1
|
Marsaux B, Moens F, Vandevijver G, Marzorati M, van de Wiele T. Candida species-specific colonization in the healthy and impaired human gastrointestinal tract as simulated using the Mucosal Ileum-SHIME® model. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2024; 100:fiae113. [PMID: 39169462 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiae113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida species primarily exist as harmless commensals in the gastrointestinal tract of warm-blooded animals. However, they can also cause life-threatening infections, which are often associated with gut microbial dysbiosis. Identifying the microbial actors that restrict Candida to commensalism remains a significant challenge. In vitro models could enable a mechanistic study of the interactions between Candida and simulated colon microbiomes. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the spatial and temporal colonization kinetics of specific Candida, including C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. parapsilosis, and their relative Nakaseomyces glabratus, by using an adapted SHIME® model, simulating the ileum, and proximal and distal colons. We monitored fungal and bacterial colonization kinetics under conditions of eubiosis (commensal lifestyle) and antibiotic-induced dysbiosis (pathogenic lifestyle). Our findings highlighted the variability in the colonization potential of Candida species across different intestinal regions. The ileum compartment proved to be the most favourable environment for C. albicans and C. parapsilosis under conditions of eubiosis. Antibiotic-induced dysbiosis resulted in resurgence of opportunistic Candida species, especially C. tropicalis and C. albicans. Future research should focus on identifying specific bacterial species influencing Candida colonization resistance and explore the long-term effects of antibiotics on the mycobiome and bacteriome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benoît Marsaux
- ProDigest B.V., 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- CMET, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | | | | | - Massimo Marzorati
- ProDigest B.V., 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- CMET, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tom van de Wiele
- ProDigest B.V., 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- CMET, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jaswal K, Todd OA, Flores Audelo RC, Santus W, Paul S, Singh M, Miao J, Underhill DM, Peters BM, Behnsen J. Commensal Yeast Promotes Salmonella Typhimurium Virulence. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.08.606421. [PMID: 39211098 PMCID: PMC11360897 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.08.606421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Enteric pathogens engage in complex interactions with the host and the resident microbiota to establish gut colonization. Although mechanistic interactions between enteric pathogens and bacterial commensals have been extensively studied, whether and how commensal fungi affect pathogenesis of enteric infections remains largely unknown. Here we show that colonization with the common human gut commensal fungus Candida albicans worsened infections with the enteric pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Presence of C. albicans in the mouse gut increased Salmonella cecum colonization and systemic dissemination. We investigated the underlying mechanism and found that Salmonella binds to C. albicans via Type 1 fimbriae and uses its Type 3 Secretion System (T3SS) to deliver effector proteins into C. albicans . A specific effector, SopB, was sufficient to manipulate C. albicans metabolism, triggering increased arginine biosynthesis in C. albicans and the release of millimolar amounts of arginine into the extracellular environment. The released arginine, in turn, induced T3SS expression in Salmonella , increasing its invasion of epithelial cells. C. albicans deficient in arginine production was unable to increase Salmonella virulence in vitro or in vivo . In addition to modulating pathogen invasion, arginine also directly influenced the host response to infection. Arginine-producing C. albicans dampened the inflammatory response during Salmonella infection, whereas C. albicans deficient in arginine production did not. Arginine supplementation in the absence of C. albicans increased the systemic spread of Salmonella and decreased the inflammatory response, phenocopying the presence of C. albicans . In summary, we identified C. albicans colonization as a susceptibility factor for disseminated Salmonella infection, and arginine as a central metabolite in the cross-kingdom interaction between fungi, bacteria, and host.
Collapse
|
3
|
Spruijtenburg B, Meis JF, Verweij PE, de Groot T, Meijer EFJ. Short Tandem Repeat Genotyping of Medically Important Fungi: A Comprehensive Review of a Powerful Tool with Extensive Future Potential. Mycopathologia 2024; 189:72. [PMID: 39096450 PMCID: PMC11297828 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-024-00877-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
Fungal infections pose an increasing threat to public health. New pathogens and changing epidemiology are a pronounced risk for nosocomial outbreaks. To investigate clonal transmission between patients and trace the source, genotyping is required. In the last decades, various typing assays have been developed and applied to different medically important fungal species. While these different typing methods will be briefly discussed, this review will focus on the development and application of short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping. This method relies on the amplification and comparison of highly variable STR markers between isolates. For most common fungal pathogens, STR schemes were developed and compared to other methods, like multilocus sequence typing (MLST), amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and whole genome sequencing (WGS) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. The pros and cons of STR typing as compared to the other methods are discussed, as well as the requirements for the development of a solid STR typing assay. The resolution of STR typing, in general, is higher than MLST and AFLP, with WGS SNP analysis being the gold standard when it comes to resolution. Although most modern laboratories are capable to perform STR typing, little progress has been made to standardize typing schemes. Allelic ladders, as developed for Aspergillus fumigatus, facilitate the comparison of STR results between laboratories and develop global typing databases. Overall, STR genotyping is an extremely powerful tool, often complimentary to whole genome sequencing. Crucial details for STR assay development, its applications and merit are discussed in this review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bram Spruijtenburg
- Radboudumc-CWZ Center of Expertise for Mycology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital (CWZ)/Dicoon, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jacques F Meis
- Radboudumc-CWZ Center of Expertise for Mycology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Cologne Excellence Cluster On Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Institute of Translational Research, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Paul E Verweij
- Radboudumc-CWZ Center of Expertise for Mycology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Theun de Groot
- Radboudumc-CWZ Center of Expertise for Mycology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital (CWZ)/Dicoon, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Eelco F J Meijer
- Radboudumc-CWZ Center of Expertise for Mycology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital (CWZ)/Dicoon, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Katsipoulaki M, Stappers MHT, Malavia-Jones D, Brunke S, Hube B, Gow NAR. Candida albicans and Candida glabrata: global priority pathogens. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024; 88:e0002123. [PMID: 38832801 PMCID: PMC11332356 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00021-23] [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] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYA significant increase in the incidence of Candida-mediated infections has been observed in the last decade, mainly due to rising numbers of susceptible individuals. Recently, the World Health Organization published its first fungal pathogen priority list, with Candida species listed in medium, high, and critical priority categories. This review is a synthesis of information and recent advances in our understanding of two of these species-Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. Of these, C. albicans is the most common cause of candidemia around the world and is categorized as a critical priority pathogen. C. glabrata is considered a high-priority pathogen and has become an increasingly important cause of candidemia in recent years. It is now the second most common causative agent of candidemia in many geographical regions. Despite their differences and phylogenetic divergence, they are successful as pathogens and commensals of humans. Both species can cause a broad variety of infections, ranging from superficial to potentially lethal systemic infections. While they share similarities in certain infection strategies, including tissue adhesion and invasion, they differ significantly in key aspects of their biology, interaction with immune cells, host damage strategies, and metabolic adaptations. Here we provide insights on key aspects of their biology, epidemiology, commensal and pathogenic lifestyles, interactions with the immune system, and antifungal resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Myrto Katsipoulaki
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Mark H. T. Stappers
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Dhara Malavia-Jones
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Neil A. R. Gow
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Guha S, Cristy SA, Buda De Cesare G, Cruz MR, Lorenz MC, Garsin DA. Optimization of the antifungal properties of the bacterial peptide EntV by variant analysis. mBio 2024; 15:e0057024. [PMID: 38587425 PMCID: PMC11077972 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00570-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Fungal resistance to commonly used medicines is a growing public health threat, and there is a dire need to develop new classes of antifungals. We previously described a peptide produced by Enterococcus faecalis, EntV, that restricts Candida albicans to a benign form rather than having direct fungicidal activity. Moreover, we showed that one 12-amino acid (aa) alpha helix of this peptide retained full activity, with partial activity down to the 10aa alpha helix. Using these peptides as a starting point, the current investigation sought to identify the critical features necessary for antifungal activity and to screen for new variants with enhanced activity using both biofilm and C. elegans infection assays. First, the short peptides were screened for residues with critical activity by generating alanine substitutions. Based on this information, we used synthetic molecular evolution (SME) to rationally vary the specific residues of the 10aa variant in combination to generate a library that was screened to identify variants with more potent antifungal activity than the parent template. Five gain-of-function peptides were identified. Additionally, chemical modifications to the peptides to increase stability, including substitutions of D-amino acids and hydrocarbon stapling, were investigated. The most promising peptides were additionally tested in mouse models of oropharyngeal and systemic candidiasis where their efficacy in preventing infection was demonstrated. The expectation is that these discoveries will contribute to the development of new therapeutics in the fight against antimicrobial resistant fungi. IMPORTANCE Since the early 1980s, the incidence of disseminated life-threatening fungal infections has been on the rise. Worldwide, Candida and Cryptococcus species are among the most common agents causing these infections. Simultaneously, with this rise of clinical incidence, there has also been an increased prevalence of antifungal resistance, making treatment of these infections very difficult. For example, there are now strains of Candida auris that are resistant to all three classes of currently used antifungal drugs. In this study, we report on a strategy that allows for the development of novel antifungal agents by using synthetic molecular evolution. These discoveries demonstrate that the enhancement of antifungal activity from naturally occurring peptides is possible and can result in clinically relevant agents that have efficacy in multiple in vivo models as well as the potential for broad-spectrum activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shantanu Guha
