1
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Diao W, Yin M, Qi Y, Fu Y, Gu L, Lin J, Zhang L, Jiang N, Wang Q, Wang Y, Yi W, Chi M, Li C, Zhao G. Resveratrol has neuroprotective effects and plays an anti-inflammatory role through Dectin-1/p38 pathway in Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis. Cytokine 2024; 179:156626. [PMID: 38678810 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2024.156626] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the antifungal, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of resveratrol (RES) in Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) keratitis. METHODS Cytotoxicity assay and Draize eye assay were performed to assess the toxicity of RES. The antifungal effect of RES was assessed by minimal inhibitory concentration, scanning or transmission electron microscopy, propidium iodide uptake assay, and Calcofluor white staining. Phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, mRNA and protein levels of Dectin-1 and related inflammatory factors were measured by qRT-PCR, ELISA and Western blot in vitro and in vivo. Clinical score, HE staining, plate count, and myeloperoxidase test were used to observe the progress of fungal keratitis. IF staining, qRT-PCR, and the Von Frey test were selected to assess the neuroprotective effects of RES. RESULTS RES suppressed A. fumigatus hyphae growth and altered hyphae morphology in vitro. RES decreased the expression of Dectin-1, IL-1β and TNF-α, as well as p38 MAPK phosphorylation expression, and also decreased clinical scores, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and neutrophil activity, and decreased fungal load. RES also protected corneal basal nerve fibers, down-regulated mechanosensitivity thresholds, and increased the mRNA levels of CGRP and TRPV-1.. CONCLUSION These evidences revealed that RES could exert antifungal effects on A. fumigatus and ameliorate FK through suppressing the Dectin-1/p38 MAPK pathway to down-regulate IL-1β, IL-6, etc. expression and play protective effect on corneal nerves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weilin Diao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Min Yin
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Yinghe Qi
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Yudong Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Lingwen Gu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Jing Lin
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Lina Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Nan Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Yuwei Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Wendan Yi
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Menghui Chi
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Cui Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China.
| | - Guiqiu Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China.
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2
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Costa AF, da Silva JT, Martins JA, Rocha VL, de Menezes LB, Amaral AC. Chitosan nanoparticles encapsulating farnesol evaluated in vivo against Candida albicans. Braz J Microbiol 2024; 55:143-154. [PMID: 37964169 PMCID: PMC10920512 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-023-01168-y] [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: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Farnesol is a natural essential oil with antimicrobial properties. Complexation of farnesol in chitosan nanoparticles can be useful to improve its bioavailability and potentiate its antifungal capabilities such as inhibition of hyphal and biofilm formation. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize chitosan nanoparticles with farnesol (NF) and evaluate their toxicity and antifungal action on C. albicans in vivo. The NF were prepared by the ionic gelation method and showed physicochemical characteristics such as diameter less than 200 nm, monodisperse distribution, positive zeta potential, spherical morphology, and stability after 120 days of storage. In the evaluation of toxicity in Galleria mellonella, NF did not reduce the survival rate, indicating that there was no toxicity in vivo at the doses tested. In the assays with G. mellonella infected by C. albicans, the larvae treated with NF had a high survival rate after 48 h, with a significant reduction of the fungal load and inhibition of the formation of biofilms and hyphae. In the murine model of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), histopathological analysis showed a reduction in inflammatory parameters, fungal burden, and hyphal inhibition in mice treated with NF. The produced nanoparticles can be a promising alternative to inhibit C. albicans infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelaide Fernandes Costa
- Biotechnology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, 74605-050, Brazil.
| | - Jacqueline Teixeira da Silva
- Biotechnology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, 74605-050, Brazil
| | - Juliana Assis Martins
- Biotechnology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, 74605-050, Brazil
| | - Viviane Lopes Rocha
- Biotechnology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, 74605-050, Brazil
| | - Liliana Borges de Menezes
- Biotechnology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, 74605-050, Brazil
| | - Andre Correa Amaral
- Biotechnology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, 74605-050, Brazil
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3
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Pinsky M, Kornitzer D. Genetic Analysis of Candida albicans Filamentation by the Iron Chelator BPS Reveals a Role for a Conserved Kinase-WD40 Protein Pair. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:83. [PMID: 38276029 PMCID: PMC10820326 DOI: 10.3390/jof10010083] [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: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a major human pathogenic fungus that is distinguished by its capability to switch from a yeast to a hyphal morphology under different conditions. Here, we analyze the cellular effects of high concentrations of the iron chelator bathophenanthroline disulfonate (BPS). BPS inhibits cellular growth by withholding iron, but when iron chelation is overcome by the addition of hemoglobin as an iron source, the cells resume growth as hyphae. The BPS hyphal induction pathway was characterized by identifying the hyphal-specific transcription factors that it requires and by a forward genetic screen for mutants that fail to form hyphae in BPS using a transposon library generated in a haploid strain. Among the mutants identified are the DYRK1-like kinase Yak1 and Orf19.384, a homolog of the DYRK1-associated protein WDR68/DCAF7. Orf19.384 nuclear localization depends on Yak1, similar to their mammalian counterparts. We identified the hyphal suppressor transcription factor Sfl1 as a candidate target of Yak1-Orf19.384 and show that Sfl1 modification is similarly affected in the yak1 and orf19.384 mutant strains. These results suggest that DYRK1/Yak1 and WDR68/Orf19.384 represent a conserved protein pair that regulates cell differentiation from fungi to animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Kornitzer
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion—I.I.T., Haifa 31096, Israel;
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4
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Kumpakha R, Gordon DM. Occidiofungin inhibition of Candida biofilm formation on silicone elastomer surface. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0246023. [PMID: 37816202 PMCID: PMC10715079 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02460-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Candida are opportunistic fungal pathogens with medical relevance given their association with superficial to life-threatening infections. An important component of Candida virulence is the ability to form a biofilm. These structures are highly resistant to antifungal therapies and are often the cause of treatment failure. In this work, we evaluated the efficacy of the antifungal compound, occidiofungin, against Candida biofilms developed on a silicone surface. We demonstrate that occidiofungin eliminated cells at all stages of biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner. Consistent with our understanding of occidiofungin bioactivity, we noted alterations to actin organization and cell morphology following antifungal exposure. Given the challenges associated with the treatment of biofilm-associated infections, occidiofungin exhibits potential as a therapeutic antifungal agent in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabina Kumpakha
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA
| | - Donna M. Gordon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA
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5
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Patil SB, Sharma RK, Gavandi TC, Basrani ST, Chougule SA, Yankanchi SR, Jadhav AK, Karuppayil SM. Ethyl Isothiocyanate as a Novel Antifungal Agent Against Candida albicans. Curr Microbiol 2023; 81:29. [PMID: 38051343 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-023-03542-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
In the recent years, occurrence of candidiasis has increased drastically which leads to significant mortality and morbidity mainly in immune compromised patients. Glucosinolate (GLS) derivatives are reported to have antifungal activities. Ethyl isothiocyanate (EITC) and its antifungal activity and mechanism of action is still unclear against Candida albicans. The present work was designed to get a mechanistic insight in to the anti-Candida efficacy of EITC through in vitro and in vivo studies. EITC inhibited C. albicans planktonic growth at 0.5 mg/ml and virulence factors like yeast to hyphal form morphogenesis (0.0312 mg/ml), adhesion to polystyrene surface (0.0312 mg/ml) and biofilm formation (developing biofilm at 2 mg/ml and mature biofilm at 0.5 mg/ml) effectively. EITC blocked ergosterol biosynthesis and arrested C. albicans cells at S-phase. EITC caused ROS-dependent cellular death and nuclear or DNA fragmentation. EITC at 0.0312 mg/ml concentration regulated the expression of genes involved in the signal transduction pathway and inhibited yeast to hyphal form morphogenesis by upregulating TUP1, MIG1, and NRG1 by 3.10, 5.84 and 2.64-fold, respectively and downregulating PDE2 and CEK1 genes by 15.38 and 2.10-fold, respectively. EITC has showed haemolytic activity at 0.5 mg/ml concentration. In vivo study in silk worm model showed that EITC has toxicity to C. albicans at 0.5 mg/ml concentration. Thus, from present study we conclude that EITC has antifungal activity and to reduce its MIC and toxicity, combination study with other antifungal drugs need to be done. EITC and its combinations might be used as alternative therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of C. albicans infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Balasaheb Patil
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Medical Biotechnology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, D. Y. Patil Education Society (Deemed to be University), Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416003, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar Sharma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, D. Y. Patil Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Kadamwadi, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416003, India
| | - Tanjila Chandsaheb Gavandi
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Medical Biotechnology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, D. Y. Patil Education Society (Deemed to be University), Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416003, India
| | - Sargun Tushar Basrani
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Medical Biotechnology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, D. Y. Patil Education Society (Deemed to be University), Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416003, India
| | - Sayali Ashok Chougule
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Medical Biotechnology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, D. Y. Patil Education Society (Deemed to be University), Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416003, India
| | | | - Ashwini Khanderao Jadhav
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Medical Biotechnology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, D. Y. Patil Education Society (Deemed to be University), Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416003, India.
| | - Sankunny Mohan Karuppayil
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Medical Biotechnology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, D. Y. Patil Education Society (Deemed to be University), Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416003, India.
