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Xie W, Kong X, Liu W, Liang G, Li X. Antifungal-resistant Trichophyton indotineae: transmission warrants priority attention and international collaboration. Br J Dermatol 2024; 191:146-147. [PMID: 38616698 DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljae162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Xie
- Department of Medical Mycology, Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College
| | - Xue Kong
- Department of Medical Mycology, Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs
- CAMS Collection Center of Pathogen Microorganisms-D (CAMS-CCPM-D)
| | - Weida Liu
- Department of Medical Mycology, Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs
- CAMS Collection Center of Pathogen Microorganisms-D (CAMS-CCPM-D)
- Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guanzhao Liang
- Department of Medical Mycology, Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs
- CAMS Collection Center of Pathogen Microorganisms-D (CAMS-CCPM-D)
| | - Xiaofang Li
- Department of Medical Mycology, Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs
- CAMS Collection Center of Pathogen Microorganisms-D (CAMS-CCPM-D)
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Wang JX, Zhang PL, Gopala L, Lv JS, Lin JM, Zhou CH. A Unique Hybridization Route to Access Hydrazylnaphthalimidols as Novel Structural Scaffolds of Multitargeting Broad-Spectrum Antifungal Candidates. J Med Chem 2024; 67:8932-8961. [PMID: 38814290 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
This study developed a class of novel structural antifungal hydrazylnaphthalimidols (HNs) with multitargeting broad-spectrum potential via multicomponent hybridization to confront increasingly severe fungal invasion. Some prepared HNs exhibited considerable antifungal potency; especially nitrofuryl HN 4a (MIC = 0.001 mM) exhibited a potent antifungal activity against Candida albicans, which is 13-fold higher than that of fluconazole. Furthermore, nitrofuryl HN 4a displayed low cytotoxicity, hemolysis and resistance, as well as a rapid fungicidal efficacy. Preliminary mechanistic investigations revealed that nitrofuryl HN 4a could inhibit lactate dehydrogenase to decrease metabolic activity and promote the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, leading to oxidative stress. Moreover, nitrofuryl HN 4a did not exhibit membrane-targeting ability; it could embed into DNA to block DNA replication but could not cleave DNA. These findings implied that HNs are promising as novel structural scaffolds of potential multitargeting broad-spectrum antifungal candidates for treating fungal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Xin Wang
- Institute of Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry of Chongqing Municipality, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Peng-Li Zhang
- Institute of Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry of Chongqing Municipality, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Lavanya Gopala
- Institute of Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry of Chongqing Municipality, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Jing-Song Lv
- College of Chemical Engineering, Guizhou University of Engineering Science, Bijie 551700, China
| | - Jian-Mei Lin
- Department of Infections, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Cheng-He Zhou
- Institute of Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry of Chongqing Municipality, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
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Hoenigl M, Arastehfar A, Arendrup MC, Brüggemann R, Carvalho A, Chiller T, Chen S, Egger M, Feys S, Gangneux JP, Gold JAW, Groll AH, Heylen J, Jenks JD, Krause R, Lagrou K, Lamoth F, Prattes J, Sedik S, Wauters J, Wiederhold NP, Thompson GR. Novel antifungals and treatment approaches to tackle resistance and improve outcomes of invasive fungal disease. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0007423. [PMID: 38602408 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00074-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYFungal infections are on the rise, driven by a growing population at risk and climate change. Currently available antifungals include only five classes, and their utility and efficacy in antifungal treatment are limited by one or more of innate or acquired resistance in some fungi, poor penetration into "sequestered" sites, and agent-specific side effect which require frequent patient reassessment and monitoring. Agents with novel mechanisms, favorable pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles including good oral bioavailability, and fungicidal mechanism(s) are urgently needed. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of novel antifungal agents, with both improved known mechanisms of actions and new antifungal classes, currently in clinical development for treating invasive yeast, mold (filamentous fungi), Pneumocystis jirovecii infections, and dimorphic fungi (endemic mycoses). We further focus on inhaled antifungals and the role of immunotherapy in tackling fungal infections, and the specific PK/pharmacodynamic profiles, tissue distributions as well as drug-drug interactions of novel antifungals. Finally, we review antifungal resistance mechanisms, the role of use of antifungal pesticides in agriculture as drivers of drug resistance, and detail detection methods for antifungal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Hoenigl
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, ECMM Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BiotechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Amir Arastehfar
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maiken Cavling Arendrup
- Unit of Mycology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Roger Brüggemann
- Department of Pharmacy and Radboudumc Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboudumc-CWZ Center of Expertise in Mycology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Agostinho Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Tom Chiller
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sharon Chen
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, NSW South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia
- The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Matthias Egger
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, ECMM Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Simon Feys
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean-Pierre Gangneux
- Centre National de Référence des Mycoses et Antifongiques LA-AspC Aspergilloses chroniques, European Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM EC), Centre hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, Rennes, France
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Jeremy A W Gold
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Andreas H Groll
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Infectious Disease Research Program, Center for Bone Marrow Transplantation, University Children's Hospital, Muenster, Germany
| | - Jannes Heylen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jeffrey D Jenks
- Department of Public Health, Durham County, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Robert Krause
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, ECMM Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BiotechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and National Reference Center for Mycosis, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frédéric Lamoth
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Juergen Prattes
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, ECMM Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BiotechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Sarah Sedik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, ECMM Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Joost Wauters
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nathan P Wiederhold
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - George R Thompson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases University of California-Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA