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Shane A. Cristy
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Giuseppe Buda De Cesare
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Melissa R. Cruz
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Michael C. Lorenz
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Danielle A. Garsin
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Nenciarini S, Renzi S, di Paola M, Meriggi N, Cavalieri D. Ascomycetes yeasts: The hidden part of human microbiome. WIREs Mech Dis 2024; 16:e1641. [PMID: 38228159 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1641] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
The fungal component of the microbiota, the mycobiota, has been neglected for a long time due to its poor richness compared to bacteria. Limitations in fungal detection and taxonomic identification arise from using metagenomic approaches, often borrowed from bacteriome analyses. However, the relatively recent discoveries of the ability of fungi to modulate the host immune response and their involvement in human diseases have made mycobiota a fundamental component of the microbial communities inhabiting the human host, deserving some consideration in host-microbe interaction studies and in metagenomics. Here, we reviewed recent data on the identification of yeasts of the Ascomycota phylum across human body districts, focusing on the most representative genera, that is, Saccharomyces and Candida. Then, we explored the key factors involved in shaping the human mycobiota across the lifespan, ranging from host genetics to environment, diet, and lifestyle habits. Finally, we discussed the strengths and weaknesses of culture-dependent and independent methods for mycobiota characterization. Overall, there is still room for some improvements, especially regarding fungal-specific methodological approaches and bioinformatics challenges, which are still critical steps in mycobiota analysis, and to advance our knowledge on the role of the gut mycobiota in human health and disease. This article is categorized under: Immune System Diseases > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics Immune System Diseases > Environmental Factors Infectious Diseases > Environmental Factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sonia Renzi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Monica di Paola
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Niccolò Meriggi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Azim A, Ahmed A. Diagnosis and management of invasive fungal diseases in non-neutropenic ICU patients, with focus on candidiasis and aspergillosis: a comprehensive review. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1256158. [PMID: 38505289 PMCID: PMC10948617 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1256158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal diseases pose a significant threat to non-neutropenic ICU patients, with Candida and Aspergillus infections being the most common. However, diagnosing these infections in the ICU population remains challenging due to overlapping clinical features, poor sensitivity of blood cultures, and invasive sampling requirements. The classical host criteria for defining invasive fungal disease do not fully apply to ICU patients, leading to missed or delayed diagnoses. Recent advancements have improved our understanding of invasive fungal diseases, leading to revised definitions and diagnostic criteria. However, the diagnostic difficulties in ICU patients remain unresolved, highlighting the need for further research and evidence generation. Invasive candidiasis is the most prevalent form of invasive fungal disease in non-neutropenic ICU patients, presenting as candidemia and deep-seated candidiasis. Diagnosis relies on positive blood cultures or histopathology, while non-culture-based techniques such as beta-D-glucan assay and PCR-based tests show promise. Invasive aspergillosis predominantly manifests as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in ICU patients, often associated with comorbidities and respiratory deterioration in viral pneumonia. Diagnosis remains challenging due to poor sensitivity of blood cultures and difficulties in performing lung biopsies. Various diagnostic criteria have been proposed, including mycological evidence, clinical/radiological factors and expanded list of host factors. Non-culture-based techniques such as galactomannan assay and PCR-based tests can aid in diagnosis. Antifungal management involves tailored therapy based on guidelines and individual patient factors. The complexity of diagnosing and managing invasive fungal diseases in ICU patients underscore the importance of ongoing research and the need for updated diagnostic criteria and treatment approaches. Invasive fungal disease, Invasive fungal infection, Invasive candidiasis, Invasive aspergillosis, Antifungal drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Afzal Azim
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI), Lucknow, India
| | - Armin Ahmed
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, India
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wu Y, Liu P, Liao Q, Jin T, Wu Z, Guomin W, Wang H, Chu PK. Cotton Fibers with a Lactic Acid-Like Surface for Re-establishment of Protective Lactobacillus Microbiota by Selectively Inhibiting Vaginal Pathogens. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2302736. [PMID: 38061349 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302736] [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: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Failure to reconstruct the Lactobacillus microbiota is the major reason for the recurrence of vaginal infection. However, most empiric therapies focus on the efficacy of pathogen elimination but do not sufficiently consider the viability of Lactobacillus. Herein, cotton fibers with a lactic acid-like surface (LC) are fabricated by NaIO4 oxidation and L-isoserine grafting. The lactic acid analog chain ends and imine structure of LC can penetrate cell walls to cause protein cleavage in Escherichia coli and Candida albicans and inhibit vaginal pathogens. Meanwhile, the viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus is unaffected by the LC treatment, thus revealing a selective way to suppress pathogens as well as provide a positive route to re-establish protective microbiota in the vaginal tract. Moreover, LC has excellent properties such as good biosafety, antiadhesion, water absorption, and weight retention. The strategy proposed here not only is practical, but also provides insights into the treatment of vaginal infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuzheng Wu
- Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Pei Liu
- Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Qing Liao
- Center for Human Tissues and Organs Degeneration, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology and CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Tao Jin
- Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology and CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Zhengwei Wu
- Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Wang Guomin
- Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Huaiyu Wang
- Center for Human Tissues and Organs Degeneration, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Paul K Chu
- Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kosmala D, Sertour N, Fróis Martins R, Spaggiari L, Ardizzoni A, LeibundGut-Landmann S, Pericolini E, Bougnoux ME, d'Enfert C, Legrand M. The pathogenic and colonization potential of Candida africana. Microbes Infect 2024; 26:105230. [PMID: 37734535 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2023.105230] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
The Candida albicans population displays high genetic diversity illustrated by 18-well differentiated genetic clusters. Cluster 13, also known as Candida africana, is an outlying cluster and includes strains first described as atypical C. albicans isolates of vaginal origin, showing apparent tropism for the female genital tract. In our study, we combined in vitro, and in vivo models to explore the colonization and pathogenic potential of C. africana. We report that C. africana has similar fitness to C. albicans when it comes to colonization of the oral and vaginal mucosa, however it has decreased fitness in gastro-intestinal colonization and systemic infection. Interestingly, despite high population homogeneity, our in vitro data highlighted for the first time a variability in terms of growth rate, biofilm formation and filamentation properties between C. africana strains. Overall, our data lays the foundations for exploring specific features of C. africana that might contribute to its apparent niche restriction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daria Kosmala
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INRAE USC2019, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Paris, France
| | - Natacha Sertour
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INRAE USC2019, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Paris, France
| | - Ricardo Fróis Martins
- Section of Immunology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, Zurich 8057, Switzerland; Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Luca Spaggiari
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine Ph.D. Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Andrea Ardizzoni
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Oncological and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Salomé LeibundGut-Landmann
- Section of Immunology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, Zurich 8057, Switzerland; Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Eva Pericolini
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Oncological and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Marie-Elisabeth Bougnoux
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INRAE USC2019, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Paris, France; Unité de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Service de Microbiologie Clinique, Hôpital Necker-Enfants-Malades, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP), Paris, France
| | - Christophe d'Enfert
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INRAE USC2019, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Paris, France.
