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Wang H, Li H, Liu Z, Zhu Z, Cao Y. Activity of thonningianin A against Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:96. [PMID: 38212967 PMCID: PMC10784352 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12996-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Fungal infections are increasing rapidly, and antifungal agents used in clinics are limited. Therefore, novel antifungal agents with high efficiency are urgently required. In this study, we investigated the antifungal activity of thonningianin A (THA), a natural compound that is widely found in plants. We first determined the activity of THA against Candida albicans, one of the most common fungal pathogens, and found that THA showed antifungal activity against all C. albicans tested, including several fluconazole-resistant isolates. THA also inhibits the growth of non-Candida albicans species. In addition, THA displayed antibiofilm activity and could not only inhibit biofilm formation but also destroy mature biofilms. The in vivo antifungal efficacy of THA was confirmed in a Galleria mellonella infection model. Further studies revealed that THA could enhance intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and regulate the transcription of several redox-related genes. Specifically, caspase activity and expression of CaMCA1, a caspase-encoding gene in C. albicans, were remarkably increased upon THA treatment. Consistent with this, in the presence of THA, the Camca1 null mutant displayed higher survival rates and reduced caspase activity compared to the wild-type or CaMCA1-reintroduced strains, indicating an important role of CaMCA1 in the antifungal activity of THA. Taken together, our results indicate that THA possesses excellent antifungal activity and may be a promising novel antifungal candidate. KEY POINTS: • THA exhibits activity against Candida species, including fluconazole-resistant isolates • THA inhibits biofilm formation and destroys mature biofilm • Elevated ROS production and CaMCA1-mediated caspase activity are involved in the antifungal mechanisms of THA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200443, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Dermatology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - ZhiWei Liu
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200443, China
| | - ZhenYu Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - YingYing Cao
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200443, China.
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200443, China.
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2
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de Paiva Macedo J, Dias VC. Antifungal resistance: why are we losing this battle? Future Microbiol 2024; 19:1027-1040. [PMID: 38904325 PMCID: PMC11318685 DOI: 10.1080/17460913.2024.2342150] [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: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The emergence of fungal pathogens and changes in the epidemiological landscape are prevalent issues in clinical mycology. Reports of resistance to antifungals have been reported. This review aims to evaluate molecular and nonmolecular mechanisms related to antifungal resistance. Mutations in the ERG genes and overexpression of the efflux pump (MDR1, CDR1 and CDR2 genes) were the most reported molecular mechanisms of resistance in clinical isolates, mainly related to Azoles. For echinocandins, a molecular mechanism described was mutation in the FSK genes. Furthermore, nonmolecular virulence factors contributed to therapeutic failure, such as biofilm formation and selective pressure due to previous exposure to antifungals. Thus, there are many public health challenges in treating fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamile de Paiva Macedo
- Master's Student in Biological Science, Federal University of Juiz de Fora – UFJF Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n, São Pedro, Juiz de Fora, MG 36036 900, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Cordeiro Dias
- Department of Parasitology, Microbiology & Immunology Federal University of Juiz de Fora – UFJF Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n, São Pedro, Juiz de Fora, MG 36036 900, Brazil
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3
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de Jongh CA, Bikker FJ, de Vries TJ, Werner A, Gibbs S, Krom BP. Porphyromonas gingivalis interaction with Candida albicans allows for aerobic escape, virulence and adherence. Biofilm 2024; 7:100172. [PMID: 38226024 PMCID: PMC10788424 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2023.100172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
In the oral cavity Candida albicans interacts with many oral bacteria, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, both physically and metabolically. The aim of this in vitro study was to characterize these interactions and study their effects on the survival of P. gingivalis. First, metabolic interactions were evaluated by counting the colony forming units (CFU) after co-culturing. The results indicated that the anaerobic bacterium P. gingivalis survives under aerobic conditions when co-cultured with C. albicans. This is due to the oxygen consumption by C. albicans as determined by a reduction in survival upon the addition of Antimycin A. By measuring the protease activity, it was found that the presence of C. albicans induced gingipain activity by P. gingivalis, which is an important virulence factor. Adherence of P. gingivalis to hyphae of C. albicans was observed with a dynamic flow system. Using various C. albicans mutants, it was shown that the mechanism of adhesion was mediated by the cell wall adhesins, members of the agglutinin-like sequence (Als) family: Als3 and Als1. Furthermore, the two microorganisms could be co-cultured into forming a biofilm in which P. gingivalis can survive under aerobic culturing conditions, which was imaged using scanning electron microscopy. This study has further elucidated mechanisms of interaction, virulence acquisition and survival of P. gingivalis when co-cultured with C. albicans. Such survival could be essential for the pathogenicity of P. gingivalis in the oxygen-rich niches of the oral cavity. This study has emphasized the importance of interaction between different microbes in promoting survival, virulence and attachment of pathogens, which could be essential in facilitating penetration into the environment of the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline A. de Jongh
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Oral Biochemistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Periodontology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Oral Cell Biology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Floris J. Bikker
- Department of Oral Biochemistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Teun J. de Vries
- Department of Periodontology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Arie Werner
- Department of Dental Materials Science, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Susan Gibbs
- Department of Oral Cell Biology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bastiaan P. Krom
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Wang TW, Sofras D, Montelongo-Jauregui D, Paiva TO, Carolus H, Dufrêne YF, Alfaifi AA, McCracken C, Bruno VM, Van Dijck P, Jabra-Rizk MA. Functional Redundancy in Candida auris Cell Surface Adhesins Crucial for Cell-Cell Interaction and Aggregation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.21.586120. [PMID: 38562758 PMCID: PMC10983922 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.21.586120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Candida auris is an emerging nosocomial fungal pathogen associated with life-threatening invasive disease due to its persistent colonization, high level of transmissibility and multi-drug resistance. Aggregative and non-aggregative growth phenotypes for C. auris strains with different biofilm forming abilities, drug susceptibilities and virulence characteristics have been described. Using comprehensive transcriptional analysis we identified key cell surface adhesins that were highly upregulated in the aggregative phenotype during in vitro and in vivo grown biofilms using a mouse model of catheter infection. Phenotypic and functional evaluations of generated null mutants demonstrated crucial roles for the adhesins Als5 and Scf1 in mediating cell-cell adherence, coaggregation and biofilm formation. While individual mutants were largely non-aggregative, in combination cells were able to co-adhere and aggregate, as directly demonstrated by measuring cell adhesion forces using single-cell atomic force spectroscopy. This co-adherence indicates their role as complementary adhesins, which despite their limited similarity, may function redundantly to promote cell-cell interaction and biofilm formation. Functional diversity of cell wall proteins may be a form of regulation that provides the aggregative phenotype of C. auris with flexibility and rapid adaptation to the environment, potentially impacting persistence and virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan W. Wang
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Dimitrios Sofras
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daniel Montelongo-Jauregui
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Telmo O. Paiva
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, UCLouvain, Croix du Sud, 4-5, L7.07.07, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Hans Carolus
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yves F. Dufrêne
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, UCLouvain, Croix du Sud, 4-5, L7.07.07, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Areej A. Alfaifi
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Carrie McCracken
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Vincent M. Bruno
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Patrick Van Dijck
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mary Ann Jabra-Rizk
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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Hefny ZA, Ji B, Elsemman IE, Nielsen J, Van Dijck P. Transcriptomic meta-analysis to identify potential antifungal targets in Candida albicans. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:66. [PMID: 38413885 PMCID: PMC10898158 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03213-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Candida albicans is a fungal pathogen causing human infections. Here we investigated differential gene expression patterns and functional enrichment in C. albicans strains grown under different conditions. METHODS A systematic GEO database search identified 239 "Candida albicans" datasets, of which 14 were selected after rigorous criteria application. Retrieval of raw sequencing data from the ENA database was accompanied by essential metadata extraction from dataset descriptions and original articles. Pre-processing via the tailored nf-core pipeline for C. albicans involved alignment, gene/transcript quantification, and diverse quality control measures. Quality assessment via PCA and DESeq2 identified significant genes (FDR < = 0.05, log2-fold change > = 1 or <= -1), while topGO conducted GO term enrichment analysis. Exclusions were made based on data quality and strain relevance, resulting in the selection of seven datasets from the SC5314 strain background for in-depth investigation. RESULTS The meta-analysis of seven selected studies unveiled a substantial number of genes exhibiting significant up-regulation (24,689) and down-regulation (18,074). These differentially expressed genes were further categorized into 2,497 significantly up-regulated and 2,573 significantly down-regulated Gene Ontology (GO) IDs. GO term enrichment analysis clustered these terms into distinct groups, providing insights into the functional implications. Three target gene lists were compiled based on previous studies, focusing on central metabolism, ion homeostasis, and pathogenicity. Frequency analysis revealed genes with higher occurrence within the identified GO clusters, suggesting their potential as antifungal targets. Notably, the genes TPS2, TPS1, RIM21, PRA1, SAP4, and SAP6 exhibited higher frequencies within the clusters. Through frequency analysis within the GO clusters, several key genes emerged as potential targets for antifungal therapies. These include RSP5, GLC7, SOD2, SOD5, SOD1, SOD6, SOD4, SOD3, and RIM101 which exhibited higher occurrence within the identified clusters. CONCLUSION This comprehensive study significantly advances our understanding of the dynamic nature of gene expression in C. albicans. The identification of genes with enhanced potential as antifungal drug targets underpins their value for future interventions. The highlighted genes, including TPS2, TPS1, RIM21, PRA1, SAP4, SAP6, RSP5, GLC7, SOD2, SOD5, SOD1, SOD6, SOD4, SOD3, and RIM101, hold promise for the development of targeted antifungal therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Abdelmoghis Hefny
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, Leuven, B-3001, Belgium
| | - Boyang Ji
- BioInnovation Institute, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, Copenhagen, DK2200, Denmark
| | - Ibrahim E Elsemman
- Department of Information Systems, Faculty of Computers and Information, Assiut University, Assiut, 2071515, Egypt
| | - Jens Nielsen
- BioInnovation Institute, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, Copenhagen, DK2200, Denmark.
- Department of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Kemivägen 10, SE41296, Gothenburg, SE41296, Sweden.
| | - Patrick Van Dijck
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, Leuven, B-3001, Belgium.