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Khan T, Faysal NI, Hossain MM, Mah-E-Muneer S, Haider A, Moon SB, Sen D, Ahmed D, Parnell LA, Jubair M, Chow NA, Chowdhury F, Rahman M. Emergence of the novel sixth Candida auris Clade VI in Bangladesh. Microbiol Spectr 2024:e0354023. [PMID: 38842332 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03540-23] [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: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida auris, initially identified in 2009, has rapidly become a critical concern due to its antifungal resistance and significant mortality rates in healthcare-associated outbreaks. To date, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has identified five unique clades of C. auris, with some strains displaying resistance to all primary antifungal drug classes. In this study, we presented the first WGS analysis of C. auris from Bangladesh, describing its origins, transmission dynamics, and antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) profile. Ten C. auris isolates collected from hospital settings in Bangladesh were initially identified by CHROMagar Candida Plus, followed by VITEK2 system, and later sequenced using Illumina NextSeq 550 system. Reference-based phylogenetic analysis and variant calling pipelines were used to classify the isolates in different clades. All isolates aligned ~90% with the Clade I C. auris B11205 reference genome. Of the 10 isolates, 8 were clustered with Clade I isolates, highlighting a South Asian lineage prevalent in Bangladesh. Remarkably, the remaining two isolates formed a distinct cluster, exhibiting >42,447 single-nucleotide polymorphism differences compared to their closest Clade IV counterparts. This significant variation corroborates the emergence of a sixth clade (Clade VI) of C. auris in Bangladesh, with potential for international transmission. AFST results showed that 80% of the C. auris isolates were resistant to fluconazole and voriconazole, whereas Clade VI isolates were susceptible to azoles, echinocandins, and pyrimidine analogue. Genomic sequencing revealed ERG11_Y132F mutation conferring azole resistance while FCY1_S70R mutation found inconsequential in describing 5-flucytosine resistance. Our study underscores the pressing need for comprehensive genomic surveillance in Bangladesh to better understand the emergence, transmission dynamics, and resistance profiles of C. auris infections. Unveiling the discovery of a sixth clade (Clade VI) accentuates the indispensable role of advanced sequencing methodologies.IMPORTANCECandida auris is a nosocomial fungal pathogen that is commonly misidentified as other Candida species. Since its emergence in 2009, this multidrug-resistant fungus has become one of the five urgent antimicrobial threats by 2019. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has proven to be the most accurate identification technique of C. auris which also played a crucial role in the initial discovery of this pathogen. WGS analysis of C. auris has revealed five distinct clades where isolates of each clade differ among themselves based on pathogenicity, colonization, infection mechanism, as well as other phenotypic characteristics. In Bangladesh, C. auris was first reported in 2019 from clinical samples of a large hospital in Dhaka city. To understand the origin, transmission dynamics, and antifungal-resistance profile of C. auris isolates circulating in Bangladesh, we conducted a WGS-based surveillance study on two of the largest hospital settings in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahsin Khan
- Genome Center, Infectious Diseases Division, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | | | - Syeda Mah-E-Muneer
- Emerging Infections, Infectious Diseases Division, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Arefeen Haider
- Genome Center, Infectious Diseases Division, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Shovan Basak Moon
- Genome Center, Infectious Diseases Division, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Debashis Sen
- Mycology Laboratory, Laboratory Sciences and Services Division, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Dilruba Ahmed
- Mycology Laboratory, Laboratory Sciences and Services Division, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Lindsay A Parnell
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Mohammad Jubair
- Genome Center, Infectious Diseases Division, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Nancy A Chow
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Fahmida Chowdhury
- Emerging Infections, Infectious Diseases Division, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mustafizur Rahman
- Genome Center, Infectious Diseases Division, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Emerging Infections, Infectious Diseases Division, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Schinas G, Spernovasilis N, Akinosoglou K. Antifungal pipeline: Is there light at the end of the tunnel? World J Clin Cases 2024; 12:2686-2691. [PMID: 38899281 PMCID: PMC11185321 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i16.2686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The misuse and overuse of classic antifungals have accelerated the development of resistance mechanisms, diminishing the efficacy of established therapeutic pathways and necessitating a shift towards alternative targets. Despite this pressing need for new treatments, the antifungal drug pipeline has been largely stagnant for the past three decades, primarily due to the high risks and costs associated with antifungal drug development, compounded by uncertain market returns. Extensive research durations, special patient populations and rigorous regulatory demands pose significant barriers to bringing novel antifungal agents to market. In response, the "push-pull" incentive model has emerged as a vital strategy to invigorate the pipeline and encourage innovation. This editorial critically examines the current clinical landscape and spotlights emerging antifungal agents, such as Fosmanogepix, Ibrexafungerp, and Olorofim, while also unraveling the multifaceted challenges faced in new antifungal drug development. The generation of novel antifungals offers a beacon of hope in the battle against antimicrobial resistance, but it is premature to declare them as definitive solutions. Their future role hinges on thorough clinical validation, cost-effectiveness assessments, and continuous post-marketing surveillance. Only through strategic implementation and integration with market strategies we can transform the landscape of antifungal development, addressing both the resistance crisis and the treatment challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Schinas
- Department of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras 26504, Greece
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Chen XR, Zhou T, Zhou ZD, Fang ZH, Wang KB, Zhang C, Kong LY, Yang MH. The discovery of an anti-Candida xanthone with selective inhibition of Candida albicans GAPDH. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2024; 63:107172. [PMID: 38608845 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2024.107172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to discover novel antifungals targeting Candida albicans glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (CaGAPDH), have an insight into inhibitory mode, and provide evidence supporting CaGAPDH as a target for new antifungals. METHODS Virtual screening was utilized to discover inhibitors of CaGAPDH. The inhibitory effect on cellular GAPDH was evaluated by determining the levels of ATP, NAD, NADH, etc., as well as examining GAPDH mRNA and protein expression. The role of GAPDH inhibition in C. albicans was supported by drug affinity responsive target stability and overexpression experiments. The mechanism of CaGAPDH inhibition was elucidated by Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics and site-specific mutagenesis based on docking. Chemical synthesis was used to produce an improved candidate. Different sources of GAPDH were used to evaluate inhibitory selectivity across species. In vitro and in vivo antifungal tests, along with anti-biofilm activity, were carried out to evaluate antifungal potential of GAPDH inhibitors. RESULTS A natural xanthone was identified as the first competitive inhibitor of CaGAPDH. It demonstrated in vitro anti-C. albicans potential but also caused hemolysis. XP-W, a synthetic side-chain-optimized xanthone, demonstrated a better safety profile, exhibiting a 50-fold selectivity for CaGAPDH over human GAPDH. XP-W also exhibited potent anti-biofilm activity and displayed broad-spectrum anti-Candida activities in vitro and in vivo, including multi-azole-resistant C. albicans. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate for the first time that CaGAPDH is a valuable target for antifungal drug discovery, and XP-W provides a promising lead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Ru Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhuo-Da Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhan-Hong Fang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kai-Bo Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ling-Yi Kong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Ming-Hua Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
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Villalba de la Peña M, Kronholm I. Antimicrobial resistance in the wild: Insights from epigenetics. Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13707. [PMID: 38817397 PMCID: PMC11134192 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Spreading of bacterial and fungal strains that are resistant to antimicrobials poses a serious threat to the well-being of humans, animals, and plants. Antimicrobial resistance has been mainly investigated in clinical settings. However, throughout their evolutionary history microorganisms in the wild have encountered antimicrobial substances, forcing them to evolve strategies to combat antimicrobial action. It is well known that many of these strategies are based on genetic mechanisms, but these do not fully explain important aspects of the antimicrobial response such as the rapid development of resistance, reversible phenotypes, and hetero-resistance. Consequently, attention has turned toward epigenetic pathways that may offer additional insights into antimicrobial mechanisms. The aim of this review is to explore the epigenetic mechanisms that confer antimicrobial resistance, focusing on those that might be relevant for resistance in the wild. First, we examine the presence of antimicrobials in natural settings. Then we describe the documented epigenetic mechanisms in bacteria and fungi associated with antimicrobial resistance and discuss innovative epigenetic editing techniques to establish causality in this context. Finally, we discuss the relevance of these epigenetic mechanisms on the evolutionary dynamics of antimicrobial resistance in the wild, emphasizing the critical role of priming in the adaptation process. We underscore the necessity of incorporating non-genetic mechanisms into our understanding of antimicrobial resistance evolution. These mechanisms offer invaluable insights into the dynamics of antimicrobial adaptation within natural ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ilkka Kronholm
