEG analog) on antimicrobial, hemolytic, and cytotoxic properties of novel amphiphilic ionenes. A detailed description of synthesis, leading to well-defined alternating polymers, which differ in structural elements responsible for hydrophilicity (PEG) and hydrophobicity (alkyl chain), is presented. Obtained results show that the PEG moiety and fine-tuned hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of ionenes synergistically lead to low-cytotoxic, low-hemolytic molecules with high activity against S. aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA). Additionally, the results of mechanistic studies on bacterial cells and fluorescently labeled liposomes are also discussed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał J Kopiasz
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw, 00-664, Poland
| | - Natalia Kulbacka
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw, 00-664, Poland
| | - Karolina Drężek
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw, 00-664, Poland
| | - Rafał Podgórski
- Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Waryńskiego 1, Warsaw, 00-645, Poland
| | - Ilona Łojszczyk
- Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Waryńskiego 1, Warsaw, 00-645, Poland
| | - Jolanta Mierzejewska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw, 00-664, Poland
| | - Tomasz Ciach
- Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Waryńskiego 1, Warsaw, 00-645, Poland
| | - Ewa Augustynowicz-Kopeć
- Department of Microbiology, National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute, Płocka 26, Warsaw, 01-138, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Głogowska
- Department of Microbiology, National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute, Płocka 26, Warsaw, 01-138, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Iwańska
- Department of Microbiology, National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute, Płocka 26, Warsaw, 01-138, Poland
| | - Waldemar Tomaszewski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw, 00-664, Poland
| | - Dominik Jańczewski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw, 00-664, Poland
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41
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Kim J, Oh SH, Rodriguez-Bobadilla R, Vuong VM, Hubka V, Zhao X, Hoyer LL. Peering Into Candida albicans Pir Protein Function and Comparative Genomics of the Pir Family. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:836632. [PMID: 35372132 PMCID: PMC8975586 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.836632] [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] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The fungal cell wall, comprised primarily of protein and polymeric carbohydrate, maintains cell structure, provides protection from the environment, and is an important antifungal drug target. Pir proteins (proteins with internal repeats) are linked to cell wall β-1,3-glucan and are best studied in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Sequential deletion of S. cerevisiae PIR genes produces strains with increasingly notable cell wall damage. However, a true null mutant lacking all five S. cerevisiae PIR genes was never constructed. Because only two PIR genes (PIR1, PIR32) were annotated in the Candida albicans genome, the initial goal of this work was to construct a true Δpir/Δpir null strain in this species. Unexpectedly, the phenotype of the null strain was almost indistinguishable from its parent, leading to the search for other proteins with Pir function. Bioinformatic approaches revealed nine additional C. albicans proteins that share a conserved Pir functional motif (minimally DGQ). Examination of the protein sequences revealed another conserved motif (QFQFD) toward the C-terminal end of each protein. Sequence similarities and presence of the conserved motif(s) were used to identify a set of 75 proteins across 16 fungal species that are proposed here as Pir proteins. The Pir family is greatly expanded in C. albicans and C. dubliniensis compared to other species and the orthologs are known to have specialized function during chlamydospore formation. Predicted Pir structures showed a conserved core of antiparallel beta-sheets and sometimes-extensive loops that contain amino acids with the potential to form linkages to cell wall components. Pir phylogeny demonstrated emergence of specific ortholog groups among the fungal species. Variation in gene expression patterns was noted among the ortholog groups during growth in rich medium. PIR allelic variation was quite limited despite the presence of a repeated sequence in many loci. Results presented here demonstrate that the Pir family is larger than previously recognized and lead to new hypotheses to test to better understand Pir proteins and their role in the fungal cell wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisoo Kim
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Soon-Hwan Oh
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | | | - Vien M. Vuong
- Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Vit Hubka
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
- Laboratory of Fungal Genetics and Metabolism, Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Xiaomin Zhao
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Lois L. Hoyer
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
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Pimentel BNADS, Marin-Dett FH, Assis M, Barbugli PA, Longo E, Vergani CE. Antifungal Activity and Biocompatibility of α-AgVO 3, α-Ag 2WO 4, and β-Ag 2MoO 4 Using a Three-Dimensional Coculture Model of the Oral Mucosa. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:826123. [PMID: 35237581 PMCID: PMC8883331 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.826123] [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: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections have become a major concern in the medical community, especially those caused by Candida spp. Within this species, Candida albicans stands out for being an opportunistic commensal fungus that can cause superficial and invasive infections. Current antifungal therapy involves the local and/or systemic use of drugs such as azoles, polyenes, and echinocandins. These antifungals are based on highly specific target sites, and the development of resistance may occur with changes in the enzymatic pathways that serve as the drug targets. Thus, the development of new antifungal drugs is highly recommended to prevent drug resistance. The present investigation evaluated the antifungal activity of silver-containing microcrystals such as silver vanadate (α-AgVO3), silver tungstate (α-Ag2WO4), and silver molybdate (β-Ag2MoO4). In addition to having antimicrobial activity, such compounds should not cause damage to underlying tissues. Thus, to better assess the biocompatibility of new compounds, a new three-dimensional (3D) coculture model involving three cell lines was developed. The validation of the model was based on fluorescent markers and confocal laser microscopy. The biocompatibility of silver-containing microcrystals was evaluated by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. 