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Bednarek A, Satala D, Zawrotniak M, Nobbs AH, Rapala-Kozik M, Kozik A. Glyceraldehyde 3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase on the Surface of Candida albicans and Nakaseomyces glabratus Cells-A Moonlighting Protein That Binds Human Vitronectin and Plasminogen and Can Adsorb to Pathogenic Fungal Cells via Major Adhesins Als3 and Epa6. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1013. [PMID: 38256088 PMCID: PMC10815899 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021013] [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: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans and other closely related pathogenic yeast-like fungi carry on their surface numerous loosely adsorbed "moonlighting proteins"-proteins that play evolutionarily conserved intracellular functions but also appear on the cell surface and exhibit additional functions, e.g., contributing to attachment to host tissues. In the current work, we characterized this "moonlighting" role for glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH, EC 1.2.1.12) of C. albicans and Nakaseomyces glabratus. GAPDH was directly visualized on the cell surface of both species and shown to play a significant part in the total capacity of fungal cells to bind two selected human host proteins-vitronectin and plasminogen. Using purified proteins, both host proteins were found to tightly interact with GAPDH, with dissociation constants in an order of 10-8 M, as determined by bio-layer interferometry and surface plasmon resonance measurements. It was also shown that exogenous GAPDH tightly adheres to the surface of candidal cells, suggesting that the cell surface location of this moonlighting protein may partly result from the readsorption of its soluble form, which may be present at an infection site (e.g., due to release from dying fungal cells). The major dedicated adhesins, covalently bound to the cell wall-agglutinin-like sequence protein 3 (Als3) and epithelial adhesin 6 (Epa6)-were suggested to serve as the docking platforms for GAPDH in C. albicans and N. glabratus, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Bednarek
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland;
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (D.S.); (M.Z.); (M.R.-K.)
| | - Dorota Satala
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (D.S.); (M.Z.); (M.R.-K.)
| | - Marcin Zawrotniak
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (D.S.); (M.Z.); (M.R.-K.)
| | - Angela H. Nobbs
- Bristol Dental School Research Laboratories, University of Bristol, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, Whitson Street, Bristol BS1 3NY, UK;
| | - Maria Rapala-Kozik
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (D.S.); (M.Z.); (M.R.-K.)
| | - Andrzej Kozik
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland;
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Dhanasekaran S, Pushparaj Selvadoss P, Sundar Manoharan S, Jeyabalan S, Devi Rajeswari V. Revealing anti-fungal potential of plant-derived bioactive therapeutics in targeting secreted aspartyl proteinase (SAP) of Candida albicans: a molecular dynamics approach. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:710-724. [PMID: 37021476 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2196703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Candida species have established themselves as a major source of nosocomial infections. Increased expression of secreted aspartyl proteinases (SAP5) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Candida species. Phytotherapeutics continue to serve as a viable resource for discovering novel antifungal agents. Hence the main aim of the present investigation is to explore the possible inhibitory role of the selected bioactive molecules against the SAP5 enzyme of C. albicans using in silico approach. Molecular docking and dynamic simulations were utilized to predict the binding affinity of the lead molecules using the AutoDock and Gromacs in-silico screening tools. Results of preliminary docking simulations show that the compounds hesperidin, vitexin, berberine, adhatodine, piperine, and chlorogenic acid exhibit significant interactions with the core catalytic residues of the target protein. The best binding ligands (hesperidin, vitexin, fluconazole) were subjected to molecular dynamics (MD) and essential dynamics of the trajectories. Results of the MD simulation confirm that the ligand-protein complexes became more stable from 20 ns until 100 ns. The calculated residue-level contributions to the interaction energy along a steady simulation trajectory of all three hits (hesperidin (-132.720 kJ/mol), vitexin (-83.963 kJ/mol) and fluconazole (-98.864 kJ/mol)) ensure greater stability of the leads near the catalytic region. Essential dynamics of PCA and DCCM analysis signifies that the binding of hesperidin and vitexin created a more structurally stable environment in the protein target. The overall outcomes of this study clearly emphasize that the bioactive therapeutics found in medicinal herbs may have remarkable scope in managing Candida infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Srikanth Jeyabalan
- Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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8
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Zhu X, Wang A, Zheng Y, Li D, Wei Y, Gan M, Li Y, Si S. Anti-Biofilm Activity of Cocultimycin A against Candida albicans. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17026. [PMID: 38069349 PMCID: PMC10707031 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans (C. albicans), the most common fungal pathogen, has the ability to form a biofilm, leading to enhanced virulence and antibiotic resistance. Cocultimycin A, a novel antifungal antibiotic isolated from the co-culture of two marine fungi, exhibited a potent inhibitory effect on planktonic C. albicans cells. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-biofilm activity of cocultimycin A against C. albicans and explore its underlying mechanism. Crystal violet staining showed that cocultimycin A remarkably inhibited biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner and disrupted mature biofilms at higher concentrations. However, the metabolic activity of mature biofilms treated with lower concentrations of cocultimycin A significantly decreased when using the XTT reduction method. Cocultimycin A could inhibit yeast-to-hypha transition and mycelium formation of C. albicans colonies, which was observed through the use of a light microscope. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that biofilms treated with cocultimycin A were disrupted, yeast cells increased, and hypha cells decreased and significantly shortened. The adhesive ability of C. albicans cells treated with cocultimycin A to the medium and HOEC cells significantly decreased. Through the use of a qRT-PCR assay, the expression of multiple genes related to adhesion, hyphal formation and cell membrane changes in relation to biofilm cells treated with cocultimycin A. All these results suggested that cocultimycin A may be considered a potential novel molecule for treating and preventing biofilm-related C. albicans infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Maoluo Gan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China; (X.Z.); (A.W.); (Y.Z.); (D.L.); (Y.W.); (S.S.)
| | - Yan Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China; (X.Z.); (A.W.); (Y.Z.); (D.L.); (Y.W.); (S.S.)
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Horton MV, Holt AM, Nett JE. Mechanisms of pathogenicity for the emerging fungus Candida auris. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011843. [PMID: 38127686 PMCID: PMC10735027 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011843] [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] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris recently emerged as an urgent public health threat, causing outbreaks of invasive infections in healthcare settings throughout the world. This fungal pathogen persists on the skin of patients and on abiotic surfaces despite antiseptic and decolonization attempts. The heightened capacity for skin colonization and environmental persistence promotes rapid nosocomial spread. Following skin colonization, C. auris can gain entrance to the bloodstream and deeper tissues, often through a wound or an inserted medical device, such as a catheter. C. auris possesses a variety of virulence traits, including the capacity for biofilm formation, production of adhesins and proteases, and evasion of innate immune responses. In this review, we highlight the interactions of C. auris with the host, emphasizing the intersection of laboratory studies and clinical observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark V. Horton
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Ashley M. Holt
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Jeniel E. Nett
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
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10
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Ormsby MJ, Akinbobola A, Quilliam RS. Plastic pollution and fungal, protozoan, and helminth pathogens - A neglected environmental and public health issue? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 882:163093. [PMID: 36996975 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Plastic waste is ubiquitous in the environment and can become colonised by distinct microbial biofilm communities, known collectively as the 'plastisphere.' The plastisphere can facilitate the increased survival and dissemination of human pathogenic prokaryotes (e.g., bacteria); however, our understanding of the potential for plastics to harbour and disseminate eukaryotic pathogens is lacking. Eukaryotic microorganisms are abundant in natural environments and represent some of the most important disease-causing agents, collectively responsible for tens of millions of infections, and millions of deaths worldwide. While prokaryotic plastisphere communities in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments are relatively well characterised, such biofilms will also contain eukaryotic species. Here, we critically review the potential for fungal, protozoan, and helminth pathogens to associate with the plastisphere, and consider the regulation and mechanisms of this interaction. As the volume of plastics in the environment continues to rise there is an urgent need to understand the role of the plastisphere for the survival, virulence, dissemination, and transfer of eukaryotic pathogens, and the effect this can have on environmental and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Ormsby
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK.
| | - Ayorinde Akinbobola
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Richard S Quilliam
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
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11
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Martorano-Fernandes L, Goodwine JS, Ricomini-Filho AP, Nobile CJ, Del Bel Cury AA. Candida albicans Adhesins Als1 and Hwp1 Modulate Interactions with Streptococcus mutans. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1391. [PMID: 37374893 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans are known to synergistically interact with each other in the oral cavity. For example, glucosyltransferase B (GtfB), secreted by S. mutans, can bind to the C. albicans cell surface, promoting dual-species biofilm formation. However, the fungal factors mediating interactions with S. mutans are unknown. The C. albicans adhesins Als1, Als3, and Hwp1 are key players in C. albicans single-species biofilm formation, but their roles, if any, in interacting with S. mutans have not been assessed. Here, we investigated the roles of the C. albicans cell wall adhesins Als1, Als3, and Hwp1 on forming dual-species biofilms with S. mutans. We assessed the abilities of the C. albicans wild-type als1Δ/Δ, als3Δ/Δ, als1Δ/Δ/als3Δ/Δ, and hwp1Δ/Δ strains to form dual-species biofilms with S. mutans by measuring optical density, metabolic activity, cell enumeration, biomass, thickness, and architecture of the biofilms. We observed that the C. albicans wild-type strain formed enhanced dual-species biofilms in the presence of S. mutans in these different biofilm assays, confirming that C. albicans and S. mutans synergistically interact in the context of biofilms. Our results reveal that C. albicans Als1 and Hwp1 are major players in interacting with S. mutans, since dual-species biofilm formation was not enhanced when the als1Δ/Δ or hwp1Δ/Δ strains were cultured with S. mutans in dual-species biofilms. Als3, however, does not seem to play a clear role in interacting with S. mutans in dual-species biofilm formation. Overall, our data suggest that the C. albicans adhesins Als1 and Hwp1 function to modulate interactions with S. mutans and could be potential targets for future therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loyse Martorano-Fernandes
- Department of Prosthodontics and Periodontology, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba 13414-903, SP, Brazil
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - James S Goodwine
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Antônio Pedro Ricomini-Filho
- Department of Physiological Science, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba 13414-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Clarissa J Nobile
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
- Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Altair Antoninha Del Bel Cury
- Department of Prosthodontics and Periodontology, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba 13414-903, SP, Brazil
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12
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Alvarado M, Gómez-Navajas JA, Blázquez-Muñoz MT, Gómez-Molero E, Berbegal C, Eraso E, Kramer G, De Groot PWJ. Integrated post-genomic cell wall analysis reveals floating biofilm formation associated with high expression of flocculins in the pathogen Pichia kudriavzevii. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011158. [PMID: 37196016 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathogenic yeast Pichia kudriavzevii, previously known as Candida krusei, is more distantly related to Candida albicans than clinically relevant CTG-clade Candida species. Its cell wall, a dynamic organelle that is the first point of interaction between pathogen and host, is relatively understudied, and its wall proteome remains unidentified to date. Here, we present an integrated study of the cell wall in P. kudriavzevii. Our comparative genomic studies and experimental data indicate that the general structure of the cell wall in P. kudriavzevii is similar to Saccharomyces cerevisiae and C. albicans and is comprised of β-1,3-glucan, β-1,6-glucan, chitin, and mannoproteins. However, some pronounced differences with C. albicans walls were observed, for instance, higher mannan and protein levels and altered protein mannosylation patterns. Further, despite absence of proteins with high sequence similarity to Candida adhesins, protein structure modeling identified eleven proteins related to flocculins/adhesins in S. cerevisiae or C. albicans. To obtain a proteomic comparison of biofilm and planktonic cells, P. kudriavzevii cells were grown to exponential phase and in static 24-h cultures. Interestingly, the 24-h static cultures of P. kudriavzevii yielded formation of floating biofilm (flor) rather than adherence to polystyrene at the bottom. The proteomic analysis of both conditions identified a total of 33 cell wall proteins. In line with a possible role in flor formation, increased abundance of flocculins, in particular Flo110, was observed in the floating biofilm compared to exponential cells. This study is the first to provide a detailed description of the cell wall in P. kudriavzevii including its cell wall proteome, and paves the way for further investigations on the importance of flor formation and flocculins in the pathogenesis of P. kudriavzevii.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Alvarado
- Regional Center for Biomedical Research, Castilla-La Mancha Science & Technology Park, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | - Jesús Alberto Gómez-Navajas
- Regional Center for Biomedical Research, Castilla-La Mancha Science & Technology Park, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | - María Teresa Blázquez-Muñoz
- Regional Center for Biomedical Research, Castilla-La Mancha Science & Technology Park, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | - Emilia Gómez-Molero
- Regional Center for Biomedical Research, Castilla-La Mancha Science & Technology Park, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | - Carmen Berbegal
- ENOLAB, Estructura de Recerca Interdisciplinar (ERI) BioTecMed and Departament de Microbiologia i Ecología, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Elena Eraso
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bilbao, Spain
| | - Gertjan Kramer
- Mass Spectrometry of Biomolecules, University of Amsterdam, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Piet W J De Groot
- Regional Center for Biomedical Research, Castilla-La Mancha Science & Technology Park, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
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13
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Dhanasekaran S, Selvadoss PP, Manoharan SS. Anti-Fungal Potential of Structurally Diverse FDA-Approved Therapeutics Targeting Secreted Aspartyl Proteinase (SAP) of Candida albicans: an In Silico Drug Repurposing Approach. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2023; 195:1983-1998. [PMID: 36401722 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-022-04207-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, candidiasis attains major clinical importance due to its unique pathogenic strategy, which distinguishes it from other nosocomial infections. Secreted aspartyl proteinases (SAPs) is a hydrolytic enzyme secreted by Candida species that mediate versatile biological activity including hyphal formation, adherence, biofilm formation, phenotypic adaptation, etc. Emerging clinical evidence strongly suggested that conventional anti-fungal agent's are often prone to high level of resistance upon repeated exposure. Drug repurposing is an ideal strategy that shall impose the additional clinical benefits of the already approved molecules. Hence, through this realistic pathway, the potential of the suitable lead candidates will be explored in order to prolong the life span of existing molecules thereby need for newer therapeutics shall be avoided. The main aim of the present investigation is to determine the enzyme inhibitory potential of certain FDA-approved antibiotics and to validate its efficacy against the virulent enzyme secreted aspartyl proteinase (SAP) of Candida albicans via the AutoDock simulation program. The outcome of in silico dynamic simulations depicts that the drugs such as gentamicin, clindamycin, meropenem, metronidazole, and aztreonam emphasize superior binding affinity in terms of demonstrating considerable interaction with the core catalytic residues (Asp 32, Asp86, Asp 218, Gly220, Thr 221, and Thr 222). Data further indicates that the drug gentamicin exhibited best binding affinity of - 14.16 kcal/mol followed by meropenem (- 9.20 kcal/mol), clindamycin (- 9.00 kcal/mol), ciprofloxacin (- 8.95 kcal/mol), and imipenem (- 8.00 kcal/mol). In conclusion, repurposed antibiotics like gentamicin, clindamycin, meropenem, metronidazole, and aztreonam shall be considered an alternate drug of choice for the clinical management of drug resistant candida infections in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sivaraman Dhanasekaran
- Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Knowledge Corridor, Raisan Village, PDPU Road, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382426, India.