- Department of Biological and Environmental ScienceUniversity of JyväskyläJyväskyläFinland
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Finkina EI, Shevchenko OV, Fateeva SI, Tagaev AA, Ovchinnikova TV. Antifungal Plant Defensins as an Alternative Tool to Combat Candidiasis. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1499. [PMID: 38891308 PMCID: PMC11174490 DOI: 10.3390/plants13111499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Currently, the spread of fungal infections is becoming an urgent problem. Fungi of the Candida genus are opportunistic microorganisms that cause superficial and life-threatening systemic candidiasis in immunocompromised patients. The list of antifungal drugs for the treatment of candidiasis is very limited, while the prevalence of resistant strains is growing rapidly. Therefore, the search for new antimycotics, including those exhibiting immunomodulatory properties, is of great importance. Plenty of natural compounds with antifungal activities may be extremely useful in solving this problem. This review evaluates the features of natural antimicrobial peptides, namely plant defensins as possible prototypes of new anticandidal agents. Plant defensins are important components of the innate immune system, which provides the first line of defense against pathogens. The introduction presents a brief summary regarding pathogenic Candida species, the pathogenesis of candidiasis, and the mechanisms of antimycotic resistance. Then, the structural features of plant defensins, their anticandidal activities, their mechanisms of action on yeast-like fungi, their ability to prevent adhesion and biofilm formation, and their combined action with conventional antimycotics are described. The possible mechanisms of fungal resistance to plant defensins, their cytotoxic activity, and their effectiveness in in vivo experiments are also discussed. In addition, for the first time for plant defensins, knowledge about their immunomodulatory effects is also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina I. Finkina
- M. M. Shemyakin & Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia (T.V.O.)
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El Ayoubi LW, Allaw F, Moussa E, Kanj SS. Ibrexafungerp: A narrative overview. CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2024; 6:100245. [PMID: 38873590 PMCID: PMC11170096 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100245] [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] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Ibrexafungerp (IBX) is a new antifungal drug that recently entered the antifungal landscape. It disrupts fungal cell wall synthesis by non-competitive inhibition of the β-(1,3)-D-glucan (BDG) synthase enzyme. It has demonstrated activity against a range of pathogens including Candida and Aspergillus spp., as well as retaining its activity against azole-resistant and echinocandin-resistant strains. It also exhibits anti-biofilm properties. Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies revealed favorable bioavailability, high protein binding, and extensive tissue distribution with a low potential for CYP-mediated drug interactions. It is characterized by the same mechanism of action of echinocandins with limited cross-resistance with other antifungal agents. Resistance to this drug can arise from mutations in the FKS genes, primarily FKS2 mutations in Nakaseomyces glabrata. In vivo, IBX was found to be effective in murine models of invasive candidiasis (IC) and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). It also showed promising results in preventing and treating Pneumocystis jirovecii infections. Clinical trials showed that IBX was effective and non-inferior to fluconazole in treating vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), including complicated cases, as well as in preventing its recurrence. These trials positioned it as a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved option for the treatment and prophylaxis of VVC. Trials showed comparable responses to standard-of-care in IC, with favorable preliminary results in C. auris infections in terms of efficacy and tolerability as well as in refractory cases of IC. Mild adverse reactions have been reported including gastrointestinal symptoms. Overall, IBX represents a significant addition to the antifungal armamentarium, with its unique action, spectrum of activity, and encouraging clinical trial results warranting further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L'Emir Wassim El Ayoubi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Fatima Allaw
- Division of Infectious Diseases, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Elie Moussa
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Souha S. Kanj
- Division of Infectious Diseases, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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Ror S, Stamnes MA, Moye-Rowley WS. Loss of a conserved C-terminal region of the Aspergillus fumigatus AtrR transcriptional regulator leads to a gene-specific defect in target gene expression. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.22.595332. [PMID: 38826412 PMCID: PMC11142210 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.22.595332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Treatment of fungal infections associated with the filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus is becoming more problematic as this organism is developing resistance to the main chemotherapeutic drug at an increasing rate. Azole drugs represent the current standard-of-care in treatment of aspergillosis with this drug class acting by inhibiting a key step in biosynthesis of the fungal sterol ergosterol. Azole compounds block the activity of the lanosterol α-14 demethylase, encoded by the cyp51A gene. A common route of azole resistance involves an increase in transcription of cyp51A. This transcriptional increase requires the function of a Zn2Cys6 DNA-binding domain-containing transcription activator protein called AtrR. AtrR was identified through its action as a positive regulator of expression of an ATP-binding cassette transporter (abcC/cdr1B here called abcG1). Using both deletion and alanine scanning mutagenesis, we demonstrate that a conserved C-terminal domain in A. fumigatus is required for expression of abcG1 but dispensable for cyp51A transcription. This domain is also found in several other fungal pathogen AtrR homologues consistent with a conserved gene-selective function of this protein segment being conserved. Using RNA-seq, we find that this gene-specific transcriptional defect extends to several other membrane transporter-encoding genes including a second ABC transporter locus. Our data reveal that AtrR uses at least two distinct mechanisms to induce gene expression and that normal susceptibility to azole drugs cannot be provided by maintenance of wild-type expression of the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway when ABC transporter expression is reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Ror
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Mark A Stamnes
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - W Scott Moye-Rowley
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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Rauwel E, Arya G, Praakle K, Rauwel P. Use of Aloe Vera Gel as Media to Assess Antimicrobial Activity and Development of Antimicrobial Nanocomposites. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5599. [PMID: 38891787 PMCID: PMC11171552 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115599] [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: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is a menace to public health on a global scale. In this regard, nanomaterials exhibiting antimicrobial properties represent a promising solution. Both metal and metal oxide nanomaterials are suitable candidates, even though their mechanisms of action vary. Multiple antimicrobial mechanisms can occur simultaneously or independently; this includes either direct contact with the pathogens, nanomaterial uptake, oxidative stress, ion release, or any of their combinations. However, due to their specific properties and more particularly fast settling, existing methods to study the antimicrobial properties of nanoparticles have not been specifically adapted in some cases. The development of methodologies that can assess the antimicrobial properties of metallic nanomaterials accurately is necessary. A cost-effective methodology with a straightforward set-up that enables the easy and quick assessment of the antimicrobial properties of metal nanoparticles with high accuracy has been developed. The methodology is also capable of confirming whether the killing mechanism involves ionic diffusion. Finally, Aloe Vera gel showed good properties for use as a medium for the development of antimicrobial ointment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwan Rauwel
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, 51006 Tartu, Estonia;
- Institute of Forestry and Engineering, Kreutzwaldi 56/1, 51006 Tartu, Estonia; (G.A.); (P.R.)