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Alabi PE, Gautier C, Murphy TP, Gu X, Lepas M, Aimanianda V, Sello JK, Ene IV. Small molecules restore azole activity against drug-tolerant and drug-resistant Candida isolates. mBio 2023; 14:e0047923. [PMID: 37326546 PMCID: PMC10470600 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00479-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Each year, fungi cause more than 1.5 billion infections worldwide and have a devastating impact on human health, particularly in immunocompromised individuals or patients in intensive care units. The limited antifungal arsenal and emerging multidrug-resistant species necessitate the development of new therapies. One strategy for combating drug-resistant pathogens is the administration of molecules that restore fungal susceptibility to approved drugs. Accordingly, we carried out a screen to identify small molecules that could restore the susceptibility of pathogenic Candida species to azole antifungals. This screening effort led to the discovery of novel 1,4-benzodiazepines that restore fluconazole susceptibility in resistant isolates of Candida albicans, as evidenced by 100-1,000-fold potentiation of fluconazole activity. This potentiation effect was also observed in azole-tolerant strains of C. albicans and in other pathogenic Candida species. The 1,4-benzodiazepines selectively potentiated different azoles, but not other approved antifungals. A remarkable feature of the potentiation was that the combination of the compounds with fluconazole was fungicidal, whereas fluconazole alone is fungistatic. Interestingly, the potentiators were not toxic to C. albicans in the absence of fluconazole, but inhibited virulence-associated filamentation of the fungus. We found that the combination of the potentiators and fluconazole significantly enhanced host survival in a Galleria mellonella model of systemic fungal infection. Taken together, these observations validate a strategy wherein small molecules can restore the activity of highly used anti-infectives that have lost potency. IMPORTANCE In the last decade, we have been witnessing a higher incidence of fungal infections, due to an expansion of the fungal species capable of causing disease (e.g., Candida auris), as well as increased antifungal drug resistance. Among human fungal pathogens, Candida species are a leading cause of invasive infections and are associated with high mortality rates. Infections by these pathogens are commonly treated with azole antifungals, yet the expansion of drug-resistant isolates has reduced their clinical utility. In this work, we describe the discovery and characterization of small molecules that potentiate fluconazole and restore the susceptibility of azole-resistant and azole-tolerant Candida isolates. Interestingly, the potentiating 1,4-benzodiazepines were not toxic to fungal cells but inhibited their virulence-associated filamentous growth. Furthermore, combinations of the potentiators and fluconazole decreased fungal burdens and enhanced host survival in a Galleria mellonella model of systemic fungal infections. Accordingly, we propose the use of novel antifungal potentiators as a powerful strategy for addressing the growing resistance of fungi to clinically approved drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip E. Alabi
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Cécile Gautier
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Fungal Heterogeneity Group, Paris, France
| | - Thomas P. Murphy
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Xilin Gu
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mathieu Lepas
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR2000, Molecular Mycology Unit, Paris, France
| | - Vishukumar Aimanianda
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR2000, Molecular Mycology Unit, Paris, France
| | - Jason K. Sello
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Iuliana V. Ene
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Fungal Heterogeneity Group, Paris, France
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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7
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Metzner K, O’Meara MJ, Halligan B, Wotring JW, Sexton JZ, O’Meara TR. Imaging-Based Screening Identifies Modulators of the eIF3 Translation Initiation Factor Complex in Candida albicans. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0050323. [PMID: 37382550 PMCID: PMC10353439 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00503-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal pathogens like Candida albicans can cause devastating human disease. Treatment of candidemia is complicated by the high rate of resistance to common antifungal therapies. Additionally, there is host toxicity associated with many antifungal compounds due to the conservation between essential mammalian and fungal proteins. An attractive new approach for antimicrobial development is to target virulence factors: non-essential processes that are required for the organism to cause disease in human hosts. This approach expands the potential target space while reducing the selective pressure toward resistance, as these targets are not essential for viability. In C. albicans, a key virulence factor is the ability to transition to hyphal morphology. We developed a high-throughput image analysis pipeline to distinguish between yeast and filamentous growth in C. albicans at the single cell level. Based on this phenotypic assay, we screened the FDA drug repurposing library of 2,017 compounds for their ability to inhibit filamentation and identified 33 compounds that block the hyphal transition in C. albicans with IC50 values ranging from 0.2 to 150 μM. Multiple compounds showed a phenyl sulfone chemotype, prompting further analysis. Of these phenyl sulfones, NSC 697923 displayed the most efficacy, and by selecting for resistant mutants, we identified eIF3 as the target of NSC 697923 in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katura Metzner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Matthew J. O’Meara
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Benjamin Halligan
- University of Michigan Center for Drug Repurposing, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jesse W. Wotring
- University of Michigan Center for Drug Repurposing, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jonathan Z. Sexton
- University of Michigan Center for Drug Repurposing, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Teresa R. O’Meara
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Lin L, Zhuo Y, Dong Q, Yang C, Cheng C, Liu T. Plasma activated Ezhangfeng Cuji as innovative antifungal agent and its inactivation mechanism. AMB Express 2023; 13:65. [PMID: 37368076 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-023-01571-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a highly drug-resistant fungus for which new treatments are urgently needed due to the lack of clinically effective options. In this study, we evaluated the antifungal activity and mechanism of plasma-activated Ezhangfeng Cuji (PAEC) against Candida albicans and compared it with physiological saline (PS), plasma-activated physiological saline (PAPS) and Ezhangfeng Cuji (EC). After dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment with EC for 20 min followed by a 10 min immersion of Candida albicans, the fungus was reduced by approximately 3 orders of magnitude. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) results showed an increase of 41.18% and 129.88% in the concentration of oxymatrine and rhein, respectively, after plasma-treated EC. The concentrations of reactive species (RS), such as H2O2, [Formula: see text], and O3, were found to be higher and the pH value was getting lower in PS after plasma treatment. Detailed analysis of intracellular material leakage, reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis for Candida albicans and observation by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that PAPS, EC and PAEC disrupt the morphological structure of Candida albicans to varying degrees.Additionally, specific analyses on Candida albicans virulence factors, such as adhesion to tissue surfaces, cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH), the transition of yeast-phase cells to mycelium-phase cells, and the secretion of hydrolytic enzymes for Candida albicans were conducted and found to be inhibited after PAPS/EC/PAEC treatment. In our investigation, the inhibitory effects on Candida albicans were ranked from strong to weak as follows: PAEC, EC, PAPS, and PS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Lin
- The Postgraduate School of Anhui, University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Zhuo
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiran Dong
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunjun Yang
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Cheng
- Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Taofeng Liu
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China.
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Feng W, Yang J, Ma Y, Zhang L, Yin R, Qiao Z, Ji Y, Zhou Y. Relationships between Secreted Aspartyl Proteinase 2 and General Control Nonderepressible 4 gene in the Candida albicans resistant to itraconazole under planktonic and biofilm conditions. Braz J Microbiol 2023; 54:619-627. [PMID: 37087512 PMCID: PMC10235319 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-023-00961-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the roles of SAP2 and GCN4 in itraconazole (ITR) resistance of C. albicans under different conditions, and their correlations. A total of 20 clinical strains of C. albicans, including 10 ITR resistant strains and 10 sensitive strains, were used. Then, SAP2 sequencing and GCN4 sequencing were performed, and the biofilm formation ability of different C. albicans strains was determined. Finally, real-time quantitative PCR was used to measure the expression of SAP2 and GCN4 in C. albicans under planktonic and biofilm conditions, as well as their correlation was also analyzed. No missense mutations and three synonymous mutation sites, including T276A, G543A, and A675C, were found in SAP2 sequencing. GCN4 sequencing showed one missense mutation site (A106T (T36S)) and six synonymous mutation sites (A147C, C426T, T513C, T576A, G624A and C732T). The biofilm formation ability of drug-resistant C. albicans strains was significantly higher than that of sensitive strains (P < 0.05). Additionally, SAP2 and GCN4 were up-regulated in the ITR-resistant strains, and were both significantly higher in C. albicans under biofilm condition. The mRNA expression levels of SAP2 and GCN4 had significantly positive correlation. The higher expression levels of SAP2 and GCN4 were observed in the ITR-resistant strains of C. albicans under planktonic and biofilm conditions, as well as there was a positive correlation between SAP2 and GCN4 mRNA expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenli Feng
- The Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, NO.382, Wuyi Road, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China.
| | - Jing Yang
- The Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, NO.382, Wuyi Road, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China.
| | - Yan Ma
- The Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, NO.382, Wuyi Road, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China
| | - Luwen Zhang
- The Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, NO.382, Wuyi Road, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China
| | - Rong Yin
- The Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, NO.382, Wuyi Road, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China
| | - Zusha Qiao
- The Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, NO.382, Wuyi Road, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China
| | - Ying Ji
- The Department of Bluttranfusion, The Second Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China
| | - Yong'an Zhou
- The Department of Bluttranfusion, The Second Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China
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10
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Zhu P, Li Y, Guo T, Liu S, Tancer RJ, Hu C, Zhao C, Xue C, Liao G. New antifungal strategies: drug combination and co-delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 198:114874. [PMID: 37211279 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114874] [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: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The growing occurrence of invasive fungal infections and the mounting rates of drug resistance constitute a significant menace to human health. Antifungal drug combinations have garnered substantial interest for their potential to improve therapeutic efficacy, reduce drug doses, reverse, or ameliorate drug resistance. A thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying antifungal drug resistance and drug combination is key to developing new drug combinations. Here we discuss the mechanisms of antifungal drug resistance and elucidate how to discover potent drug combinations to surmount resistance. We also examine the challenges encountered in developing such combinations and discuss prospects, including advanced drug delivery strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400700, China
| | - Yan Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Ting Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400700, China
| | - Simei Liu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing 402760, China; Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Robert J Tancer
- Public Health Research Institute and Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Changhua Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400700, China
| | - Chengzhi Zhao
- Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, 400700, PR China.
| | - Chaoyang Xue
- Public Health Research Institute and Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Guojian Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400700, China.