| | - Mélanie Legrand
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INRAE USC2019, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Román E, Prieto D, Hidalgo-Vico S, Alonso-Monge R, Pla J. The defective gut colonization of Candida albicans hog1 MAPK mutants is restored by overexpressing the transcriptional regulator of the white opaque transition WOR1. Virulence 2023; 14:2174294. [PMID: 36760104 PMCID: PMC9928469 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2174294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcriptional master regulator of the white opaque transition of Candida albicans WOR1 is important for the adaptation to the commensal lifestyle in the mammalian gut, a major source of invasive candidiasis. We have generated cells that overproduce Wor1 in mutants defective in the Hog1 MAP kinase, defective in several stress responses and unable to colonize the mice gut. WOR1 overexpression allows hog1 to be established as a commensal in the murine gut in a commensalism model and even compete with wild-type C. albicans cells for establishment. This increased fitness correlates with an enhanced ability to adhere to biotic surfaces as well as increased proteinase and phospholipase production and a decrease in filamentation in vitro. We also show that hog1 WOR1OE are avirulent in a systemic candidiasis model in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Román
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain,CONTACT Elvira Román
| | - Daniel Prieto
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Hidalgo-Vico
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rebeca Alonso-Monge
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Pla
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain,Jesús Pla Parasitología Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Delavy M, Sertour N, d'Enfert C, Bougnoux ME. Metagenomics and metabolomics approaches in the study of Candida albicans colonization of host niches: a framework for finding microbiome-based antifungal strategies. Trends Microbiol 2023; 31:1276-1286. [PMID: 37652786 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.08.002] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
In silico and experimental approaches have allowed an ever-growing understanding of the interactions within the microbiota. For instance, recently acquired data have increased knowledge of the mechanisms that support, in the gut and vaginal microbiota, the resistance to colonization by Candida albicans, an opportunistic fungal pathogen whose overgrowth can initiate severe infections in immunocompromised patients. Here, we review how bacteria from the microbiota interact with C. albicans. We show how recent OMICs-based pipelines, using metagenomics and/or metabolomics, have identified bacterial species and metabolites modulating C. albicans growth. We finally discuss how the combined use of cutting-edge OMICs-based and experimental approaches could provide new means to control C. albicans overgrowth within the microbiota and prevent its consequences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margot Delavy
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INRAE USC2019, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Paris, France
| | - Natacha Sertour
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INRAE USC2019, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Paris, France
| | - Christophe d'Enfert
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INRAE USC2019, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Elisabeth Bougnoux
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INRAE USC2019, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Paris, France; Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP), Hôpital Necker-Enfants-Malades, Unité de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Service de Microbiologie Clinique, Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ganser C, Staples MI, Dowell M, Frazer C, Dainis J, Sircaik S, Bennett RJ. Filamentation and biofilm formation are regulated by the phase-separation capacity of network transcription factors in Candida albicans. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011833. [PMID: 38091321 PMCID: PMC10718430 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of the fungus Candida albicans to filament and form biofilms contributes to its burden as a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections. Biofilm development involves an interconnected transcriptional regulatory network (TRN) consisting of nine transcription factors (TFs) that bind both to their own regulatory regions and to those of the other network TFs. Here, we show that seven of the nine TFs in the C. albicans biofilm network contain prion-like domains (PrLDs) that have been linked to the ability to form phase-separated condensates. Construction of PrLD mutants in four biofilm TFs reveals that these domains are essential for filamentation and biofilm formation in C. albicans. Moreover, biofilm PrLDs promote the formation of phase-separated condensates in the nuclei of live cells, and PrLD mutations that abolish phase separation (such as the removal of aromatic residues) also prevent biofilm formation. Biofilm TF condensates can selectively recruit other TFs through PrLD-PrLD interactions and can co-recruit RNA polymerase II, implicating condensate formation in the assembly of active transcriptional complexes. Finally, we show that PrLD mutations that block the phase separation of biofilm TFs also prevent filamentation in an in vivo model of gastrointestinal colonization. Together, these studies associate transcriptional condensates with the regulation of filamentation and biofilm formation in C. albicans, and highlight how targeting of PrLD-PrLD interactions could prevent pathogenesis by this species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Collin Ganser
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Department, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Mae I. Staples
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Department, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Maureen Dowell
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Department, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Corey Frazer
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Department, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Joseph Dainis
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Department, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Shabnam Sircaik
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Department, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Richard J. Bennett
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Department, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Sztafrowski D, Muraszko J, Jasiura A, Bryk P, Urbanek AK, Krasowska A. The alternating 50 Hz magnetic field depending on the hydrophobicity of the strain affects the viability, filamentation and sensitivity to drugs of Candida albicans. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291438. [PMID: 37796949 PMCID: PMC10553255 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, Candida albicans have been the main etiological agent of life-threatening invasive infections, characterized by various mechanisms of resistance to commonly used antifungals. One of the strategies to fight Candida infections may be the use of an electromagnetic field. In this study, we examined the influence of the alternating magnetic field of 50 Hz on the cells of C. albicans. We checked the impact of the alternating magnetic field of 50 Hz on the viability, filamentation and sensitivity to fluconazole and amphotericin B of two, differing in hydrophobicity, strains of C. albicans, CAF2-1 and CAF 4-2. Our results indicate that using the alternating magnetic field of 50 Hz reduces the growth of C. albicans. Interestingly, it presents a stronger effect on the hydrophobic strain CAF4-2 than on the hydrophilic CAF2-1. The applied electromagnetic field also affects the permeabilization of the cell membrane. However, it does not inhibit the transformation from yeast to hyphal forms. AMF is more effective in combination with fluconazole rather than amphotericin B. Our findings confirm the hypothesis that the application of the alternating magnetic field of 50 Hz in antifungal therapy may arise as a new option to support the treatment of Candida infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dariusz Sztafrowski
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Jakub Muraszko
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Adam Jasiura
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Patrycja Bryk
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Aneta K. Urbanek
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Anna Krasowska
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Gutzmann DJ, Kramer JJ, Toomey BM, Boone CHT, Atkin AL, Nickerson KW. Transcriptional regulation of the synthesis and secretion of farnesol in the fungus Candida albicans: examination of the Homann transcription regulator knockout collection. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2023; 13:jkad172. [PMID: 37522561 PMCID: PMC10542173 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans is an efficient colonizer of human gastrointestinal tracts and skin and is an opportunistic pathogen. C. albicans exhibits morphological plasticity, and the ability to switch between yeast and filamentous morphologies is associated with virulence. One regulator of this switch is the quorum sensing molecule farnesol that is produced by C. albicans throughout growth. However, the synthesis, secretion, regulation, and turnover of farnesol are not fully understood. To address this, we used our improved farnesol assay to screen a transcription regulator knockout library for differences in farnesol accumulation in whole cultures, pellets, and supernatants. All screened mutants produced farnesol and they averaged 9.2× more farnesol in the pellet than the supernatant. Nineteen mutants had significant differences with ten mutants producing more farnesol than their SN152+ wild-type control strain while nine produced less. Seven mutants exhibited greater secretion of farnesol while two exhibited less. We examined the time course for farnesol accumulation in six mutants with the greatest accumulation differences and found that those differences persisted throughout growth and they were not time dependent. Significantly, two high-accumulating mutants did not exhibit the decay in farnesol levels during stationary phase characteristic of wild-type C. albicans, suggesting that a farnesol modification/degradation mechanism is absent in these mutants. Identifying these transcriptional regulators provides new insight into farnesol's physiological functions regarding cell cycle progression, white-opaque switching, yeast-mycelial dimorphism, and response to cellular stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Gutzmann