| | - Geeta Arya
- Institute of Forestry and Engineering, Kreutzwaldi 56/1, 51006 Tartu, Estonia; (G.A.); (P.R.)
| | - Kristi Praakle
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, 51006 Tartu, Estonia;
| | - Protima Rauwel
- Institute of Forestry and Engineering, Kreutzwaldi 56/1, 51006 Tartu, Estonia; (G.A.); (P.R.)
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12
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de Moraes DC, Rollin-Pinheiro R, Pinto MDCFR, Domingos LTS, Barreto-Bergter E, Ferreira-Pereira A. Antifungal activity of β-lapachone against a fluconazole-resistant Candida auris strain. Braz J Microbiol 2024:10.1007/s42770-024-01375-1. [PMID: 38743245 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-024-01375-1] [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: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida spp. can be found in the human microbiome. However, immunocompromised patients are likely to develop invasive Candida infections, with mortality rates higher than 50%. The discovery of C. auris, a species that rapidly acquire antifungal resistance, increased the concern about Candida infections. The limited number of antifungal agents and the high incidence of resistance to them make imperative the development of new antifungal drugs. β-lapachone is a biological active naphthoquinone that displays antifungal activity against C. albicans and C. glabrata. The aim of this study was to evaluate if this substance affects C. auris growth and elucidate its mechanism of action. A fluconazole-resistant C. auris isolate was used in this study. The antifungal activity of β-lapachone was determined through microbroth dilution assays, and its mechanism of action was evaluated using fluorescent probes. Interaction with fluconazole and amphotericin B was assessed by disk diffusion assay and checkerboard. β-lapachone inhibited planktonic C. auris cell growth by 92.7%, biofilm formation by 84.9%, and decrease the metabolism of preformed biofilms by 87.1% at 100 µg/ml. At 100 µg/ml, reductions of 30% and 59% of Calcofluor White and Nile red fluorescences were observed, indicating that β-lapachone affects cell wall chitin and neutral lipids content, respectively. Also, the ratio 590 nm/529 nm of JC-1 decreased 52%, showing that the compound affects mitochondria. No synergism was observed between β-lapachone and fluconazole or amphotericin B. Data show that β-lapachone may be a promising candidate to be used as monotherapy to treat C. auris resistant infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Clemente de Moraes
- Universidade Estácio de Sá, 24020-340, Centro, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Rollin-Pinheiro
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil
| | - Maria do Carmo Freire Ribeiro Pinto
- Instituto de Pesquisas de Produtos Naturais, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil
| | - Levy Tenório Sousa Domingos
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil
| | - Eliana Barreto-Bergter
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil
| | - Antonio Ferreira-Pereira
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil.
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13
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Khalifa HO, Watanabe A, Kamei K. Genetic Mutations in FKS1 Gene Associated with Acquired Echinocandin Resistance in Candida parapsilosis Complex. Mycopathologia 2024; 189:40. [PMID: 38704798 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-024-00847-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Candida parapsilosis complex has recently received special attention due to naturally occurring FKS1 polymorphism associated with high minimal inhibitory concentrations for echinocandin and the increase of clonal outbreaks of strains resistant to commonly used antifungals such as fluconazole. Despite the previous fact, little is known about the genetic mechanism associated with echinocandin resistance. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the mechanism of acquired echinocandin resistance in C. parapsilosis complex strains. A total of 15 clinical C. parapsilosis complex isolates were sub-cultured for 30 days at a low concentration of micafungin at ½ the lowest MIC value of the tested isolates (0.12 µg/ml). After culturing, all the isolates were checked phenotypically for antifungal resistance and genotypically for echinocandin resistance by checking FKS1 gene hot spot one (HS1) and HS2 mutations. In vitro induction of echinocandin resistance confirmed the rapid development of resistance at low concentration micafungin, with no difference among C. parapsilosis, C. metapsilosis, and C. orthopsilosis in the resistance development. For the first time we identified different FKS1 HS1 and or HS2 mutations responsible for echinocandin resistance such as R658S and L1376F in C. parapsilosis, S656X, R658X, R658T, W1370X, X1371I, V1371X, and R1373X (corresponding to their location in C. parapsilosis) in C. metapsilosis, and L648F and R1366H in C. orthopsilosis. Our results are of significant concern, since the rapid development of resistance may occur clinically after short-term exposure to antifungals as recently described in other fungal species with the potential of untreatable infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazim O Khalifa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 1555, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
- Division of Clinical Research, Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt.
