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Wang L, He Z, Guo Y, Ran X, Cheng Y, He Z. A novel quantitative double antigen sandwich ELISA for detecting total antibodies against Candida albicans enolase 1. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 43:1815-1823. [PMID: 39012550 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-024-04899-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to develop a double antigen sandwich ELISA (DAgS-ELISA) method for more efficient, accurate, and quantitative detection of total antibodies against Candida albicans enolase1 (CaEno1) for diagnosing invasive candidiasis (IC). METHODS DAgS-ELISA was developed using recombinant CaEno1 and a monoclonal antibody as the standard. Performance evaluation included limit of detection, accuracy, and repeatability. Dynamic changes in antibody levels against CaEno1 in serum from systemic candidiasis mice were analyzed using DAgS-ELISA. Patient serum samples from IC, Candida colonization, bacterial infections, and healthy controls were analyzed with DAgS-ELISA and indirect ELISA. RESULTS DAgS-ELISA outperformed indirect ELISA in terms of linear range and test background. In systemic candidiasis mice, a distinctive 'double-peak' pattern in dynamic antibody levels was observed. Additionally, there was a high level of consistency in the positive rates of CaEno1 antibodies detected by both DAgS-ELISA and indirect ELISA. While the positivity rates differed among patient groups, no significant variations in antibody levels were detected among the various positive patient groups. CONCLUSIONS DAgS-ELISA offers a reliable novel approach for IC diagnosis, enabling rapid, accurate, and quantitative detection of CaEno1 antibodies. Further validation and optimization are needed for its clinical application and effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihui Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Bethune International Peace Hospital, No.398 West Zhongshan Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050082, P.R. China
| | - Zongzhong He
- Blood Transfusion, Southern Theater General Hospital, No.111 Liuhua Road, Guangzhou, 510180, P.R. China
| | - Yiyang Guo
- Laboratory Medicine, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No.12 Jiankang Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050011, P.R. China
| | - Xiangyang Ran
- Laboratory Medicine, Bethune International Peace Hospital, No.398 West Zhongshan Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050082, P.R. China
| | - Yan Cheng
- Basic Medicine Laboratory, Bethune International Peace Hospital, No.398 West Zhongshan Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050082, P.R. China
| | - Zhengxin He
- Basic Medicine Laboratory, Bethune International Peace Hospital, No.398 West Zhongshan Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050082, P.R. China.
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2
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Bregón-Villahoz M, Menéndez-Manjón P, Carrano G, Díez-Villalba A, Arrieta-Aguirre I, Fernandez-de-Larrinoa I, Moragues MD. Candida albicans cDNA library screening reveals novel potential diagnostic targets for invasive candidiasis. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 109:116311. [PMID: 38657353 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2024.116311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The detection of patterns associated with the invasive form of Candida albicans, such as Candida albicans germ tube antibodies (CAGTA), is a useful complement to blood culture for Invasive Candidiasis (IC) diagnosis. As CAGTA are detected by a non-standardisable and non-automatable technique, a Candida albicans cDNA expression library was screened with CAGTA isolated from serum of an animal model of invasive candidiasis, and five protein targets were identified: hyphally regulated cell wall protein 1 (Hyr1), enolase 1 (Eno1), coatomer subunit gamma (Sec21), a metallo-aminopeptidase (Ape2) and cystathionine gamma-lyase (Cys3). Homology with proteins from other organisms rules out Cys3 as a good biomarker while Sec21 results suggest that it is not in the germ tubes surface but secreted to the external environment. Our analysis propose Ape2, Sec21 and a region of Hyr1 different from the one currently being studied for immunoprotection as potential biomarker candidates for the diagnosis of IC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Bregón-Villahoz
- Department of Nursing I, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Spain; Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Spain
| | - Pilar Menéndez-Manjón
- Department of Nursing I, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Spain; Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Spain
| | - Giulia Carrano
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Spain
| | - Ander Díez-Villalba
- Department of Nursing I, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Spain; Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Spain
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3
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Shukla M, Singh R, Chandley P, Rohatgi S. Molecular cloning, expression, and purification, along with in silico epitope analysis of recombinant enolase proteins (a potential vaccine candidate) from Candida albicans and Candida auris. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2024; 5:1399546. [PMID: 38881582 PMCID: PMC11176544 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2024.1399546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Candida albicans is the predominant cause of systemic candidiasis, although other non albicans Candida species are progressively becoming more widespread nowadays. Candida auris has emerged as a deadly multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen, posing a significant threat to global public health. In the absence of effective antifungal therapies, the development of a vaccine against C. auris infections is imperative. Enolase, a key glycolytic enzyme, has emerged as a promising vaccine candidate due to its immunogenic properties and essential role in fungal virulence. Herein, full-length Enolase gene sequences from C. albicans and C. auris were cloned into suitable expression vector and transformed into Escherichia coli expression hosts. Recombinant Enolase proteins were successfully expressed and purified using affinity chromatography under native conditions, followed by SDS-PAGE characterization and Western blot analysis. CD spectroscopy verified the existence of expressed proteins in soluble native conformation. Preliminary in silico studies verified the immunogenicity of recombinant Enolase proteins isolated from both C. albicans and C. auris. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis revealed conserved B-cell and T-cell epitopes across C. albicans and C. auris Enolase proteins, suggesting potential cross-reactivity and broad-spectrum vaccine efficacy. Our findings are anticipated to play a role in advancing therapeutic as well as diagnostic strategies against systemic candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manisha Shukla
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, Roorkee, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Pandit S.N. Shukla University, Shahdol, India
| | - Rohit Singh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, Roorkee, India
| | - Pankaj Chandley
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, Roorkee, India
| | - Soma Rohatgi
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, Roorkee, India
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4
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Daud M, Dasari P, Adelfinger M, Langenhorst D, Lother J, Slavkovic-Lukic D, Berges C, Kruhm M, Galler A, Schleussner C, Luther CH, Alberter K, Althammer A, Shaikh H, Pallmann N, Bodem J, El-Mowafy M, Beilhack A, Dittrich M, Topp MS, Zipfel PF, Beyersdorf N. Enolase 1 of Candida albicans binds human CD4 + T cells and modulates naïve and memory responses. Eur J Immunol 2023; 53:e2250284. [PMID: 37503840 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202250284] [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: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
