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Basrani ST, Kadam NS, Yadav DV, Patil SB, Mohan Karuppayil S, Jadhav AK. Antifungal Activity of Mefloquine Against Candida albicans Growth and Virulence Factors: Insights Into Mode of Action. Curr Microbiol 2024; 81:213. [PMID: 38847863 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-024-03739-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
The antimalarial drug Mefloquine has demonstrated antifungal activity against growth and virulence factors of Candida albicans. The current study focused on the identification of Mefloquine's mode of action in C. albicans by performing cell susceptibility assay, biofilm assay, live and dead assay, propidium iodide uptake assay, ergosterol quantification assay, cell cycle study, and gene expression studies by RT-PCR. Mefloquine inhibited the virulence factors in C. albicans, such as germ tube formation and biofilm formation at 0.125 and 1 mg/ml, respectively. Mefloquine-treated cells showed a decrease in the quantity of ergosterol content of cell membrane in a concentration-dependent manner. Mefloquine (0.25 mg/ml) arrested C. albicans cells at the G2/M phase and S phase of the cell cycle thereby preventing the progression of the normal yeast cell cycle. ROS level was measured to find out oxidative stress in C. albicans in the presence of mefloquine. The study revealed that, mefloquine was found to enhance the ROS level and subsequently oxidative stress. Gene expression studies revealed that mefloquine treatment upregulates the expressions of SOD1, SOD2, and CAT1 genes in C. albicans. In vivo, the antifungal efficacy of mefloquine was confirmed in mice for systemic candidiasis and it was found that there was a decrease in the pathogenesis of C. albicans after the treatment of mefloquine in mice. In conclusion, mefloquine can be used as a repurposed drug as an alternative drug against Candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sargun T Basrani
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine & Medical Biotechnology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, DY Patil Education Society (Deemed to Be University), Kasaba Bawada, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416006, India
| | - Nandakumar S Kadam
- iSERA Biological Pvt Ltd. MIDC Shirala, Sangli, Maharashtra, 415408, India
| | | | - Shivani B Patil
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine & Medical Biotechnology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, DY Patil Education Society (Deemed to Be University), Kasaba Bawada, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416006, India
| | - S Mohan Karuppayil
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine & Medical Biotechnology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, DY Patil Education Society (Deemed to Be University), Kasaba Bawada, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416006, India.
| | - Ashwini K Jadhav
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine & Medical Biotechnology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, DY Patil Education Society (Deemed to Be University), Kasaba Bawada, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416006, India.
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Basrani ST, Gavandi TC, Patil SB, Kadam NS, Yadav DV, Chougule SA, Karuppayil SM, Jadhav AK. Hydroxychloroquine an Antimalarial Drug, Exhibits Potent Antifungal Efficacy Against Candida albicans Through Multitargeting. J Microbiol 2024; 62:381-391. [PMID: 38587590 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-024-00111-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Candida albicans is the primary etiological agent associated with candidiasis in humans. Unrestricted growth of C. albicans can progress to systemic infections in the worst situation. This study investigates the antifungal activity of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and mode of action against C. albicans. HCQ inhibited the planktonic growth and yeast to hyphal form morphogenesis of C. albicans significantly at 0.5 mg/ml concentration. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC50) of HCQ for C. albicans adhesion and biofilm formation on the polystyrene surface was at 2 mg/ml and 4 mg/ml respectively. Various methods, such as scanning electron microscopy, exploration of the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway, cell cycle analysis, and assessment of S oxygen species (ROS) generation, were employed to investigate HCQ exerting its antifungal effects. HCQ was observed to reduce ergosterol levels in the cell membranes of C. albicans in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, HCQ treatment caused a substantial arrest of the C. albicans cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase, which impeded normal cell growth. Gene expression analysis revealed upregulation of SOD2, SOD1, and CAT1 genes after HCQ treatment, while genes like HWP1, RAS1, TEC1, and CDC 35 were downregulated. The study also assessed the in vivo efficacy of HCQ in a mice model, revealing a reduction in the pathogenicity of C. albicans after HCQ treatment. These results indicate that HCQ holds for the development of novel antifungal therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sargun Tushar Basrani
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, DY Patil Education Society (Deemed to be University), Kadamwadi, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416003, India
| | - Tanjila Chandsaheb Gavandi
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, DY Patil Education Society (Deemed to be University), Kadamwadi, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416003, India
| | - Shivani Balasaheb Patil
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, DY Patil Education Society (Deemed to be University), Kadamwadi, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416003, India
| | - Nandkumar Subhash Kadam
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, DY Patil Education Society (Deemed to be University), Kadamwadi, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416003, India
- iSERA Biological Pvt Ltd., MIDC Shirala, Dist., Sangli, Maharashtra, 41540, India
| | - Dhairyasheel Vasantrao Yadav
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, DY Patil Education Society (Deemed to be University), Kadamwadi, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416003, India
- iSERA Biological Pvt Ltd., MIDC Shirala, Dist., Sangli, Maharashtra, 41540, India
| | - Sayali Ashok Chougule
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, DY Patil Education Society (Deemed to be University), Kadamwadi, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416003, India
| | - Sankunny Mohan Karuppayil
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, DY Patil Education Society (Deemed to be University), Kadamwadi, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416003, India
| | - Ashwini Khanderao Jadhav
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, DY Patil Education Society (Deemed to be University), Kadamwadi, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416003, India.