3D coculture was infected with C. albicans biofilm and challenged with α-AgVO3, α-Ag2WO4, and β-Ag2MoO4. The action of microcrystals on C. albicans biofilm was evaluated by colony-forming units (CFU/ml) and LIVE/DEAD staining. In addition, production of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) was measured by cytometric bead array kit using flow cytometry. The 3D coculture model described here proved to be adequate to assess both the biocompatibility of the new materials and the infectious processes. Regarding the biocompatibility of the microcrystals, only α-AgVO3 (15.62 µg/ml) showed a decrease in cell viability. The antibiofilm activity of α-Ag2WO4 was similar to that of the standard drug (fluconazole). Although α-Ag2WO4 was able to induce the production of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1β, no differences in cytokine production were observed between noninfected and infected models treated with this microcrystal. β-Ag2MoO4 inhibits the production of TNF-α in the infected model; however, it showed no antibiofilm activity. Based on the biocompatibility and antifungal findings, α-Ag2WO4 is a promising material for treating C. albicans infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Natália Alves da Silva Pimentel
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Freddy Humberto Marin-Dett
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Assis
- CDMF, LIEC, Chemistry Department, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Paula Aboud Barbugli
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil.,Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Elson Longo
- CDMF, LIEC, Chemistry Department, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Carlos Eduardo Vergani
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
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Yadav A, Vagne Q, Sens P, Iyengar G, Rao M. Glycan processing in the Golgi: optimal information coding and constraints on cisternal number and enzyme specificity. eLife 2022; 11:76757. [PMID: 35175197 PMCID: PMC9154746 DOI: 10.7554/elife.76757] [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: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many proteins that undergo sequential enzymatic modification in the Golgi cisternae are displayed at the plasma membrane as cell identity markers. The modified proteins, called glycans, represent a molecular code. The fidelity of this glycan code is measured by how accurately the glycan synthesis machinery realises the desired target glycan distribution for a particular cell type and niche. In this paper, we construct a simplified chemical synthesis model to quantitatively analyse the tradeoffs between the number of cisternae, and the number and specificity of enzymes, required to synthesize a prescribed target glycan distribution of a certain complexity to within a given fidelity. We find that to synthesize complex distributions, such as those observed in real cells, one needs to have multiple cisternae and precise enzyme partitioning in the Golgi. Additionally, for fixed number of enzymes and cisternae, there is an optimal level of specificity (promiscuity) of enzymes that achieves the target distribution with high fidelity. The geometry of the fidelity landscape in the multidimensional space of the number and specificity of enzymes, inter-cisternal transfer rates, and number of cisternae, provides a measure for robustness and identifies stiff and sloppy directions. Our results show how the complexity of the target glycan distribution and number of glycosylation enzymes places functional constraints on the Golgi cisternal number and enzyme specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Quentin Vagne
- Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Institut Curie, CNRS UMR168, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Sens
- Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Institut Curie, CNRS UMR168, Paris, France
| | - Garud Iyengar
- Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Madan Rao
- Simons Centre for the Study of Living Machines, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, India
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44
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K143R Amino Acid Substitution in 14-α-Demethylase (Erg11p) Changes Plasma Membrane and Cell Wall Structure of Candida albicans. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031631. [PMID: 35163552 PMCID: PMC8836035 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031631] [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] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans is responsible for life-threating infections in immunocompromised individuals. Azoles and polyenes are two of the most commonly used antifungals and target the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway or ergosterol itself. A limited number of clinically employed antifungals correspond to the development of resistance mechanisms. One resistance mechanism observed in clinical isolates of azole-resistant C. albicans is the introduction of point mutations in the ERG11 gene, which encodes a key enzyme (lanosterol 14-α-demethylase) on the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway. Here, we demonstrate that a point mutation K143R in ERG11 (C. albicans ERG11K143R/K143R) contributes not only to azole resistance, but causes increased gene expression. Overexpression of ERG11 results in increased ergosterol content and a significant reduction in plasma membrane fluidity. Simultaneously, the same point mutation caused cell wall remodeling. This could be facilitated by the unmasking of chitin and β-glucan on the fungal cell surface, which can lead to recognition of the highly immunogenic β-glucan, triggering a stronger immunological reaction. For the first time, we report that a frequently occurring azole-resistance strategy makes C. albicans less susceptible to azole treatment while, at the same time, affects its cell wall architecture, potentially leading to exposure of the pathogen to a more effective host immune response.