To obtain a better understanding of the biology behind life-threatening fungal infections caused by Candida albicans, we recently conducted an in silico screening for fungal and host protein interaction partners. We report here that the extracellular domain of human CD4 binds to the moonlighting protein enolase 1 (Eno1) of C. albicans as predicted bioinformatically. By using different anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies, we determined that C. albicans Eno1 (CaEno1) primarily binds to the extracellular domain 3 of CD4. Functionally, we observed that CaEno1 binding to CD4 activated lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (LCK), which was also the case for anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies tested in parallel. CaEno1 binding to naïve human CD4+ T cells skewed cytokine secretion toward a Th2 profile indicative of poor fungal control. Moreover, CaEno1 inhibited human memory CD4+ T-cell recall responses. Therapeutically, CD4+ T cells transduced with a p41/Crf1-specific T-cell receptor developed for adoptive T-cell therapy were not inhibited by CaEno1 in vitro. Together, the interaction of human CD4+ T cells with CaEno1 modulated host CD4+ T-cell responses in favor of the fungus. Thus, CaEno1 mediates not only immune evasion through its interference with complement regulators but also through the direct modulation of CD4+ T-cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Daud
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Prasad Dasari
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Marion Adelfinger
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Hematology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Langenhorst
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jasmin Lother
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Hematology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Dragana Slavkovic-Lukic
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Hematology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Berges
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Hematology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Michaela Kruhm
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Hematology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Karl Alberter
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anton Althammer
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Haroon Shaikh
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Hematology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Niklas Pallmann
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jochen Bodem
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mohammed El-Mowafy
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Andreas Beilhack
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Hematology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Dittrich
- Chair of Bioinformatics, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Max S Topp
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Hematology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Peter F Zipfel
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute, Jena, Germany
- Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Niklas Beyersdorf
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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5
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Langenhorst D, Fürst AL, Alberter K, Vilhena C, Dasari P, Daud M, Heilig L, Luther CH, Dittrich M, Reiher N, Wich M, Elmowafy M, Jacobsen ID, Jungnickel B, Zipfel PF, Beyersdorf N. Soluble Enolase 1 of Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus Stimulates Human and Mouse B Cells and Monocytes. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 211:804-815. [PMID: 37436030 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Because of the growing numbers of immunocompromised patients, the incidence of life-threatening fungal infections caused by Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus is increasing. We have recently identified enolase 1 (Eno1) from A. fumigatus as an immune evasion protein. Eno1 is a fungal moonlighting protein that mediates adhesion and invasion of human cells and also immune evasion through complement inactivation. We now show that soluble Eno1 has immunostimulatory activity. We observed that Eno1 from both C. albicans and A. fumigatus directly binds to the surface of lymphocytes, preferentially human and mouse B cells. Functionally, Eno1 upregulated CD86 expression on B cells and induced proliferation. Although the receptor for fungal Eno1 on B lymphocytes is still unknown, the comparison of B cells from wild-type and MyD88-deficient mice showed that B cell activation by Eno1 required MyD88 signaling. With respect to infection biology, we noted that mouse B cells stimulated by Eno1 secreted IgM and IgG2b. These Igs bound C. albicans hyphae in vitro, suggesting that Eno1-induced Ab secretion might contribute to protection from invasive fungal disease in vivo. Eno1 also triggered the release of proinflammatory cytokines from monocytes, particularly IL-6, which is a potent activator of B cells. Together, our data shed new light on the role of secreted Eno1 in infections with C. albicans and A. fumigatus. Eno1 secretion by these pathogenic microbes appears to be a double-edged sword by supporting fungal pathogenicity while triggering (antifungal) immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Langenhorst
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anna-Lisa Fürst
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Karl Alberter
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Cláudia Vilhena
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Prasad Dasari
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Muhammad Daud
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Linda Heilig
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Marcus Dittrich
- Chair of Bioinformatics, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nadine Reiher
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Mohammed Elmowafy
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Ilse D Jacobsen
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute, Jena, Germany
- Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Peter F Zipfel
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute, Jena, Germany
- Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Niklas Beyersdorf
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Ullah A, Huang Y, Zhao K, Hua Y, Ullah S, Rahman MU, Wang J, Wang Q, Hu X, Zheng L. Characteristics and potential clinical applications of the extracellular vesicles of human pathogenic Fungi. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:227. [PMID: 37598156 PMCID: PMC10439556 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-02945-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a heterogeneous group of lipid membrane-enclosed compartments that contain different biomolecules and are released by almost all living cells, including fungal genera. Fungal EVs contain multiple bioactive components that perform various biological functions, such as stimulation of the host immune system, transport of virulence factors, induction of biofilm formation, and mediation of host-pathogen interactions. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on EVs of human pathogenic fungi, mainly focusing on their biogenesis, composition, and biological effects. We also discuss the potential markers and therapeutic applications of fungal EVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Ullah
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiyi Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Kening Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yuneng Hua
- Center for Clinical Laboratory, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shafi Ullah
- Department of pharmacy, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad, Pakistan
| | - Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Jingyu Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Wang
- Center for Clinical Laboratory, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiumei Hu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lei Zheng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
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7