| | - Pradeep Pushparaj Selvadoss
- Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Knowledge Corridor, Raisan Village, PDPU Road, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382426, India
| | - Solomon Sundar Manoharan
- Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Knowledge Corridor, Raisan Village, PDPU Road, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382426, India
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14
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do Rosário Esteves Guimarães C, de Freitas HF, Barros TF. Candida albicans antibiofilm molecules: analysis based on inhibition and eradication studies. Braz J Microbiol 2023; 54:37-52. [PMID: 36576671 PMCID: PMC9944165 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-022-00876-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilms are communities of microbial cells surrounded by an extracellular polysaccharide matrix, recognized as a fungal source for local and systemic infections and less susceptible to antifungal drugs. Thus, treatment of biofilm-related Candida spp. infections with popular antifungals such as fluconazole is limited and species-dependent and alternatively demands the use of expensive and high toxic drugs. In this sense, molecules with antibiofilm activity have been studied but without care regarding the use of important criteria such as antibiofilm concentration lower than antifungal concentration when considering the process of inhibition of formation and concentrations equal to or lower than 300 µM. Therefore, this review tries to gather the most promising molecules regarding the activity against the C. albicans biofilm described in the last 10 years, considering the activity of inhibition and eradication. From January 2011 to July 2021, articles were searched on Scopus, PubMed, and Science Direct, combining the keywords "antibiofilm," "candida albicans," "compound," and "molecule" with AND and OR operators. After 3 phases of selection, 21 articles describing 42 molecules were discussed in the review. Most of them were more promising for the inhibition of biofilm formation, with SM21 (24) being an interesting molecule for presenting inhibitory and eradication activity in biofilms with 24 and 48 h, as well as alizarin (26) and chrysazine (27), with concentrations well below the antifungal concentration. Despite the detection of these molecules and the attempts to determine the mechanisms of action by microscopic analysis and gene expression, no specific target has been determined. Thus, a gap is signaled, requiring further studies such as proteomic analyses to clarify it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina do Rosário Esteves Guimarães
- Post-Graduation Program in Pharmacy, Pharmacy College, Federal University of Bahia, Barão de Geremoabo Street, 147, Ondina, Salvador, Bahia CEP, 40170115, Brazil
| | - Humberto Fonseca de Freitas
- Post-Graduation Program in Pharmacy, Pharmacy College, Federal University of Bahia, Barão de Geremoabo Street, 147, Ondina, Salvador, Bahia CEP, 40170115, Brazil
| | - Tânia Fraga Barros
- Post-Graduation Program in Pharmacy, Pharmacy College, Federal University of Bahia, Barão de Geremoabo Street, 147, Ondina, Salvador, Bahia CEP, 40170115, Brazil.
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15
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Jacobsen ID. The Role of Host and Fungal Factors in the Commensal-to-Pathogen Transition of Candida albicans. CURRENT CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2023; 10:55-65. [PMID: 37151578 PMCID: PMC10154278 DOI: 10.1007/s40588-023-00190-w] [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] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Abstract Purpose of Review The fungus Candida albicans has evolved to live in close association with warm-blooded hosts and is found frequently on mucosal surfaces of healthy humans. As an opportunistic pathogen, C. albicans can also cause mucosal and disseminated infections (candidiasis). This review describes the features that differentiate the fungus in the commensal versus pathogenic state and the main factors underlying C. albicans commensal-to-pathogen transition. Recent Findings Adhesion, invasion, and tissue damage are critical steps in the infection process. Especially invasion and damage require transcriptional and morphological changes that differentiate C. albicans in the pathogenic from the commensal state. While the commensal-to-pathogen transition has some conserved causes and features in the oral cavity, the female urogenital tract, and the gut, site-specific differences have been identified in recent years. Summary This review highlights how specific factors in the different mucosal niches affect development of candidiasis. Recent evidence suggests that colonization of the gut is not only a risk factor for systemic candidiasis but might also provide beneficial effects to the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilse D. Jacobsen
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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16
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Couttenier E, Bachellier-Bassi S, d'Enfert C, Villard C. Bending stiffness of Candida albicans hyphae as a proxy of cell wall properties. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:3898-3909. [PMID: 36094162 PMCID: PMC9552746 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00219a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The cell wall is a key component of fungi. It constitutes a highly regulated viscoelastic shell which counteracts internal cell turgor pressure. Its mechanical properties thus contribute to define cell morphology. Measurements of the elastic moduli of the fungal cell wall have been carried out in many species including Candida albicans, a major human opportunistic pathogen. They mainly relied on atomic force microscopy, and mostly considered the yeast form. We developed a parallelized pressure-actuated microfluidic device to measure the bending stiffness of hyphae. We found that the cell wall stiffness lies in the MPa range. We then used three different ways to disrupt cell wall physiology: inhibition of beta-glucan synthesis, a key component of the inner cell wall; application of a hyperosmotic shock triggering a sudden decrease of the hyphal diameter; deletion of two genes encoding GPI-modified cell wall proteins resulting in reduced cell wall thickness. The bending stiffness values were affected to different extents by these environmental stresses or genetic modifications. Overall, our results support the elastic nature of the cell wall and its ability to remodel at the scale of the entire hypha over minutes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Couttenier
- Université PSL, Physico-Chimie Curie, CNRS UMR168, F-75005 Paris, France.
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INRAE, USC2019, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Sophie Bachellier-Bassi
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INRAE, USC2019, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Christophe d'Enfert
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INRAE, USC2019, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Catherine Villard
- Université PSL, Physico-Chimie Curie, CNRS UMR168, F-75005 Paris, France.
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17
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Ramos-Viana V, Møller-Hansen I, Kempen P, Borodina I. Modulation of the cell wall protein Ecm33p in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae improves the production of small metabolites. FEMS Yeast Res 2022; 22:6654878. [PMID: 35922083 PMCID: PMC9440718 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foac037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell wall is a dynamic organelle that determines the shape and provides the cell with mechanical strength. This study investigated whether modulation of cell wall composition can influence the production or secretion of small metabolites by yeast cell factories. We deleted and upregulated several cell wall-related genes KRE2, CWP1, CWP2, ECM33, PUN1, and LAS21 in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae engineered for p-coumaric acid or β-carotene production. Deletions of las21∆ and ecm33∆ impaired the yeast growth on medium with cell wall stressors, calcofluor white, and caffeine. Both overexpression and deletion of ECM33 significantly improved the specific yield of p-coumaric acid and β-carotene. We observed no change in secretion in any cell wall altered mutants, suggesting the cell wall is not a limiting factor for small molecule secretion at the current production levels. We evaluated the cell wall morphology of the ECM33 mutant strains using transmission electron microscopy. The ecm33∆ mutants had an increased chitin deposition and a less structured cell wall, while the opposite was observed in ECM33-overexpressing strains. Our results point at the cell wall-related gene ECM33 as a potential target for improving production in engineered yeast cell factories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verónica Ramos-Viana
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Iben Møller-Hansen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Paul Kempen
- Department of Health Technology, Section for Biotherapeutic Engineering and Drug Targeting, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark.,National Centre for Nano Fabrication and Characterization, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Irina Borodina
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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18
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Faria-Gonçalves P, Oliveira AS, Gaspar C, Rodrigues L, Palmeira-de-Oliveira R, Martinez-de-Oliveira J, Gonçalves T, Palmeira-de-Oliveira A, Rolo J. Vulvovaginal Candida albicans Clinical Isolates’ Resistance to Phagocytosis In-Vitro. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12060838. [PMID: 35743869 PMCID: PMC9225182 DOI: 10.3390/life12060838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have revealed that Candida albicans isolates involved in chronic vulvovaginal candidosis (cVVC) phenotypically express less virulent traits than clinical isolates involved in sporadic infections. In this study, we aimed to further explore this finding by studying the behaviour of those same clinical isolates in in-vitro models of infection. Eighteen clinical Candida albicans isolates were collected from women suffering sporadic (eight isolates) or chronic infections (ten isolates). Adhesion to HeLa cells (human cervical cancer epithelial cell line) and resistance to phagocytosis by RAW 264.7 cells (murine macrophages cell line) were tested in-vitro. In addition, phenotypic expression of virulence factors related with either adhesion or resistance to phagocytosis was tested in-vitro. Results indicated that yeast isolates involved in sporadic infection adhered in a higher proportion of HeLa cells than those of chronic infections, which was related with their ability to produce biofilm (p < 0.05). The ability to evade phagocytosis was related to an elevated production of proteases (p < 0.05) by chronic isolates, while sporadic isolates’ resistance to phagocytosis was related to a higher hydrophobicity of cell walls (p < 0.05). We conclude that the evasion of macrophage-mediated phagocytosis related to the production of proteases might be an important factor involved in the recurrence of vulvovaginal candidosis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Faria-Gonçalves
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.F.-G.); (A.S.O.); (C.G.); (R.P.-d.-O.); (J.M.-d.-O.); (A.P.-d.-O.)