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11
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Jin X, Hou X, Wang X, Zhang M, Chen J, Song M, Zhang J, Zheng H, Chang W, Lou H. Characterization of an allosteric inhibitor of fungal-specific C-24 sterol methyltransferase to treat Candida albicans infections. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:553-568.e7. [PMID: 37160123 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.04.010] [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: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Filamentation is an important virulence factor of the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. The abolition of Candida albicans hyphal formation by disrupting sterol synthesis is an important concept for the development of antifungal drugs with high safety. Here, we conduct a high-throughput screen using a C. albicans strain expressing green fluorescent protein-labeled Dpp3 to identify anti-hypha agents by interfering with ergosterol synthesis. The antipyrine derivative H55 is characterized to have minimal cytotoxicity and potent inhibition of C. albicans hyphal formation in multiple cultural conditions. H55 monotherapy exhibits therapeutic efficacy in mouse models of azole-resistant candidiasis. H55 treatment increases the accumulation of zymosterol, the substrate of C-24 sterol methyltransferase (Erg6). The results of enzyme assays, photoaffinity labeling, molecular simulation, mutagenesis, and cellular thermal shift assays support H55 as an allosteric inhibitor of Erg6. Collectively, H55, an inhibitor of the fungal-specific enzyme Erg6, holds potential to treat C. albicans infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyang Jin
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xuben Hou
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xue Wang
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Institute of Medical Science, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jinyao Chen
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Minghui Song
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jiaozhen Zhang
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Hongbo Zheng
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Wenqiang Chang
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.
| | - Hongxiang Lou
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.
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12
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Senoner T, Breitkopf R, Treml B, Rajsic S. Invasive Fungal Infections after Liver Transplantation. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12093238. [PMID: 37176678 PMCID: PMC10179452 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12093238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections represent a major challenge in patients who underwent organ transplantation. Overall, the most common fungal infections in these patients are candidiasis, followed by aspergillosis and cryptococcosis, except in lung transplant recipients, where aspergillosis is most common. Several risk factors have been identified, which increase the likelihood of an invasive fungal infection developing after transplantation. Liver transplant recipients constitute a high-risk category for invasive candidiasis and aspergillosis, and therefore targeted prophylaxis is favored in this patient population. Furthermore, a timely implemented therapy is crucial for achieving optimal outcomes in transplanted patients. In this article, we describe the epidemiology, risk factors, prophylaxis, and treatment strategies of the most common fungal infections in organ transplantation, with a focus on liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Senoner
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Robert Breitkopf
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Benedikt Treml
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sasa Rajsic
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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13
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Metzner K, O’Meara MJ, Halligan B, Wotring JW, Sexton JZ, O’Meara TR. Imaging-based screening identifies modulators of the eIF3 translation initiation factor complex in Candida albicans. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.19.537517. [PMID: 37131825 PMCID: PMC10153179 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.19.537517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Fungal pathogens like Candida albicans can cause devastating human disease. Treatment of candidemia is complicated by the high rate of resistance to common antifungal therapies. Additionally, there is host toxicity associated with many antifungal compounds due to the conservation between essential mammalian and fungal proteins. An attractive new approach for antimicrobial development is to target virulence factors: non-essential processes that are required for the organism to cause disease in human hosts. This approach expands the potential target space while reducing the selective pressure towards resistance, as these targets are not essential for viability. In C. albicans, a key virulence factor is the ability to transition to hyphal morphology. We developed a high-throughput image analysis pipeline to distinguish between yeast and filamentous growth in C. albicans at the single cell level. Based on this phenotypic assay, we screened the FDA drug repurposing library of 2,017 compounds for their ability to inhibit filamentation and identified 33 compounds that block the hyphal transition in C. albicans with IC 50 values ranging from 0.2 to 150 µM. Multiple compounds showed a phenyl vinyl sulfone chemotype, prompting further analysis. Of these phenyl vinyl sulfones, NSC 697923 displayed the most efficacy, and by selecting for resistant mutants, we identified eIF3 as the target of NSC 697923 in C. albicans .
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Affiliation(s)
- Katura Metzner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Matthew J O’Meara
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Benjamin Halligan
- University of Michigan Center for Drug Repurposing, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jesse W. Wotring
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- University of Michigan Center for Drug Repurposing, USA
| | - Jonathan Z Sexton
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- University of Michigan Center for Drug Repurposing, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Teresa R O’Meara
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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14
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Lee Y, Hossain S, MacAlpine J, Robbins N, Cowen LE. Functional genomic analysis of Candida albicans protein kinases reveals modulators of morphogenesis in diverse environments. iScience 2023; 26:106145. [PMID: 36879823 PMCID: PMC9984565 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106145] [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: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a leading cause of mycotic infection. The ability to transition between yeast and filamentous forms is critical to C. albicans virulence and complex signaling pathways regulate this process. Here, we screened a C. albicans protein kinase mutant library in six environmental conditions to identify regulators of morphogenesis. We identified the uncharacterized gene orf19.3751 as a negative regulator of filamentation and follow-up investigations implicated a role for orf19.3751 in cell cycle regulation. We also uncovered a dual role for the kinases Ire1 and protein kinase A (Tpk1 and Tpk2) in C. albicans morphogenesis, specifically as negative regulators of wrinkly colony formation on solid medium but positive regulators of filamentation in liquid medium. Further analyses suggested Ire1 modulates morphogenesis in both media states in part through the transcription factor Hac1 and in part through independent mechanisms. Overall, this work provides insights into the signaling governing morphogenesis in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunjin Lee
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Saif Hossain
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Jessie MacAlpine
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
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15
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Bacillus Metabolites: Compounds, Identification and Anti-Candida albicans Mechanisms. MICROBIOLOGY RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/microbiolres13040070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans seriously threatens human health, especially for immunosuppressed groups. The antifungal agents mainly include azoles, polyenes and echinocandins. However, the few types of existing antifungal drugs and their resistance make it necessary to develop new antifungal drugs. Bacillus and its metabolites has antifungal activity against pathogenic fungi. This review introduces the application of Bacillus metabolites in the control of C. albicans in recent years. Firstly, several compounds produced by Bacillus spp. are listed. Then the isolation and identification techniques of Bacillus metabolites in recent years are described, including high-precision separation technology and omics technology for the separation of similar components of Bacillus metabolites. The mechanisms of Bacillus metabolites against C. albicans are distinguished from the inhibition of pathogenic fungi and inhibition of the fungal virulence factors. The purpose of this review is to systematically summarize the recent studies on the inhibition of pathogenic fungi by Bacillus metabolites. The review is expected to become the reference for the control of pathogenic fungi such as C. albicans and the application of Bacillus metabolites in the future.
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16
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Xie F, Hao Y, Bao J, Liu J, Liu Y, Wang R, Chi X, Chai X, Wang T, Yu S, Jin Y, Yan L, Zhang D, Ni T. Design, synthesis, and in vitro evaluation of novel antifungal triazoles containing substituted 1,2,3-triazole-methoxyl side chains. Bioorg Chem 2022; 129:106216. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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17
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Hossain S, Robbins N, Cowen LE. The GARP complex is required for filamentation in Candida albicans. Genetics 2022; 222:iyac152. [PMID: 36226807 PMCID: PMC9713427 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyac152] [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: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes superficial infections in immunocompetent individuals, as well as life-threatening systemic disease in immunocompromised patients. A key virulence trait of this pathogen is its ability to transition between yeast and filamentous morphologies. A functional genomic screen to identify novel regulators of filamentation previously revealed VPS53 as being important for morphogenesis. Vps53 belongs to the Golgi-associated retrograde protein (GARP) complex, which mediates retrograde trafficking from the endosome to the trans-Golgi network. Here, we explored the role of the entire GARP complex in regulating morphogenesis. Deletion of any of the four genes encoding GARP complex subunits severely impaired filamentation in response to diverse filament-inducing cues, including upon internalization by macrophages. Genetic pathway analysis revealed that while hyperactivation of protein kinase A (PKA) signaling is insufficient to drive filamentation in GARP complex mutants, these strains are capable of filamentation upon overexpression of transcriptional activators or upon deletion of transcriptional repressors of hyphal morphogenesis. Finally, compromise of the GARP complex induced lipotoxicity, and pharmacological inhibition of sphingolipid biosynthesis phenocopied genetic compromise of the GARP complex by impairing filamentation. Together, this work identifies the GARP complex as an important mediator of filamentation in response to multiple inducing cues, maps genetic circuitry important for filamentation upon compromise of GARP function, and supports a model whereby GARP deficiency impairs lipid homeostasis, which is important for supporting filamentous growth in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saif Hossain
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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18