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Piao J, Li N, Zhang L, Meng H, Sun Q, He Z. Quantitatively detecting Candida albicans enolase1 with a one-step double monoclonal antibody sandwich ELISA assay. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1078709. [PMID: 36891387 PMCID: PMC9986313 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1078709] [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: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive candidiasis (IC) is often a cause of severe concern for the hospitalized patients, particularly those who are critically sick. However management of this disease is challenging due to a lack of effective laboratory diagnostic techniques. Hence, we have developed a one-step double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) using a pair of specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for the quantitative detection of Candida albicans enolase1 (CaEno1), which is considered as an important diagnostic biomarker for IC. The diagnostic efficiency of the DAS-ELISA was evaluated by using a rabbit model of systemic candidiasis and compared with other assays. The method validation results demonstrated that the developed method was sensitive, reliable, and feasible. The findings of the rabbit model plasma analysis indicated that the diagnostic efficiency of the CaEno1 detection assay was better in comparison to the (1,3)-β-D-glucan detection and blood culture. CaEno1 is present in the blood of infected rabbits for a brief period and at relatively low levels and thus the combination of CaEno1 antigen and IgG antibodies detection could aid to increase diagnostic efficiency. However, to improve the clinical application of CaEno1 detection in the future, efforts should be made to increase the detection limit of the test by promoting technical developments and by optimizing the protocol for the clinical serial determinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingzi Piao
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Ning Li
- Shenyang Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Lina Zhang
- Basic Medicine Laboratory, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Hanbing Meng
- Basic Medicine Laboratory, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Qingqing Sun
- Basic Medicine Laboratory, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Zhengxin He
- Basic Medicine Laboratory, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
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8
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Zhen C, Lu H, Jiang Y. Novel Promising Antifungal Target Proteins for Conquering Invasive Fungal Infections. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:911322. [PMID: 35783432 PMCID: PMC9243655 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.911322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) pose a serious clinical problem, but the antifungal arsenal is limited and has many disadvantages, such as drug resistance and toxicity. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop antifungal compounds that target novel target proteins of pathogenic fungi for treating IFIs. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the biological functions of novel promising target proteins for treating IFIs in pathogenic fungi and their inhibitors. Inhibitors of inositol phosphoramide (IPC) synthases (such as Aureobasidin A, Khafrefungin, Galbonolide A, and Pleofungin A) have potent antifungal activities by inhibiting sphingolipid synthesis. Disrupting glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) biosynthesis by Jawsamycin (an inhibitor of Spt14), M720 (an inhibitor of Mcd4), and APX001A (an inhibitor of Gwt1) is a promising strategy for treating IFIs. Turbinmicin is a natural-compound inhibitor of Sec14 and has extraordinary antifungal efficacy, broad-antifungal spectrum, low toxicity, and is a promising new compound for treating IFIs. CMLD013075 targets fungal heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and has remarkable antifungal efficacy. Olorofim, as an inhibitor of dihydrolactate dehydrogenase, is a breakthrough drug treatment for IFIs. These novel target proteins and their inhibitors may overcome the limitations of currently available antifungal drugs and improve patient outcomes in the treatment of IFIs.
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Wang F, Ge D, Wang L, Li N, Chen H, Zhang Z, Zhu W, Wang S, Liang W. Rapid and sensitive recombinase polymerase amplification combined with lateral flow strips for detecting Candida albicans. Anal Biochem 2021; 633:114428. [PMID: 34678249 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2021.114428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Owing to modern lifestyles and increasing amounts of medical intervention, clinical infections caused by conditionally pathogenic fungi are becoming increasingly serious. Among these, Candida albicans is the most common. Therefore, the rapid and accurate detection of this pathogenic fungus is important to guiding the selection of clinical therapeutic agents. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) combined with lateral flow strips (LFS) is a promising molecular detection method with the advantages of rapidity, simplicity of operation and high sensitivity. However, this simplicity brings with it the inherent and non-negligible risk of false-positive signals from primer-dimers. In this study, primer-dependent artifacts were eliminated by using probes in the RPA reaction, introducing specific base substitutions to the primer and probe sequences and analyzing and screening the formation of primer-probe complexes. These measures were rigorously tested for efficacy, leading to the creation of an improved RPA-LFS system. The standardized method enabled the specific detection of C. albicans within 25 min at 37 °C without interference. The system had a detection limit of 1 CFU per reaction without DNA purification or 102 fg genomic DNA/50 μL. The detection sensitivity was not affected by the presence of other fungal DNA. The RPA-LFS method can therefore be used to detect clinical samples, and the results are accurate and consistent in comparison with those obtained using quantitative PCR. This study provides a paradigm for eliminating the risk of false-positive primer dimers in isothermal amplification assays and establishes a simple and easy method for the detection of C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- Department of Central Laboratory, the Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang City (Cancer Hospital of Lianyungang), Affiliated to Bengbu Medical College, Lianyungang, 222000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Duobao Ge
- Department of Central Laboratory, the Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang City (Cancer Hospital of Lianyungang), Affiliated to Bengbu Medical College, Lianyungang, 222000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Central Laboratory, the Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang City (Cancer Hospital of Lianyungang), Affiliated to Bengbu Medical College, Lianyungang, 222000, Jiangsu, China; School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, 212018, Jiangsu, China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Central Laboratory, the Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang City (Cancer Hospital of Lianyungang), Affiliated to Bengbu Medical College, Lianyungang, 222000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huimin Chen
- Department of Central Laboratory, the Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang City (Cancer Hospital of Lianyungang), Affiliated to Bengbu Medical College, Lianyungang, 222000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhexiong Zhang
- Department of Central Laboratory, the Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang City (Cancer Hospital of Lianyungang), Affiliated to Bengbu Medical College, Lianyungang, 222000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenjun Zhu
- Department of Central Laboratory, the Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang City (Cancer Hospital of Lianyungang), Affiliated to Bengbu Medical College, Lianyungang, 222000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Siming Wang
- Department of Central Laboratory, the Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang City (Cancer Hospital of Lianyungang), Affiliated to Bengbu Medical College, Lianyungang, 222000, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Wei Liang
- Department of Central Laboratory, the Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang City (Cancer Hospital of Lianyungang), Affiliated to Bengbu Medical College, Lianyungang, 222000, Jiangsu, China.