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Román E, Prieto D, Hidalgo-Vico S, Alonso-Monge R, Pla J. The defective gut colonization of Candida albicans hog1 MAPK mutants is restored by overexpressing the transcriptional regulator of the white opaque transition WOR1. Virulence 2023; 14:2174294. [PMID: 36760104 PMCID: PMC9928469 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2174294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcriptional master regulator of the white opaque transition of Candida albicans WOR1 is important for the adaptation to the commensal lifestyle in the mammalian gut, a major source of invasive candidiasis. We have generated cells that overproduce Wor1 in mutants defective in the Hog1 MAP kinase, defective in several stress responses and unable to colonize the mice gut. WOR1 overexpression allows hog1 to be established as a commensal in the murine gut in a commensalism model and even compete with wild-type C. albicans cells for establishment. This increased fitness correlates with an enhanced ability to adhere to biotic surfaces as well as increased proteinase and phospholipase production and a decrease in filamentation in vitro. We also show that hog1 WOR1OE are avirulent in a systemic candidiasis model in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Román
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain,CONTACT Elvira Román
| | - Daniel Prieto
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Hidalgo-Vico
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rebeca Alonso-Monge
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Pla
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain,Jesús Pla Parasitología Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Keenan T, Hatton NE, Porter J, Vendeville JB, Wheatley DE, Ghirardello M, Wahart AJC, Ahmadipour S, Walton J, Galan MC, Linclau B, Miller GJ, Fascione MA. Reverse thiophosphorylase activity of a glycoside phosphorylase in the synthesis of an unnatural Manβ1,4GlcNAc library. Chem Sci 2023; 14:11638-11646. [PMID: 37920340 PMCID: PMC10619541 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc04169g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
β-Mannosides are ubiquitous in nature, with diverse roles in many biological processes. Notably, Manβ1,4GlcNAc a constituent of the core N-glycan in eukaryotes was recently identified as an immune activator, highlighting its potential for use in immunotherapy. Despite their biological significance, the synthesis of β-mannosidic linkages remains one of the major challenges in glycoscience. Here we present a chemoenzymatic strategy that affords a series of novel unnatural Manβ1,4GlcNAc analogues using the β-1,4-d-mannosyl-N-acetyl-d-glucosamine phosphorylase, BT1033. We show that the presence of fluorine in the GlcNAc acceptor facilitates the formation of longer β-mannan-like glycans. We also pioneer a "reverse thiophosphorylase" enzymatic activity, favouring the synthesis of longer glycans by catalysing the formation of a phosphorolysis-stable thioglycoside linkage, an approach that may be generally applicable to other phosphorylases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Keenan
- Department of Chemistry, University of York Heslington York YO10 5DD UK
| | - Natasha E Hatton
- Department of Chemistry, University of York Heslington York YO10 5DD UK
| | - Jack Porter
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences and Centre for Glycosciences, Keele University Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5BG UK
| | | | - David E Wheatley
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton Highfield Southampton SO17 1BJ UK
| | - Mattia Ghirardello
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Alice J C Wahart
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences and Centre for Glycosciences, Keele University Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5BG UK
| | - Sanaz Ahmadipour
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences and Centre for Glycosciences, Keele University Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5BG UK
| | - Julia Walton
- Department of Chemistry, University of York Heslington York YO10 5DD UK
| | - M Carmen Galan
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Bruno Linclau
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton Highfield Southampton SO17 1BJ UK
- Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University Campus Sterre, Krijgslaan 281-S4 Ghent 9000 Belgium
| | - Gavin J Miller
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences and Centre for Glycosciences, Keele University Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5BG UK
| | - Martin A Fascione
- Department of Chemistry, University of York Heslington York YO10 5DD UK
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Leroy J, Lecointe K, Coulon P, Sendid B, Robert R, Poulain D. Antibodies as Models and Tools to Decipher Candida albicans Pathogenic Development: Review about a Unique Monoclonal Antibody Reacting with Immunomodulatory Adhesins. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:636. [PMID: 37367572 DOI: 10.3390/jof9060636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Candidiasis, caused mainly by Candida albicans, a natural commensal of the human digestive tract and vagina, is the most common opportunistic fungal infection at the mucosal and systemic levels. Its high morbi-mortality rates have led to considerable research to identify the molecular mechanisms associated with the switch to pathogenic development and to diagnose this process as accurately as possible. Since the 1980s, the advent of monoclonal antibody (mAb) technology has led to significant progress in both interrelated fields. This linear review, intended to be didactic, was prompted by considering how, over several decades, a single mAb designated 5B2 contributed to the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis based on β-1,2-linked oligomannoside expression in Candida species. These contributions starting from the structural identification of the minimal epitope as a di-mannoside from the β-1,2 series consisted then in the demonstration that it was shared by a large number of cell wall proteins differently anchored in the cell wall and the discovery of a cell wall glycoplipid shed by the yeast in contact of host cells, the phospholipomannan. Cytological analysis revealed an overall highly complex epitope expression at the cell surface concerning all growth phases and a patchy distribution resulting from the merging of cytoplasmic vesicles to plasmalema and further secretion through cell wall channels. On the host side, the mAb 5B2 led to identification of Galectin-3 as the human receptor dedicated to β-mannosides and signal transduction pathways leading to cytokine secretion directing host immune responses. Clinical applications concerned in vivo imaging of Candida infectious foci, direct examination of clinical samples and detection of circulating serum antigens that complement the Platelia Ag test for an increased sensitivity of diagnosis. Finally, the most interesting character of mAb 5B2 is probably its ability to reveal C. albicans pathogenic behaviour in reacting specifically with vaginal secretions from women infected versus colonized by this species as well as to display higher reactivity with strains isolated in pathogenic circumstances or even linked to an unfavourable prognosis for systemic candidiasis. Together with a detailed referenced description of these studies, the review provides a complementary reading frame by listing the wide range of technologies involving mAb 5B2 over time, evidencing a practical robustness and versatility unique so far in the Candida field. Finally, the basic and clinical perspectives opened up by these studies are briefly discussed with regard to prospects for future applications of mAb 5B2 in current research challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Leroy