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Britton SJ, Rogers LJ, White JS, Maskell DL. HYPHAEdelity: a quantitative image analysis tool for assessing peripheral whole colony filamentation. FEMS Yeast Res 2022; 22:6832773. [PMID: 36398755 PMCID: PMC9697609 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foac060] [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: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also known as brewer's yeast, can undergo a reversible stress-responsive transition from individual ellipsoidal cells to chains of elongated cells in response to nitrogen- or carbon starvation. Whole colony morphology is frequently used to evaluate phenotypic switching response; however, quantifying two-dimensional top-down images requires each pixel to be characterized as belonging to the colony or background. While feasible for a small number of colonies, this labor-intensive assessment process is impracticable for larger datasets. The software tool HYPHAEdelity has been developed to semi-automate the assessment of two-dimensional whole colony images and quantify the magnitude of peripheral whole colony yeast filamentation using image analysis tools intrinsic to the OpenCV Python library. The software application functions by determining the total area of filamentous growth, referred to as the f-measure, by subtracting the area of the inner colony boundary from the outer-boundary area associated with hyphal projections. The HYPHAEdelity application was validated against automated and manually pixel-counted two-dimensional top-down images of S. cerevisiae colonies exhibiting varying degrees of filamentation. HYPHAEdelity's f-measure results were comparable to areas determined through a manual pixel enumeration method and found to be more accurate than other whole colony filamentation software solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott J Britton
- Corresponding author: Institute for Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering, John Muir Building, Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom, EH14 4AS. Tel: +32470205380; E-mail:
| | | | - Jane S White
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics, and Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom EH14 4AS
| | - Dawn L Maskell
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics, and Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom EH14 4AS
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19
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Fenley JDC, de Barros PP, do Carmo PHF, Garcia MT, Rossoni RD, Junqueira JC. Repurposing HIV Protease Inhibitors Atazanavir and Darunavir as Antifungal Treatments against Candida albicans Infections: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:5379-5389. [PMID: 36354676 PMCID: PMC9688711 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44110364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is the chief etiological agent of candidiasis, a mycosis prevalent in individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In recent years, the introduction of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors (HIV-PI) has reduced the prevalence of candidiasis in these patients. Seeking new therapeutic strategies based on the perspective of drug repositioning, we evaluated the effects of two second-generation HIV-PIs, atazanavir (ATV) and darunavir (DRV), on virulence factors of C. albicans and experimental candidiasis. For this, clinical strains of C. albicans were subjected to in vitro and in vivo treatments with ATV or DRV. As a result, ATV and DRV exhibited antifungal activity against fungal cells at 512 μg/mL, reduced the viability and biomass of biofilms, and inhibited filamentation of C. albicans. In addition, these HIV-PIs downregulated the expression of SAP2 and BRC1 genes of C. albicans. In an in vivo study, prophylactic use of ATV and DRV prolonged the survival rate of Galleria mellonella larvae infected with C. albicans. Therefore, ATV and DRV showed activity against C. albicans by reducing cell growth, biofilm formation, filamentation, and expression of virulence genes. Furthermore, ATV and DRV decreased experimental candidiasis, suggesting the repurposing of HIV-PIs as antifungal treatments for C. albicans infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana de C. Fenley
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), São José dos Campos, São Paulo 12245-000, Brazil
| | - Patrícia P. de Barros
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), São José dos Campos, São Paulo 12245-000, Brazil
- Multicampi School of Medical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Caicó, Rio Grande do Norte 59300-000, Brazil
| | - Paulo H. F. do Carmo
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), São José dos Campos, São Paulo 12245-000, Brazil
| | - Maíra T. Garcia
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), São José dos Campos, São Paulo 12245-000, Brazil
| | - Rodnei D. Rossoni
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), São José dos Campos, São Paulo 12245-000, Brazil
| | - Juliana C. Junqueira
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), São José dos Campos, São Paulo 12245-000, Brazil
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20
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Inferring Therapeutic Targets in Candida albicans and Possible Inhibition through Natural Products: A Binding and Physiological Based Pharmacokinetics Snapshot. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12111743. [DOI: 10.3390/life12111743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite being responsible for invasive infections, fungal pathogens have been underrepresented in computer aided therapeutic target mining and drug design. Excess of Candida albicans causes candidiasis, causative of thrush and vaginal infection due to off-balance. In this study, we attempted to mine drug targets (n = 46) using a subtractive proteomic approach in this pathogenic yeast and screen natural products with inhibition potential against fructose-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA) of the C. albicans. The top compound selected on the basis of best docking score from traditional Indian medicine/Ayurvedic library was (4-Hydroxybenzyl)thiocarbamic acid, from the ZINC FBA inhibitor library was ZINC13507461 (IUPAC name: [(2R)-2-hydroxy-3-phosphonooxypropyl] (9E,12E)-octadeca-9,12-dienoate), and from traditional Tibetan medicine/Sowa rigpa was Chelerythrine (IUPAC name: 1,2-Dimethoxy-12-methyl-9H-[1,3]benzodioxolo[5,6-c]phenanthridin-12-ium), compared to the control (2E)-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-[(4-nitrophenyl)methylidene]hydrazine. No Ames toxicity was predicted for prioritized compounds while control depicted this toxicity. (4-Hydroxybenzyl)thiocarbamic acid showed hepatotoxicity, while Chelerythrine depicted hERG inhibition, which can lead to QT syndrome, so we recommend ZINC13507461 for further testing in lab. Pharmacological based pharmacokinetic modeling revealed that it has low bioavailability and hence, absorption in healthy state. In cirrhosis and renal impairment, absorption and plasma accumulation increased so we recommend further investigation into this occurrence and recommend high dosage in further tests to increase bioavailability.
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21
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Targeting Virulence Factors of Candida albicans with Natural Products. Foods 2022; 11:foods11192951. [PMID: 36230026 PMCID: PMC9562657 DOI: 10.3390/foods11192951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural products derived from natural resources, including nutritional functional food, play an important role in human health. In recent years, the study of anti-fungal and other properties of agri-foods and derived functional compounds has been a hot research topic. Candida albicans is a parasitic fungus that thrives on human mucosal surfaces, which are colonized through opportunistic infection. It is the most prevalent cause of invasive fungal infection in immunocompromised individuals, resulting in a wide variety of clinical symptoms. Moreover, the efficacy of classical therapeutic medications such as fluconazole is often limited by the development of resistance. There is an ongoing need for the development of novel and effective antifungal therapy and medications. Infection of C. albicans is influenced by a great quantity of virulence factors, like adhesion, invasion-promoting enzymes, mycelial growth, and phenotypic change, and among others. Furthermore, various natural products especially from food sources that target C. albicans virulence factors have been researched, providing promising prospects for C. albicans prevention and treatment. In this review, we discuss the virulence factors of C. albicans and how functional foods and derived functional compounds affect them. Our hope is that this review will stimulate additional thoughts and suggestions regarding nutritional functional food and therapeutic development for patients afflicted with C. albicans.
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22
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Evaluation of Anti-Candida Potential of Piper nigrum Extract in Inhibiting Growth, Yeast-Hyphal Transition, Virulent Enzymes, and Biofilm Formation. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8080784. [PMID: 36012773 PMCID: PMC9409899 DOI: 10.3390/jof8080784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the increased incidence of fungal infections and the emergence of antifungal resistance mainly by Candida species, the need for safe and effective novel therapies is imperative. Consequently, plants and herbs are a powerful source to combat infections. Here, we evaluated the anti-Candida potential of an ethanolic extract from Piper nigrum. The phytochemical analysis of P. nigrum revealed bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, terpenoids, and tannis. Our results showed that P. nigrum extract suppressed the virulence factors of C. albicans strains, including hyphae formation in both liquid and solid media, reduced secretion of phospholipases/proteinases, and affected biofilm formation. Furthermore, the P. nigrum extract showed no hemolytic effect in vitro and exhibited reduced cytotoxicity on Vero cells and G. mellonella larvae at concentrations that inhibited hyphae and biofilm in C. albicans. Moreover, the extract demonstrated antifungal activity against C. auris strains. In conclusion, the P. nigrum extract affected the growth and morphogenesis of Candida (even in resistant strains), demonstrating that this plant has an anti-candida activity and represents a promising resource for discovering novel antifungal compounds.
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23
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Ordiales H, Vázquez-López F, Pevida M, Vázquez-Losada B, Vázquez F, Quirós L, Martín C. La unión de Candida albicans y Malassezia spp. a células de piel promueve cambios de expresión en los genes responsables de la síntesis de las cadenas de heparán y condroitín sulfato. ACTAS DERMO-SIFILIOGRAFICAS 2022; 113:712-716. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ad.2021.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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24
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Ordiales H, Vázquez-López F, Pevida M, Vázquez-Losada B, Vázquez F, Quirós L, Martín C. [Translated article] Adherence of Candida albicans and Malassezia Species to Skin Cells Induces Changes in the Expression of Genes Responsible for Heparan and Chondroitin Sulfate Chain Synthesis. ACTAS DERMO-SIFILIOGRAFICAS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ad.2022.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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25
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D’Auria FD, Casciaro B, De Angelis M, Marcocci ME, Palamara AT, Nencioni L, Mangoni ML. Antifungal Activity of the Frog Skin Peptide Temporin G and Its Effect on Candida albicans Virulence Factors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116345. [PMID: 35683025 PMCID: PMC9181532 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing resistance to conventional antifungal drugs is a widespread concern, and a search for new compounds, active against different species of fungi, is demanded. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) hold promises in this context. Here we investigated the activity of the frog skin AMP Temporin G (TG) against a panel of fungal strains, by following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute protocols. TG resulted to be active against (i) Candida species and Cryptococcus neoformans, with MIC50 between 4 µM and 64 µM after 24 h of incubation; (ii) dermatophytes with MIC80 ranging from 4 to 32 µM, and (iii) Aspergillus strains with MIC80 of 128 µM. In addition, our tests revealed that TG reduced the metabolic activity of Candida albicans cells, with moderate membrane perturbation, as proven by XTT and Sytox Green assays, respectively. Furthermore, TG was found to be effective against some C. albicans virulence factors; indeed, at 64 µM it was able to inhibit ~90% of yeast-mycelial switching, strongly prevented biofilm formation, and led to a 50% reduction of metabolic activity in mature biofilm cells, and ~30-35% eradication of mature biofilm biomass. Even though further studies are needed to deepen our knowledge of the mechanisms of TG antifungal activity, our results suggest this AMP as an attractive lead compound for treatment of fungal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Diodata D’Auria
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
| | - Bruno Casciaro
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Marta De Angelis
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
| | - Maria Elena Marcocci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Nencioni
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
- Correspondence: (L.N.); (M.L.M.); Tel.: +39-0649914608 (L.N.); +39-0649910838 (M.L.M.)
| | - Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: (L.N.); (M.L.M.); Tel.: +39-0649914608 (L.N.); +39-0649910838 (M.L.M.)