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Biomarkers for the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2021; 101:115509. [PMID: 34384954 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2021.115509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Blood culture methods show low sensitivity, so reliable non-culture diagnostic tests are needed to help clinicians with the introduction, de-escalation, and discontinuation of antifungal therapy in patients with suspected invasive candidiasis (IC). We evaluated different biomarkers for the diagnosis of IC in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients at risk for developing invasive fungal diseases. The specificity of Candida albicans germ-tube antibodies (CAGTA) detection was high (89%-100%), but sensitivity did not exceed 61% even after raising the cut-off from 1/160 to 1/80. We developed enzyme-linked immunoassays detecting antibodies against C. albicans proteins (Als3-N, Hwp1-N, or Met6) that resulted more sensitive (66%-92%) but less specific than CAGTA assay. The combination of 1,3-beta-D-glucan (BDG) detection and CAGTA results provided the highest diagnostic usefulness in immunocompetent patients. However, in immunocompromised patients, anti-Met6 antibodies was the best biomarker, both, alone or in combination with BDG.
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Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomic and Immunoproteomic Analyses of the Candida albicans Hyphal Secretome Reveal Diagnostic Biomarker Candidates for Invasive Candidiasis. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7070501. [PMID: 34201883 PMCID: PMC8306665 DOI: 10.3390/jof7070501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive candidiasis (IC) is associated with high morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients if not diagnosed early. Long-term use of central venous catheters is a predisposing factor for IC. Hyphal forms of Candida albicans (the major etiological agent of IC) are related to invasion of host tissues. The secreted proteins of hyphae are involved in virulence, host interaction, immune response, and immune evasion. To identify IC diagnostic biomarker candidates, we characterized the C. albicans hyphal secretome by gel-free proteomic analysis, and further assessed the antibody-reactivity patterns to this subproteome in serum pools from 12 patients with non-catheter-associated IC (ncIC), 11 patients with catheter-associated IC (cIC), and 11 non-IC patients. We identified 301 secreted hyphal proteins stratified to stem from the extracellular region, cell wall, cell surface, or intracellular compartments. ncIC and cIC patients had higher antibody levels to the hyphal secretome than non-IC patients. Seven secreted hyphal proteins were identified to be immunogenic (Bgl2, Eno1, Pgk1, Glx3, Sap5, Pra1 and Tdh3). Antibody-reactivity patterns to Bgl2, Eno1, Pgk1 and Glx3 discriminated IC patients from non-IC patients, while those to Sap5, Pra1 and Tdh3 differentiated between cIC and non-IC patients. These proteins may be useful for development of future IC diagnostic tests.
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Fun(gi)omics: Advanced and Diverse Technologies to Explore Emerging Fungal Pathogens and Define Mechanisms of Antifungal Resistance. mBio 2020; 11:mBio.01020-20. [PMID: 33024032 PMCID: PMC7542357 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01020-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The landscape of infectious fungal agents includes previously unidentified or rare pathogens with the potential to cause unprecedented casualties in biodiversity, food security, and human health. The influences of human activity, including the crisis of climate change, along with globalized transport, are underlying factors shaping fungal adaptation to increased temperature and expanded geographical regions. Furthermore, the emergence of novel antifungal-resistant strains linked to excessive use of antifungals (in the clinic) and fungicides (in the field) offers an additional challenge to protect major crop staples and control dangerous fungal outbreaks. The landscape of infectious fungal agents includes previously unidentified or rare pathogens with the potential to cause unprecedented casualties in biodiversity, food security, and human health. The influences of human activity, including the crisis of climate change, along with globalized transport, are underlying factors shaping fungal adaptation to increased temperature and expanded geographical regions. Furthermore, the emergence of novel antifungal-resistant strains linked to excessive use of antifungals (in the clinic) and fungicides (in the field) offers an additional challenge to protect major crop staples and control dangerous fungal outbreaks. Hence, the alarming frequency of fungal infections in medical and agricultural settings requires effective research to understand the virulent nature of fungal pathogens and improve the outcome of infection in susceptible hosts. Mycology-driven research has benefited from a contemporary and unified approach of omics technology, deepening the biological, biochemical, and biophysical understanding of these emerging fungal pathogens. Here, we review the current state-of-the-art multi-omics technologies, explore the power of data integration strategies, and highlight discovery-based revelations of globally important and taxonomically diverse fungal pathogens. This information provides new insight for emerging pathogens through an in-depth understanding of well-characterized fungi and provides alternative therapeutic strategies defined through novel findings of virulence, adaptation, and resistance.
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Moonlighting Proteins at the Candidal Cell Surface. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8071046. [PMID: 32674422 PMCID: PMC7409194 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8071046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell wall in Candida albicans is not only a tight protective envelope but also a point of contact with the human host that provides a dynamic response to the constantly changing environment in infection niches. Particularly important roles are attributed to proteins exposed at the fungal cell surface. These include proteins that are stably and covalently bound to the cell wall or cell membrane and those that are more loosely attached. Interestingly in this regard, numerous loosely attached proteins belong to the class of “moonlighting proteins” that are originally intracellular and that perform essentially different functions in addition to their primary housekeeping roles. These proteins also demonstrate unpredicted interactions with non-canonical partners at an a priori unexpected extracellular location, achieved via non-classical secretion routes. Acting both individually and collectively, the moonlighting proteins contribute to candidal virulence and pathogenicity through their involvement in mechanisms critical for successful host colonization and infection, such as the adhesion to host cells, interactions with plasma homeostatic proteolytic cascades, responses to stress conditions and molecular mimicry. The documented knowledge of the roles of these proteins in C. albicans pathogenicity has utility for assisting the design of new therapeutic, diagnostic and preventive strategies against candidiasis.