- CNRS, UMR 8576, UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
- INSERM U1285, University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
- CHU Lille, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Karine Lecointe
- CNRS, UMR 8576, UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
- INSERM U1285, University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Pauline Coulon
- CHU Lille, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Boualem Sendid
- CNRS, UMR 8576, UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
- INSERM U1285, University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
- CHU Lille, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Raymond Robert
- Kalidiv ZA, La Garde Bâtiment 1 B, Allée du 9 Novembre 1989, F-49240 Avrillé, France
| | - Daniel Poulain
- CNRS, UMR 8576, UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
- INSERM U1285, University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
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6
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Potential Anti-Candida albicans Mechanism of Trichoderma Acid from Trichoderma spirale. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065445. [PMID: 36982520 PMCID: PMC10049406 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is the main causal pathogen of fungal infections in human beings. Although diverse anti-C. albicans drugs have been explored, the drug resistance and side effects of these drugs are intensifying. Thus, it is urgent to explore new anti-C. albicans compounds from natural products. In this study, we identified trichoderma acid (TA), a compound from Trichoderma spirale with a strong inhibitory effect on C. albicans. Transcriptomic and iTRAQ-based proteomic analyses of TA-treated C. albicans in combination with scanning electronic microscopy and reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection were performed to investigate the potential targets of TA. The most significant differentially expressed genes and proteins after TA treatment were verified through Western blot analysis. Our results revealed that mitochondrial membrane potential, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes in the mitochondria, and cell walls were disrupted in TA-treated C. albicans, leading to the accumulation of ROS. The impaired enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase further contributed to the increase in ROS concentration. The high concentration of ROS led to DNA damage and cell skeleton destruction. The expression levels of Rho-related GTP-binding protein RhoE (RND3), asparagine synthetase (ASNS), glutathione S-transferase, and heat shock protein 70 were significantly up-regulated in response to apoptosis and toxin stimulation. These findings suggest that RND3, ASNS, and supereoxide dismutase 5 are the potential targets of TA, as further demonstrated through Western blot analysis. The combination of transcriptomic, proteomic, and cellular analyses would provide clues for the anti-C. albicans mechanism of TA and the defensive response mechanism of C. albicans. TA is thus recognized as a promising new anti-C. albicans leading compound that alleviates the hazard of C. albicans infection in human beings.
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Chen T, Wagner AS, Reynolds TB. When Is It Appropriate to Take Off the Mask? Signaling Pathways That Regulate ß(1,3)-Glucan Exposure in Candida albicans. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2022; 3:842501. [PMID: 36908584 PMCID: PMC10003681 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2022.842501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Candida spp. are an important source of systemic and mucosal infections in immune compromised populations. However, drug resistance or toxicity has put limits on the efficacy of current antifungals. The C. albicans cell wall is considered a good therapeutic target due to its roles in viability and fungal pathogenicity. One potential method for improving antifungal strategies could be to enhance the detection of fungal cell wall antigens by host immune cells. ß(1,3)-glucan, which is an important component of fungal cell walls, is a highly immunogenic epitope. Consequently, multiple host pattern recognition receptors, such as dectin-1, complement receptor 3 (CR3), and the ephrin type A receptor A (EphA2) are capable of recognizing exposed (unmasked) ß(1,3)-glucan moieties on the cell surface to initiate an anti-fungal immune response. However, ß(1,3)-glucan is normally covered (masked) by a layer of glycosylated proteins on the outer surface of the cell wall, hiding it from immune detection. In order to better understand possible mechanisms of unmasking ß(1,3)-glucan, we must develop a deeper comprehension of the pathways driving this phenotype. In this review, we describe the medical importance of ß(1,3)-glucan exposure in anti-fungal immunity, and highlight environmental stimuli and stressors encountered within the host that are capable of inducing changes in the levels of surface exposed ß(1,3)-glucan. Furthermore, particular focus is placed on how signal transduction cascades regulate changes in ß(1,3)-glucan exposure, as understanding the role that these pathways have in mediating this phenotype will be critical for future therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Chen
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Andrew S. Wagner
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Todd B. Reynolds
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