| | - Akira Watanabe
- Division of Clinical Research, Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Kamei
- Division of Clinical Research, Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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14
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Zhou M, Liu L, Cong Z, Jiang W, Xiao X, Xie J, Luo Z, Chen S, Wu Y, Xue X, Shao N, Liu R. A dual-targeting antifungal is effective against multidrug-resistant human fungal pathogens. Nat Microbiol 2024; 9:1325-1339. [PMID: 38589468 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-024-01662-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Drug-resistant fungal infections pose a significant threat to human health. Dual-targeting compounds, which have multiple targets on a single pathogen, offer an effective approach to combat drug-resistant pathogens, although ensuring potent activity and high selectivity remains a challenge. Here we propose a dual-targeting strategy for designing antifungal compounds. We incorporate DNA-binding naphthalene groups as the hydrophobic moieties into the host defence peptide-mimicking poly(2-oxazoline)s. This resulted in a compound, (Gly0.8Nap0.2)20, which targets both the fungal membrane and DNA. This compound kills clinical strains of multidrug-resistant fungi including Candida spp., Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus gattii and Aspergillus fumigatus. (Gly0.8Nap0.2)20 shows superior performance compared with amphotericin B by showing not only potent antifungal activities but also high antifungal selectivity. The compound also does not induce antimicrobial resistance. Moreover, (Gly0.8Nap0.2)20 exhibits promising in vivo therapeutic activities against drug-resistant Candida albicans in mouse models of skin abrasion, corneal infection and systemic infection. This study shows that dual-targeting antifungal compounds may be effective in combating drug-resistant fungal pathogens and mitigating fungal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Longqiang Liu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Zihao Cong
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Weinan Jiang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Ximian Xiao
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiayang Xie
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengjie Luo
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Sheng Chen
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yueming Wu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinying Xue
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Ning Shao
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Runhui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
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15
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Ramakanth S, Kennedy T, Yalcinkaya B, Neupane S, Tadic N, Buchler NE, Argüello-Miranda O. Deep learning-driven imaging of cell division and cell growth across an entire eukaryotic life cycle. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.25.591211. [PMID: 38712227 PMCID: PMC11071524 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.25.591211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
The life cycle of biomedical and agriculturally relevant eukaryotic microorganisms involves complex transitions between proliferative and non-proliferative states such as dormancy, mating, meiosis, and cell division. New drugs, pesticides, and vaccines can be created by targeting specific life cycle stages of parasites and pathogens. However, defining the structure of a microbial life cycle often relies on partial observations that are theoretically assembled in an ideal life cycle path. To create a more quantitative approach to studying complete eukaryotic life cycles, we generated a deep learning-driven imaging framework to track microorganisms across sexually reproducing generations. Our approach combines microfluidic culturing, life cycle stage-specific segmentation of microscopy images using convolutional neural networks, and a novel cell tracking algorithm, FIEST, based on enhancing the overlap of single cell masks in consecutive images through deep learning video frame interpolation. As proof of principle, we used this approach to quantitatively image and compare cell growth and cell cycle regulation across the sexual life cycle of Saccharomyces cerevisiae . We developed a fluorescent reporter system based on a fluorescently labeled Whi5 protein, the yeast analog of mammalian Rb, and a new High-Cdk1 activity sensor, LiCHI, designed to report during DNA replication, mitosis, meiotic homologous recombination, meiosis I, and meiosis II. We found that cell growth preceded the exit from non-proliferative states such as mitotic G1, pre-meiotic G1, and the G0 spore state during germination. A decrease in the total cell concentration of Whi5 characterized the exit from non-proliferative states, which is consistent with a Whi5 dilution model. The nuclear accumulation of Whi5 was developmentally regulated, being at its highest during meiotic exit and spore formation. The temporal coordination of cell division and growth was not significantly different across three sexually reproducing generations. Our framework could be used to quantitatively characterize other single-cell eukaryotic life cycles that remain incompletely described. An off-the-shelf user interface Yeastvision provides free access to our image processing and single-cell tracking algorithms.
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16
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dos Reis TF, Diehl C, Pinzan CF, de Castro PA, Goldman GH. Brilacidin, a host defense peptide mimetic, potentiates ibrexafungerp antifungal activity against the human pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.05.588305. [PMID: 38617338 PMCID: PMC11014541 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.05.588305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is the primary etiological agent of aspergillosis. Here, we show that the host defense peptide mimetic, brilacidin (BRI) can potentiate ibrexafungerp (IBX) against clinical isolates of A. fumigatus. CAS-resistant strains with mutations in fks1 that encodes the 1,3-β-D-glucan synthase are not IBX-resistant and BRI+IBX can inhibit their growth. The combination of BRI+IBX plays a fungicidal role, increases the fungal cell permeability and decreases the fungal survival in the presence of A549 epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaila Fernanda dos Reis
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Camila Diehl
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Camila Figueiredo Pinzan
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Alves de Castro
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Gustavo H. Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Human Pathogenic Fungi, Brazil
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17
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Gautier C, Maciel EI, Ene IV. Approaches for identifying and measuring heteroresistance in azole-susceptible Candida isolates. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0404123. [PMID: 38483474 PMCID: PMC10986555 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04041-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Heteroresistance to antifungal agents poses a significant challenge in the treatment of fungal infections. Currently, the absence of established methods for detecting and measuring heteroresistance impedes progress in understanding this phenomenon in fungal pathogens. In response to this gap, we present a comprehensive set of new and optimized methods designed to detect and quantify azole heteroresistance in Candida albicans. Here, we define two primary assays for measuring heteroresistance: population analysis profiling, based on growth on solid medium, and single-cell assays, based on growth in liquid culture. We observe good correlations between the measurements obtained with liquid and solid assays, validating their utility for studying azole heteroresistance. We also highlight that disk diffusion assays could serve as an additional tool for the rapid detection of heteroresistance. These methods collectively provide a versatile toolkit for researchers seeking to assess heteroresistance in C. albicans. They also serve as a critical step forward in the characterization of antifungal heteroresistance, providing a framework for investigating this phenomenon in diverse fungal species and in the context of other antifungal agents. Ultimately, these advancements will enhance our ability to effectively measure antifungal drug responses and combat fungal infections.IMPORTANCEHeteroresistance involves varying antimicrobial susceptibility within a clonal population. This phenomenon allows the survival of rare resistant subpopulations during drug treatment, significantly complicating the effective management of infections. However, the absence of established detection methods hampers progress in understanding this phenomenon in human fungal pathogens. We propose a comprehensive toolkit to address this gap in the yeast Candida albicans, encompassing population analysis profiling, single-cell assays, and disk diffusion assays. By providing robust and correlated measurements through both solid and liquid assays, this work will provide a framework for broader applications across clinically relevant Candida species. These methods will enhance our ability to understand this phenomenon and the failure of antifungal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Gautier
- Fungal Heterogeneity Group, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Eli I. Maciel