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Pitarch A, Gil C, Blanco G. Vultures from different trophic guilds show distinct oral pathogenic yeast signatures and co-occurrence networks. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 723:138166. [PMID: 32224410 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Vultures have evolved adaptive mechanisms to prevent infections associated with their scavenging lifestyle. However, food-borne exposure to antimicrobial pharmaceuticals can promote opportunistic infections with adverse outcomes. Here, we used multivariate and network analyses to increase understanding of the behavior of the yeast communities causing oral mycosis outbreaks recently reported in wild nestling cinereous (Aegypius monachus), griffon (Gyps fulvus) and Egyptian (Neophron percnopterus) vultures (CV, GV and EV, respectively) exposed to antibiotics from livestock farming. Common and unique yeast signatures (of Candida, Debaromyces, Diutina, Meyerozyma, Naganishia, Pichia, Rhodotorula, Trichosporon and Yarrowia species) associated with oral mycoses were identified in the three vulture species. Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) highlighted that oral lesions from CV and GV shared similar yeast signatures (of major causative pathogens of opportunistic mycoses, such as Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis), while EV had a distinct yeast signature (of uncommon pathogenic species, such as Candida dubliniensis, Candida zeylanoides, Pichia fermentans and Rhodotorula spp.). Synergistic interactions between yeast species from distinct fungal phyla were found in lesions from CV and GV, but not in EV. These formed co-occurrence subnetworks with partially or fully connected topology. This study reveals that the composition, assembly and co-occurrence patterns of the yeast communities causing oral mycoses differ between vulture species with distinct feeding habits and scavenging lifestyles. Yeast species widely pathogenic to humans and animals, and yeast co-occurrence relationships, are distinctive hallmarks of oral mycoses in CV and GV. These vulture species are more exposed to antibiotics from intensively medicated livestock carcasses provided in supplementary feeding stations and show higher incidence of thrush-like oral lesions than EV. These findings may be useful for development of new initiatives or changes in the conservation of these avian scavengers affected by anthropogenic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida Pitarch
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) and Ramón y Cajal Institute of Health Research (IRYCIS), Spain; Ramón y Cajal University Hospital (HURC) Foundation for Biomedical Research, Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Concha Gil
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) and Ramón y Cajal Institute of Health Research (IRYCIS), Spain; Ramón y Cajal University Hospital (HURC) Foundation for Biomedical Research, Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI), Madrid, Spain
| | - Guillermo Blanco
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences, Spanish Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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15
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Chen X, Zhang Z, Chen Z, Li Y, Su S, Sun S. Potential Antifungal Targets Based on Glucose Metabolism Pathways of Candida albicans. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:296. [PMID: 32256459 PMCID: PMC7093590 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, fungal infections have become a serious health problem. Candida albicans are considered as the fourth most common isolates associated with approximately 40% mortality in bloodstream infections among hospitalized patients. Due to various limitations of classical antifungals used currently, such as limited kinds of drugs, inevitable toxicities, and high price, there is an urgent need to explore new antifungal agents based on novel targets. Generally, nutrient metabolism is involved with fungal virulence, and glucose is one of the important nutrients in C. albicans. C. albicans can obtain and metabolize glucose through a variety of pathways; in theory, many enzymes in these pathways can be potential targets for developing new antifungal agents, and several studies have confirmed that compounds which interfere with alpha-glucosidase, acid trehalase, trehalose-6-phosphate synthase, class II fructose bisphosphate aldolases, and glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase in these pathways do have antifungal activities. In this review, the glucose metabolism pathways in C. albicans, the potential antifungal targets based on these pathways, and some compounds which have antifungal activities by inhibiting several enzymes in these pathways are summarized. We believe that our review will be helpful to the exploration of new antifungal drugs with novel antifungal targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqi Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zewen Zhang
- Department of Imaging Medicine and Nuclear Medicine, Qilu Medical College, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zuozhong Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo, China
| | - Yiman Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shan Su
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shujuan Sun
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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16
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Study of Humoral Responses against Lomentospora/ Scedosporium spp. and Aspergillus fumigatus to Identify L. prolificans Antigens of Interest for Diagnosis and Treatment. Vaccines (Basel) 2019; 7:vaccines7040212. [PMID: 31835471 PMCID: PMC6963885 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines7040212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The high mortality rates of Lomentospora prolificans infections are due, above all, to the tendency of the fungus to infect weakened hosts, late diagnosis and a lack of effective therapeutic treatments. To identify proteins of significance for diagnosis, therapy or prophylaxis, immunoproteomics-based studies are especially important. Consequently, in this study murine disseminated infections were carried out using L. prolificans, Scedosporium aurantiacum, Scedosporium boydii and Aspergillus fumigatus, and their sera used to identify the most immunoreactive proteins of L. prolificans total extract and secreted proteins. The results showed that L. prolificans was the most virulent species and its infections were characterized by a high fungal load in several organs, including the brain. The proteomics study showed a high cross-reactivity between Scedosporium/Lomentospora species, but not with A. fumigatus. Among the antigens identified were, proteasomal ubiquitin receptor, carboxypeptidase, Vps28, HAD-like hydrolase, GH16, cerato-platanin and a protein of unknown function that showed no or low homology with humans. Finally, Hsp70 deserves a special mention as it was the main antigen recognized by Scedosporium/Lomentospora species in both secretome and total extract. In conclusion, this study identifies antigens of L. prolificans that can be considered as potential candidates for use in diagnosis and as therapeutic targets and the production of vaccines.