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Jaxon J Kramer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Brigid M Toomey
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Cory H T Boone
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Audrey L Atkin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Kenneth W Nickerson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Marquez L, Lee Y, Duncan D, Whitesell L, Cowen LE, Quave C. Potent Antifungal Activity of Penta- O-galloyl-β-d-Glucose against Drug-Resistant Candida albicans, Candida auris, and Other Non- albicans Candida Species. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:1685-1694. [PMID: 37607350 PMCID: PMC10496123 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00113] [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: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Among fungal pathogens, infections by drug-resistant Candida species continue to pose a major challenge to healthcare. This study aimed to evaluate the activity of the bioactive natural product, penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose (PGG) against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Candida albicans, MDR Candida auris, and other MDR non-albicans Candida species. Here, we show that PGG has a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.25-8 μg mL-1 (0.265-8.5 μM) against three clinical strains of C. auris and a MIC of 0.25-4 μg mL-1 (0.265-4.25 μM) against a panel of other MDR Candida species. Our cytotoxicity studies found that PGG was well tolerated by human kidney, liver, and epithelial cells with an IC50 > 256 μg mL-1 (>272 μM). We also show that PGG is a high-capacity iron chelator and that deletion of key iron homeostasis genes in C. albicans rendered strains hypersensitive to PGG. In conclusion, PGG displayed potent anti-Candida activity with minimal cytotoxicity for human cells. We also found that the antifungal activity of PGG is mediated through an iron-chelating mechanism, suggesting that the compound could prove useful as a topical treatment for superficial Candida infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lewis Marquez
- Molecular
and Systems Pharmacology, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
- Jones
Center at Ichauway, Newton, Georgia 39870, United States
| | - Yunjin Lee
- Department
of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Dustin Duncan
- Department
of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada
- Department
of Chemistry, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Luke Whitesell
- Department
of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Leah E. Cowen
- Department
of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Cassandra Quave
- Center
for the Study of Human Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
- Department
of Dermatology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Romo JA, Tomihiro M, Kumamoto CA. Pre-colonization with the fungus Candida glabrata exacerbates infection by the bacterial pathogen Clostridioides difficile in a murine model. mSphere 2023; 8:e0012223. [PMID: 37358292 PMCID: PMC10449511 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00122-23] [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: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The contributions of commensal fungi to human health and disease are not well understood. Candida species such as C. albicans and C. glabrata are opportunistic pathogenic fungi and common colonizers of the human intestinal tract. They have been shown to affect the host immune system and interact with the gut microbiome and pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, Candida species could be expected to play important ecological roles in the host gastrointestinal tract. Previously, our group demonstrated that pre-colonization of mice with C. albicans protected them against lethal C. difficile infection (CDI). Here, we show that mice pre-colonized with C. glabrata succumbed to CDI more rapidly than mice that were not pre-colonized suggesting an enhancement in C. difficile pathogenesis. Further, when C. difficile was added to pre-formed C. glabrata biofilms, an increase in matrix and overall biomass was observed. These effects were also shown with C. glabrata clinical isolates. Interestingly, the presence of C. difficile increased C. glabrata biofilm susceptibility to caspofungin, indicating potential effects on the fungal cell wall. Defining this intricate and intimate relationship will lead to an understanding of the role of Candida species in the context of CDI and novel aspects of Candida biology. IMPORTANCE Most microbiome studies have only considered the bacterial populations while ignoring other members of the microbiome such as fungi, other eukaryotic microorganisms, and viruses. Therefore, the role of fungi in human health and disease has been significantly understudied compared to their bacterial counterparts. This has generated a significant gap in knowledge that has negatively impacted disease diagnosis, understanding, and the development of therapeutics. With the development of novel technologies, we now have an understanding of mycobiome composition, but we do not understand the roles of fungi in the host. Here, we present findings showing that Candida glabrata, an opportunistic pathogenic yeast that colonizes the mammalian gastrointestinal tract, can impact the severity and outcome of a Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in a murine model. These findings bring attention to fungal colonizers during CDI, a bacterial infection of the gastrointestinal tract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesús A. Romo
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Makenzie Tomihiro
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Carol A. Kumamoto
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Zhu W, Zhang H, Dong Q, Song H, Zhao L. Dual wave of neutrophil recruitment determines the outcome of C. albicans infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1239593. [PMID: 37492529 PMCID: PMC10364056 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1239593] [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: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a ubiquitous fungus that can cause superficial and systemic infections in humans. Neutrophils play a crucial role in controlling C. albicans infections. When C. albicans enters the bloodstream, it tends to get trapped in capillary vessels. However, the behavior of neutrophils in combating capillary-residing fungi has not been fully characterized. In this study, we used transgenic mice and whole mount imaging to investigate the growth of C. albicans and its interaction with innate immune cells in different organs. We observed that C. albicans rapidly grows hyphae within hours of infection. Following intravenous infection, we observed two waves of neutrophil recruitment, both of which significantly contributed to the elimination of the fungi. The first wave of neutrophils was induced by complement activation and could be prevented by C5aR blockade. Interestingly, we discovered that the fungicidal effect in the lungs was independent of adhesion molecules such as Mac-1, LFA-1, and ICAM-1. However, these molecules played a more significant role in the optimal killing of C. albicans in the kidney. Importantly, the initial difference in killing efficiency resulted in significantly reduced survival in knockout mice lacking these adhesion molecules. We identified a second wave of neutrophil recruitment associated with hyphal growth and tissue damage, which was independent of the aforementioned adhesion molecules. Overall, this study elucidates the dual wave of neutrophil recruitment during C. albicans infection and highlights the importance of early fungal clearance for favorable disease outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Zhu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Huifang Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiming Dong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Towson, MD, United States
| | - Hongyong Song