- Fungal Heterogeneity Group, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Iuliana V. Ene
- Fungal Heterogeneity Group, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
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18
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Lass-Flörl C, Kanj SS, Govender NP, Thompson GR, Ostrosky-Zeichner L, Govrins MA. Invasive candidiasis. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2024; 10:20. [PMID: 38514673 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-024-00503-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Invasive candidiasis is an important fungal disease caused by Candida albicans and, increasingly, non-albicans Candida pathogens. Invasive Candida infections originate most frequently from endogenous human reservoirs and are triggered by impaired host defences. Signs and symptoms of invasive candidiasis are non-specific; candidaemia is the most diagnosed manifestation, with disseminated candidiasis affecting single or multiple organs. Diagnosis poses many challenges, and conventional culture techniques are frequently supplemented by non-culture-based assays. The attributable mortality from candidaemia and disseminated infections is ~30%. Fluconazole resistance is a concern for Nakaseomyces glabratus, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida auris and less so in Candida tropicalis infection; acquired echinocandin resistance remains uncommon. The epidemiology of invasive candidiasis varies in different geographical areas and within various patient populations. Risk factors include intensive care unit stay, central venous catheter use, broad-spectrum antibiotics use, abdominal surgery and immune suppression. Early antifungal treatment and central venous catheter removal form the cornerstones to decrease mortality. The landscape of novel therapeutics is growing; however, the application of new drugs requires careful selection of eligible patients as the spectrum of activity is limited to a few fungal species. Unanswered questions and knowledge gaps define future research priorities and a personalized approach to diagnosis and treatment of invasive candidiasis is of paramount importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, ECMM Excellence Centres of Medical Mycology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Souha S Kanj
- Infectious Diseases Division, and Center for Infectious Diseases Research, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nelesh P Govender
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand and National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - George R Thompson
- UC Davis Health Medical Center, Division of Infectious Diseases, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | | | - Miriam Alisa Govrins
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, ECMM Excellence Centres of Medical Mycology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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19
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Xie W, Kong X, Zheng H, Mei H, Ge N, Hu S, Wang Q, Huang Y, She X, Liu W, Liang G, Li X. Rapid emergence of recalcitrant dermatophytosis caused by a cluster of multidrug-resistant Trichophyton indotineae in China. Br J Dermatol 2024; 190:585-587. [PMID: 38180270 DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljae009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
We describe 14 cases of native refractory dermatophytes caused by Trichophyton indotineae diagnosed at a hospital in China since 2021, primarily diagnosed in the past 1 year and from the same province. Trichophyton indotineae isolates were resistant to multiple antifungals and harboured Phe397Leu or Leu393Ser substitutions in the squalene epoxidase enzyme. Short-term rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant T. indotineae in China poses increasing threats to public safety and warrants continued public health surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Xie
- Department of Medical Mycology, Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
| | - Xue Kong
- Department of Medical Mycology, Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China
- CAMS Collection Center of Pathogen Microorganisms-D (CAMS-CCPM-D), Nanjing, China
| | - Hailin Zheng
- Department of Medical Mycology, Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China
- CAMS Collection Center of Pathogen Microorganisms-D (CAMS-CCPM-D), Nanjing, China
| | - Huan Mei
- Department of Medical Mycology, Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China
- CAMS Collection Center of Pathogen Microorganisms-D (CAMS-CCPM-D), Nanjing, China
| | - Naicen Ge
- Department of Medical Mycology, Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
| | - Suquan Hu
- Department of Medical Mycology, Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiong Wang
- Department of Medical Mycology, Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuying Huang
- Department of Medical Mycology, Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaodong She
- Department of Medical Mycology, Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China
- CAMS Collection Center of Pathogen Microorganisms-D (CAMS-CCPM-D), Nanjing, China
| | - Weida Liu
- Department of Medical Mycology, Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China
- CAMS Collection Center of Pathogen Microorganisms-D (CAMS-CCPM-D), Nanjing, China
- Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guanzhao Liang
- Department of Medical Mycology, Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China
- CAMS Collection Center of Pathogen Microorganisms-D (CAMS-CCPM-D), Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaofang Li
- Department of Medical Mycology, Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China
- CAMS Collection Center of Pathogen Microorganisms-D (CAMS-CCPM-D), Nanjing, China
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20
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Yang W, Liu R, Li Z, Tu J, Xu D, Liu N, Sheng C. Discovery of New Tricyclic Oxime Sampangine Derivatives as Potent Antifungal Agents for the Treatment of Cryptococcosis and Candidiasis. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 38489247 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) are classified as the critical priority groups among the pathogenic fungi, highlighting the urgent need for developing more effective antifungal therapies. On the basis of antifungal natural product sampangine, herein, a series of tricyclic oxime and oxime ether derivatives were designed. Among them, compound WZ-2 showed excellent inhibitory activity against C. neoformans (MIC80 = 0.016 μg/mL) and synergized with fluconazole to treat resistant C. albicans (FICI = 0.078). Interestingly, compound WZ-2 effectively inhibited virulence factors (e.g., capsule, biofilm, and yeast-to-hypha morphological transition), suggesting the potential to overcome drug resistance. In a mouse model of cryptococcal meningitis, compound WZ-2 (5 mg/kg) effectively reduced the brain C. neoformans H99 burden. Furthermore, compound WZ-2 alone and its combination with fluconazole also significantly reduced the kidney burden of the drug-resistant strain (0304103) and sensitive strain (SC5314) of C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanzhen Yang
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Ruxiong Liu
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zhuang Li
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jie Tu
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Dongjian Xu
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Na Liu
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
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21
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Kang Y, Li Q, Yao Y, Xu C, Qiu Z, Jia W, Li G, Wang P. Epidemiology and Azole Resistance of Clinical Isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus from a Large Tertiary Hospital in Ningxia, China. Infect Drug Resist 2024; 17:427-439. [PMID: 38328338 PMCID: PMC10849152 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s440363] [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: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose The objective of this study was to determine the clinical distribution, in vitro antifungal susceptibility and underlying resistance mechanisms of Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) isolates from the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University between November 2021 and May 2023. Methods Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using the Sensititre YeastOne YO10, and isolates with high minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were further confirmed using the standard broth microdilution assays established by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M38-third edition. Whole-Genome Resequencing and RT-qPCR in azole-resistant A. fumigatus strains were performed to investigate the underlying resistance mechanisms. Results Overall, a total of 276 A. fumigatus isolates were identified from various clinical departments, showing an increasing trend in the number of isolates over the past 3 years. Two azole-resistant A. fumigatus strains (0.72%) were observed, one of which showed overexpression of cyp51A, cyp51B, cdr1B, MDR1/2, artR, srbA, erg24A, and erg4B, but no cyp51A mutation. However, the other strain harbored two alterations in the cyp51A sequences (L98H/S297T). Therefore, we first described two azole-resistant clinical A. fumigatus strains in Ningxia, China, and reported one azole-resistant strain that has the L98H/S297T mutations in the cyp51A gene without any tandem repeat (TR) sequences in the promoter region. Conclusions This study emphasizes the importance of enhancing attention and surveillance of azole-resistant A. fumigatus, particularly those with non-TR point mutations of cyp51A or non-cyp51A mutations, in order to gain a better understanding of their prevalence and spread in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Kang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Clinical and Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiujie Li