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Subramaniyan SB, Ameen F, Singaravelu DK, Elumalai P, Bhat SA, Anbazhagan V. Phytolectin conjugated positively charged fatty acid amide impairs virulence factors and inhibits cross-kingdom biofilm formation of Candida albicans and uropathogenic Escherichia coli. J Appl Microbiol 2022; 133:3252-3264. [PMID: 35304937 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15535] [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: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIM Polymicrobial biofilm encasing cross-kingdom microorganisms are apparent in medicine, which imposes serious resistance to conventional antimicrobial treatment. The objective of the study was to explore Butea monosperma seed lectin (BMSL) conjugated antimicrobial lipid, 2-((N-(2-hydroxyethyl)palmitamido)methyl)-1-methylpyridin-1-ium iodide (cN16E) to inhibit mixed-species biofilm of uropathogenic Escherichia coli-Candida albicans. METHODS AND RESULTS Antimicrobial activity and antibiofilm of cN16E and cN16E-BMSL conjugate (BcN16E) were analyzed against single- and mixed microbial cultures. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) indicates that the MIC of cN16E-BMSL conjugate (BcN16E) against cohabiting UPEC-C. albicans was eightfold lower than the cN16E. BcN16E affects membrane integrity to elicit antimicrobial activity. BcN16E inhibits the dual-species biofilm even with 16 times lower MIC of cN16E. BcN16E impairs the biofilm-associated virulence factors which include extracellular polysaccharides, cell surface hydrophobicity, swimming, swarming motilities, hyphal filamentous morphology, curli formation, and hemolysin activity. As a proof of concept, we demonstrated BcN16E ability to inhibit dual-species biofilm formation on a urinary catheter. CONCLUSION The study revealed that the BcN16E is better than cN16E in impairing biofilm-associated virulence factors and exerting antimicrobial activity. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY The findings emphasize that phytolectin has the potential to enhance the anti-virulence strategies of antimicrobials against cross-kingdom biofilm-related infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siva Bala Subramaniyan
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Fuad Ameen
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dharshini Karnan Singaravelu
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Preetham Elumalai
- School of Ocean Science and Technology, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Panangad, Kerala, India
| | | | - Veerappan Anbazhagan
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
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Kalimuthu S, Alshanta OA, Krishnamoorthy AL, Pudipeddi A, Solomon AP, McLean W, Leung YY, Ramage G, Neelakantan P. Small molecule based anti-virulence approaches against Candida albicans infections. Crit Rev Microbiol 2022; 48:743-769. [PMID: 35232325 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2021.2025337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Fungi are considered "silent killers" due to the difficulty of, and delays in diagnosis of infections and lack of effective antifungals. This challenge is compounded by the fact that being eukaryotes, fungi share several similarities with human cellular targets, creating obstacles to drug discovery. Candida albicans, a ubiquitous microbe in the human body is well-known for its role as an opportunistic pathogen in immunosuppressed people. Significantly, C. albicans is resistant to all the three classes of antifungals that are currently clinically available. Over the past few years, a paradigm shift has been recommended in the management of C. albicans infections, wherein anti-virulence strategies are considered an alternative to the discovery of new antimycotics. Small molecules, with a molecular weight <900 Daltons, can easily permeate the cell membrane and modulate the signal transduction pathways to elicit desired virulence inhibitory actions against pathogens. This review dissects in-depth, the discoveries that have been made with small-molecule anti-virulence approaches to tackle C. albicans infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Om Alkhir Alshanta
- Glasgow Endodontology Group, Glasgow Dental School, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Glasgow, UK
| | - Akshaya Lakshmi Krishnamoorthy
- Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Quorum Sensing Laboratory, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID), School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed to be University, Thanjavur, India
| | - Akhila Pudipeddi
- Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Adline Princy Solomon
- Quorum Sensing Laboratory, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID), School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed to be University, Thanjavur, India
| | - William McLean
- Glasgow Endodontology Group, Glasgow Dental School, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Glasgow, UK
| | - Yiu Yan Leung
- Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Gordon Ramage
- Glasgow Endodontology Group, Glasgow Dental School, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Glasgow, UK
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Arita GS, Faria DR, Capoci IR, Kioshima ES, Bonfim-Mendonça PS, Svidzinski TI. Cell wall associated proteins involved in filamentation with impact on the virulence of Candida albicans. Microbiol Res 2022; 258:126996. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2022.126996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Wen W, Cao H, Huang Y, Tu J, Wan C, Wan J, Han X, Chen H, Liu J, Rao L, Su C, Peng C, Sheng C, Ren Y. Structure-Guided Discovery of the Novel Covalent Allosteric Site and Covalent Inhibitors of Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphate Aldolase to Overcome the Azole Resistance of Candidiasis. J Med Chem 2022; 65:2656-2674. [PMID: 35099959 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c02102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA) represents an attractive new antifungal target. Here, we employed a structure-based optimization strategy to discover a novel covalent binding site (C292 site) and the first-in-class covalent allosteric inhibitors of FBA from Candida albicans (CaFBA). Site-directed mutagenesis, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the crystallographic structures of APO-CaFBA, CaFBA-G3P, and C157S-2a4 revealed that S268 is an essential pharmacophore for the catalytic activity of CaFBA, and L288 is an allosteric regulation switch for CaFBA. Furthermore, most of the CaFBA covalent inhibitors exhibited good inhibitory activity against azole-resistant C. albicans, and compound 2a11 can inhibit the growth of azole-resistant strains 103 with the MIC80 of 1 μg/mL. Collectively, this work identifies a new covalent allosteric site of CaFBA and discovers the first generation of covalent inhibitors for fungal FBA with potent inhibitory activity against resistant fungi, establishing a structural foundation and providing a promising strategy for the design of potent antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuqiang Wen
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology (CCNU), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Hongxuan Cao
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology (CCNU), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Yunyuan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology (CCNU), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Jie Tu
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Chen Wan
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology (CCNU), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Jian Wan
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology (CCNU), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Xinya Han
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology (CCNU), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Han Chen
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology (CCNU), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Jiaqi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology (CCNU), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Li Rao
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology (CCNU), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Chen Su
- National Facility for Protein Science in Shanghai, Zhangjiang Lab, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Chao Peng
- National Facility for Protein Science in Shanghai, Zhangjiang Lab, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yanliang Ren
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology (CCNU), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
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Priya A, Nivetha S, Pandian SK. Synergistic Interaction of Piperine and Thymol on Attenuation of the Biofilm Formation, Hyphal Morphogenesis and Phenotypic Switching in Candida albicans. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:780545. [PMID: 35127553 PMCID: PMC8807486 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.780545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of fungal infections has significantly increased in recent years due to the emergence of antifungal resistance. Biofilm formation is considered to be a major contributor to both the infectious diseases and to antimicrobial resistance. Consequently, biofilm-associated infections are often problematic to treat with existing therapeutics. Adhesion of C. albicans to the host surface or implanted materials followed by hyphal invasion and biofilm formation enhances C. albicans pathogenicity and virulence. Thus, developing a therapeutic agent that inhibits candidal adherence, biofilm development and morphological switching could improve clinical management of infections. The present investigation studied two emerging and alternatives strategies, namely antibiofilm and combinatorial approach, to attenuate biofilm formation and the expression of Candida virulence factors. Piperine and thymol are major bioactive components of pepper and thyme, respectively. These phytochemicals are known to possess numerous biological activities, including recently reported antibiofilm effects against C. albicans. The minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) of both phytochemicals was determined to be 32 µg/ml. The phytochemical treatment of Candida biofilms using piperine and thymol revealed synergistic effects at four different combinations of concentrations, i.e. 8 and 8, 8 and 4, 8 and 2 and 4 and 8 µg/ml. These synergistic combinations resulted in the significant reduction in adherence of Candida, hyphal extension and morphological transformation. Moreover, limited exposure of synergistic combinations controlled the hyphal elongation. Results were validated through the gene expression analysis. Results from the present investigation suggest that piperine and thymol can be synergistically employed for the treatment of biofilm-associated C. albicans infection.
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Li C, Tu J, Han G, Liu N, Sheng C. Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90)/Histone deacetylase (HDAC) dual inhibitors for the treatment of azoles-resistant Candida albicans. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 227:113961. [PMID: 34742014 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Clinical treatment of candidiasis has suffered from increasingly severe drug resistance and limited efficacy. Thus, novel strategies to deal with drug resistance are highly desired to develop effective therapeutic agents. Herein, dual inhibition of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) was validated as a new strategy to potentiate efficacy of fluconazole against resistant Candida albicans infections. The first generation of Hsp90/HDAC dual inhibitors were designed as synergistic enhancers to treat azoles-resistant candidiasis. In particular, compound J5 exhibited fungal-selective inhibitory effects on Hsp90 and HDACs, leading to low toxicity and excellent in vitro (FICI = 0.266) and in vivo synergistic antifungal potency to treat fluconazole resistant candidiasis. Antifungal-mechanistic investigation revealed that compound J5 suppressed important virulence factors and down-regulated expression of resistance-associated genes. Therefore, Hsp90/HDAC dual inhibitors represent a new strategy for the development of novel antifungal therapeutics to combat azole-resistant candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaochen Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jie Tu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Guiyan Han
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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32
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Sovari SN, Radakovic N, Roch P, Crochet A, Pavic A, Zobi F. Combatting AMR: A molecular approach to the discovery of potent and non-toxic rhenium complexes active against C. albicans-MRSA co-infection. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 226:113858. [PMID: 34562853 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major emerging threat to public health, causing serious issues in the successful prevention and treatment of persistent diseases. While the problem escalates, lack of financial incentive has lead major pharmaceutical companies to interrupt their antibiotic drug discovery programs. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for novel solutions outside the traditional development pathway, with emphasis on new classes of active compounds with non-classical mechanisms of action. Metal complexes are an untapped source of antibiotic potential owing to unique modes of action and a wider range of three-dimensional geometries as compared to purely organic compounds. In this study, we present the antimicrobial and antifungal efficacy of a family of rhenium tricarbonyl diimine complexes with varying ligands, charge and lipophilicity. Our study allowed the identification of potent and non-toxic complexes active in vivo against S. aureus infections at MIC doses as low as 300 ng/mL, as well as against C. albicans-MRSA mixed co-infection. The compounds are capable of suppressing the C. albicans morphogenetic yeast-to-hyphal transition, eradicating fungal-S. aureus co-infection, while showing no sign of cardio-, hepato-, hematotoxiciy or teratogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Nasiri Sovari
- Department of Chemistry, Fribourg University, Chemin Du Musée 9, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Natasa Radakovic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Paul Roch
- Department of Chemistry, Fribourg University, Chemin Du Musée 9, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Aurélien Crochet
- Department of Chemistry, Fribourg University, Chemin Du Musée 9, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Aleksandar Pavic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Fabio Zobi
- Department of Chemistry, Fribourg University, Chemin Du Musée 9, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland.