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Das S, Goswami AM, Saha T. An insight into the role of protein kinases as virulent factors, regulating pathogenic attributes in Candida albicans. Microb Pathog 2022; 164:105418. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Wagner AS, Hancock TJ, Lumsdaine SW, Kauffman SJ, Mangrum MM, Phillips EK, Sparer TE, Reynolds TB. Activation of Cph1 causes ß(1,3)-glucan unmasking in Candida albicans and attenuates virulence in mice in a neutrophil-dependent manner. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009839. [PMID: 34432857 PMCID: PMC8423308 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Masking the immunogenic cell wall epitope ß(1,3)-glucan under an outer layer of mannosylated glycoproteins is an important virulence factor deployed by Candida albicans during infection. Consequently, increased ß(1,3)-glucan exposure (unmasking) reveals C. albicans to the host's immune system and attenuates its virulence. We have previously shown that activation of the Cek1 MAPK pathway via expression of a hyperactive allele of an upstream kinase (STE11ΔN467) induced unmasking. It also increased survival of mice in a murine disseminated candidiasis model and attenuated kidney fungal burden by ≥33 fold. In this communication, we utilized cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression to test if the clearance of the unmasked STE11ΔN467 mutant was dependent on the host immune system. Suppression of the immune response by cyclophosphamide reduced the attenuation in fungal burden caused by the STE11ΔN467 allele. Moreover, specific depletion of neutrophils via 1A8 antibody treatment also reduced STE11ΔN467-dependent fungal burden attenuation, but to a lesser extent than cyclophosphamide, demonstrating an important role for neutrophils in mediating fungal clearance of unmasked STE11ΔN467 cells. In an effort to understand the mechanism by which Ste11ΔN467 causes unmasking, transcriptomics were used to reveal that several components in the Cek1 MAPK pathway were upregulated, including the transcription factor CPH1 and the cell wall sensor DFI1. In this report we show that a cph1ΔΔ mutation restored ß(1,3)-glucan exposure to wild-type levels in the STE11ΔN467 strain, confirming that Cph1 is the transcription factor mediating Ste11ΔN467-induced unmasking. Furthermore, Cph1 is shown to induce a positive feedback loop that increases Cek1 activation. In addition, full unmasking by STE11ΔN467 is dependent on the upstream cell wall sensor DFI1. However, while deletion of DFI1 significantly reduced Ste11ΔN467-induced unmasking, it did not impact activation of the downstream kinase Cek1. Thus, it appears that once stimulated by Ste11ΔN467, Dfi1 activates a parallel signaling pathway that is involved in Ste11ΔN467-induced unmasking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S. Wagner
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Trevor J. Hancock
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Stephen W. Lumsdaine
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Sarah J. Kauffman
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Mikayla M. Mangrum
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Elise K. Phillips
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Timothy E. Sparer
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Todd B. Reynolds
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
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Hameed S, Hans S, Singh S, Dhiman R, Monasky R, Pandey RP, Thangamani S, Fatima Z. Revisiting the Vital Drivers and Mechanisms of β-Glucan Masking in Human Fungal Pathogen, Candida albicans. Pathogens 2021; 10:942. [PMID: 34451406 PMCID: PMC8399646 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10080942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the several human fungal pathogens, Candida genus represents one of the most implicated in the clinical scenario. There exist several distinctive features that govern the establishment of Candida infections in addition to their capacity to adapt to multiple stress conditions inside humans which also include evasion of host immune responses. The complex fungal cell wall of the prevalent pathogen, Candida albicans, is one of the main targets of antifungal drugs and recognized by host immune cells. The wall consists of tiered arrangement of an outer thin but dense covering of mannan and inner buried layers of β-glucan and chitin. However, the pathogenic fungi adopt strategies to evade immune recognition by masking these molecules. This capacity to camouflage the immunogenic polysaccharide β-glucan from the host is a key virulence factor of C. albicans. The present review is an attempt to collate various underlying factors and mechanisms involved in Candida β-glucan masking from the available pool of knowledge and provide a comprehensive understanding. This will further improve therapeutic approaches to candidiasis by identifying new antifungal targets that blocks fungal immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saif Hameed
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Haryana, Gurugram 122413, India; (S.H.); (S.H.); (S.S.)
| | - Sandeep Hans
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Haryana, Gurugram 122413, India; (S.H.); (S.H.); (S.S.)
| | - Shweta Singh
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Haryana, Gurugram 122413, India; (S.H.); (S.H.); (S.S.)
| | - Ruby Dhiman
- Centre for Drug Design Discovery and Development (C4D), SRM University, Sonepat 131029, India; (R.D.); (R.P.P.)
| | - Ross Monasky
- Department of Pathology and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, 19555 N. 59th Ave., Glendale, AZ 85308, USA; (R.M.); (S.T.)
| | - Ramendra Pati Pandey
- Centre for Drug Design Discovery and Development (C4D), SRM University, Sonepat 131029, India; (R.D.); (R.P.P.)
| | - Shankar Thangamani
- Department of Pathology and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, 19555 N. 59th Ave., Glendale, AZ 85308, USA; (R.M.); (S.T.)
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
| | - Zeeshan Fatima
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Haryana, Gurugram 122413, India; (S.H.); (S.H.); (S.S.)
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Vico SH, Prieto D, Monge RA, Román E, Pla J. The Glyoxylate Cycle Is Involved in White-Opaque Switching in Candida albicans. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7070502. [PMID: 34202465 PMCID: PMC8304919 DOI: 10.3390/jof7070502] [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] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a commensal yeast that inhabits the gastrointestinal tract of humans. The master regulator of the white-opaque transition WOR1 has been implicated in the adaptation to this commensal status. A proteomic analysis of cells overexpressing this transcription factor (WOR1OE) suggested an altered metabolism of carbon sources and a phenotypic analysis confirmed this alteration. The WOR1OE cells are deficient in using trehalose and xylose and are unable to use 2C sources, which is consistent with a reduction in the amount of Icl1, the isocitrate lyase enzyme. The icl1Δ/Δ mutants overexpressing WOR1 are deficient in the production of phloxine B positive cells, a main characteristic of opaque cells, a phenotype also observed in mating type hemizygous mtla1Δ icl1Δ/Δ cells, suggesting the involvement of Icl1 in the adaptation to the commensal state. In fact, icl1Δ/Δ cells have reduced fitness in mouse gastrointestinal tract as compared with essentially isogenic heterozygous ICL1/icl1Δ, but overproduction of WOR1 in an icl1Δ/Δ mutant does not restore fitness. These results implicate the glyoxylate shunt in the adaptation to commensalism of C. albicans by mechanisms that are partially independent of WOR1.