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17
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Li L, Zhang T, Xu J, Wu J, Wang Y, Qiu X, Zhang Y, Hou W, Yan L, An M, Jiang Y. The Synergism of the Small Molecule ENOblock and Fluconazole Against Fluconazole-Resistant Candida albicans. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2071. [PMID: 31555252 PMCID: PMC6742966 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is the most common opportunistic fungal pathogen which can cause life-threatening bloodstream infections known as candidaemia. It is very important to discover new drugs and targets for the treatment of candidaemia. In this study, we first investigated the combination antifungal effects of the small molecule ENOblock and fluconazole (FLC) against FLC-resistant C. albicans. A checkerboard microdilution assay showed that ENOblock has a significant synergistic effect in combination with FLC against FLC-resistant C. albicans. The time-kill curve further confirmed the synergism of this compound with FLC against FLC-resistant C. albicans. Moreover, we demonstrated the significant inhibitory effects of ENOblock alone and in combination with FLC against C. albicans hypha and biofilm formation. Furthermore, the XTT assay showed that ENOblock has relatively low toxicity to human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The in vivo antifungal efficacy of ENOblock was further assessed in a murine model of systemic C. albicans infection. Although ENOblock alone was not sufficient to treat C. albicans infection, the combination of FLC and ENOblock showed significant in vivo activity against FLC-resistant C. albicans. Finally, using surface plasmon resonance analysis as well as an inhibition assay, we determined that ENOblock directly interacted with CaEno1 and significantly inhibited the transglutaminase activity of this enzyme, which is involved in the growth and morphogenesis of C. albicans. In summary, these results demonstrate the synergistic effects of FLC and ENOblock against FLC-resistant C. albicans, and indicate that inhibition of the transglutaminase activity of CaEno1 by ENOblock might confer an advantage for the synergism of FLC and ENOblock, suggesting the potential of ENOblock as a new antifungal candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Teng Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianrong Xu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Wu
- New Drug Research and Development Center, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yida Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiran Qiu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weitong Hou
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lan Yan
- New Drug Research and Development Center, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Maomao An
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanghai Tenth People's 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
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18
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Yadav RK, Shukla PK. A novel monoclonal antibody against enolase antigen ofAspergillus fumigatusprotects experimental aspergillosis in mice. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2019; 366:5289863. [DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnz015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ravindra Kumar Yadav
- Division of Microbiology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow-226031, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Training and Development Complex, CSIR Road, Taramani, Chennai-600113, India
| | - P K Shukla
- Division of Microbiology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow-226031, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Training and Development Complex, CSIR Road, Taramani, Chennai-600113, India
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19
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Huertas B, Prieto D, Pitarch A, Gil C, Pla J, Díez-Orejas R. Serum Antibody Profile during Colonization of the Mouse Gut by Candida albicans: Relevance for Protection during Systemic Infection. J Proteome Res 2016; 16:335-345. [PMID: 27539120 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.6b00383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans is a commensal microorganism in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts of most individuals that acts as an opportunistic pathogen when the host immune response is reduced. Here, we established different immunocompetent murine models to analyze the antibody responses to the C. albicans proteome during commensalism, commensalism followed by infection, and infection (C, C+I, and I models, respectively). Serum anti-C. albicans IgG antibody levels were higher in colonized mice than in infected mice. The antibody responses during gut commensalism (up to 55 days of colonization) mainly focused on C. albicans proteins involved in stress response and metabolism and differed in both models of commensalism. Different serum IgG antibody-reactivity profiles were also found over time among the three murine models. C. albicans gut colonization protected mice from an intravenous lethal fungal challenge, emphasizing the benefits of fungal gut colonization. This work highlights the importance of fungal gut colonization for future immune prophylactic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Huertas
- Department of Microbiology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid and Ramón y Cajal Institute of Health Research (IRYCIS) , Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Prieto
- Department of Microbiology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid and Ramón y Cajal Institute of Health Research (IRYCIS) , Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Aida Pitarch
- Department of Microbiology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid and Ramón y Cajal Institute of Health Research (IRYCIS) , Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Concha Gil
- Department of Microbiology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid and Ramón y Cajal Institute of Health Research (IRYCIS) , Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Pla
- Department of Microbiology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid and Ramón y Cajal Institute of Health Research (IRYCIS) , Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosalía Díez-Orejas
- Department of Microbiology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid and Ramón y Cajal Institute of Health Research (IRYCIS) , Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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20
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Kragelund C. Exploiting new knowledge of Candidal infection for future antifungal combat. Oral Dis 2016; 23:543-547. [DOI: 10.1111/odi.12546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C Kragelund
- Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine; Department of Odontology; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
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21
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Luo T, Krüger T, Knüpfer U, Kasper L, Wielsch N, Hube B, Kortgen A, Bauer M, Giamarellos-Bourboulis EJ, Dimopoulos G, Brakhage AA, Kniemeyer O. Immunoproteomic Analysis of Antibody Responses to Extracellular Proteins of Candida albicans Revealing the Importance of Glycosylation for Antigen Recognition. J Proteome Res 2016; 15:2394-406. [PMID: 27386892 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.5b01065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
During infection, the human pathogenic fungus Candida albicans undergoes a yeast-to-hypha transition, secretes numerous proteins for invasion of host tissues, and modulates the host's immune response. Little is known about the interplay of C. albicans secreted proteins and the host adaptive immune system. Here, we applied a combined 2D gel- and LC-MS/MS-based approach for the characterization of C. albicans extracellular proteins during the yeast-to-hypha transition, which led to a comprehensive C. albicans secretome map. The serological responses to C. albicans extracellular proteins were investigated by a 2D-immunoblotting approach combined with MS for protein identification. On the basis of the screening of sera from candidemia and three groups of noncandidemia patients, a core set of 19 immunodominant antibodies against secreted proteins of C. albicans was identified, seven of which represent potential diagnostic markers for candidemia (Xog1, Lip4, Asc1, Met6, Tsa1, Tpi1, and Prx1). Intriguingly, some secreted, strongly glycosylated protein antigens showed high cross-reactivity with sera from noncandidemia control groups. Enzymatic deglycosylation of proteins secreted from hyphae significantly impaired sera antibody recognition. Furthermore, deglycosylation of the recombinantly produced, secreted aspartyl protease Sap6 confirmed a significant contribution of glycan epitopes to the recognition of Sap6 by antibodies in patient's sera.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Natalie Wielsch