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Kamli MR, Malik MA, Lone SA, Sabir JSM, Mattar EH, Ahmad A. Beta vulgaris Assisted Fabrication of Novel Ag-Cu Bimetallic Nanoparticles for Growth Inhibition and Virulence in Candida albicans. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1957. [PMID: 34834372 PMCID: PMC8621205 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Beta vulgaris extract contains water-soluble red pigment betanin and is used as a food colorant. In this study, the biogenic Ag-Cu bimetallic nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized by different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques, including UV-Visible, FTIR, TEM. SEM-EDX, XRD, and TGA. Further, Ag-Cu bimetallic nanoparticles capped with Beta vulgaris biomolecules were evaluated for their antifungal activity against Candida albicans via targeting its major virulence factors, including adherence, yeast to hyphae transition, extracellular enzyme secretion, biofilm formation, and the expression of genes related to these pathogenic traits by using standard methods. C. albicans is an opportunistic human fungal pathogen that causes significant morbidity and mortality, mainly in immunocompromised patients. The current antifungal therapy is limited with various shortcomings such as host toxicity and developing multidrug resistance. Therefore, the development of novel antifungal agents is urgently required. Furthermore, NPs were screened for cell viability and cytotoxicity effect. Antifungal susceptibility testing showed potent antifungal activity of the Ag-Cu bimetallic NPs with a significant inhibitory effect on adherence, yeast to hyphae transition, extracellular enzymes secretion, and formation of biofilms in C. albicans at sub-inhibitory and inhibitory concentrations. The RT-qPCR results at an MIC value of the NPs exhibited a varying degree of downregulation in expression levels of virulence genes. Results also revealed the dose-dependent effect of NPs on cellular viability (up to 100%) using MUSE cell analyzer. Moreover, the low cytotoxicity effect of bimetallic NPs has been observed using haemolytic assay. The overall results indicated that the newly synthesized Ag-Cu bimetallic NPs capped with Beta vulgaris are proven to possess a potent anticandidal activity, by affecting the vital pathogenic factors of C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid Rasool Kamli
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (J.S.M.S.); (E.H.M.)
- Center of Excellence in Bionanoscience Research, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maqsood Ahmad Malik
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shabir Ahmad Lone
- Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa; (S.A.L.); (A.A.)
| | - Jamal S. M. Sabir
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (J.S.M.S.); (E.H.M.)
- Center of Excellence in Bionanoscience Research, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ehab H. Mattar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (J.S.M.S.); (E.H.M.)
| | - Aijaz Ahmad
- Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa; (S.A.L.); (A.A.)
- Infection Control Unit, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
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MacAlpine J, Daniel-Ivad M, Liu Z, Yano J, Revie NM, Todd RT, Stogios PJ, Sanchez H, O'Meara TR, Tompkins TA, Savchenko A, Selmecki A, Veri AO, Andes DR, Fidel PL, Robbins N, Nodwell J, Whitesell L, Cowen LE. A small molecule produced by Lactobacillus species blocks Candida albicans filamentation by inhibiting a DYRK1-family kinase. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6151. [PMID: 34686660 PMCID: PMC8536679 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26390-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The fungus Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that can exploit imbalances in microbiome composition to invade its human host, causing pathologies ranging from vaginal candidiasis to fungal sepsis. Bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus are colonizers of human mucosa and can produce compounds with bioactivity against C. albicans. Here, we show that some Lactobacillus species produce a small molecule under laboratory conditions that blocks the C. albicans yeast-to-filament transition, an important virulence trait. It remains unexplored whether the compound is produced in the context of the human host. Bioassay-guided fractionation of Lactobacillus-conditioned medium linked this activity to 1-acetyl-β-carboline (1-ABC). We use genetic approaches to show that filamentation inhibition by 1-ABC requires Yak1, a DYRK1-family kinase. Additional biochemical characterization of structurally related 1-ethoxycarbonyl-β-carboline confirms that it inhibits Yak1 and blocks C. albicans biofilm formation. Thus, our findings reveal Lactobacillus-produced 1-ABC can prevent the yeast-to-filament transition in C. albicans through inhibition of Yak1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie MacAlpine
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Zhongle Liu
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Junko Yano
- Center of Excellence in Oral and Craniofacial Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Nicole M Revie
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert T Todd
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Peter J Stogios
- BioZone, Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases (CSGID), Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hiram Sanchez
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Teresa R O'Meara
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Thomas A Tompkins
- Rosell Institute for Microbiome and Probiotics, 6100 Avenue Royalmount, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Alexei Savchenko
- BioZone, Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases (CSGID), Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Anna Selmecki
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Amanda O Veri
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David R Andes
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Paul L Fidel
- Center of Excellence in Oral and Craniofacial Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Justin Nodwell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Luke Whitesell
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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D’Ercole S, Di Lodovico S, Iezzi G, Pierfelice TV, D’Amico E, Cipollina A, Piattelli A, Cellini L, Petrini M. Complex Electromagnetic Fields Reduce Candida albicans Planktonic Growth and Its Adhesion to Titanium Surfaces. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9091261. [PMID: 34572449 PMCID: PMC8466218 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9091261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
This study evaluates the effects of different programs of complex electromagnetic fields (C.M.F.s) on Candida albicans, in planktonic and sessile phase and on human gingival fibroblasts (HGF cells). In vitro cultures of C. albicans ATCC 10231 and HGF cells were exposed to different cycles of C.M.F.s defined as: oxidative stress, oxidative stress/antibacterial, antibacterial, antibacterial/oxidative stress. Colony forming units (CFUs), metabolic activity, cells viability (live/dead), cell morphology, filamentation analysis, and cytotoxicity assay were performed. The broth cultures, exposed to the different C.M.F.s, were grown on titanium discs for 48 h. The quantity comparisons of adhered C. albicans on surfaces were determined by CFUs and scanning electron microscopy. The C. albicans growth could be readily controlled with C.M.F.s reducing the number of cultivable planktonic cells vs. controls, independently by the treatment applied. In particular, the antibacterial program was associated with lower levels of CFUs. The quantification of the metabolic activity was significantly lower by using the oxidative stress program. Live/dead images showed that C.M.F.s significantly decreased the viability of C. albicans. C.M.F.s inhibited C. albicans virulence traits reducing hyphal morphogenesis, adhesion, and biofilm formation on titanium discs. The MTS assay showed no negative effects on the viability of HGF. Independent of the adopted protocol, C.M.F.s exert antifungal and anti-virulence action against C. albicans, no cytotoxicity effects on HGF and can be useful in the prevention and treatment of yeast biofilm infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simonetta D’Ercole
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66013 Chieti, Italy; (G.I.); (T.V.P.); (E.D.); (A.P.); (M.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Silvia Di Lodovico
- Department of Pharmacy, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, 66013 Chieti, Italy; (S.D.L.); (L.C.)
| | - Giovanna Iezzi
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66013 Chieti, Italy; (G.I.); (T.V.P.); (E.D.); (A.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Tania Vanessa Pierfelice
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66013 Chieti, Italy; (G.I.); (T.V.P.); (E.D.); (A.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Emira D’Amico
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66013 Chieti, Italy; (G.I.); (T.V.P.); (E.D.); (A.P.); (M.P.)
| | | | - Adriano Piattelli
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66013 Chieti, Italy; (G.I.); (T.V.P.); (E.D.); (A.P.); (M.P.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 46004 Valencia, Spain
- Biomaterial Engineering, Catholic University of San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM), Av. de los Jerónimos, 135, 30107 Murcia, Spain
- Villa Serena Foundation for Research, Via Leonardo Petruzzi 42, 65013 Città Sant’Angelo, Italy
- Casa di Cura Villa Serena del Dott. L. Petruzzi, Via Leonardo Petruzzi 42, 65013 Città Sant’Angelo, Italy
| | - Luigina Cellini
- Department of Pharmacy, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, 66013 Chieti, Italy; (S.D.L.); (L.C.)
| | - Morena Petrini
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66013 Chieti, Italy; (G.I.); (T.V.P.); (E.D.); (A.P.); (M.P.)
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Sun FJ, Li M, Gu L, Wang ML, Yang MH. Recent progress on anti-Candida natural products. Chin J Nat Med 2021; 19:561-579. [PMID: 34419257 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(21)60057-2] [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: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Candida is an intractable life-threatening pathogen. Candida infection is extremely difficult to eradicate, and thus is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals. Morevover, the rapid spread of drug-resistant fungi has led to significant decreases in the therapeutic effects of clinical drugs. New anti-Candida agents are urgently needed to solve the complicated medical problem. Natural products with intricate structures have attracted great attention of researchers who make every endeavor to discover leading compounds for antifungal agents. Their novel mechanisms and diverse modes of action expand the variety of fungistatic agents and reduce the emergence of drug resistance. In recent decades, considerable effort has been devoted to finding unique antifungal agents from nature and revealing their unusual mechanisms, which results in important progress on the development of new antifungals, such as the novel cell wall inhibitors YW3548 and SCY-078 which are being tested in clinical trials. This review will present a brief summary on the landscape of anti-Candida natural products within the last decade. We will also discuss in-depth the research progress on diverse natural fungistatic agents along with their novel mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Juan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Min Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Liang Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ming-Ling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ming-Hua Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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Zolin GVS, da Fonseca FH, Zambom CR, Garrido SS. Histatin 5 Metallopeptides and Their Potential against Candida albicans Pathogenicity and Drug Resistance. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11081209. [PMID: 34439875 PMCID: PMC8391865 DOI: 10.3390/biom11081209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Usually caused by Candida albicans, buccal candidiasis begins with the morphological transition between yeast and hyphal cells. Over time and without the correct treatment, it can be disseminated through the bloodstream becoming a systemic infection with high mortality rates. C. albicans already shows resistance against antifungals commonly used in treatments. Therefore, the search for new drugs capable of overcoming antifungal resistance is essential. Histatin 5 (Hst5) is an antimicrobial peptide of the Histatin family, that can be found naturally in human saliva. This peptide presents high antifungal activity against C. albicans. However, Hst5 action can be decreased for interaction with enzymes and metal ions present in the oral cavity. The current work aims to bring a brief review of relevant aspects of the pathogenesis and resistance mechanisms already reported for C. albicans. In addition, are also reported here the main immune responses of the human body and the most common antifungal drugs. Finally, the most important aspects regarding Histatin 5 and the benefits of its interaction with metals are highlighted. The intention of this review is to show the promising use of Hst5 metallopeptides in the development of effective drugs.
