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Martin H, Goyard D, Margalit A, Doherty K, Renaudet O, Kavanagh K, Velasco-Torrijos T. Multivalent Presentations of Glycomimetic Inhibitor of the Adhesion of Fungal Pathogen Candida albicans to Human Buccal Epithelial Cells. Bioconjug Chem 2021; 32:971-982. [PMID: 33887134 PMCID: PMC8154258 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.1c00115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans causes some of the most prevalent hospital-acquired fungal infections, particularly threatening for immunocompromised patients. C. albicans strongly adheres to the surface of epithelial cells so that subsequent colonization and biofilm formation can take place. Divalent galactoside glycomimetic 1 was found to be a potent inhibitor of the adhesion of C. albicans to buccal epithelial cells. In this work, we explore the effect of multivalent presentations of glycomimetic 1 on its ability to inhibit yeast adhesion and biofilm formation. Tetra-, hexa-, and hexadecavalent displays of compound 1 were built on RAFT cyclopeptide- and polylysine-based scaffolds with a highly efficient and modular synthesis. Biological evaluation revealed that the scaffold choice significantly influences the activity of the lower valency conjugates, with compound 16, constructed on a tetravalent polylysine scaffold, found to inhibit the adhesion of C. albicans to human buccal epithelial cells more effectively than the glycomimetic 1; however, the latter performed better in the biofilm reduction assays. Interestingly, the higher valency glycoconjugates did not outperform the anti-adhesion activity of the original compound 1, and no significant effect of the core scaffold could be appreciated. SEM images of C. albicans cells treated with compounds 1, 14, and 16 revealed significant differences in the aggregation patterns of the yeast cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harlei Martin
- Department
of Chemistry, Maynooth University, Maynooth, W23VP22, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - David Goyard
- DCM,
UMR 5250, Université Grenoble Alpes,
CNRS, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Anatte Margalit
- Department
of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, W23VP22, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Kyle Doherty
- Department
of Chemistry, Maynooth University, Maynooth, W23VP22, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Olivier Renaudet
- DCM,
UMR 5250, Université Grenoble Alpes,
CNRS, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Kevin Kavanagh
- Department
of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, W23VP22, Co. Kildare, Ireland
- The
Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University, Maynooth, W23VP22, Co.
Kildare, Ireland
| | - Trinidad Velasco-Torrijos
- Department
of Chemistry, Maynooth University, Maynooth, W23VP22, Co. Kildare, Ireland
- The
Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University, Maynooth, W23VP22, Co.
Kildare, Ireland
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Abstract
Fungal infections with increasing resistance to conventional therapies are a growing concern. Candida albicans is a major opportunistic yeast responsible for mucosal and invasive infections. Targeting the initial step of the infection process (i.e., C. albicans adhesion to the host cell) is a promising strategy. A wide variety of molecules can interfere with adhesion processes via an assortment of mechanisms. Herein, we focus on how small molecules disrupt biosynthesis of fungal cell wall components and membrane structure, prevent the localization of GPI-anchor proteins, inhibit production of enzymes involved in adhesion, downregulate genes encoding adhesins and competitively inhibit receptor interactions. As a result, adhesion of C. albicans to host cells is reduced, paving the way to new classes of antifungal agents.
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