- Department of Mass spectrometry/Proteomics, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology , 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena , 07743 Jena, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Axel A Brakhage
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena , 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Olaf Kniemeyer
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena , 07743 Jena, Germany
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22
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Smeekens SP, van de Veerdonk FL, Netea MG. An Omics Perspective on Candida Infections: Toward Next-Generation Diagnosis and Therapy. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:154. [PMID: 26909070 PMCID: PMC4754423 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida species can cause severe infections associated with high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is essential to gain more insight into the anti-fungal host defense response. The advent of omics technology and development of advanced systems biology tools has permitted to approach this in an unbiased and quantitative manner. This review summarizes the insights gained on anti-Candida immunity from genetic-, transcriptome-, proteome-, metabolome-, microbiome-, mycobiome-, and computational systems biology studies and discusses practical aspects and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- S P Smeekens
- Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - M G Netea
- Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, Netherlands
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23
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Pellon A, Ramirez-Garcia A, Buldain I, Antoran A, Rementeria A, Hernando FL. Immunoproteomics-Based Analysis of the Immunocompetent Serological Response to Lomentospora prolificans. J Proteome Res 2016; 15:595-607. [PMID: 26732945 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.5b00978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The filamentous fungus Lomentospora prolificans is an emerging pathogen causing severe infections mainly among the immunocompromised population. These diseases course with high mortality rates due to great virulence of the fungus, its inherent resistance to available antifungals, and absence of specific diagnostic tools. Despite being widespread in humanized environments, L. prolificans rarely causes infections in immunocompetent individuals likely due to their developed protective immune response. In this study, conidial and hyphal immunomes against healthy human serum IgG were analyzed, identifying immunodominant antigens and establishing their prevalence among the immunocompetent population. Thirteen protein spots from each morph were detected as reactive against at least 70% of serum samples, and identified by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Hence, the most seroprevalent antigens were WD40 repeat 2 protein, malate dehydrogenase, and DHN1, in conidia, and heat shock protein (Hsp) 70, Hsp90, ATP synthase β subunit, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, in hyphae. More interestingly, the presence of some of these seroprevalent antigens was determined on the cell surface, as Hsp70, enolase, or Hsp90. Thus, we have identified a diverse set of antigenic proteins, both in the entire proteome and cell surface subproteome, which may be used as targets to develop innovative therapeutic or diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aize Pellon
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group. Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology. Faculty of Science and Technology. University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Andoni Ramirez-Garcia
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group. Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology. Faculty of Science and Technology. University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Idoia Buldain
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group. Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology. Faculty of Science and Technology. University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Aitziber Antoran
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group. Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology. Faculty of Science and Technology. University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Aitor Rementeria
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group. Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology. Faculty of Science and Technology. University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Fernando L Hernando
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group. Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology. Faculty of Science and Technology. University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , Leioa 48940, Spain
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Challenges and Strategies for Proteome Analysis of the Interaction of Human Pathogenic Fungi with Host Immune Cells. Proteomes 2015; 3:467-495. [PMID: 28248281 PMCID: PMC5217390 DOI: 10.3390/proteomes3040467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Revised: 11/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Opportunistic human pathogenic fungi including the saprotrophic mold Aspergillus fumigatus and the human commensal Candida albicans can cause severe fungal infections in immunocompromised or critically ill patients. The first line of defense against opportunistic fungal pathogens is the innate immune system. Phagocytes such as macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells are an important pillar of the innate immune response and have evolved versatile defense strategies against microbial pathogens. On the other hand, human-pathogenic fungi have sophisticated virulence strategies to counteract the innate immune defense. In this context, proteomic approaches can provide deeper insights into the molecular mechanisms of the interaction of host immune cells with fungal pathogens. This is crucial for the identification of both diagnostic biomarkers for fungal infections and therapeutic targets. Studying host-fungal interactions at the protein level is a challenging endeavor, yet there are few studies that have been undertaken. This review draws attention to proteomic techniques and their application to fungal pathogens and to challenges, difficulties, and limitations that may arise in the course of simultaneous dual proteome analysis of host immune cells interacting with diverse morphotypes of fungal pathogens. On this basis, we discuss strategies to overcome these multifaceted experimental and analytical challenges including the viability of immune cells during co-cultivation, the increased and heterogeneous protein complexity of the host proteome dynamically interacting with the fungal proteome, and the demands on normalization strategies in terms of relative quantitative proteome analysis.
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Pitarch A, Nombela C, Gil C. Top-down characterization data on the speciation of the Candida albicans immunome in candidemia. Data Brief 2015; 6:257-61. [PMID: 26862568 PMCID: PMC4707175 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2015.11.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Revised: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The characterization of pathogen-specific antigenic proteins at the protein species level is crucial in the development and molecular optimization of novel immunodiagnostics, vaccines or immunotherapeutics for infectious diseases. The major requirements to achieve this molecular level are to obtain 100% sequence coverage and identify all post-translational modifications of each antigenic protein species. In this article, we show nearly complete sequence information for five discrete antigenic species of Candida albicans Tdh3 (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase), which have been reported to be differentially recognized both among candidemia patients and between candidemia and control patients. A comprehensive description of the top-down immunoproteomic strategy used for seroprofiling at the C. albicans protein species level in candidemia as well as for the chemical characterization of this immunogenic protein (based on high-resolution 2-DE, Western blotting, peptide mass fingerprinting, tandem mass spectrometry and de novo peptide sequencing) is also provided. The top-down characterization data on the speciation of the C. albicans immunome in candidemia presented here are related to our research article entitled “Seroprofiling at the Candida albicans protein species level unveils an accurate molecular discriminator for candidemia” (Pitarch et al., J. Proteomics, 2015, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jprot.2015.10.022).