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Lin Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Brzezińska-Zając A, Sycińska-Dziarnowska M, Spagnuolo G, Szyszka-Sommerfeld L, Woźniak K. Candida Species in Children Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment with Removable Appliances: A Pilot Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20064824. [PMID: 36981732 PMCID: PMC10049279 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of orthodontic treatment with removable appliances on the growth of Candida spp. in children undergoing orthodontic treatment. The study included 60 patients of equal numbers as to gender from the orthodontics department of the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Poland. All patients were aged 6-12 years and were qualified for orthodontic treatment with removable appliances. The following examinations were performed on the day of treatment initiation (T1) and 6 months after the start of treatment (T2); a collection of oral swabs for culture on Sabouraud's medium and the identification of fungal colonies using the VITEK®2 YST. At T1, 42 (70%) subjects, were free of Candida, while after 6 months of treatment, the number decreased to 25 (41.67%). Two types of fungi, C. albicans and C. parapsilosis, predominated in the test performed at T1. The study at T2 showed that C. albicans most frequently colonized the oral cavity in 23 children (38.33%). Three new strains C. dubliniensis, C. kefyr, and C. krusei were identified at T2. Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between the culture results and the age of the patient at T2. Patients older than 9 years had significantly more positive tests. Orthodontic treatment with removable appliances contributes to increased oral colonization by Candida spp.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Brzezińska-Zając
- Department of Orthodontics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Al. Powst. Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | | | - Gianrico Spagnuolo
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Liliana Szyszka-Sommerfeld
- Department of Orthodontics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Al. Powst. Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Woźniak
- Department of Orthodontics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Al. Powst. Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Analysis of Microsatellite Length Polymorphism for Clinical Isolates of Candida albicans from Animals. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2023. [DOI: 10.5812/jjm-132587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Candida albicans has been shown as the most common species of Candida collected from different animals. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity and genetic relationships among C. albicans isolates collected from clinical specimens of animals suffering from candidiasis using microsatellite length polymorphism (MLP). Methods: We used MLP for a group of 60 C. albicans strains isolated from various animal species (dog: 16, cat: 10, horse: 10, cow: 14, chicken: 10), previously defined as animal clinical isolates. Three loci, including EF3, CDC3, and HIS3, were amplified, and the products ran onto an ABI XL 370 genetic analyzer, and fragment sizes were determined. Results: Of the 60 clinical strains illustrated, 49 different genotypes were identified with a discriminatory power index of 0.991. A total of 17 alleles and 26 different combinations were identified for EF3 locus, six alleles and 13 combinations for CDC3 locus, and 17 alleles and 27 combinations for HIS3 locus. The most common genotypes were GP9 (four strains) and GP1 and GP33 (three strains). Wright’s fixation index (FST) values were calculated to assess inter-group genetic diversity for all pairwise combinations of the five sub-populations of C. albicans isolated from the different animal hosts. The highest FST values related to C. albicans isolated from chicken to three sub-populations of cats (FST: 0.1397), cows (FST: 0.0639), and horses (FST: 0.0585). Conclusions: The results indicated a moderate genetic differentiation (0.05 < FST < 0.15) between C. albicans strains isolated from cats, cows, and horses as a mammal vs. chickens.
Collapse
|
20
|
Avelar GM, Dambuza IM, Ricci L, Yuecel R, Mackenzie K, Childers DS, Bain JM, Pradhan A, Larcombe DE, Netea MG, Erwig LP, Brown GD, Duncan SH, Gow NA, Walker AW, Brown AJ. Impact of changes at the Candida albicans cell surface upon immunogenicity and colonisation in the gastrointestinal tract. CELL SURFACE (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 8:100084. [PMID: 36299406 PMCID: PMC9589014 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcsw.2022.100084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The immunogenicity of Candida albicans cells is influenced by changes in the exposure of microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) on the fungal cell surface. Previously, the degree of exposure on the C. albicans cell surface of the immunoinflammatory MAMP β-(1,3)-glucan was shown to correlate inversely with colonisation levels in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This is important because life-threatening systemic candidiasis in critically ill patients often arises from translocation of C. albicans strains present in the patient's GI tract. Therefore, using a murine model, we have examined the impact of gut-related factors upon β-glucan exposure and colonisation levels in the GI tract. The degree of β-glucan exposure was examined by imaging flow cytometry of C. albicans cells taken directly from GI compartments, and compared with colonisation levels. Fungal β-glucan exposure was lower in the cecum than the small intestine, and fungal burdens were correspondingly higher in the cecum. This inverse correlation did not hold for the large intestine. The gut fermentation acid, lactate, triggers β-glucan masking in vitro, leading to attenuated anti-Candida immune responses. Additional fermentation acids are present in the GI tract, including acetate, propionate, and butyrate. We show that these acids also influence β-glucan exposure on C. albicans cells in vitro and, like lactate, they influence β-glucan exposure via Gpr1/Gpa2-mediated signalling. Significantly, C. albicans gpr1Δ gpa2Δ cells displayed elevated β-glucan exposure in the large intestine and a corresponding decrease in fungal burden, consistent with the idea that Gpr1/Gpa2-mediated β-glucan masking influences colonisation of this GI compartment. Finally, extracts from the murine gut and culture supernatants from the mannan grazing gut anaerobe Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron promote β-glucan exposure at the C. albicans cell surface. Therefore, the local microbiota influences β-glucan exposure levels directly (via mannan grazing) and indirectly (via fermentation acids), whilst β-glucan masking appears to promote C. albicans colonisation of the murine large intestine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela M. Avelar
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Ivy M. Dambuza
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Liviana Ricci
- Microbiome, Food Innovation and Food Security Research Theme, Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Raif Yuecel
- Iain Fraser Cytometry Centre, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Kevin Mackenzie
- Microscopy & Histology Facility, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Delma S. Childers
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Judith M. Bain
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Arnab Pradhan
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Daniel E. Larcombe
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Mihai G. Netea
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Department for Immunology & Metabolism, Life and Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES), University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Lars P. Erwig
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- Johnson-Johnson Innovation, EMEA Innovation Centre, One Chapel Place, London W1G 0BG, UK
| | - Gordon D. Brown
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Sylvia H. Duncan
- Microbiome, Food Innovation and Food Security Research Theme, Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Neil A.R. Gow
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Alan W. Walker
- Microbiome, Food Innovation and Food Security Research Theme, Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Alistair J.P. Brown
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
- Corresponding author at: Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Hidalgo-Vico S, Casas J, García C, Lillo MP, Alonso-Monge R, Román E, Pla J. Overexpression of the White Opaque Switching Master Regulator Wor1 Alters Lipid Metabolism and Mitochondrial Function in Candida albicans. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:1028. [PMID: 36294593 PMCID: PMC9604646 DOI: 10.3390/jof8101028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a commensal yeast that inhabits the gastrointestinal tract of humans; increased colonization of this yeast in this niche has implicated the master regulator of the white-opaque transition, Wor1, by mechanisms not completely understood. We have addressed the role that this transcription factor has on commensalism by the characterization of strains overexpressing this gene. We show that WOR1 overexpression causes an alteration of the total lipid content of the fungal cell and significantly alters the composition of structural and reserve molecular species lipids as determined by lipidomic analysis. These cells are hypersensitive to membrane-disturbing agents such as SDS, have increased tolerance to azoles, an augmented number of peroxisomes, and increased phospholipase activity. WOR1 overexpression also decreases mitochondrial activity and results in altered susceptibility to certain oxidants. All together, these changes reflect drastic alterations in the cellular physiology that facilitate adaptation to the gastrointestinal tract environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susana Hidalgo-Vico
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología-IRYCIS, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Josefina Casas
- Research Unit on BioActive Molecules (RUBAM), Department of Biological Chemistry, Instituto de Química Avanzada de Cataluña, Jordi Girona 18–26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carolina García
- Departamento de Química Física Biológica, Instituto Química Física “Rocasolano”, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Serrano 119, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - M. Pilar Lillo