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Barbosa A, Araújo D, Henriques M, Silva S. The combined application of the anti-RAS1 and anti-RIM101 2'-OMethylRNA oligomers enhances Candida albicans filamentation control. Med Mycol 2021; 59:1024-1031. [PMID: 34097057 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myab033] [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: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Whereas antisense oligomers (ASOs) have been successfully utilized to control gene expression, they have been little exploited to control Candida albicans virulence's determinants. Filamentation is an important virulence factor of C. albicans, and RAS1 and RIM101 genes are involved in its regulation. Thus, the main goal of this work was to project ASOs, based on 2'-OMethyl chemical modification, to target RAS1 and RIM101 mRNA and to validate its application either alone or in combination, to reduce Candida filamentation in different human body fluids.It was verified that both, anti-RAS1 2'OMe and anti-RIM101 2'OMe oligomers, were able to reduce the levels of RAS1 and RIM101 genes' expression and to significantly reduce C. albicans filamentation. Furthermore, the combined application of anti-RAS1 2'OMe oligomer and anti-RIM101 2'OMe oligomer enhances the control of C. albicans filamentation in artificial saliva and urine.Our work confirms that ASOs are useful tools for research and therapeutic development on the control of candidiasis. LAY ABSTRACT This work aimed to project antisense oligomers to control Candida albicans filamentation. The results revealed that the projected oligomers, anti-RAS1 2'OMe and anti-RIM101 2'OMe, were able to control RAS1 and RIM101 gene expression and to significantly reduce C. albicans filamentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Barbosa
- LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Daniela Araújo
- LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Mariana Henriques
- LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Sónia Silva
- LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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13
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Herrero-de-Dios C, Román E, Pla J, Alonso-Monge R. Hog1 Controls Lipids Homeostasis Upon Osmotic Stress in Candida albicans. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6040355. [PMID: 33321998 PMCID: PMC7770603 DOI: 10.3390/jof6040355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
As opportunistic pathogen, Candida albicans adapts to different environmental conditions and its corresponding stress. The Hog1 MAPK (Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase) was identified as the main MAPK involved in the response to osmotic stress. It was later shown that this MAPK is also involved in the response to a variety of stresses and therefore, its role in virulence, survival to phagocytes and establishment as commensal in the mouse gastrointestinal tract was reported. In this work, the role of Hog1 in osmotic stress is further analyzed, showing that this MAPK is involved in lipid homeostasis. The hog1 mutant accumulates lipid droplets when exposed to osmotic stress, leading to an increase in cell permeability and delaying the endocytic trafficking routes. Cek1, a MAPK also implicated in the response to osmotic challenge, did not play a role in lipid homeostasis indicating that Hog1 is the main MAP kinase in this response. The alteration on lipid metabolism observed in hog1 mutants is proposed to contribute to the sensitivity to osmotic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Herrero-de-Dios
- Servicio de Bioquímica, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Ctra. Colmenar Km 9, 28034 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Elvira Román
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología-IRYCIS, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza de Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (E.R.); (J.P.)
| | - Jesús Pla
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología-IRYCIS, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza de Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (E.R.); (J.P.)
| | - Rebeca Alonso-Monge
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología-IRYCIS, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza de Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (E.R.); (J.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-91-394-1888
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14
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Correia I, Wilson D, Hube B, Pla J. Characterization of a Candida albicans Mutant Defective in All MAPKs Highlights the Major Role of Hog1 in the MAPK Signaling Network. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6040230. [PMID: 33080787 PMCID: PMC7711971 DOI: 10.3390/jof6040230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The success of Candida albicans as a pathogen relies on its ability to adapt and proliferate in different environmental niches. Pathways regulated by mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are involved in sensing environmental conditions and developing an accurate adaptive response. Given the frequent cooperative roles of these routes in cellular functions, we have generated mutants defective in all combinations of the four described MAPKs in C. albicans and characterized its phenotype regarding sensitiveness to specific drugs, morphogenesis and interaction with host immune cells. We demonstrate that all MAPKs are dispensable in this yeast as a mutant defective in Cek1, Cek2, Mkc1 and Hog1 is viable although highly sensitive to oxidative and osmotic stress, displaying a specific pattern of sensitivity to antifungals. By comparing its phenotype with single, double and triple combinations of MAPK-deletion mutants we were able to unveil a Cek1-independent mechanism for Hog1 resistance to Congo red, and confirm the predominant effect of Hog1 on oxidative and osmotic adaptation. The quadruple mutant produces filaments under non-inducing conditions, but is unable to develop chlamydospores. Furthermore, cek1 cek2 mkc1 hog1 cells switch to the opaque state at high frequency, which is blocked by the ectopic expression of HOG1 suggesting a role of this kinase for phenotypic switching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Correia
- iBiMED-Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Agra do Crasto, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- Correspondence: (I.C.); (J.P.); Tel.: +351-234-370-213 (I.C.); +34-913-941-617 (J.P.)
| | - Duncan Wilson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK;
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans-Knoell-Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11A, 07745 Jena, Germany;
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Neugasse 25, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Jesús Pla
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología-IRYCIS, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (I.C.); (J.P.); Tel.: +351-234-370-213 (I.C.); +34-913-941-617 (J.P.)