- FCS-UBI—Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- FMUMN—Faculty of Medicine, University Mandume Ya Ndemufayo, Lubango 3FJP+27X, Angola
| | - Ana Sofia Oliveira
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.F.-G.); (A.S.O.); (C.G.); (R.P.-d.-O.); (J.M.-d.-O.); (A.P.-d.-O.)
- FCS-UBI—Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Carlos Gaspar
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.F.-G.); (A.S.O.); (C.G.); (R.P.-d.-O.); (J.M.-d.-O.); (A.P.-d.-O.)
- FCS-UBI—Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Labfit-HPRD—Health Products Research and Development Lda, 6200-284 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Lisa Rodrigues
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (L.R.); (T.G.)
- FMUC—Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rita Palmeira-de-Oliveira
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.F.-G.); (A.S.O.); (C.G.); (R.P.-d.-O.); (J.M.-d.-O.); (A.P.-d.-O.)
- FCS-UBI—Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Labfit-HPRD—Health Products Research and Development Lda, 6200-284 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - José Martinez-de-Oliveira
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.F.-G.); (A.S.O.); (C.G.); (R.P.-d.-O.); (J.M.-d.-O.); (A.P.-d.-O.)
| | - Teresa Gonçalves
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (L.R.); (T.G.)
- FMUC—Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Palmeira-de-Oliveira
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.F.-G.); (A.S.O.); (C.G.); (R.P.-d.-O.); (J.M.-d.-O.); (A.P.-d.-O.)
- FCS-UBI—Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Labfit-HPRD—Health Products Research and Development Lda, 6200-284 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Joana Rolo
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.F.-G.); (A.S.O.); (C.G.); (R.P.-d.-O.); (J.M.-d.-O.); (A.P.-d.-O.)
- Correspondence:
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Wang Y, Zhou J, Zou Y, Chen X, Liu L, Qi W, Huang X, Chen C, Liu NN. Fungal commensalism modulated by a dual-action phosphate transceptor. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110293. [PMID: 35081357 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Successful host colonization by fungi in fluctuating niches requires response and adaptation to multiple environmental stresses. However, our understanding about how fungal species thrive in the gastrointestinal (GI) ecosystem by combing multifaceted nutritional stress with respect to homeostatic host-commensal interactions is still in its infancy. Here, we discover that depletion of the phosphate transceptor Pho84 across multiple fungal species encountered a substantial cost in gastrointestinal colonization. Mechanistically, Pho84 enhances the gastrointestinal commensalism via a dual-action activity, coordinating both phosphate uptake and TOR activation by induction of the transcriptional regulator Try4 and downstream commensalism-related transcription. As such, Pho84 promotes Candida albicans commensalism, but this does not translate into enhanced pathogenicity. Thus, our study uncovers a specific nutrient-dependent dual-action regulatory pathway for Pho84 on fungal commensalism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Wang
- The Center for Microbes, Development, and Health, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; The University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; The Nanjing Unicorn Academy of Innovation, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 211135, China
| | - Jia Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yun Zou
- The Center for Microbes, Development, and Health, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; The University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; The Nanjing Unicorn Academy of Innovation, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 211135, China
| | - Xiaoqing Chen
- The Center for Microbes, Development, and Health, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; The University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Wanjun Qi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xinhua Huang
- The Center for Microbes, Development, and Health, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Changbin Chen
- The Center for Microbes, Development, and Health, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; The Nanjing Unicorn Academy of Innovation, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 211135, China.
| | - Ning-Ning Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.
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20
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Subroto E, van Neer J, Valdes I, de Cock H. Growth of Aspergillus fumigatus in Biofilms in Comparison to Candida albicans. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:48. [PMID: 35049988 PMCID: PMC8779434 DOI: 10.3390/jof8010048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilm formation during infections with the opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus can be very problematic in clinical settings, since it provides the fungal cells with a protective environment. Resistance against drug treatments, immune recognition as well as adaptation to the host environment allows fungal survival in the host. The exact molecular mechanisms behind most processes in the formation of biofilms are unclear. In general, the formation of biofilms can be categorized roughly in a few stages; adhesion, conidial germination and development of hyphae, biofilm maturation and cell dispersion. Fungi in biofilms can adapt to the in-host environment. These adaptations can occur on a level of phenotypic plasticity via gene regulation. However, also more substantial genetic changes of the genome can result in increased resistance and adaptation in the host, enhancing the survival chances of fungi in biofilms. Most research has focused on the development of biofilms. However, to tackle developing microbial resistance and adaptation in biofilms, more insight in mechanisms behind genetic adaptations is required to predict which defense mechanisms can be expected. This can be helpful in the development of novel and more targeted antifungal treatments to combat fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hans de Cock
- Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands; (E.S.); (J.v.N.); (I.V.)
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21
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Kumari A, Tripathi AH, Gautam P, Gahtori R, Pande A, Singh Y, Madan T, Upadhyay SK. Adhesins in the virulence of opportunistic fungal pathogens of human. Mycology 2021; 12:296-324. [PMID: 34900383 PMCID: PMC8654403 DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2021.1934176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillosis, candidiasis, and cryptococcosis are the most common cause of mycoses-related disease and death among immune-compromised patients. Adhesins are cell-surface exposed proteins or glycoproteins of pathogens that bind to the extracellular matrix (ECM) constituents or mucosal epithelial surfaces of the host cells. The forces of interaction between fungal adhesins and host tissues are accompanied by ligand binding, hydrophobic interactions and protein-protein aggregation. Adherence is the primary and critical step involved in the pathogenesis; however, there is limited information on fungal adhesins compared to that on the bacterial adhesins. Except a few studies based on screening of proteome for adhesin identification, majority are based on characterization of individual adhesins. Recently, based on their characteristic signatures, many putative novel fungal adhesins have been predicted using bioinformatics algorithms. Some of these novel adhesin candidates have been validated by in-vitro studies; though, most of them are yet to be characterised experimentally. Morphotype specific adhesin expression as well as tissue tropism are the crucial determinants for a successful adhesion process. This review presents a comprehensive overview of various studies on fungal adhesins and discusses the targetability of the adhesins and adherence phenomenon, for combating the fungal infection in a preventive or therapeutic mode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Kumari
- Department of Biotechnology, Sir J.C. Bose Technical campus, Kumaun University, Nainital, India
| | - Ankita H Tripathi
- Department of Biotechnology, Sir J.C. Bose Technical campus, Kumaun University, Nainital, India
| | - Poonam Gautam
- ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, New Delhi, India
| | - Rekha Gahtori
- Department of Biotechnology, Sir J.C. Bose Technical campus, Kumaun University, Nainital, India
| | - Amit Pande
- Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research (DCFR), Nainital, India
| | - Yogendra Singh
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Taruna Madan
- ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (NIRRH), Mumbai, India
| | - Santosh K Upadhyay
- Department of Biotechnology, Sir J.C. Bose Technical campus, Kumaun University, Nainital, India
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22
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Faria-Gonçalves P, Rolo J, Gaspar C, Palmeira-de-Oliveira R, Martinez-de-Oliveira J, Palmeira-de-Oliveira A. Virulence Factors as Promoters of Chronic Vulvovaginal Candidosis: A Review. Mycopathologia 2021; 186:755-773. [PMID: 34613569 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-021-00592-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The vast majority of the species of the genus Candida spp. is commensal in humans; however, some are opportunistic pathogens that can cause infection, called candidosis. Among the different types of candidosis, we highlight the vulvovaginal (VVC) which can occur in two main clinical variants: chronic (cVVC) and episodic or sporadic. The incidence of cVVC has been worrying the scientific community, promoting the research on genotypic and phenotypic causes of its occurrence. We summarize important findings on factors that favor chronic vulvovaginal candidosis with respect to molecular epidemiology and the expression of various virulence factors, while clarifying the terminology involving these infections. AIM AND METHODOLOGY The aim of this review was to gather research that linked virulence factors to VVC and its persistence and recurrence, using two databases (Pubmed and Google Scholar). Predisposing factors in women for the occurrence of cVVC and some studies that refer new preventive and alternative therapies were also included, where appropriate. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Several studies have been shedding light on the increasing number of persistence and recurrences of VVC. The expression of virulence factors has been related to both chronic forms of VVC and antifungal resistance. Other studies report mutations occurring in the genome of Candida spp. during the infection phase which may be important indications for new therapies. The introduction of preventive therapies and new therapies has revealed great importance and is also highlighted here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Faria-Gonçalves
- Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University Mandume Ya Ndemufayo, Lubango, Angola.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Joana Rolo
- Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal.
| | - Carlos Gaspar
- Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.,Health Products Research and Development Lda, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Rita Palmeira-de-Oliveira
- Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.,Health Products Research and Development Lda, Covilhã, Portugal.,Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José Martinez-de-Oliveira
- Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Ana Palmeira-de-Oliveira
- Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.,Health Products Research and Development Lda, Covilhã, Portugal
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The N-mannosyltransferase gene BbAlg9 contributes to cell wall integrity, fungal development and the pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana. Fungal Biol 2021; 125:776-784. [PMID: 34537173 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2021.04.011] [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: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The mannosyltransferase Alg9 plays a vital role in N-linked protein glycosylation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but its function in most filamentous fungi is not clear. The present study characterized BbAlg9 (an ortholog of S. cerevisiae Alg9) in Beauveria bassiana to determine the roles of N-mannosyltransferase in biological control potential of the filamentous entomopathogenic fungus. The disruption of BbAlg9 led to slower fungal growth in media with various nutrition compositions. The conidiation of ΔBbAlg9 was less than that of the wild type from the third to the fifth day but showed no significant difference on the sixth day, suggesting that BbAlg9 affects the development of conidia rather than conidial yield of late stage. ΔBbAlg9 showed defects in conidial germination, multiple stress tolerances and the yield of blastospores, with altered size and density, and virulence in hosts infected via the immersion and injection methods. The deletion of BbAlg9 resulted in defects in cell wall integrity, including increased mannoprotein and glucan content and decreased chitin content, which were accompanied by transcriptional activation or suppression of genes related to cell wall component biosynthesis. Notably, deletion of the N-mannosyltransferase BbAlg9 altered the transcription levels of O-mannosyltransferase genes (Pmt and Ktr family). These data show that BbAlg9 is involved in the fungal development, conidial stress tolerance, cell wall integrity and virulence of B. bassiana.