- Departamento de Química Física Biológica, Instituto Química Física “Rocasolano”, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Serrano 119, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rebeca Alonso-Monge
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología-IRYCIS, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Elvira Román
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología-IRYCIS, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Pla
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología-IRYCIS, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Ricci L, Mackie J, Donachie GE, Chapuis A, Mezerová K, Lenardon MD, Brown AJP, Duncan SH, Walker AW. Human gut bifidobacteria inhibit the growth of the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2022; 98:fiac095. [PMID: 36007932 PMCID: PMC9486989 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiac095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The human gut microbiota protects the host from invading pathogens and the overgrowth of indigenous opportunistic species via a process called colonization resistance. Here, we investigated the antagonistic activity of human gut bacteria towards Candida albicans, an opportunistic fungal pathogen that can cause severe infections in susceptible individuals. Coculture batch incubations of C. albicans in the presence of faecal microbiota from six healthy individuals revealed varying levels of inhibitory activity against C. albicans. 16S rRNA gene amplicon profiling of these faecal coculture bacterial communities showed that the Bifidobacteriaceae family, and Bifidobacterium adolescentis in particular, were most correlated with antagonistic activity against C. albicans. Follow-up mechanistic studies performed under anaerobic conditions confirmed that culture supernatants of Bifidobacterium species, particularly B. adolescentis, inhibited C. albicans in vitro. Fermentation acids (FA), including acetate and lactate, present in the bifidobacterial supernatants were important contributors to inhibitory activity. However, increasing the pH of both bacterial supernatants and mixtures of FA reduced their anti-Candida effects, indicating a combinatorial effect of prevailing pH and FA. This work, therefore, demonstrates potential mechanisms underpinning gut microbiome-mediated colonization resistance against C. albicans, and identifies particularly inhibitory components such as bifidobacteria and FA as targets for further study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liviana Ricci
- Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
- CIBIO - Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, 38123, Italy
| | - Joanna Mackie
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Gillian E Donachie
- Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Ambre Chapuis
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Kristýna Mezerová
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, 77515, Czech Republic
| | - Megan D Lenardon
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Alistair J P Brown
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - Sylvia H Duncan
- Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Alan W Walker
- Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Shao TY, Haslam DB, Bennett RJ, Way SS. Friendly fungi: symbiosis with commensal Candida albicans. Trends Immunol 2022; 43:706-717. [PMID: 35961916 PMCID: PMC10027380 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2022.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Mucosal tissues are constitutively colonized by a wide assortment of host-adapted microbes. This includes the polymorphic fungus Candida albicans which is a primary target of human adaptive responses. Immunogenicity is replicated after intestinal colonization in preclinical models with a surprising array of protective benefits for most hosts, but harmful consequences for a few. The interaction between fungus and host is complex, and traditionally, the masking of antigenic fungal ligands has been viewed as a tactic for fungal immune evasion during invasive infection. However, we propose that dynamic expression of cell wall moieties, host cell lysins, and other antigenic C. albicans determinants is necessary during the more ubiquitous context of intestinal colonization to prime immunogenicity and optimize mammalian host symbiosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Yu Shao
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Immunobiology Graduate Program, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - David B Haslam
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Richard J Bennett
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Department, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA.
| | - Sing Sing Way
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Zahumenský J, Mota Fernandes C, Veselá P, Del Poeta M, Konopka JB, Malínský J. Microdomain Protein Nce102 Is a Local Sensor of Plasma Membrane Sphingolipid Balance. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0196122. [PMID: 35758748 PMCID: PMC9431316 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01961-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Sphingolipids are essential building blocks of eukaryotic membranes and important signaling molecules that are regulated tightly in response to environmental and physiological inputs. While their biosynthetic pathway has been well-described, the mechanisms that facilitate the perception of sphingolipid levels at the plasma membrane remain to be uncovered. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the Nce102 protein has been proposed to function as a sphingolipid sensor as it changes its plasma membrane distribution in response to sphingolipid biosynthesis inhibition. We show that Nce102 redistributes specifically in regions of increased sphingolipid demand, e.g., membranes of nascent buds. Furthermore, we report that the production of Nce102 increases following sphingolipid biosynthesis inhibition and that Nce102 is internalized when excess sphingolipid precursors are supplied. This finding suggests that the total amount of Nce102 in the plasma membrane is a measure of the current need for sphingolipids, whereas its local distribution marks sites of high sphingolipid demand. The physiological role of Nce102 in the regulation of sphingolipid synthesis is demonstrated by mass spectrometry analysis showing reduced levels of hydroxylated complex sphingolipids in response to heat stress in the nce102Δ deletion mutant. We also demonstrate that Nce102 behaves analogously in the widespread human fungal pathogen Candida albicans, suggesting a conserved principle of local sphingolipid control across species. IMPORTANCE Microorganisms are challenged constantly by their rapidly changing environment. To survive, they have developed diverse mechanisms to quickly perceive stressful situations and adapt to them appropriately. The primary site of both stress sensing and adaptation is the plasma membrane. We identified the yeast protein Nce102 as a marker of local sphingolipid levels and fluidity in the plasma membrane. Nce102 is an important structural and functional component of the membrane compartment Can1 (MCC), a plasma membrane microdomain stabilized by a large cytosolic hemitubular protein scaffold, the eisosome. The MCC/eisosomes are widely conserved among fungi and unicellular algae. To determine if Nce102 carries out similar functions in other organisms, we analyzed the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans and found that Nce102 responds to sphingolipid levels also in this organism, which has potential applications for the development of novel therapeutic approaches. The presented study represents a valuable model for how organisms regulate plasma membrane sphingolipids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Zahumenský
- Department of Functional Organization of Biomembranes, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Caroline Mota Fernandes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Petra Veselá
- Department of Functional Organization of Biomembranes, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Maurizio Del Poeta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Veterans Administration Medical Center, Northport, New York, USA
| | - James B. Konopka
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Jan Malínský
- Department of Functional Organization of Biomembranes, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Lactobacillus rhamnosus colonisation antagonizes Candida albicans by forcing metabolic adaptations that compromise pathogenicity. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3192. [PMID: 35680868 PMCID: PMC9184479 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30661-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal microbiota dysbiosis can initiate overgrowth of commensal Candida species - a major predisposing factor for disseminated candidiasis. Commensal bacteria such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus can antagonize Candida albicans pathogenicity. Here, we investigate the interplay between C. albicans, L. rhamnosus, and intestinal epithelial cells by integrating transcriptional and metabolic profiling, and reverse genetics. Untargeted metabolomics and in silico modelling indicate that intestinal epithelial cells foster bacterial growth metabolically, leading to bacterial production of antivirulence compounds. In addition, bacterial growth modifies the metabolic environment, including removal of C. albicans' favoured nutrient sources. This is accompanied by transcriptional and metabolic changes in C. albicans, including altered expression of virulence-related genes. Our results indicate that intestinal colonization with bacteria can antagonize C. albicans by reshaping the metabolic environment, forcing metabolic adaptations that reduce fungal pathogenicity.