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15
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Cooperative Role of MAPK Pathways in the Interaction of Candida albicans with the Host Epithelium. Microorganisms 2019; 8:microorganisms8010048. [PMID: 31881718 PMCID: PMC7023383 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8010048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is an important human fungal pathogen responsible for tens of millions of infections as well as hundreds of thousands of severe life-threatening infections each year. MAP kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathways facilitate the sensing and adaptation to external stimuli and control the expression of key virulence factors such as the yeast-to-hypha transition, the biogenesis of the cell wall, and the interaction with the host. In the present study, we have combined molecular approaches and infection biology to analyse the role of C. albicans MAPK pathways during an epithelial invasion. Hog1 was found to be important for adhesion to abiotic surfaces but was dispensable for damage to epithelial cells. The Mkc1 cell wall integrity (CWI) and Cek1 pathways, on the other hand, were both required for oral epithelial damage. Analysis of the ability to penetrate nutrient-rich semi-solid media revealed a cooperative role for Cek1 and Mkc1 in this process. Finally, cek2Δ (as well as cek1Δ) but not mkc1Δ or hog1Δ mutants, exhibited elevated β-glucan unmasking as revealed by immunofluorescence studies. Therefore, the four MAPK pathways play distinct roles in adhesion, epithelial damage, invasion and cell wall remodelling that may contribute to the pathogenicity of C. albicans.
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16
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Chen T, Wagner AS, Tams RN, Eyer JE, Kauffman SJ, Gann ER, Fernandez EJ, Reynolds TB. Lrg1 Regulates β (1,3)-Glucan Masking in Candida albicans through the Cek1 MAP Kinase Pathway. mBio 2019; 10:e01767-19. [PMID: 31530671 PMCID: PMC6751057 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01767-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is among the most prevalent opportunistic human fungal pathogens. The ability to mask the immunogenic polysaccharide β (1,3)-glucan from immune detection via a layer of mannosylated proteins is a key virulence factor of C. albicans We previously reported that hyperactivation of the Cek1 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway promotes β (1,3)-glucan exposure. In this communication, we report a novel upstream regulator of Cek1 activation and characterize the impact of Cek1 activity on fungal virulence. Lrg1 encodes a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) that has been suggested to inhibit the GTPase Rho1. We found that disruption of LRG1 causes Cek1 hyperactivation and β (1,3)-glucan unmasking. However, when GTPase activation was measured for a panel of GTPases, the lrg1ΔΔ mutant exhibited increased activation of Cdc42 and Ras1 but not Rho1 or Rac1. Unmasking and Cek1 activation in the lrg1ΔΔ mutant can be blocked by inhibition of the Ste11 MAP kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK), indicating that the lrg1ΔΔ mutant acts through the canonical Cek1 MAP kinase cascade. In order to determine how Cek1 hyperactivation specifically impacts virulence, a doxycycline-repressible hyperactive STE11ΔN467 allele was expressed in C. albicans In the absence of doxycycline, this allele overexpressed STE11ΔN467 , which induced production of proinflammatory tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) from murine macrophages. This in vitro phenotype correlates with decreased colonization and virulence in a mouse model of systemic infection. The mechanism by which Ste11ΔN467 causes unmasking was explored with RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis. Overexpression of Ste11ΔN467 caused upregulation of the Cph1 transcription factor and of a group of cell wall-modifying proteins which are predicted to impact cell wall architecture.IMPORTANCECandida albicans is an important source of systemic infections in humans. The ability to mask the immunogenic cell wall polymer β (1,3)-glucan from host immune surveillance contributes to fungal virulence. We previously reported that the hyperactivation of the Cek1 MAP kinase cascade promotes cell wall unmasking, thus increasing strain immunogenicity. In this study, we identified a novel regulator of the Cek1 pathway called Lrg1. Lrg1 is a predicted GTPase-activating protein (GAP) that represses Cek1 activity by downregulating the GTPase Cdc42 and its downstream MAPKKK, Ste11. Upregulation of Cek1 activity diminished fungal virulence in the mouse model of infection, and this correlates with increased cytokine responses from macrophages. We also analyzed the transcriptional profile determined during β (1,3)-glucan exposure driven by Cek1 hyperactivation. Our report provides a model where Cek1 hyperactivation causes β (1,3)-glucan exposure by upregulation of cell wall proteins and leads to more robust immune detection in vivo, promoting more effective clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Chen
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Andrew S Wagner
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Robert N Tams
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - James E Eyer
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sarah J Kauffman
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Eric R Gann
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Elias J Fernandez
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Todd B Reynolds
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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17
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Schoeters F, Van Dijck P. Protein-Protein Interactions in Candida albicans. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1792. [PMID: 31440220 PMCID: PMC6693483 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite being one of the most important human fungal pathogens, Candida albicans has not been studied extensively at the level of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and data on PPIs are not readily available in online databases. In January 2018, the database called "Biological General Repository for Interaction Datasets (BioGRID)" that contains the most PPIs for C. albicans, only documented 188 physical or direct PPIs (release 3.4.156) while several more can be found in the literature. Other databases such as the String database, the Molecular INTeraction Database (MINT), and the Database for Interacting Proteins (DIP) database contain even fewer interactions or do not even include C. albicans as a searchable term. Because of the non-canonical codon usage of C. albicans where CUG is translated as serine rather than leucine, it is often problematic to use the yeast two-hybrid system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to study C. albicans PPIs. However, studying PPIs is crucial to gain a thorough understanding of the function of proteins, biological processes and pathways. PPIs can also be potential drug targets. To aid in creating PPI networks and updating the BioGRID, we performed an exhaustive literature search in order to provide, in an accessible format, a more extensive list of known PPIs in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Floris Schoeters
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patrick Van Dijck
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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18