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Liu C, Xu C, Du Y, Liu J, Ning Y. Role of agglutinin-like sequence protein 3 (Als3) in the structure and antifungal resistance of Candida albicans biofilms. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2021; 368:6316779. [PMID: 34232317 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnab089] [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: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Agglutinin-like sequence protein 3 (Als3) is a cell surface glycoprotein of Candida albicans that plays essential roles in the processes of adherence and biofilm formation in vitro. In this study, we focused on the contribution of Als3 to the structure and drug susceptibility of biofilms. The C. albicans wild-type (WT) strain DAY185, the als3Δ/Δ null strain and the als3Δ/Δ + pALS3 complemented strain were used. Colony-forming unit enumeration, crystal violet and cell surface hydrophobicity assays, scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy coupled with analyses using COMSTAT software were performed to evaluate the biomass and architecture of the biofilms. The detailed architectural analysis showed a significant variation in the biofilm parameters of the als3Δ/Δ biofilms compared with those of the WT biofilms. Fluconazole, miconazole and amphotericin B were selected as the antifungal agents for the antimycotic susceptibility test, and increased susceptibility was found with the ALS3 deletion biofilms. A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed downregulation of biofilm formation-related genes (ALS1, EFG1, HWP1 and CSH1) and drug resistance-related genes (ERG11, CDR1, CDR2 and MDR1) in the als3Δ/Δ biofilms. We concluded that Als3 contributes to biofilm formation by changing the biofilm architecture and is involved in the antifungal resistance of C. albicans biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, 56 Lingyuanxi Road, Guangzhou 510055, China
| | - Cheng Xu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, 56 Lingyuanxi Road, Guangzhou 510055, China
| | - Yu Du
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, 56 Lingyuanxi Road, Guangzhou 510055, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, 56 Lingyuanxi Road, Guangzhou 510055, China
| | - Yang Ning
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, 56 Lingyuanxi Road, Guangzhou 510055, China
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25
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Gonçales RA, Salamanca AL, Júnior LR, E Silva KS, de Vasconcelos EJ, Dos Reis TF, Castro RC, C Ruy PD, Romagnoli B, Ruiz J, Pereira M, de A Soares CM, Coelho PS. In silico identification of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins in Paracoccidioides spp. Future Microbiol 2021; 16:589-606. [PMID: 33998266 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2020-0282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To predict glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins in the genome of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Paracoccidioides lutzii. Materials & methods: Five different bioinformatics tools were used for predicting GPI-anchored proteins; we considered as GPI-anchored proteins those detected by at least two in silico analysis methods. We also performed the proteomic analysis of P. brasiliensis cell wall by mass spectrometry. Results: Hundred GPI-anchored proteins were predicted in P. brasiliensis and P. lutzii genomes. A series of 57 proteins were classified in functional categories and 43 conserved proteins were reported with unknown functions. Four proteins identified by in silico analyses were also identified in the cell wall proteome. Conclusion: The data obtained in this study are important resources for future research of GPI-anchored proteins in Paracoccidioides spp. to identify targets for new diagnostic tools, drugs and immunological tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Relber A Gonçales
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal, ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ayda Lm Salamanca
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas II (ICB II), Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Goiás, 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Luiz Rb Júnior
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto (FMRP), University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Kleber Sf E Silva
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas II (ICB II), Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Goiás, 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Elton Jr de Vasconcelos
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
| | - Thaila F Dos Reis
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Ricardo C Castro
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Patrícia de C Ruy
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto (FMRP), University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Romagnoli
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto (FMRP), University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Jerônimo Ruiz
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Rene Rachaou (IRR), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30190-002, Brazil
| | - Maristela Pereira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas II (ICB II), Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Goiás, 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Célia M de A Soares
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas II (ICB II), Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Goiás, 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Paulo Sr Coelho
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto (FMRP), University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil
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26
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F. Q. Smith D, Casadevall A. Fungal immunity and pathogenesis in mammals versus the invertebrate model organism Galleria mellonella. Pathog Dis 2021; 79:ftab013. [PMID: 33544836 PMCID: PMC7981337 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftab013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) have emerged as a model system to explore experimental aspects of fungal pathogenesis. The benefits of the G. mellonella model include being faster, cheaper, higher throughput and easier compared with vertebrate models. Additionally, as invertebrates, their use is subject to fewer ethical and regulatory issues. However, for G. mellonella models to provide meaningful insight into fungal pathogenesis, the G. mellonella-fungal interactions must be comparable to mammalian-fungal interactions. Indeed, as discussed in the review, studies suggest that G. mellonella and mammalian immune systems share many similarities, and fungal virulence factors show conserved functions in both hosts. While the moth model has opened novel research areas, many comparisons are superficial and leave large gaps of knowledge that need to be addressed concerning specific mechanisms underlying G. mellonella-fungal interactions. Closing these gaps in understanding will strengthen G. mellonella as a model for fungal virulence in the upcoming years. In this review, we provide comprehensive comparisons between fungal pathogenesis in mammals and G. mellonella from immunological and virulence perspectives. When information on an antifungal immune component is unknown in G. mellonella, we include findings from other well-studied Lepidoptera. We hope that by outlining this information available in related species, we highlight areas of needed research and provide a framework for understanding G. mellonella immunity and fungal interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F. Q. Smith
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Thanh Nguyen H, Zhang R, Inokawa N, Oura T, Chen X, Iwatani S, Niimi K, Niimi M, Holmes AR, Cannon RD, Kajiwara S. Candida albicans Bgl2p, Ecm33p, and Als1p proteins are involved in adhesion to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite. J Oral Microbiol 2021; 13:1879497. [PMID: 33628397 PMCID: PMC7889271 DOI: 10.1080/20002297.2021.1879497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that causes oral candidiasis. A previous study showed that Bgl2p and Ecm33p may mediate the interaction between the yeast and saliva-coated hydroxyapatite (SHA; a model for the tooth surface). This study investigated the roles of these cell wall proteins in the adherence of C. albicans to SHA beads. Methods: C. albicans BGL2 and ECM33 null mutants were generated from wild-type strain SC5314 by using the SAT1-flipper gene disruption method. A novel method based on labelling the yeast with Nile red, was used to investigate the adherence. Results: Adhesion of bgl2Δ and ecm33Δ null mutants to SHA beads was 76.4% and 64.8% of the wild-type strain, respectively. Interestingly, the adhesion of the bgl2Δ, ecm33Δ double mutant (87.7%) was higher than that of both single mutants. qRT-PCR analysis indicated that the ALS1 gene was over-expressed in the bgl2Δ, ecm33Δ strain. The triple null mutant showed a significantly reduced adherence to the beads, (37.6%), compared to the wild-type strain. Conclusion: Bgl2p and Ecm33p contributed to the interaction between C. albicans and SHA beads. Deletion of these genes triggered overexpression of the ALS1 gene in the bgl2Δ/ecm33Δ mutant strain, and deletion of all three genes caused a significant decrease in adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoa Thanh Nguyen
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Rouyu Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Naoki Inokawa
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takahiro Oura
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Xinyue Chen
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shun Iwatani
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kyoko Niimi
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Masakazu Niimi
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Ann Rachel Holmes
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Richard David Cannon
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Susumu Kajiwara
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
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28
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Wu J, Wu D, Zhao Y, Si Y, Mei L, Shao J, Wang T, Yan G, Wang C. Sodium New Houttuyfonate Inhibits Candida albicans Biofilm Formation by Inhibiting the Ras1-cAMP-Efg1 Pathway Revealed by RNA-seq. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:2075. [PMID: 32983053 PMCID: PMC7477049 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.02075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we aim to investigate the antifungal effect and mechanism of action of sodium new houttuyfonate (SNH) against Candida albicans. Microdilution analysis results showed that SNH possesses potent inhibitory activity against C. albicans SC5314, with a MIC80 of 256 μg/mL. Furthermore, we found that SNH can effectively inhibit the initial adhesion of C. albicans. Inverted microscopy, crystal violet staining, scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy results showed that morphological changes during the transition from yeast to hypha and the biofilm formation of C. albicans are repressed by SNH treatment. We also found that SNH can effectively inhibit the biofilm formation of clinical C. albicans strains (Z103, Z3044, Z1402, and Z1407) and SNH in combination with fluconazole, berberine chloride, caspofungin and itraconazole antifungal agents can synergistically inhibit the biofilm formation of C. albicans. Eukaryotic transcriptome sequencing and qRT-PCR results showed that SNH treatment resulted in significantly down-regulated expression in several biofilm formation related genes in the Ras1-cAMP-Efg1 pathway (ALS1, ALA1, ALS3, EAP1, RAS1, EFG1, HWP1, and TEC1) and significantly up-regulated expression in yeast form-associated genes (YWP1 and RHD1). We also found that SNH can effectively reduce the production of key messenger cAMP in the Ras1-cAMP-Efg1 pathway. Furthermore, using Galleria mellonella as an in vivo model we found that SNH can effectively treat C. albicans infection in vivo. Our presented results suggest that SNH exhibits potential antibiofilm effects related to inhibiting the Ras1-cAMP-Efg1 pathway in the biofilm formation of C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiadi Wu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Daqiang Wu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.,Research Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of Chinese Herbal Compound Formula in Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Yeye Zhao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Yuanqing Si
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Longfei Mei
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Jing Shao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.,Research Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of Chinese Herbal Compound Formula in Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Tianming Wang
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Herbal Compound Formula in Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Guiming Yan
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Herbal Compound Formula in Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Changzhong Wang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.,Research Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of Chinese Herbal Compound Formula in Anhui Province, Hefei, China
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29
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Martin H, Somers T, Dwyer M, Robson R, Pfeffer FM, Bjornsson R, Krämer T, Kavanagh K, Velasco-Torrijos T. Scaffold diversity for enhanced activity of glycosylated inhibitors of fungal adhesion. RSC Med Chem 2020; 11:1386-1401. [PMID: 34095846 DOI: 10.1039/d0md00224k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is one of the most prevalent fungal pathogens involved in hospital acquired infections. It binds to glycans at the surface of epithelial cells and initiates infection. This process can be blocked by synthetic carbohydrates that mimic the structure of cell surface glycans. Herein we report the evaluation of a series of divalent glycosides featuring aromatic (benzene, squaramide) and bicyclic aliphatic (norbornene) scaffolds, with the latter being the first examples of their kind as small molecule anti-adhesion glycoconjugates. Galactosides 1 and 6, built on an aromatic core, were most efficient inhibitors of adhesion of C. albicans to buccal epithelial cells, displacing up to 36% and 48%, respectively, of yeast already attached to epithelial cells at 138 μM. Remarkably, cis-endo-norbornene 21 performed comparably to benzene-core derivatives. Conformational analysis reveals a preference for compounds 1 and 21 to adopt folded conformations. These results highlight the potential of norbornenes as a new class of aliphatic scaffolds for the synthesis of anti-adhesion compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harlei Martin
- Department of Chemistry, Maynooth University Maynooth Co. Kildare Ireland
| | - Tara Somers
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University Maynooth Co. Kildare Ireland
| | - Mathew Dwyer
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University Maynooth Co. Kildare Ireland
| | - Ryan Robson
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Geelong Victoria 3217 Australia
| | - Frederick M Pfeffer
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Geelong Victoria 3217 Australia
| | - Ragnar Bjornsson
- Department of Inorganic Spectroscopy, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion Stiftstrasse 34-36 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr Germany
| | - Tobias Krämer
- Department of Chemistry, Maynooth University Maynooth Co. Kildare Ireland .,The Hamilton Institute, Maynooth University Maynooth Co. Kildare Ireland
| | - Kevin Kavanagh
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University Maynooth Co. Kildare Ireland.,The Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University Maynooth Co. Kildare Ireland
| | - Trinidad Velasco-Torrijos
- Department of Chemistry, Maynooth University Maynooth Co. Kildare Ireland .,The Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University Maynooth Co. Kildare Ireland
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Fujiwara N, Murakami K, Yoshida K, Sakurai S, Kudo Y, Ozaki K, Hirota K, Fujii H, Suzuki M, Miyake Y, Yumoto H. Suppressive effects of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-polymer on the adherence of Candida species and MRSA to acrylic denture resin. Heliyon 2020; 6:e04211. [PMID: 32577575 PMCID: PMC7303995 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives The effects of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-polymer on the adherence of microorganisms such as non-Candida albicans Candida (NCAC) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), frequently detected in oral infections in immunocompromised and/or elderly people, to denture resin material, are still unclear. Here, we report the effects of MPC-polymer on the adherence of C. albicans, NCAC, and MRSA to acrylic denture resin. Methods Sixteen strains of C. albicans, seven strains of C. glabrata, two strains of C. tropicalis, one strain of C. parapsilosis, and six strains of MRSA were used. We cultured the fungal/bacterial strains and examined the cell growth and adherence of fungi/bacteria to mucin-coated acrylic denture resin plates (ADRP) with or without MPC-polymer coating, by scanning electron microscopy. The cell surface hydrophobicity of the fungal/bacterial strains was measured by the adsorption to hydrocarbons. Results MPC-polymer did not affect the growth of all strains of Candida species and MRSA, but significantly suppressed adherence to ADRP in most strains of C. albicans and all strains of NCAC and MRSA. A significant positive correlation was found between cell hydrophobicity and the reduction rates of microbial adherence to ADRP treated with 5% of MPC-polymer. Conclusions MPC-polymer treatment for acrylic resin material suppresses the adherence of C. albicans, NCAC and MRSA via their hydrophilicity interaction. Clinical significance The application of MPC-polymer for denture hygiene is potent to prevent oral candidiasis, denture stomatitis and opportunistic infection, caused by Candida species and MRSA, via suppressing the adherence of those fungus/bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natsumi Fujiwara
- Department of Oral Health Care Promotion, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8504, Japan
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, The Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA, 30912, United States
- Corresponding author.