Collapse
|
26
|
Hattab S, Dagher AM, Wheeler RT. Pseudomonas Synergizes with Fluconazole against Candida during Treatment of Polymicrobial Infection. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0062621. [PMID: 35289633 PMCID: PMC9022521 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00626-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Polymicrobial infections are challenging to treat because we don't fully understand how pathogens interact during infection and how these interactions affect drug efficacy. Candida albicans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are opportunistic pathogens that can be found in similar sites of infection such as in burn wounds and most importantly in the lungs of CF and mechanically ventilated patients. C. albicans is particularly difficult to treat because of the paucity of antifungal agents, some of which lack fungicidal activity. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of anti-fungal treatment during C. albicans-P. aeruginosa coculture in vitro and co-infection in the mucosal zebrafish infection model analogous to the lung. We find that P. aeruginosa enhances the activity of fluconazole (FLC), an anti-fungal drug that is fungistatic in vitro, to promote both clearance of C. albicans during co-infection in vivo and fungal killing in vitro. This synergy between FLC treatment and bacterial antagonism is partly due to iron piracy, as it is reduced upon iron supplementation and knockout of bacterial siderophores. Our work demonstrates that FLC has enhanced activity in clinically relevant contexts and highlights the need to understand antimicrobial effectiveness in the complex environment of the host with its associated microbial communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siham Hattab
- Department of Molecular & Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA
| | - Anna-Maria Dagher
- Department of Molecular & Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA
| | - Robert T. Wheeler
- Department of Molecular & Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Hu W, Huang L, Zhou Z, Yin L, Tang J. Diallyl Disulfide (DADS) Ameliorates Intestinal Candida albicans Infection by Modulating the Gut microbiota and Metabolites and Providing Intestinal Protection in Mice. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:743454. [PMID: 35071031 PMCID: PMC8777027 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.743454] [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: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Diallyl disulfide (DADS), a garlic extract also known as allicin, has been reported to have numerous biological activities, including anticancer, antifungal, and inflammation-inhibiting activities, among others. Although many studies have assessed whether DADS can treat Candida albicans infection in vitro, its in vivo function and the underlying mechanism are still not clear. Accumulated evidence has implicated the gut microbiota as an important factor in the colonization and invasion of C. albicans. Thus, this study aimed to identify the mechanism by which DADS ameliorates dextran sulfate (DSS)-induced intestinal C. albicans infection based on the systematic analysis of the gut microbiota and metabolomics in mice. Here, we determined the body weight, survival, colon length, histological score, and inflammatory cytokine levels in the serum and intestines of experimental mice. Fecal samples were collected for gut microbiota and metabolite analysis by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and LC-MS metabolomics, respectively. DADS significantly alleviated DSS-induced intestinal C. albicans infection and altered the gut microbial community structure and metabolic profile in the mice. The abundances of some pathogenic bacteria, such as Proteobacteria, Escherichia-Shigella, and Streptococcus, were notably decreased after treatment with DADS. In contrast, SCFA-producing bacteria, namely, Ruminiclostridium, Oscillibacter, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-013, greatly increased in number. The perturbance of metabolites in infectious mice was improved by DADS, with increases in secondary bile acids, arachidonic acid, indoles and their derivatives, which were highly related to the multiple differentially altered metabolic pathways, namely, bile secretion, arachidonic acid metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism. This study indicated that DADS could modulate gut microbiota and metabolites and protect the gut barrier to alleviate DSS-induced intestinal C. albicans infection in mice. Moreover, this work might also provide novel insight into the treatment of C. albicans infection using DADS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jianguo Tang
- Department of Trauma-Emergency & Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Interplay between Candida albicans and Lactic Acid Bacteria in the Gastrointestinal Tract: Impact on Colonization Resistance, Microbial Carriage, Opportunistic Infection, and Host Immunity. Clin Microbiol Rev 2021; 34:e0032320. [PMID: 34259567 PMCID: PMC8404691 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00323-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging studies have highlighted the disproportionate role of Candida albicans in influencing both early community assembly of the bacterial microbiome and dysbiosis during allergic diseases and intestinal inflammation. Nonpathogenic colonization of the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract by C. albicans is common, and the role of this single fungal species in modulating bacterial community reassembly after broad-spectrum antibiotics can be readily recapitulated in mouse studies. One of the most notable features of C. albicans-associated dysbiotic states is a marked change in the levels of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). C. albicans and LAB share metabolic niches throughout the GI tract, and in vitro studies have identified various interactions between these microbes. The two predominant LAB affected are Lactobacillus species and Enterococcus species. Lactobacilli can antagonize enterococci and C. albicans, while Enterococcus faecalis and C. albicans have been reported to exhibit a mutualistic relationship. E. faecalis and C. albicans are also causative agents of a variety of life-threatening infections, are frequently isolated together from mixed-species infections, and share certain similarities in clinical presentation-most notably their emergence as opportunistic pathogens following disruption of the microbiota. In this review, we discuss and model the mechanisms used by Lactobacillus species, E. faecalis, and C. albicans to modulate each other's growth and virulence in the GI tract. With multidrug-resistant E. faecalis and C. albicans strains becoming increasingly common in hospital settings, examining the interplay between these three microbes may provide novel insights for enhancing the efficacy of existing antimicrobial therapies.