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Verma P, Laforce-Nesbitt SS, Tucker R, Mao Q, De Paepe ME, Bliss JM. Galectin-3 expression and effect of supplementation in neonatal mice with disseminated Candida albicans infection. Pediatr Res 2019; 85:527-532. [PMID: 30679793 PMCID: PMC6397689 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-019-0279-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Invasive candidiasis is an important cause of fungal infections in immunocompromised patients, including premature infants. The S-type lectin, galectin-3 (gal3), is increasingly recognized for its role in antifungal host defense. This study tested the hypothesis that tissue gal3 expression is affected by disseminated infection with Candida albicans and that supplementation with gal3 will provide a benefit in this setting. METHODS To determine the expression of gal3 at the tissue level in response to disseminated infection with C. albicans, adult and neonatal mice were infected using previously established models. End points were chosen that reflected substantive tissue fungal burden but before mortality. RESULTS No differences in gal3 were detected in tissues of adult animals relative to uninfected controls. In neonatal animals, gal3 concentration was lower in the spleen of infected animals compared to uninfected. Pretreatment of neonatal mice with recombinant gal3 was associated with reduced mortality and reduced fungal burden in the kidney, spleen, and lung at 24 h following infection. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that gal3 has an active role in host defense against candidiasis and that neonatal animals can benefit from supplementation with this lectin in the setting of disseminated candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasoon Verma
- Department of Pediatrics, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Sonia S. Laforce-Nesbitt
- Department of Pediatrics, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Richard Tucker
- Department of Pediatrics, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Quanfu Mao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Monique E. De Paepe
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Joseph M. Bliss
- Department of Pediatrics, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI,Corresponding Author: Dept. of Pediatrics, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, 101 Dudley St., Providence, RI 02905, Phone: (401)274-1100, Fax: (401) 453-7571,
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19
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Childers DS, Avelar GM, Bain JM, Larcombe DE, Pradhan A, Budge S, Heaney H, Brown AJP. Impact of the Environment upon the Candida albicans Cell Wall and Resultant Effects upon Immune Surveillance. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2019; 425:297-330. [PMID: 31781866 DOI: 10.1007/82_2019_182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The fungal cell wall is an essential organelle that maintains cellular morphology and protects the fungus from environmental insults. For fungal pathogens such as Candida albicans, it provides a degree of protection against attack by host immune defences. However, the cell wall also presents key epitopes that trigger host immunity and attractive targets for antifungal drugs. Rather than being a rigid shield, it has become clear that the fungal cell wall is an elastic organelle that permits rapid changes in cell volume and the transit of large liposomal particles such as extracellular vesicles. The fungal cell wall is also flexible in that it adapts to local environmental inputs, thereby enhancing the fitness of the fungus in these microenvironments. Recent evidence indicates that this cell wall adaptation affects host-fungus interactions by altering the exposure of major cell wall epitopes that are recognised by innate immune cells. Therefore, we discuss the impact of environmental adaptation upon fungal cell wall structure, and how this affects immune recognition, focussing on C. albicans and drawing parallels with other fungal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delma S Childers
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Gabriela M Avelar
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Judith M Bain
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Daniel E Larcombe
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Arnab Pradhan
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Susan Budge
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Helen Heaney
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Alistair J P Brown
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK.
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK.
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Rocha MC, Santos CA, Malavazi I. The Regulatory Function of the Molecular Chaperone Hsp90 in the Cell Wall Integrity of Pathogenic Fungi. CURR PROTEOMICS 2018. [DOI: 10.2174/1570164615666180820155807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Different signaling cascades including the Cell Wall Integrity (CWI), the High Osmolarity Glycerol (HOG) and the Ca2+/calcineurin pathways control the cell wall biosynthesis and remodeling in fungi. Pathogenic fungi, such as Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans, greatly rely on these signaling circuits to cope with different sources of stress, including the cell wall stress evoked by antifungal drugs and the host’s response during infection. Hsp90 has been proposed as an important regulatory protein and an attractive target for antifungal therapy since it stabilizes major effector proteins that act in the CWI, HOG and Ca2+/calcineurin pathways. Data from the human pathogen C. albicans have provided solid evidence that loss-of-function of Hsp90 impairs the evolution of resistance to azoles and echinocandin drugs. In A. fumigatus, Hsp90 is also required for cell wall integrity maintenance, reinforcing a coordinated function of the CWI pathway and this essential molecular chaperone. In this review, we focus on the current information about how Hsp90 impacts the aforementioned signaling pathways and consequently the homeostasis and maintenance of the cell wall, highlighting this cellular event as a key mechanism underlying antifungal therapy based on Hsp90 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Campos Rocha
- Departmento de Genetica e Evolucao, Centro de Ciencias Biologicas e da Saude, Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil
| | - Camilla Alves Santos
- Departmento de Genetica e Evolucao, Centro de Ciencias Biologicas e da Saude, Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil
| | - Iran Malavazi
- Departmento de Genetica e Evolucao, Centro de Ciencias Biologicas e da Saude, Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil
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21
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Impact of Fungal MAPK Pathway Targets on the Cell Wall. J Fungi (Basel) 2018; 4:jof4030093. [PMID: 30096860 PMCID: PMC6162559 DOI: 10.3390/jof4030093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The fungal cell wall is an extracellular organelle that provides structure and protection to cells. The cell wall also influences the interactions of cells with each other and surfaces. The cell wall can be reorganized in response to changing environmental conditions and different types of stress. Signaling pathways control the remodeling of the cell wall through target proteins that are in many cases not well defined. The Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase pathway that controls filamentous growth in yeast (fMAPK) was required for normal growth in media containing the cell wall perturbing agent Calcofluor White (CFW). A mass spectrometry (MASS-SPEC) approach and analysis of expression profiling data identified cell wall proteins and modifying enzymes whose levels were influenced by the fMAPK pathway. These include Flo11p, Flo10p, Tip1p, Pry2p and the mannosyltransferase, Och1p. Cells lacking Flo11p or Och1p were sensitive to CFW. The identification of cell wall proteins controlled by a MAPK pathway may provide insights into how signaling pathways regulate the cell wall.