- College of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yao Yao
- Center of Medical Laboratory, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chao Xu
- College of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhuoran Qiu
- College of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Jia
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Clinical and Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, People’s Republic of China
- Center of Medical Laboratory, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Gang Li
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Clinical and Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, People’s Republic of China
- Center of Medical Laboratory, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Pengtao Wang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Clinical and Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, People’s Republic of China
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22
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Bienvenu AL, Ballut L, Picot S. Specifically Targeting Metacaspases of Candida: A New Therapeutic Opportunity. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:90. [PMID: 38392762 PMCID: PMC10889698 DOI: 10.3390/jof10020090] [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: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published a list of fungal priority pathogens, including Candida albicans and C. auris. The increased level of resistance of Candida is raising concern, considering the availability of only four classes of medicine. The WHO is seeking novel agent classes with different targets and mechanisms of action. Targeting Candida metacaspases to control intrinsic cell death could provide new therapeutic opportunities for invasive candidiasis. In this review, we provide the available evidence for Candida cell death, describe Candida metacaspases, and discuss the potential of Candida metacaspases to offer a new specific target. Targeting Candida cell death has good scientific rationale given that the fungicidal activity of many marketed antifungals is mediated, among others, by cell death triggering. But none of the available antifungals are specifically activating Candida metacaspases, making this target a new therapeutic opportunity for non-susceptible isolates. It is expected that antifungals based on the activation of fungi metacaspases will have a broad spectrum of action, as metacaspases have been described in many fungi, including filamentous fungi. Considering this original mechanism of action, it could be of great interest to combine these new antifungal candidates with existing antifungals. This approach would help to avoid the development of antifungal resistance, which is especially increasing in Candida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Lise Bienvenu
- Service Pharmacie, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69004 Lyon, France
- Malaria Research Unit, University Lyon, UMR 5246 CNRS-INSA-CPE-University Lyon1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Lionel Ballut
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, UMR 5086, CNRS-Université de Lyon, 69367 Lyon, France
| | - Stephane Picot
- Malaria Research Unit, University Lyon, UMR 5246 CNRS-INSA-CPE-University Lyon1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
- Institute of Parasitology and Medical Mycology, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69004 Lyon, France
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23
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Zhang S, Geng Y, Wei B, Lu Y, He L, Zhao F, Zhang J, Qin Z, Gong J. A Novel Mitochondrial Targeted Compound Phosundoxin Showing Potent Antifungal Activity against Common Clinical Pathogenic Fungi. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 10:28. [PMID: 38248938 PMCID: PMC10817537 DOI: 10.3390/jof10010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The current increase in resistance to antifungal drugs indicates that there is an urgent need to explore novel antifungal drugs with different mechanisms of action. Phosundoxin is a biphenyl aliphatic amide using a TPP-targeting strategy which targets mitochondria. To provide insights into the antifungal activities of phosundoxin, the antifungal susceptibility testing of phosundoxin was conducted on 158 pathogenic fungi and compared to that of traditional azole drugs. Phosundoxin displayed a broad-spectrum antifungal activity on all the tested yeast-like and filamentous fungi ranging from 2 to 16 mg/L. In particular, azole-resistant clinical isolates of Candida albicans were susceptible to phosundoxin with the same MICs as azole-susceptible C. albicans. Transcriptome analysis on azole-resistant C. albicans identified 554 DEGs after treatment with phosundoxin. By integrating GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, the antifungal activity of phosundoxin was related to impairment of mitochondrial respiratory chain function. Acute oral and percutaneous toxicity of phosundoxin to rats showed that the compound phosundoxin were mild toxicity and LD50 was above 5000 mg/kg body weight in rats. This study demonstrated the potential of phosundoxin as an antifungal agent for the treatment of common fungal infection and contributed to providing insights into the mechanisms of action of phosundoxin against C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (S.Z.)
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Joint Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yuanyuan Geng
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (S.Z.)
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Joint Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Bin Wei
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (S.Z.)
| | - Yangzhen Lu
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (S.Z.)
| | - Lihua He
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (S.Z.)
| | - Fei Zhao
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (S.Z.)
| | - Jianzhong Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (S.Z.)
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Joint Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zhaohai Qin
- College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jie Gong
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (S.Z.)
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Joint Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 102206, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Recovery and Reconstruction of Degraded Ecosystem in Wanjiang Basin Co-Founded by Anhui Province and Ministry of Education, School of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241002, China
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24
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Khalifa HO, Watanabe A, Kamei K. Antifungal Resistance and Genotyping of Clinical Candida parapsilosis Complex in Japan. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 10:4. [PMID: 38276020 PMCID: PMC10816931 DOI: 10.3390/jof10010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-albicans Candida infections have recently gained worldwide attention due to their intrinsic resistance to different antifungal agents and the limited therapeutic options for treating them. Although the Candida parapsilosis complex is reported to be the second or third most prevalent Candida spp., little information is available on the prevalence of antifungal resistance along with genotyping of the C. parapsilosis complex. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of antifungal resistance, the genetic basis of such resistance, and the genotyping of C. parapsilosis complex isolates that were recovered from hospitalized patients in Japan from 2005 to 2019. Our results indicated that, with the exception of one single C. metapsilosis isolate that was dose-dependently susceptible to fluconazole, all other isolates were susceptible or showed wild phenotypes to all tested antifungals, including azoles, echinocandins, amphotericin B, and flucytosine. Molecular analyses for azole and echinocandin resistance via evaluating ERG11 mutation and FKS1 hotspot one (HS1) and hotspot two (HS2) mutations, respectively, confirmed the phenotypic results. Genotyping of our isolates confirmed that they belong to 53 different but closely related genotypes, with a similarity percentage of up to 90%. Our results are of significant concern, since understanding the genetic basis of echinocandin resistance in the C. parapsilosis complex as well their genotyping is essential for directing targeted therapy, identifying probable infection sources, and developing strategies for overcoming epidemic spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazim O. Khalifa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 1555, United Arab Emirates
- Medical Mycology Research Centre, Division of Clinical Research, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8673, Japan; (A.W.); (K.K.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt
| | - Akira Watanabe
- Medical Mycology Research Centre, Division of Clinical Research, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8673, Japan; (A.W.); (K.K.)
| | - Katsuhiko Kamei
- Medical Mycology Research Centre, Division of Clinical Research, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8673, Japan; (A.W.); (K.K.)