| | - Keiji Murakami
- Department of Oral Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8504, Japan
| | - Kaya Yoshida
- Department of Oral Health Care Education, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8504, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Sakurai
- Life Science Products Division, NOF Corporation, 4-20-3 Ebisu, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-6019, Japan
| | - Yasusei Kudo
- Department of Oral Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8504, Japan
| | - Kazumi Ozaki
- Department of Oral Health Care Promotion, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8504, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Hirota
- Department of Medical Hygiene, Dental Hygiene Course, Kochi Gakuen College, 292-26 Asahi tenjin, Kochi 780-0955, Japan
| | - Hideki Fujii
- Department of Oral Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8504, Japan
| | - Maiko Suzuki
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, The Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA, 30912, United States
| | - Yoichiro Miyake
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Welfare, Tokushima Bunri University, 180 Nishihama-Boji, Yamashiro, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Yumoto
- Department of Periodontology and Endodontology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8504, Japan
- Corresponding author.
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de Sá NP, Pôssa AP, Perez P, Ferreira JMS, Fonseca NC, Lino CI, Cruz LB, de Oliveira RB, Rosa CA, Borelli BM, Mylonakis E, Fuchs BB, Johann S. Antifungal Activity Directed Toward the Cell Wall by 2-Cyclohexylidenhydrazo- 4-Phenyl-Thiazole Against Candida albicans. Infect Disord Drug Targets 2020; 19:428-438. [PMID: 29852876 DOI: 10.2174/1871526518666180531101605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The increasing incidence of invasive forms of candidiasis and resistance to antifungal therapy leads us to seek new and more effective antifungal compounds. OBJECTIVE To investigate the antifungal activity and toxicity as well as to evaluate the potential targets of 2- cyclohexylidenhydrazo-4-phenyl-thiazole (CPT) in Candida albicans. METHODS The antifungal activity of CPT against the survival of C. albicans was investigated in Caenorhabditis elegans. Additionally, we determined the effect of CPT on the inhibition of C. albicans adhesion capacity to buccal epithelial cells (BECs), the toxicity of CPT in mammalian cells, and the potential targets of CPT in C. albicans. RESULTS CPT exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 0.4-1.9 µg/mL. Furthermore, CPT at high concentrations (>60 x MIC) showed no or low toxicity in HepG2 cells and <1% haemolysis in human erythrocytes. In addition, CPT decreased the adhesion capacity of yeasts to the BECs and prolonged the survival of C. elegans infected with C. albicans. Analysis of CPT-treated cells showed that their cell wall was thinner than that of untreated cells, especially the glucan layer. We found that there was a significantly lower quantity of 1,3-β-D-glucan present in CPT-treated cells than that in untreated cells. Assays performed on several mutant strains showed that the MIC value of CPT was high for its antifungal activity on yeasts with defective 1,3-β-glucan synthase. CONCLUSION In conclusion, CPT appears to target the cell wall of C. albicans, exhibits low toxicity in mammalian cells, and prolongs the survival of C. elegans infected with C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nívea P de Sá
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Antonio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha - CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte - MG, Brazil
| | - Ana P Pôssa
- Laboratorio de Microbiologia, Campus Centro- Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de Sao Joao del-Rei, Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Pilar Perez
- Instituto de Biologia Fundamental y Genomica CSIC, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jaqueline M S Ferreira
- Laboratorio de Microbiologia, Campus Centro- Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de Sao Joao del-Rei, Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Nayara C Fonseca
- Departamento de Produtos Farmaceuticos, Faculdade de Farmacia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte - MG, Brazil
| | - Cleudiomar I Lino
- Departamento de Produtos Farmaceuticos, Faculdade de Farmacia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte - MG, Brazil
| | - Lana B Cruz
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Antonio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha - CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte - MG, Brazil
| | - Renata B de Oliveira
- Departamento de Produtos Farmaceuticos, Faculdade de Farmacia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte - MG, Brazil
| | - Carlos A Rosa
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Antonio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha - CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte - MG, Brazil
| | - Beatriz M Borelli
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Antonio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha - CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte - MG, Brazil
| | - Eleftherios Mylonakis
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School, and Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Beth B Fuchs
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School, and Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Susana Johann
- Instituto de Biologia Fundamental y Genomica CSIC, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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The Role of Secretory Pathways in Candida albicans Pathogenesis. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6010026. [PMID: 32102426 PMCID: PMC7151058 DOI: 10.3390/jof6010026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a fungus that is a commensal organism and a member of the normal human microbiota. It has the ability to transition into an opportunistic invasive pathogen. Attributes that support pathogenesis include secretion of virulence-associated proteins, hyphal formation, and biofilm formation. These processes are supported by secretion, as defined in the broad context of membrane trafficking. In this review, we examine the role of secretory pathways in Candida virulence, with a focus on the model opportunistic fungal pathogen, Candida albicans.
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Abstract
Yeast resistance to antifungal drugs is a major public health issue. Fungal adhesion onto the host mucosal surface is still a partially unknown phenomenon that is modulated by several actors among which fibronectin plays an important role. Targeting the yeast adhesion onto the mucosal surface could lead to potentially highly efficient treatments. In this work, we explored the effect of fibronectin on the nanomotion pattern of different Candida albicans strains by atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based nanomotion detection and correlated the cellular oscillations to the yeast adhesion onto epithelial cells. Preliminary results demonstrate that strongly adhering strains reduce their nanomotion activity upon fibronectin exposure whereas low adhering Candida remain unaffected. These results open novel avenues to explore cellular reactions upon exposure to stimulating agents and possibly to monitor in a rapid and simple manner adhesive properties of C. albicans.
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Alzayer YM, Gomez GF, Eckert GJ, Levon JA, Gregory RL. The Impact of Nicotine and Cigarette Smoke Condensate on Metabolic Activity and Biofilm Formation of Candida albicans on Acrylic Denture Material. J Prosthodont 2020; 29:173-178. [PMID: 30028051 DOI: 10.1111/jopr.12945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Smokers have increased denture stomatitis caused primarily by Candida albicans. The primary aim of this study was to demonstrate the impact of a wide range of nicotine and cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) concentrations on biofilm formation and metabolic activity of C. albicans on acrylic denture material. MATERIALS AND METHODS C. albicans (ATCC strain 10231) was used. Standardized denture acrylic (PMMA) specimens (total of 135 specimens) were incubated with C. albicans and exposed to nicotine and CSC at different concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 mg/ml) and (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/ml), respectively. For each experiment, 3 samples per nicotine and CSC concentration and a total of 45 specimens (27 specimens for the nicotine and 18 specimens for the CSC-treated samples) were used and were selected randomly for each group. The control group consisted of 0 mg/ml of nicotine or CSC. The viability of C. albicans was measured using spiral plating on blood agar plates. The effect of nicotine and CSC concentrations on planktonic cells was were measured using a microplate reader. Metabolic activity of 24-hour-old established C. albicans biofilm exposed to nicotine and CSC for 24 hours in microtiter plates was determined using a 2,3-bis (2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-carboxanilide (XTT) reduction assay. RESULTS The viability of C. albicans increased concomitant with increasing concentrations of CSC and nicotine, particularly at 0.5 and 2 mg/ml, respectively. Concentrations of CSC and nicotine above this resulted in an inhibitory effect on C. albicans viability. CSC and nicotine at 4 and 16 mg/ml, respectively, increased C. albicans biofilm metabolic activity. CONCLUSION Nicotine and CSC up to certain concentrations caused increases in biofilm formation, metabolic activity, viability, and planktonic cell absorbance of C. albicans. This in vitro study demonstrates the effectiveness of tobacco on promoting the growth of C. albicans and suggests their potential contributing factor in C. albicans biofilm related infections in smokers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Grace F Gomez
- Department of Biomedical and Applied Sciences, Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, IN
| | - George J Eckert
- Department of Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - John A Levon
- Department of Prosthodontics, Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Richard L Gregory
- Department of Biomedical and Applied Sciences, Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, IN
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Vila T, Sultan AS, Montelongo-Jauregui D, Jabra-Rizk MA. Oral Candidiasis: A Disease of Opportunity. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6010015. [PMID: 31963180 PMCID: PMC7151112 DOI: 10.3390/jof6010015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral candidiasis, commonly referred to as “thrush,” is an opportunistic fungal infection that commonly affects the oral mucosa. The main causative agent, Candida albicans, is a highly versatile commensal organism that is well adapted to its human host; however, changes in the host microenvironment can promote the transition from one of commensalism to pathogen. This transition is heavily reliant on an impressive repertoire of virulence factors, most notably cell surface adhesins, proteolytic enzymes, morphologic switching, and the development of drug resistance. In the oral cavity, the co-adhesion of C. albicans with bacteria is crucial for its persistence, and a wide range of synergistic interactions with various oral species were described to enhance colonization in the host. As a frequent colonizer of the oral mucosa, the host immune response in the oral cavity is oriented toward a more tolerogenic state and, therefore, local innate immune defenses play a central role in maintaining Candida in its commensal state. Specifically, in addition to preventing Candida adherence to epithelial cells, saliva is enriched with anti-candidal peptides, considered to be part of the host innate immunity. The T helper 17 (Th17)-type adaptive immune response is mainly involved in mucosal host defenses, controlling initial growth of Candida and inhibiting subsequent tissue invasion. Animal models, most notably the mouse model of oropharyngeal candidiasis and the rat model of denture stomatitis, are instrumental in our understanding of Candida virulence factors and the factors leading to host susceptibility to infections. Given the continuing rise in development of resistance to the limited number of traditional antifungal agents, novel therapeutic strategies are directed toward identifying bioactive compounds that target pathogenic mechanisms to prevent C. albicans transition from harmless commensal to pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taissa Vila
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (T.V.); (A.S.S.); (D.M.-J.)