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45
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Role of Cellular Metabolism during Candida-Host Interactions. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11020184. [PMID: 35215128 PMCID: PMC8875223 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11020184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Microscopic fungi are widely present in the environment and, more importantly, are also an essential part of the human healthy mycobiota. However, many species can become pathogenic under certain circumstances, with Candida spp. being the most clinically relevant fungi. In recent years, the importance of metabolism and nutrient availability for fungi-host interactions have been highlighted. Upon activation, immune and other host cells reshape their metabolism to fulfil the energy-demanding process of generating an immune response. This includes macrophage upregulation of glucose uptake and processing via aerobic glycolysis. On the other side, Candida modulates its metabolic pathways to adapt to the usually hostile environment in the host, such as the lumen of phagolysosomes. Further understanding on metabolic interactions between host and fungal cells would potentially lead to novel/enhanced antifungal therapies to fight these infections. Therefore, this review paper focuses on how cellular metabolism, of both host cells and Candida, and the nutritional environment impact on the interplay between host and fungal cells.
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46
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Kopiasz RJ, Zabost A, Myszka M, Kuźmińska A, Drężek K, Mierzejewska J, Tomaszewski W, Iwańska A, Augustynowicz-Kopeć E, Ciach T, Jańczewski D. Main-chain flexibility and hydrophobicity of ionenes strongly impact their antimicrobial activity: an extended study on drug resistance strains and Mycobacterium. RSC Adv 2022; 12:26220-26232. [PMID: 36275090 PMCID: PMC9477016 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra04121a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and the resurgence of tuberculosis disease are major motivations to search for novel antimicrobial agents. Some promising candidates in this respect are cationic polymers, also known as synthetic mimics of antimicrobial peptides (SMAMPs), which act through the membrane-lytic mechanism. Development of resistance toward SMAMPs is less likely than toward currently employed antibiotics; however, further studies are needed to better understand their structure–activity relationship. The main objective of this work is to understand the cross-influence of hydrophobicity, main-chain flexibility, and the topology of ionenes (polycations containing a cationic moiety within the main-chain) on activity. To fulfill this goal, a library of ionenes was developed and compared with previously investigated molecules. The obtained compounds display promising activity against the model microorganisms and drug-resistance clinical isolates, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The killing efficiency was also investigated, and results confirm a strong effect of hydrophobicity, revealing higher activity for molecules possessing the flexible linker within the polymer main-chain. A high significance of the main chain flexibility and an unexpected effect of hydrophobicity on the biological activity in series of ionenes was observed. The most potent among the tested polycations showed high activity toward clinical bacterial isolates.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Jerzy Kopiasz
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw 00-664, Poland
| | - Anna Zabost
- Department of Microbiology, National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute, Płocka 26, Warsaw 01-138, Poland
| | - Magdalena Myszka
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw 00-664, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Kuźmińska
- Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Waryńskiego 1, Warsaw 00-645, Poland
| | - Karolina Drężek
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw 00-664, Poland
| | - Jolanta Mierzejewska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw 00-664, Poland
| | - Waldemar Tomaszewski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw 00-664, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Iwańska
- Department of Microbiology, National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute, Płocka 26, Warsaw 01-138, Poland
| | - Ewa Augustynowicz-Kopeć
- Department of Microbiology, National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute, Płocka 26, Warsaw 01-138, Poland
| | - Tomasz Ciach
- Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Waryńskiego 1, Warsaw 00-645, Poland
| | - Dominik Jańczewski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw 00-664, Poland
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Abstract
Candida albicans is a commensal yeast fungus of the human oral, gastrointestinal, and genital mucosal surfaces, and skin. Antibiotic-induced dysbiosis, iatrogenic immunosuppression, and/or medical interventions that impair the integrity of the mucocutaneous barrier and/or perturb protective host defense mechanisms enable C. albicans to become an opportunistic pathogen and cause debilitating mucocutaneous disease and/or life-threatening systemic infections. In this review, we synthesize our current knowledge of the tissue-specific determinants of C. albicans pathogenicity and host immune defense mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Pedro Lopes
- From the Fungal Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology (LCIM), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michail S Lionakis
- From the Fungal Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology (LCIM), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Bethesda, MD, USA