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Yuan R, Tu J, Sheng C, Chen X, Liu N. Effects of Hsp90 Inhibitor Ganetespib on Inhibition of Azole-Resistant Candida albicans. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:680382. [PMID: 34093502 PMCID: PMC8174564 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.680382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is the most common fungal pathogen. Recently, drug resistance of C. albicans is increasingly severe. Hsp90 is a promising antifungal target to overcome this problem. To evaluate the effects of Hsp90 inhibitor ganetespib on the inhibition of azole-resistant C. albicans, the microdilution checkerboard method was used to measure the in vitro synergistic efficacy of ganetespib. The XTT/menadione reduction assay, microscopic observation, and Rh6G efflux assay were established to investigate the effects of ganetespib on azole-resistant C. albicans biofilm formation, filamentation, and efflux pump. Real-time RT-PCR analysis was employed to clarify the mechanism of antagonizing drug resistance. The in vivo antifungal efficacy of ganetespib was determined by the infectious model of azole-resistant C. albicans. Ganetespib showed an excellent synergistic antifungal activity in vitro and significantly inhibited the fungal biofilm formation, whereas it had no inhibitory effect on fungal hypha formation. Expression of azole-targeting enzyme gene ERG11 and efflux pump genes CDR1, CDR2, and MDR1 was significantly down-regulated when ganetespib was used in combination with FLC. In a mouse model infected with FLC-resistant C. albicans, the combination of ganetespib and FLC effectively reversed the FLC resistance and significantly decreased the kidney fungal load of mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jie Tu
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Na Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Feng W, Yang J, Ma Y, Xi Z, Zhao X, Zhao X, Zhao M. The effects of secreted aspartyl proteinase inhibitor ritonavir on azoles-resistant strains of Candida albicans as well as regulatory role of SAP2 and ERG11. IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE 2021; 9:667-680. [PMID: 33951330 PMCID: PMC8342201 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Candida albicans, the main human fungal pathogen, can cause fungal infection and seriously affect people's health and life. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ritonavir (RIT) on C. albicans and the correlation between SAP2 as well as ERG11 and drug resistance. RESULTS Secreted aspartyl proteinases (Saps) activities and pathogenicity of C. albicans with different drug resistance were measured. M27-A4 broth microdilution method was used to analyze the drug sensitivity of RIT combined with fluconazole (FCA) on C. albicans. After that, SAP2 and ERG11 mutations were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing, and quantitative real-time PCR was utilized to determine the expression of the two genes. By analyzing pz values, the Saps activity of cross-resistant strains was the highest, followed by voriconazole (VRC)-resistant strains, FCA-resistant strains, itraconazole (ITR)-resistant strains, and sensitive strains. The pathogenicity of C. albicans in descending order was as follows: cross-resistant strains, VRC-resistant strains, ITR-resistant strains, FCA-resistant strains, and sensitive strains. With the increase of RIT concentrations, the Saps activity was gradually inhibited. Drug sensitivity results showed that there was no synergistic effect between RIT and FCA. Additionally, no gene mutation sites were found in SAP2 sequencing, and 17 synonymous mutations and 6 missense mutations occurred in ERG11 sequencing. Finally, the expression of SAP2 and ERG11 was significantly higher in the resistant strains compared with the sensitive strains, and there was a positive liner correlation between SAP2 and ERG11 messenger RNA expression (r = .6655, p < .001). CONCLUSION These findings may help to improve our understanding of azole-resistant mechanisms of C. albicans and provide a novel direction for clinical therapeutics of C. albicans infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenli Feng
- The Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Jing Yang
- The Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Yan Ma
- The Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Zhiqin Xi
- The Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Xiaoqin Zhao
- The Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Xiaoxia Zhao
- The Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Min Zhao
- The Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
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Yang W, Tu J, Ji C, Li Z, Han G, Liu N, Li J, Sheng C. Discovery of Piperidol Derivatives for Combinational Treatment of Azole-Resistant Candidiasis. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:650-660. [PMID: 33593060 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Effective strategies are needed to deal with invasive fungal infections caused by drug-resistant fungi. Previously, we designed a series of antifungal benzocyclane derivatives based on the drug repurposing of haloperidol. Herein, further structural optimization and antifungal mechanism studies were performed, leading to the discovery of new piperidol derivative B2 with improved synergistic antifungal potency, selectivity, and water solubility. In particular, the combination of compound B2 and fluconazole showed potent in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity against azole-resistant Candida albicans. Compound B2 inhibited important virulence factors by regulating virulence-associated genes and improved the efficacy of fluconazole by down-regulating the CYP51-coding gene and efflux pump gene. Taken together, the piperidol derivative B2 represents a promising lead compound for the combinational treatment of azole-resistant candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanzhen Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1 Qiuyang Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jie Tu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Changjin Ji
- School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science & Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Zhuang Li
- School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science & Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Guiyan Han
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jian Li
- School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science & Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1 Qiuyang Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
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Moghaddam-Taaheri P, Leissa JA, Eppler HB, Jewell CM, Karlsson AJ. Histatin 5 variant reduces Candida albicans biofilm viability and inhibits biofilm formation. Fungal Genet Biol 2021; 149:103529. [PMID: 33596477 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2021.103529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans is a commensal organism and opportunistic pathogen that can form biofilms that colonize surfaces of medical devices, such as implants, catheters, and dentures. Compared to planktonic C. albicans cells, cells in biofilms exhibit increased resistance to treatment. Histatin 5 (Hst-5) is an antimicrobial peptide that is natively secreted by human salivary glands and has strong antifungal activity against C. albicans. However, C. albicans produces secreted aspartic proteases (Saps) that can cleave and inactivate Hst-5, limiting its antifungal properties. We previously showed that residue substitutions K11R and K17R within Hst-5 improve its antifungal activity and prevent proteolytic degradation by Saps when treating planktonic C. albicans. Here, we investigated the use of the K11R-K17R peptide as an alternative therapeutic against C. albicans biofilms by assessing its ability to reduce viability of pre-formed biofilms and to inhibit the formation of biofilms and showed that K11R-K17R had improved activity compared to Hst-5. Based on these results, we incorporated K11R-K17R and Hst-5 into polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) surface coatings and demonstrated that films functionalized with K11R-K17R reduced the formation of C. albicans biofilms. Our results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of the K11R-K17R Hst-5 variant in preventing and treating biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jesse A Leissa
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Haleigh B Eppler
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA; Biological Sciences Graduate Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Christopher M Jewell
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA; Biological Sciences Graduate Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA; United States Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amy J Karlsson
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
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Rosiana S, Zhang L, Kim GH, Revtovich AV, Uthayakumar D, Sukumaran A, Geddes-McAlister J, Kirienko NV, Shapiro RS. Comprehensive genetic analysis of adhesin proteins and their role in virulence of Candida albicans. Genetics 2021; 217:iyab003. [PMID: 33724419 PMCID: PMC8045720 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyab003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a microbial fungus that exists as a commensal member of the human microbiome and an opportunistic pathogen. Cell surface-associated adhesin proteins play a crucial role in C. albicans' ability to undergo cellular morphogenesis, develop robust biofilms, colonize, and cause infection in a host. However, a comprehensive analysis of the role and relationships between these adhesins has not been explored. We previously established a CRISPR-based platform for efficient generation of single- and double-gene deletions in C. albicans, which was used to construct a library of 144 mutants, comprising 12 unique adhesin genes deleted singly, and every possible combination of double deletions. Here, we exploit this adhesin mutant library to explore the role of adhesin proteins in C. albicans virulence. We perform a comprehensive, high-throughput screen of this library, using Caenorhabditis elegans as a simplified model host system, which identified mutants critical for virulence and significant genetic interactions. We perform follow-up analysis to assess the ability of high- and low-virulence strains to undergo cellular morphogenesis and form biofilms in vitro, as well as to colonize the C. elegans host. We further perform genetic interaction analysis to identify novel significant negative genetic interactions between adhesin mutants, whereby combinatorial perturbation of these genes significantly impairs virulence, more than expected based on virulence of the single mutant constituent strains. Together, this study yields important new insight into the role of adhesins, singly and in combinations, in mediating diverse facets of virulence of this critical fungal pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sierra Rosiana
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON NIG 2W1, Canada
| | - Liyang Zhang
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Grace H Kim
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON NIG 2W1, Canada
| | | | - Deeva Uthayakumar
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON NIG 2W1, Canada
| | - Arjun Sukumaran
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON NIG 2W1, Canada
| | | | | | - Rebecca S Shapiro
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON NIG 2W1, Canada
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Scorzoni L, Fuchs BB, Junqueira JC, Mylonakis E. Current and promising pharmacotherapeutic options for candidiasis. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2021; 22:867-887. [PMID: 33538201 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2021.1873951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Candida spp. are commensal yeasts capable of causing infections such as superficial, oral, vaginal, or systemic infections. Despite medical advances, the antifungal pharmacopeia remains limited and the development of alternative strategies is needed.Areas covered: We discuss available treatments for Candida spp. infections, highlighting advantages and limitations related to pharmacokinetics, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial resistance. Moreover, we present new perspectives to improve the activity of the available antifungals, discussing their immunomodulatory potential and advances on drug delivery carriers. New therapeutic approaches are presented including recent synthesized antifungal compounds (Enchochleated-Amphotericin B, tetrazoles, rezafungin, enfumafungin, manogepix and arylamidine); drug repurposing using a diversity of antibacterial, antiviral and non-antimicrobial drugs; combination therapies with different compounds or photodynamic therapy; and innovations based on nano-particulate delivery systems.Expert opinion: With the lack of novel drugs, the available assets must be leveraged to their best advantage through modifications that enhance delivery, efficacy, and solubility. However, these efforts are met with continuous challenges presented by microbes in their infinite plight to resist and survive therapeutic drugs. The pharmacotherapeutic options in development need to focus on new antimicrobial targets. The success of each antimicrobial agent brings strategic insights to the next phased approach in treatingCandida spp. infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Scorzoni
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University/UNESP, SP Brazil
| | - Beth Burgwyn Fuchs
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI USA
| | - Juliana Campos Junqueira
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University/UNESP, SP Brazil
| | - Eleftherios Mylonakis
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI USA
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Hossain S, Lash E, Veri AO, Cowen LE. Functional connections between cell cycle and proteostasis in the regulation of Candida albicans morphogenesis. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108781. [PMID: 33626353 PMCID: PMC7971348 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Morphological plasticity is a key virulence trait for many fungal pathogens. For the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans, transitions among yeast, pseudohyphal, and hyphal forms are critical for virulence, because the morphotypes play distinct roles in the infection process. C. albicans morphogenesis is induced in response to many host-relevant conditions and is regulated by complex signaling pathways and cellular processes. Perturbation of either cell-cycle progression or protein homeostasis induces C. albicans filamentation, demonstrating that these processes play a key role in morphogenetic control. Regulators such as cyclin-dependent kinases, checkpoint proteins, the proteasome, the heat shock protein Hsp90, and the heat shock transcription factor Hsf1 all influence morphogenesis, often through interconnected effects on the cell cycle and proteostasis. This review highlights the major cell-cycle and proteostasis regulators that modulate morphogenesis and discusses how these two processes intersect to regulate this key virulence trait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saif Hossain
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Emma Lash
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Amanda O Veri
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada.