| | - Ahmed S. Sultan
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (T.V.); (A.S.S.); (D.M.-J.)
| | - Daniel Montelongo-Jauregui
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (T.V.); (A.S.S.); (D.M.-J.)
| | - Mary Ann Jabra-Rizk
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (T.V.); (A.S.S.); (D.M.-J.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-410-706-0508; Fax: +1-410-706-0519
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Velliyagounder K, Rozario SD, Fine DH. The effects of human lactoferrin in experimentally induced systemic candidiasis. J Med Microbiol 2019; 68:1802-1812. [PMID: 31702539 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction. Candida albicans is responsible for several types of oral and systemic infections. In light of emerging resistance to antifungals, studies have demonstrated the antifungal effect of lactoferrin (LF), which is part of the innate immune system, has anticandidal activities.Methodology. C. albicans (2×106 c.f.u. ml-1) were incubated either with PBS or human LF (hLF) (100 µg ml-1) at 37 °C for 24 h and then RNA was isolated and virulence factors analysed. C. albicans (1×105 c.f.u.) was injected into the tail vein of immunocompromised wild-type and Ltf -/-. Then, 24 h later, the Ltf -/-I mice received hLF intravenously (100 µg g-1 body weight), while the control group received PBS. Then, 48 h later, the organs were collected, homogenized and C. albicans c.f.u.s were counted. In addition, the inflammatory mediators of kidneys and the virulence factors of C. albicans were analysed.Results. hLF-treated Ltf -/-I mice showed significant clearance of C. albicans in different organ tissues when compared to untreated Ltf -/-I mice. The inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, IL-6 , TNF-α and MPO and iNOS were downregulated in hLF-treated Ltf -/-I mice when compared to untreated Ltf -/-I mice. Whereas, IL-10 and IL-17A were upregulated at 72 h post infection when compared to Ltf -/-C mice. Histological analysis also revealed a significant decrease in the size and number of infectious foci in the hLF-treated groups. hLF treatment significantly downregulated several virulence factors of C. albicans both in vitro and in vivo.Conclusion. We concluded that hLF-treated Ltf -/- mice can reduce the severity of C. albicans-induced systemic infection.
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Shin DS, Eom YB. Zerumbone inhibits Candida albicans biofilm formation and hyphal growth. Can J Microbiol 2019; 65:713-721. [DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2019-0155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans biofilm formation is considered an important matter because it can lead to strong resistance to conventional antifungal agents. Hyphae formed by C. albicans can also act as an important virulence factor related to its biofilm. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of zerumbone, a monocyclic sesquiterpene extracted from Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith, against C. albicans biofilm formation. Our results suggest that zerumbone possesses antifungal and antibiofilm activity that inhibits biofilm formation and eradicates preformed biofilm. Notably, zerumbone considerably reduced carbohydrate and DNA contents of biofilm matrix. In addition, zerumbone showed antivirulence effects by decreasing the growth of hyphae and inhibiting morphologic changes of C. albicans. Furthermore, zerumbone significantly downregulated expression levels of biofilm-related and hyphae-specific genes, including HWP1 and ALS3. Since zerumbone suppresses biofilm formation and hyphae growth, these results indicate that zerumbone could be used as a potential candidate to treat and prevent C. albicans biofilm-related infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-Seul Shin
- Department of Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan 31538, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Bin Eom
- Department of Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan 31538, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Medical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan 31538, Republic of Korea
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Lu Y, Zhou Z, Mo L, Guo Q, Peng X, Hu T, Zhou X, Ren B, Xu X. Fluphenazine antagonizes with fluconazole but synergizes with amphotericin B in the treatment of candidiasis. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:6701-6709. [PMID: 31201451 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-09960-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans causes a high mortality rate in immunocompromised individuals, but the increased drug resistance challenges the current antifungal therapeutics. Fluphenazine (FPZ), a commonly used antipsychotic medication, can induce the expression of drug efflux pumps in C. albicans and, thus, may interfere with the therapeutic efficacy of antifungals, such as fluconazole (FLC) and amphotericin B (AmB). Here, we investigated the combined effects of FLC/FPZ and AmB/FPZ against C. albicans in vitro and in a systemic candidiasis mouse model. The antifungal activity of FLC was significantly reduced when supplemented with FPZ. The inhibitory effects of FLC on the expression of the Candida virulence-related genes ALS3 and HWP1 were antagonized by FPZ. However, FPZ enhanced the susceptibility of C. albicans to AmB and further downregulated the expression of ALS3 and HWP1 in a synergistic manner with AmB. FPZ also enhanced the gene expression of ERG11, a key gene of the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway that has been associated with the activities of both FLC and AmB. In our mammalian infection model, mice treated with FLC/FPZ showed notably poor living status and increased fungal burden in their kidneys and brains compared with those treated with FLC alone. Conversely, the combined application of AmB/FPZ significantly improved the survival rate, attenuated the weight loss and reduced the organ fungal burdens of the infected mice. These data suggest that FPZ antagonized the therapeutic efficacy of FLC but enhanced the antifungal activity of AmB in the treatment of candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyu Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.,Department of Cariology and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zhiyan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.,Department of Cariology and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Longyi Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Qiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Xian Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Tao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.,Department of Preventive Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xuedong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.,Department of Cariology and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Biao Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
| | - Xin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China. .,Department of Cariology and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Yan Y, Tan F, Miao H, Wang H, Cao Y. Effect of Shikonin Against Candida albicans Biofilms. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1085. [PMID: 31156594 PMCID: PMC6527961 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Candidiasis is often associated with the formation of biofilms. Candida albicans biofilms are inherently resistant to many clinical antifungal agents and have increasingly been found to be the sources of C. albicans infections. Novel antifungal agents against C. albicans biofilms are urgently needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of shikonin (SK) against C. albicans biofilms and to clarify the underlying mechanisms. XTT reduction assay showed that SK could not only inhibit the formation of biofilms but also destroy the maintenance of mature biofilms. In a mouse vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) model, the fungal burden was remarkably reduced upon SK treatment. Further study showed that SK could inhibit hyphae formation and reduce cellular surface hydrophobicity (CSH). Real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis revealed that several hypha- and adhesion-specific genes were differentially expressed in SK-treated biofilm, including the downregulation of ECE1, HWP1, EFG1, CPH1, RAS1, ALS1, ALS3, CSH1 and upregulation of TUP1, NRG1, BCR1. Moreover, SK induced the production of farnesol, a quorum sensing molecule, and exogenous addition of farnesol enhanced the antibiofilm activity of SK. Taken together, these results indicated that SK could be a favorable antifungal agent in the clinical management of C. albicans biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Yan
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Tan
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Miao
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, China
| | - Hui Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - YingYing Cao
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Xu K, Wang JL, Chu MP, Jia C. Activity of coumarin against Candida albicans biofilms. J Mycol Med 2018; 29:28-34. [PMID: 30606640 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2018.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the antibiofilm activity of coumarin against Candida albicans. METHODS The efficacy of coumarin against biofilm formation and the mature biofilm of C. albicans was quantified by crystal violet (CV) staining and the 2,3-bis (2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide (XTT) reduction assay. The effect of coumarin on C. albicans adhesion was assessed on polystyrene plates and by using the cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) assay. The morphological transition of C. albicans was conducted in two types of hyphae-inducing media at 37°C. The expression of hypha/biofilm-related genes was evaluated using qRT-PCR analysis. A rescue experiment involving addition of exogenous cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) was performed to investigate the involvement of cAMP in the yeast-to-hyphae transition. A C. albicans-infected Caenorhabditis elegans model was used to test the anti-virulence efficacy of coumarin. RESULTS Treatment with coumarin strongly affected the capacity of C. albicans to form biofilm and significantly impaired the preformed mature biofilm. The addition of coumarin notably inhibited C. albicans adhesion, CSH, and filamentation. The expression of some adhesion- and hypha-related genes, including HWP1, HYR1, ECE1, and ALS3, was remarkably down-regulated upon exposure to coumarin. Supplementation with cAMP partly rescued the coumarin-induced defects in hyphal development. Finally, coumarin prolonged survival in C. albicans-infected nematodes. CONCLUSION Coumarin inhibited C. albicans biofilm, which was associated with attenuated adhesion and hyphal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Xu
- The Institute of Life Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - J L Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - M P Chu
- Pediatric Research Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Children's Heart Center, Institute of Cardiovascular Development and Translational Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - C Jia
- Pediatric Research Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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41
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De Bernardis F, Graziani S, Tirelli F, Antonopoulou S. Candida vaginitis: virulence, host response and vaccine prospects. Med Mycol 2018. [PMID: 29538739 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myx139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Vulvovaginal candidiasis is a common mucosal infection affecting a large proportion of women with some of them affected by recurrent often intractable forms of the disease. Thus, there is an increasing interest in understanding the pathogenesis of this disease. The aim of our work was to characterize, in animal models of vaginal candidiasis, the components of the host-fungus interaction at the mucosal level.The evidence of an immune response in the vaginal compartment was very encouraging to identify the proper targets for new strategies for vaccination or immunotherapy of vaginal candidiasis. Aspartyl-proteinase (Sap2), which is an important immunodominant antigens and virulence factors of C.albicans acting in mucosal infections, was assembled with virosomes and a vaccine PEV7 was obtained. The results obtained in the mouse model and in the clinical trial conducted by Pevion on women have evidenced that the vaccine PEV7, intravaginally administered, has an encouraging therapeutic potential for the treatment of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. This opens the way to a modality for anti-Candida protection at mucosal level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia De Bernardis
- Department. of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Sofia Graziani
- Department. of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavio Tirelli
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito, 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Stavroula Antonopoulou
- Departmentt. of Clinical Microbiology, G. Gennimatas General Hospital, 154 Avenue Mesogeion, 11527, Athens, Greece.,Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Avenue oulof Palme, Ano Ilisia 15784, Athens, Greece
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42
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Deng FS, Lin CH. Identification and characterization of ORF19.1725, a novel gene contributing to the white cell pheromone response and virulence-associated functions in Candida albicans. Virulence 2018; 9:866-878. [PMID: 29726301 PMCID: PMC5955465 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2018.1456228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