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25
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Abramov VM, Kosarev IV, Machulin AV, Priputnevich TV, Deryusheva EI, Panin AN, Chikileva IO, Abashina TN, Melnikov VG, Suzina NE, Nikonov IN, Akhmetzyanova AA, Khlebnikov VS, Sakulin VK, Vasilenko RN, Samoilenko VA, Gordeev AB, Sukhikh GT, Uversky VN, Karlyshev AV. Protective Properties of S-layer Protein 2 from Lactobacillus crispatus 2029 against Candida albicans Infections. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1740. [PMID: 38136611 PMCID: PMC10741940 DOI: 10.3390/biom13121740] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Previously, the protective role of the S-layer protein 2 (Slp2) of the vaginal Lactobacillus crispatus 2029 (LC2029) strain against foodborne pathogens Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis, and Escherichia coli O157:H was demonstrated. We demonstrate the new roles of the Slp2-positive LC2029 strain and soluble Slp2 against C. albicans infections. We show that LC2029 bacteria can adhere to the surface of the cervical epithelial HeLa cells, prevent their contact with C. albicans, and block yeast transition to a pathogenic hyphal form. Surface-bound Slp2 provides the ability for LC2029 to co-aggregate with various C. albicans strains, including clinical isolates. C. albicans-induced necrotizing epithelial damage is reduced by colonization with the Slp2-positive LC2029 strain. Slp2 inhibits the adhesion of various strains of C. albicans to different human epithelial cells, blocks yeast transition to a pathogenic hyphal form, and prevents the colonization and pathogenic infiltration of mucosal barriers. Only Slp2 and LC2029 bacteria stimulate the production of protective human β-defensin 3 in various epithelial cells. These findings support the anti-Candida albicans potential of the probiotic LC2029 strain and Slp2 and form the basis for further research on their ability to prevent and manage invasive Candida infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vyacheslav M. Abramov
- Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) Federal State Budgetary Institution “The Russian State Center for Animal Feed and Drug Standardization and Quality” (FGBU VGNKI), 123022 Moscow, Russia (A.N.P.)
- Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Igor V. Kosarev
- Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) Federal State Budgetary Institution “The Russian State Center for Animal Feed and Drug Standardization and Quality” (FGBU VGNKI), 123022 Moscow, Russia (A.N.P.)
- Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey V. Machulin
- Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of Russian Academy of Science”, Russian Academy of Science, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
| | - Tatiana V. Priputnevich
- Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Evgenia I. Deryusheva
- Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of Russian Academy of Science”, Russian Academy of Science, 142290 Pushchino, Russia;
| | - Alexander N. Panin
- Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) Federal State Budgetary Institution “The Russian State Center for Animal Feed and Drug Standardization and Quality” (FGBU VGNKI), 123022 Moscow, Russia (A.N.P.)
| | - Irina O. Chikileva
- Laboratory of Cell Immunity, Blokhin National Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health RF, 115478 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Tatiana N. Abashina
- Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of Russian Academy of Science”, Russian Academy of Science, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
| | - Vyacheslav G. Melnikov
- Gabrichevsky Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, 125212 Moscow, Russia
| | - Nataliya E. Suzina
- Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of Russian Academy of Science”, Russian Academy of Science, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
| | - Ilia N. Nikonov
- Federal State Educational Institution of Higher Professional Education Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology Named after K.I. Skryabin, 109472 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna A. Akhmetzyanova
- Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) Federal State Budgetary Institution “The Russian State Center for Animal Feed and Drug Standardization and Quality” (FGBU VGNKI), 123022 Moscow, Russia (A.N.P.)
| | | | - Vadim K. Sakulin
- Institute of Immunological Engineering, 142380 Lyubuchany, Russia (R.N.V.)
| | - Raisa N. Vasilenko
- Institute of Immunological Engineering, 142380 Lyubuchany, Russia (R.N.V.)
| | - Vladimir A. Samoilenko
- Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of Russian Academy of Science”, Russian Academy of Science, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
| | - Alexey B. Gordeev
- Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Gennady T. Sukhikh
- Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir N. Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA;
| | - Andrey V. Karlyshev
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education, Kingston University London, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2EE, UK;
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26
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Du Toit A. Sticky Candida auris. Nat Rev Microbiol 2023; 21:770. [PMID: 37833327 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-023-00986-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
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27
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Pattelli ON, Diec DDL, Guo W, Russi S, Fernandez D. Targeting Aspergillus allergen oryzin with a chemical probe at atomic precision. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17926. [PMID: 37864071 PMCID: PMC10589352 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45028-z] [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: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
We report the molecular basis of Aspergillus fumigatus oryzin, allergen Asp f 13, or alkaline proteinase ALP1, containing the sequence motif His-Asp-Ser of the subtilisin family, structure, and function at atomic detail. Given the resolution of the data (1.06 Å), we use fragment molecular replacement with ideal polyalanine α-helices to determine the first crystal structure of oryzin. We probe the catalytic serine through formation of an irreversible bond to a small molecule compound, specifically labeling it, describing the amino acid residues performing the catalytic function. Defined by a self-processed pro-peptide, the active site architecture shapes up pocket-like subsites that bind to and unveil the S1'-S4' substrate binding preferences. We use molecular modeling to dock a model of the pro-peptide in the S1-S4 region and to dock collagen along the active site cleft. Opposite to the face harboring the catalytic serine, the enzyme binds to a calcium ion in a binding site created by backbone flipping. We use thermal unfolding to show that this metal ion provides structural stability. With no known host inhibitor identified thus far, this structure may hasten the progress of developing new therapeutic agents for diseases caused by pathogenic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia N Pattelli
- Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Macromolecular Structure Knowledge Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 93405, USA
| | - Dinh Dinh Ly Diec
- Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Macromolecular Structure Knowledge Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 93405, USA
| | - Wanting Guo
- Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Macromolecular Structure Knowledge Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 93405, USA
| | - Silvia Russi
- Structural Molecular Biology Group, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, 94205, USA
| | - Daniel Fernandez
- Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Macromolecular Structure Knowledge Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 93405, USA.
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