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22
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Granger BL. Accessibility and contribution to glucan masking of natural and genetically tagged versions of yeast wall protein 1 of Candida albicans. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0191194. [PMID: 29329339 PMCID: PMC5766240 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/30/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Yeast wall protein 1 (Ywp1) is an abundant glycoprotein of the cell wall of the yeast form of Candida albicans, the most prevalent fungal pathogen of humans. Antibodies that bind to the polypeptide backbone of isolated Ywp1 show little binding to intact yeast cells, presumably because the Ywp1 epitopes are masked by the polysaccharides of the mannoproteins that form the outer layer of the cell wall. Rare cells do exhibit much greater anti-Ywp1 binding, however, and one of these was isolated and characterized. No differences were seen in its Ywp1, but it exhibited greater adhesiveness, sensitivity to wall perturbing agents, and exposure of its underlying β-1,3-glucan layer to external antibodies. The molecular basis for this greater epitope accessibility has not been determined, but has facilitated exploration of how these properties change as a function of cell growth and morphology. In addition, previously engineered strains with reduced quantities of Ywp1 in their cell walls were also found to have greater β-1,3-glucan exposure, indicating that Ywp1 itself contributes to the masking of wall epitopes, which may be important for understanding the anti-adhesive effect of Ywp1. Ectopic production of Ywp1 by hyphae, which reduces the adhesivity of these filamentous forms of C. albicans, was similarly found to reduce exposure of the β-1,3-glucan in their walls. To monitor Ywp1 in the cell wall irrespective of its accessibility, green fluorescent protein (Gfp) was genetically inserted into wall-anchored Ywp1 using a bifunctional cassette that also allowed production from a single transfection of a soluble, anchor-free version. The wall-anchored Ywp1-Gfp-Ywp1 accumulated in the wall of the yeast forms but not hyphae, and appeared to have properties similar to native Ywp1, including its adhesion-inhibiting effect. Some pseudohyphal walls also detectably accumulated this probe. Strains of C. albicans with tandem hemagglutinin (HA) epitopes inserted into wall-anchored Ywp1 were previously created by others, and were further explored here. As above, rare cells with much greater accessibility of the HA epitopes were isolated, and also found to exhibit greater exposure of Ywp1 and β-1,3-glucan. The placement of the HA cassette inhibited the normal N-glycosylation and propeptide cleavage of Ywp1, but the wall-anchored Ywp1-HA-Ywp1 still accumulated in the cell wall of yeast forms. Bifunctional transformation cassettes were used to additionally tag these molecules with Gfp, generating soluble Ywp1-HA-Gfp and wall-anchored Ywp1-HA-Gfp-Ywp1 molecules. The former revealed unexpected electrophoretic properties caused by the HA insertion, while the latter further highlighted differences between the presence of a tagged Ywp1 molecule (as revealed by Gfp fluorescence) and its accessibility in the cell wall to externally applied antibodies specific for HA, Gfp and Ywp1, with accessibility being greatest in the rapidly expanding walls of budding daughter cells. These strains and results increase our understanding of cell wall properties and how C. albicans masks itself from recognition by the human immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce L. Granger
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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O'Meara TR, Robbins N, Cowen LE. The Hsp90 Chaperone Network Modulates Candida Virulence Traits. Trends Microbiol 2017; 25:809-819. [PMID: 28549824 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Revised: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Hsp90 is a conserved molecular chaperone that facilitates the folding and function of client proteins. Hsp90 function is dynamically regulated by interactions with co-chaperones and by post-translational modifications. In the fungal pathogen Candida albicans, Hsp90 enables drug resistance and virulence by stabilizing diverse signal transducers. Here, we review studies that have unveiled regulators of Hsp90 function, as well as downstream effectors that govern the key virulence traits of morphogenesis and drug resistance. We highlight recent work mapping the Hsp90 genetic network in C. albicans under diverse environmental conditions, and how these interactions provide insight into circuitry important for drug resistance, morphogenesis, and virulence. Ultimately, elucidating the Hsp90 chaperone network will aid in the development of therapeutics to treat fungal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa R O'Meara
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada.
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Cullen PJ, Edgerton M. Unmasking fungal pathogens by studying MAPK-dependent cell wall regulation in Candida albicans. Virulence 2016; 7:502-5. [PMID: 27088569 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2016.1177695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Cullen
- a Department of Biological Sciences , State University of New York at Buffalo , Buffalo , NY , USA
| | - Mira Edgerton
- b Department of Oral Biology , State University of New York at Buffalo , Buffalo , NY , USA
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