An epigenetic transition between white cells and opaque cells influences several properties of Candida albicans biology, including cellular morphology, biofilm formation, virulence, and sexual mating. In particular, these two cell types exhibit marked differences in their ability to undergo sex. A previous study identified the transcriptional regulator of pheromone response in both the white and opaque states as Cph1 because deletion of this gene abolished both pheromone-induced cell adhesion in white cells and sexual mating in opaque cells. To further explore how these cell types exhibit distinct biological outputs upon pheromone stimulation, we selected five Cph1-regulated genes with significant expression during the pheromone response in the white state but not the opaque state. These phase-specific pheromone-induced genes are ORF19.1539, ORF19.1725, ORF19.2430, ORF19.2691 and ORF19.5557. Deletion of each gene revealed that orf19.1539Δ, orf19.1725Δ, orf19.2430Δ and orf19.5557Δ showed significant decreases in pheromone-stimulated cell adhesion in the white state but retained normal mating competency in the opaque state, indicating that a particular role in white cell pheromone response is mediated by these four genes. Interestingly, the defects of orf19.1725Δ in pheromone-stimulated cell adhesion also abolished conventional biofilms and hyphal growth. Zebrafish egg infection assays further demonstrated that ORF19.1725 is involved in cell adhesion, penetration and virulence. Overall, four Cph1-regulated downstream targets were identified in the regulation of white cell pheromone response. We also clarified the roles of C. albicans ORF19.1725 in cell adhesion, hyphal growth, biofilm formation and virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Sheng Deng
- a Department of Biochemical Science and Technology , College of Life Science, National Taiwan University , Taipei , Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hsuan Lin
- a Department of Biochemical Science and Technology , College of Life Science, National Taiwan University , Taipei , Taiwan
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43
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Sun W, Zhang L, Lu X, Feng L, Sun S. The synergistic antifungal effects of sodium phenylbutyrate combined with azoles against Candida albicans via the regulation of the Ras-cAMP-PKA signalling pathway and virulence. Can J Microbiol 2018; 65:105-115. [PMID: 30261147 DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2018-0337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenic fungus Candida albicans is one of the most commonly clinically isolated fungal species, and its resistance to the antifungal drug fluconazole is known to be increasing. In this paper, we sought to characterize the effect of sodium phenylbutyrate used alone or in combination with azoles against resistant C. albicans. The minimum inhibitory concentrations and sessile minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined to explore the synergistic mechanism. The results showed that sodium phenylbutyrate exerted clear antifungal activity and that the combination of sodium phenylbutyrate and azoles functioned synergistically to combat resistant C. albicans. In our study of the mechanism, we initially found that the combination therapy resulted in the inhibition of hypha growth, the increased penetration of fluconazole through C. albicans biofilm, and the decreased expression of hyphae-related genes and the upstream regulatory genes (CYR1 and TPK2) of the Ras-cAMP-PKA signalling pathway, as determined by RT-PCR. In addition, the combination treatment decreased the extracellular phospholipase activities and the expression of aspartyl proteinase genes (SAP1-SAP3). The synergistic antifungal effects of the combination of sodium phenylbutyrate and azoles against resistant C. albicans was mainly based on the regulation of the Ras-cAMP-PKA signalling pathway, hyphae-related genes, and virulence factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Sun
- a Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong Province, P.R. China.,b Taishan Medical University, Taian, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Liuping Zhang
- b Taishan Medical University, Taian, Shandong Province, P.R. China.,c Pharmaceutical Department, Shanxian Central Hospital, Heze, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyan Lu
- c Pharmaceutical Department, Shanxian Central Hospital, Heze, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Lei Feng
- a Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Shujuan Sun
- d Department of Pharmacy, Qianfoshan Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, P.R. China
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Novel Formulated Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Reduce Hwp1 Gene Expression Involved in Biofilm Formation in Candida albicans with Minimum Cytotoxicity Effect on Human Cells. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2018. [DOI: 10.5812/jjm.79562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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45
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Nagy LG, Kovács GM, Krizsán K. Complex multicellularity in fungi: evolutionary convergence, single origin, or both? Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2018; 93:1778-1794. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- László G. Nagy
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit; Institute of Biochemistry, BRC-HAS, 62 Temesvári krt; 6726 Szeged Hungary
| | - Gábor M. Kovács
- Department of Plant Anatomy; Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C; H-1117 Budapest Hungary
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research; Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA-ATK); PO Box 102, H-1525 Budapest Hungary
| | - Krisztina Krizsán
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit; Institute of Biochemistry, BRC-HAS, 62 Temesvári krt; 6726 Szeged Hungary
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46
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Abstract
Candida albicans is among the most prevalent fungal species of the human microbiota and asymptomatically colonizes healthy individuals. However, it is also an opportunistic pathogen that can cause severe, and often fatal, bloodstream infections. The medical impact of C. albicans typically depends on its ability to form biofilms, which are closely packed communities of cells that attach to surfaces, such as tissues and implanted medical devices. In this Review, we provide an overview of the processes involved in the formation of C. albicans biofilms and discuss the core transcriptional network that regulates biofilm development. We also consider some of the advantages that biofilms provide to C. albicans in comparison with planktonic growth and explore polymicrobial biofilms that are formed by C. albicans and certain bacterial species.
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47
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Abstract
The molecular composition of the cell wall is critical for the biology and ecology of each fungal species. Fungal walls are composed of matrix components that are embedded and linked to scaffolds of fibrous load-bearing polysaccharides. Most of the major cell wall components of fungal pathogens are not represented in humans, other mammals, or plants, and therefore the immune systems of animals and plants have evolved to recognize many of the conserved elements of fungal walls. For similar reasons the enzymes that assemble fungal cell wall components are excellent targets for antifungal chemotherapies and fungicides. However, for fungal pathogens, the cell wall is often disguised since key signature molecules for immune recognition are sometimes masked by immunologically inert molecules. Cell wall damage leads to the activation of sophisticated fail-safe mechanisms that shore up and repair walls to avoid catastrophic breaching of the integrity of the surface. The frontiers of research on fungal cell walls are moving from a descriptive phase defining the underlying genes and component parts of fungal walls to more dynamic analyses of how the various components are assembled, cross-linked, and modified in response to environmental signals. This review therefore discusses recent advances in research investigating the composition, synthesis, and regulation of cell walls and how the cell wall is targeted by immune recognition systems and the design of antifungal diagnostics and therapeutics.
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48
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Zeng B, Li J, Wang Y, Chen P, Wang X, Cui J, Liu L, Hu X, Cao Q, Xiao Y, Dong J, Sun Y, Zhou Y. In vitro and in vivo effects of suloctidil on growth and biofilm formation of the opportunistic fungus Candida albicans. Oncotarget 2017; 8:69972-69982. [PMID: 29050256 PMCID: PMC5642531 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
As the most frequent fungal pathogen in humans, Candida albicans can develop serious drug resistance because its biofilms are resistant to most antifungal agents; this leads to an urgent need to develop novel antifungals. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of an antithrombotic drug, suloctidil, against C. albicans biofilms in vitro and in vivo. We found that suloctidil is effective to inhibit C. albicans biofilm, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC80) of 4 μg/mL, a biofilm inhibiting concentration (BIC80) of 16 μg/mL and a biofilm eradicating concentration (BEC80) of 64 μg/mL. Furthermore, the concentration-dependent characteristics of suloctidil were shown by its time-kill curves. Scanning electron microscopy images clearly revealed the morphological effects of suloctidil on biofilm. Yeast-to-hyphal form switching is a key virulence factor of C. albicans; therefore, we performed hyphal growth tests and observed that suloctidil inhibited yeast-to-hyphal form switching. This result was consistent with the down-regulation of hypha-specific gene (HWP1, ALS3, and ECE1) expression levels after suloctidil treatment. In vivo, 256 μg/mL of suloctidil significantly reduced fungal counts (P<0.01) compared to that in groups without treatment; the treatment group induced a slight histological reaction, especially when the treatment lasted for 5 days (P<0.01). Taken together, our data suggest that suloctidil is a potential antifungal agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beini Zeng
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiachen Li
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Yajie Wang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengxiang Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianfeng Cui
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Lidong Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyan Hu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Cao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Xiao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Junlu Dong
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Yundong Sun
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Yabin Zhou
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People's Republic of China
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49
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Abstract
The molecular composition of the cell wall is critical for the biology and ecology of each fungal species. Fungal walls are composed of matrix components that are embedded and linked to scaffolds of fibrous load-bearing polysaccharides. Most of the major cell wall components of fungal pathogens are not represented in humans, other mammals, or plants, and therefore the immune systems of animals and plants have evolved to recognize many of the conserved elements of fungal walls. For similar reasons the enzymes that assemble fungal cell wall components are excellent targets for antifungal chemotherapies and fungicides. However, for fungal pathogens, the cell wall is often disguised since key signature molecules for immune recognition are sometimes masked by immunologically inert molecules. Cell wall damage leads to the activation of sophisticated fail-safe mechanisms that shore up and repair walls to avoid catastrophic breaching of the integrity of the surface. The frontiers of research on fungal cell walls are moving from a descriptive phase defining the underlying genes and component parts of fungal walls to more dynamic analyses of how the various components are assembled, cross-linked, and modified in response to environmental signals. This review therefore discusses recent advances in research investigating the composition, synthesis, and regulation of cell walls and how the cell wall is targeted by immune recognition systems and the design of antifungal diagnostics and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil A R Gow
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB252ZD, United Kingdom
| | | | - Carol A Munro
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB252ZD, United Kingdom
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50
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Activity of Sanguinarine against Candida albicans Biofilms. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:AAC.02259-16. [PMID: 28223387 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02259-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans biofilms show resistance to many clinical antifungal agents and play a considerable contributing role in the process of C. albicans infections. New antifungal agents against C. albicans biofilms are sorely needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate sanguinarine (SAN) for its activity against Candida albicans biofilms and explore the underlying mechanism. The MIC50 of SAN was 3.2 μg/ml, while ≥0.8 μg/ml of SAN could suppress C. albicans biofilms. Further study revealed that ≥0.8 μg/ml of SAN could decrease cellular surface hydrophobicity (CSH) and inhibited hypha formation. Real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) results indicated that the exposure of C. albicans to SAN suppressed the expression of some adhesion- and hypha-specific/essential genes related to the cyclic AMP (cAMP) pathway, including ALS3, HWP1, ECE1, HGC1, and CYR1 Consistently, the endogenous cAMP level of C. albicans was downregulated after SAN treatment, and the addition of cAMP rescued the SAN-induced filamentation defect. In addition, SAN showed relatively low toxicity to human umbilical vein endothelial cells, the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) being 7.8 μg/ml. Collectively, the results show that SAN exhibits strong activity against C. albicans biofilms, and the activity was associated with its inhibitory effect on adhesion and hypha formation due to cAMP pathway suppression.
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