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Marine-Derived Compounds and Prospects for Their Antifungal Application. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25245856. [PMID: 33322412 PMCID: PMC7763435 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25245856] [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: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The introduction of antifungals in clinical practice has an enormous impact on the provision of medical care, increasing the expectancy and quality of life mainly of immunocompromised patients. However, the emergence of pathogenic fungi that are resistant and multi-resistant to the existing antifungal therapy has culminated in fungal infections that are almost impossible to treat. Therefore, there is an urgent need to discover new strategies. The marine environment has proven to be a promising rich resource for the discovery and development of new antifungal compounds. Thus, this review summarizes more than one hundred marine natural products, or their derivatives, which are categorized according to their sources—sponges, bacteria, fungi, and sea cucumbers—as potential candidates as antifungal agents. In addition, this review focus on recent developments using marine antifungal compounds as new and effective approaches for the treatment of infections caused by resistant and multi-resistant pathogenic fungi and/or biofilm formation; other perspectives on antifungal marine products highlight new mechanisms of action, the combination of antifungal and non-antifungal agents, and the use of nanoparticles and anti-virulence therapy.
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Dmochowska A, Czajkowska J, Jędrzejewski R, Stawiński W, Migdał P, Fiedot-Toboła M. Pectin based banana peel extract as a stabilizing agent in zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesis. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 165:1581-1592. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.10.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Mills B, Radhakrishnan N, Karthikeyan Rajapandian SG, Rameshkumar G, Lalitha P, Prajna NV. The role of fungi in fungal keratitis. Exp Eye Res 2020; 202:108372. [PMID: 33249061 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Fungal keratitis (FK) accounts for approximately half of the microbial keratitis encountered in low middle income countries (LMICs) and predominantly affect the working rural-poor. FK causes significant morbidity with the majority of patients left with moderate or worse visual impairment and approximately 25% requiring expensive and often unsuccessful surgical interventions. The severity of FK and the resultant corneal damage or resolution can be attributed to i) the virulence and bioburden of the fungal pathogen, ii) the host defense mechanism and immune response and iii) sub-optimal diagnostics and anti-fungal treatment strategies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted components that drive FK progression and resolution, highlighting where knowledge gaps exist and areas that warrant further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany Mills
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Naveen Radhakrishnan
- Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai, India
| | | | | | - Prajna Lalitha
- Department of Ocular Microbiology, Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai, India
| | - N Venkatesh Prajna
- Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai, India.
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Lv QZ, Li DD, Han H, Yang YH, Duan JL, Ma HH, Yu Y, Chen JY, Jiang YY, Jia XM. Priming with FLO8-deficient Candida albicans induces Th1-biased protective immunity against lethal polymicrobial sepsis. Cell Mol Immunol 2020; 18:2010-2023. [PMID: 33154574 PMCID: PMC7642578 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-020-00576-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The morphological switch between yeast and hyphae of Candida albicans is essential for its interaction with the host defense system. However, the lack of understanding of host–pathogen interactions during C. albicans infection greatly hampers the development of effective immunotherapies. Here, we found that priming with the C. albicans FLO8-deficient (flo8) mutant, locked in yeast form, protected mice from subsequent lethal C. albicans infection. Deficiency of Dectin-2, a fungus-derived α-mannan recognition receptor, completely blocked flo8 mutant-induced protection. Mechanistically, the flo8 mutant-induced Dectin-2/CARD9-mediated IL-10 production in DCs and macrophages to block thymus atrophy by inhibiting the C. albicans-induced apoptosis of thymic T cells, which facilitated the continuous output of naive T cells from the thymus to the spleen. Continuous recruitment of naive T cells to the spleen enhanced Th1-biased antifungal immune responses. Consequently, depletion of CD4+ T cells or blockade of IL-10 receptor function using specific antibodies in mice completely blocked the protective effects of flo8 mutant priming against C. albicans infection. Moreover, mannans exposed on the surface of the flo8 mutant were responsible for eliciting protective immunity by inhibiting the C. albicans-induced apoptosis of thymic T cells to sustain the number of naive T cells in the spleen. Importantly, priming with the flo8 mutant extensively protected mice from polymicrobial infection caused by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) by enhancing Th1-biased immune responses. Together, our findings imply that targeting FLO8 in C. albicans elicits protective immune responses against polymicrobial infections and that mannans extracted from the flo8 mutant are potential immunotherapeutic candidate(s) for controlling infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan-Zhen Lv
- Clinical Medicine Scientific and Technical Innovation Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.,School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - De-Dong Li
- Clinical Medicine Scientific and Technical Innovation Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Hua Han
- Clinical Medicine Scientific and Technical Innovation Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yi-Heng Yang
- Clinical Medicine Scientific and Technical Innovation Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jie-Lin Duan
- Clinical Medicine Scientific and Technical Innovation Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Hui-Hui Ma
- Clinical Medicine Scientific and Technical Innovation Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yao Yu
- Clinical Medicine Scientific and Technical Innovation Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jiang-Ye Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yuan-Ying Jiang
- Clinical Medicine Scientific and Technical Innovation Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Xin-Ming Jia
- Clinical Medicine Scientific and Technical Innovation Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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49
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Antifungal and anti-inflammatory potential of the endangered aromatic plant Thymus albicans. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18859. [PMID: 33139758 PMCID: PMC7608662 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75244-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymus albicans is an endemic species of the Iberian Peninsula with a vulnerable conservation status. In an attempt to contribute to the valorization of this species, the present study brings new insights on the antifungal and anti-inflammatory mechanism of action of T. albicans essential oil. The antifungal activity of the oil and its major compounds was assessed for the first time against standard and clinically isolated strains of yeasts and filamentous fungi. The effect on the two major virulence factors of Candida albicans (germ tube formation and biofilm disruption) was considered in more detail. At 0.08 μL/mL, the oil inhibited C. albicans germ tube formation by more than 40% and decreased biofilm biomass at MIC values, thus pointing out its antivirulent potential. The anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oil was investigated on LPS-stimulated mouse macrophages (RAW 264.7) by evaluating the levels of several pro-inflammatory mediators, namely nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). T. albicans oil reduced the production of nitrites, a NO derived sub-product, at non-cytotoxic concentrations of 0.32 and 0.64 μL/mL, by 27 and 41%, respectively. In addition, the iNOS protein levels of essential oil pre-treated cells were reduced by 14%. Overall, the high essential oil yield of T. albicans as well as its bioactive effects at concentrations without cytotoxicity, encourage further studies on the potential pharmacological applications of this species. Furthermore, these results raise awareness for the need to preserve endangered species that may hold relevant medicinal value.
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50
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Vellanki S, Garcia AE, Lee SC. Interactions of FK506 and Rapamycin With FK506 Binding Protein 12 in Opportunistic Human Fungal Pathogens. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:588913. [PMID: 33195437 PMCID: PMC7596385 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.588913] [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: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades advances in modern medicine have resulted in a global increase in the prevalence of fungal infections. Particularly people undergoing organ transplants or cancer treatments with a compromised immune system are at an elevated risk for lethal fungal infections such as invasive candidiasis, aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, etc. The emergence of drug resistance in fungal pathogens poses a serious threat to mankind and it is critical to identify new targets for the development of antifungals. Calcineurin and TOR proteins are conserved across eukaryotes including pathogenic fungi. Two small molecules FK506 and rapamycin bind to FKBP12 immunophilin and the resulting complexes (FK506-FKBP12 and rapamycin-FKBP12) target calcineurin and TOR, respectively in both humans and fungi. However, due to their immunosuppressive nature these drugs in the current form cannot be used as an antifungal. To overcome this, it is important to identify key differences between human and fungal FKBP12, calcineurin, and TOR proteins which will facilitate the development of new small molecules with higher affinity toward fungal components. The current review highlights FK506/rapamycin-FKBP12 interactions with calcineurin/TOR kinase in human and fungi, and development of non-immunosuppressive analogs of FK506, rapamycin, and novel small molecules in inhibition of fungal calcineurin and TOR kinase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Vellanki
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Alexis E Garcia
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Soo Chan Lee
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
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