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida Pitarch
- Department of Microbiology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid and Ramón y Cajal Institute of Health Research (IRYCIS), Spain
| | - César Nombela
- Department of Microbiology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid and Ramón y Cajal Institute of Health Research (IRYCIS), Spain
| | - Concha Gil
- Department of Microbiology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid and Ramón y Cajal Institute of Health Research (IRYCIS), Spain
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Funk J, Schaarschmidt B, Slesiona S, Hallström T, Horn U, Brock M. The glycolytic enzyme enolase represents a plasminogen-binding protein on the surface of a wide variety of medically important fungal species. Int J Med Microbiol 2015; 306:59-68. [PMID: 26679571 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2015.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2015] [Revised: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 11/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Allergies are an increasing issue in human health and can, eventually, cause severe anaphylactic shock. Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans are leading causes of life-threatening invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients, but can also cause severe allergic responses in otherwise healthy individuals. The glycolytic enzyme enolase is known as a major allergen despite its function in intracellular metabolism. Therefore, its presentation on surfaces of different fungal species was investigated by using antibodies raised against recombinant enolases from A. fumigatus and C. albicans. Examination of antibody specificity revealed cross-reactivity to cell-free extracts from Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus nidulans and Candida glabrata, but not against any of the three human enolases. Antibody specificity was further confirmed by hybridization with other recombinant fungal enolases, where the antibodies recognized different subsets of fungal enolases. When surface presentation of enolase was tested on intact fungal cells, a positive staining was obtained with those antibodies that also recognized the enzyme from the respective cell-free extract. This implies a general surface presentation of this glycolytic enzyme among fungal species and provides hints for its predominant recognition as an allergen. Additionally, A. fumigatus and C. albicans enolase bound to human plasminogen, which remained accessible for the plasminogen activator uPA. This implies a potential role of enolase in the invasion and dissemination process during fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Funk
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz-Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Barbara Schaarschmidt
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz-Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Silvia Slesiona
- Microbial Immunology, Leibniz-Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Teresia Hallström
- Infection Biology, Leibniz-Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Uwe Horn
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz-Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Matthias Brock
- Microbial Biochemistry and Physiology, Leibniz-Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany; Institute for Microbiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, 07743, Jena, Germany; Fungal Genetics and Biology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
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Pitarch A, Nombela C, Gil C. Seroprofiling at the Candida albicans protein species level unveils an accurate molecular discriminator for candidemia. J Proteomics 2015; 134:144-162. [PMID: 26485298 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2015.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2015] [Revised: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Serum antibodies to specific Candida proteins have been reported as potential diagnostic biomarkers for candidemia. However, their diagnostic usefulness at the protein species level has hardly been examined. Using serological proteome analysis, we explored the IgG-antibody responses to Candida albicans protein species in candidemia and control patients. We found that 87 discrete protein species derived from 34 unique proteins were IgG-targets, although only 43 of them were differentially recognized by candidemia and control sera. An increase in the speciation of the immunome, connectivity and modularity of antigenic species co-recognition networks, and heterogeneity of antigenic species recognition patterns was associated with candidemia. IgG antibodies to certain discrete protein species were better predictors of candidemia than those to their corresponding proteins. A molecular discriminator delineated from the combined fingerprints of IgG antibodies to two distinct species of phosphoglycerate kinase and enolase accurately classified candidemia and control patients. These results provide new insight into the anti-Candida IgG-antibody response development in candidemia, and demonstrate that an immunoproteomic signature at the molecular level may be useful for its diagnosis. Our study further highlights the importance of defining pathogen-specific antigens at the chemical and molecular level for their potential application as immunodiagnostic reagents or even vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida Pitarch
- Department of Microbiology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid and Ramón y Cajal Institute of Health Research (IRYCIS), Spain.
| | - César Nombela
- Department of Microbiology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid and Ramón y Cajal Institute of Health Research (IRYCIS), Spain
| | - Concha Gil
- Department of Microbiology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid and Ramón y Cajal Institute of Health Research (IRYCIS), Spain
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28
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Ménoret A, Crocker SJ, Rodriguez A, Rathinam VA, Clark RB, Vella AT. Transition from identity to bioactivity-guided proteomics for biomarker discovery with focus on the PF2D platform. Proteomics Clin Appl 2015. [PMID: 26201056 DOI: 10.1002/prca.201500029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Proteomic strategies provide a valuable tool kit to identify proteins involved in diseases. With recent progress in MS technology, high throughput proteomics has accelerated protein identification for potential biomarkers. Numerous biomarker candidates have been identified in several diseases, and many are common among pathologies. An overall strategy that could complement and strengthen the search for biomarkers is combining protein identity with biological outcomes. This review describes an emerging framework of bridging bioactivity to protein identity, exploring the possibility that some biomarkers will have a mechanistic role in the disease process. A review of pulmonary, cardiovascular, and CNS biomarkers will be discussed to demonstrate the utility of combining bioactivity with identification as a means to not only find meaningful biomarkers, but also to uncover functional mediators of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Ménoret
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Stephen J Crocker
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Annabelle Rodriguez
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Vijay A Rathinam
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Robert B Clark
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Anthony T Vella
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
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Gil-Bona A, Monteoliva L, Gil C. Global Proteomic Profiling of the Secretome of Candida albicans ecm33 Cell Wall Mutant Reveals the Involvement of Ecm33 in Sap2 Secretion. J Proteome Res 2015; 14:4270-81. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.5b00411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Gil-Bona
- Departamento de
Microbiología
II, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza de Ramón
y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Ctra. de Colmenar Viejo, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucía Monteoliva
- Departamento de
Microbiología
II, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza de Ramón
y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Ctra. de Colmenar Viejo, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Concha Gil
- Departamento de
Microbiología
II, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza de Ramón
y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Ctra. de Colmenar Viejo, 28034 Madrid, Spain
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30
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Thongboonkerd V, LaBaer J, Domont GB. Recent Advances of Proteomics Applied to Human Diseases. J Proteome Res 2014; 13:4493-6. [DOI: 10.1021/pr501038g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Visith Thongboonkerd
- Medical Proteomics Unit,
Office for Research and Development, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital,
and Center for Research in Complex Systems Science, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Joshua LaBaer
- Virginia G. Piper Center
for Personalized Diagnostics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 1001 South McAllister Avenue, Tempe, Arizona 85287-6401, United States
| | - Gilberto B. Domont
- Proteomics Unit, Institute
of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Avenida
Athos da Silveira Ramos, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-909 RJ, Brazil
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