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Dohn R, Xie B, Back R, Selewa A, Eckart H, Rao RP, Basu A. mDrop-Seq: Massively Parallel Single-Cell RNA-Seq of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 10:vaccines10010030. [PMID: 35062691 PMCID: PMC8779198 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10010030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) have been limited by technical challenges such as tough cell walls and low RNA quantity that prevent transcriptomic profiling of microbial species at throughput. We present microbial Drop-seq or mDrop-seq, a high-throughput scRNA-seq technique that is demonstrated on two yeast species, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a popular model organism, and Candida albicans, a common opportunistic pathogen. We benchmarked mDrop-seq for sensitivity and specificity and used it to profile 35,109 S. cerevisiae cells to detect variation in mRNA levels between them. As a proof of concept, we quantified expression differences in heat shock S. cerevisiae using mDrop-seq. We detected differential activation of stress response genes within a seemingly homogenous population of S. cerevisiae under heat shock. We also applied mDrop-seq to C. albicans cells, a polymorphic and clinically relevant species of yeast with a thicker cell wall compared to S. cerevisiae. Single-cell transcriptomes in 39,705 C. albicans cells were characterized using mDrop-seq under different conditions, including exposure to fluconazole, a common anti-fungal drug. We noted differential regulation in stress response and drug target pathways between C. albicans cells, changes in cell cycle patterns and marked increases in histone activity when treated with fluconazole. We demonstrate mDrop-seq to be an affordable and scalable technique that can quantify the variability in gene expression in different yeast species. We hope that mDrop-seq will lead to a better understanding of genetic variation in pathogens in response to stimuli and find immediate applications in investigating drug resistance, infection outcome and developing new drugs and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Dohn
- Section of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (B.X.); (R.B.); (A.S.); (H.E.); (A.B.)
- Committee on Genetics, Genomics and Systems Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Bingqing Xie
- Section of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (B.X.); (R.B.); (A.S.); (H.E.); (A.B.)
| | - Rebecca Back
- Section of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (B.X.); (R.B.); (A.S.); (H.E.); (A.B.)
| | - Alan Selewa
- Section of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (B.X.); (R.B.); (A.S.); (H.E.); (A.B.)
- Biophysical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Heather Eckart
- Section of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (B.X.); (R.B.); (A.S.); (H.E.); (A.B.)
| | - Reeta Prusty Rao
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA 01609, USA;
| | - Anindita Basu
- Section of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (B.X.); (R.B.); (A.S.); (H.E.); (A.B.)
- Committee on Genetics, Genomics and Systems Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Biophysical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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49
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Lin G, Hu M, Zhang R, Zhu Y, Gu K, Bai J, Li J, Dong X, Zhao W. Discovery of Meso-( meta-Pyridinium) BODIPY Photosensitizers: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluations for Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy. J Med Chem 2021; 64:18143-18157. [PMID: 34881897 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has emerged as a novel and promising approach for the treatment of pathogenic microorganism infections. The efficacy of aPDT depends greatly on the behavior of the photosensitizer. Herein, we report the design, preparation, antimicrobial photodynamic activities, as well as structure-activity relationships of a series of photosensitizers modified at the meso position of a 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl BODIPY scaffold with various pyridinyl and pyridinium moieties. The photodynamic antimicrobial activities of all photosensitizers have been tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). The methyl meso-(meta-pyridinium) BODIPY photosensitizer (3c) possessed the highest phototoxicity against these pathogens at minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 0.63 to 1.25 μM with a light dose of 81 J/cm2. Furthermore, 3c exhibited an impressive antimicrobial efficacy in S. aureus-infected mice wounds. Taken together, these findings suggest that 3c is a promising candidate as the antimicrobial photosensitizer for combating pathogenic microorganism infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyu Lin
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Mei Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Rong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Yuanxing Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Kedan Gu
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Junping Bai
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Jiyang Li
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Xiaochun Dong
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Weili Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory for Special Functional Materials of the Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, P. R. China
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50
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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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