Collapse
|
29
|
Thangamani S, Monasky R, Lee JK, Antharam V, HogenEsch H, Hazbun TR, Jin Y, Gu H, Guo GL. Bile Acid Regulates the Colonization and Dissemination of Candida albicans from the Gastrointestinal Tract by Controlling Host Defense System and Microbiota. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7121030. [PMID: 34947012 PMCID: PMC8708873 DOI: 10.3390/jof7121030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans (CA), a commensal and opportunistic eukaryotic organism, frequently inhabits the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and causes life-threatening infections. Antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis is a major risk factor for increased CA colonization and dissemination from the GI tract. We identified a significant increase of taurocholic acid (TCA), a major bile acid in antibiotic-treated mice susceptible to CA infection. In vivo findings indicate that administration of TCA through drinking water is sufficient to induce colonization and dissemination of CA in wild-type and immunosuppressed mice. Treatment with TCA significantly reduced mRNA expression of immune genes ang4 and Cxcr3 in the colon. In addition, TCA significantly decreased the relative abundance of three culturable species of commensal bacteria, Turicibacter sanguinis, Lactobacillus johnsonii, and Clostridium celatum, in both cecal contents and mucosal scrapings from the colon. Taken together, our results indicate that TCA promotes fungal colonization and dissemination of CA from the GI tract by controlling the host defense system and intestinal microbiota that play a critical role in regulating CA in the intestine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shankar Thangamani
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA;
- Purdue Institute for Immunology, Inflammation and Infectious Diseases (PI4D), West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA; (R.M.); (J.K.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-765-494-0763
| | - Ross Monasky
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA; (R.M.); (J.K.L.)
| | - Jung Keun Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA; (R.M.); (J.K.L.)
| | - Vijay Antharam
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts, Humanities and Sciences, Methodist University, Fayetteville, NC 28311, USA;
| | - Harm HogenEsch
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA;
- Purdue Institute for Immunology, Inflammation and Infectious Diseases (PI4D), West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
| | - Tony R. Hazbun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA;
| | - Yan Jin
- Arizona Metabolomics Laboratory, College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA; (Y.J.); (H.G.)
| | - Haiwei Gu
- Arizona Metabolomics Laboratory, College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA; (Y.J.); (H.G.)
- Center for Translational Science, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, FL 33199, USA
| | - Grace L. Guo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Earnest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA;
- Department of Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ 07018, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Verma R, Pradhan D, Hasan Z, Singh H, Jain AK, Khan LA. A systematic review on distribution and antifungal resistance pattern of Candida species in the Indian population. Med Mycol 2021; 59:1145-1165. [PMID: 34625811 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myab058] [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] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of antifungal drug resistance in Candida species has led to increased morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Understanding species distribution and antifungal drug resistance patterns is an essential step for novel drug development. A systematic review was performed addressing this challenge in India with keywords inclusive of 'Candida', 'Antifungal Drug Resistance', 'Candidemia', 'Candidiasis' and 'India'. A total of 106 studies (January 1978-March 2020) from 20 Indian states were included. Of over 11,429 isolates, Candida albicans was the major species accounting for 37.95% of total isolates followed by C. tropicalis (29.40%), C. glabrata (11.68%) and C. parapsilosis (8.36%). Rates of antifungal resistance were highest in non-albicans Candida (NAC) species - C. haemuloni (47.16%), C. krusei (28.99%), C. lipolytica (28.89%) and C. glabrata (20.69%). Approximately 10.34% isolates of C. albicans were observed to be drug-resistant. Candida species were frequently resistant to certain azoles (ketoconazole-22.2%, miconazole-22.1% and fluconazole-21.8%). In conclusion, the present systematic review illustrates the overall distribution and antifungal resistance pattern of Candida species among the Indian population that could be helpful in the future for the formation of treatment recommendations for the region but also elsewhere.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rashi Verma
- Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India.,Biomedical Informatics Centre, ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, New Delhi, India
| | - Dibyabhaba Pradhan
- Indian Council of Medical Research - Computational Genomics Centre, All India Institute of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Ziaul Hasan
- Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Harpreet Singh
- Indian Council of Medical Research - Computational Genomics Centre, All India Institute of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Arun Kumar Jain
- Biomedical Informatics Centre, ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, New Delhi, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Drew GC, Stevens EJ, King KC. Microbial evolution and transitions along the parasite-mutualist continuum. Nat Rev Microbiol 2021; 19:623-638. [PMID: 33875863 PMCID: PMC8054256 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-021-00550-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Virtually all plants and animals, including humans, are home to symbiotic microorganisms. Symbiotic interactions can be neutral, harmful or have beneficial effects on the host organism. However, growing evidence suggests that microbial symbionts can evolve rapidly, resulting in drastic transitions along the parasite-mutualist continuum. In this Review, we integrate theoretical and empirical findings to discuss the mechanisms underpinning these evolutionary shifts, as well as the ecological drivers and why some host-microorganism interactions may be stuck at the end of the continuum. In addition to having biomedical consequences, understanding the dynamic life of microorganisms reveals how symbioses can shape an organism's biology and the entire community, particularly in a changing world.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kayla C King
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Abstract
A sparse number of available antifungal drugs, therapeutic side effects, and drug resistance are major challenges in current antifungal therapy to treat Candida albicans-associated infections. Here, we describe two food-derived yeasts, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Issatchenkia occidentalis, that inhibit virulence traits of C. albicans, including hyphal morphogenesis, biofilm formation, and adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells. These yeasts also protect the model host Caenorhabditis elegans from C. albicans infection. We demonstrate that the protective activity is primarily retained in the secretome of the beneficial yeasts, and the protection they provide as a physical barrier is negligible. S. cerevisiae aro8 aro9 mutant analysis demonstrate that phenylethanol and tryptophol are necessary for protection, and experiments with commercially procured compounds indicate that they are sufficient to inhibit C. albicans virulence. We propose food-derived yeasts as an alternative or combination therapy to conventional antifungal therapy for C. albicans infection. IMPORTANCE The gut microbiome, primarily established by food, is complex and contributes to the health of the host. Molecular mechanisms that regulate microbial interactions and host health remain unclear. Here, we show that the pathogen C. albicans interacts with food-derived beneficial yeasts in the gut of the microscopic worm, C. elegans, forming a simple microbiome. C. albicans can colonize the worm gut, compromising the worm's health, and exposure to the food-derived yeasts ameliorates this effect protecting the nematode host. We identify small molecules from food-derived yeasts that are necessary and sufficient to inhibit multiple virulence traits of C. albicans and protect the nematode host. The nematode gut faithfully recapitulates a mammalian intestine. This could be an effective alternative or combination therapy for C. albicans infection.
Collapse
|
33
|
Identification of Clinical Isolates of Candida albicans with Increased Fitness in Colonization of the Murine Gut. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7090695. [PMID: 34575733 PMCID: PMC8468482 DOI: 10.3390/jof7090695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The commensal and opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans is an important cause of fungal diseases in humans, with the gastrointestinal tract being an important reservoir for its infections. The study of the mechanisms promoting the C. albicans commensal state has attracted considerable attention over the last few years, and several studies have focused on the identification of the intestinal human mycobiota and the characterization of Candida genes involved in its establishment as a commensal. In this work, we have barcoded 114 clinical C. albicans isolates to identify strains with an enhanced fitness in a murine gastrointestinal commensalism model. The 114 barcoded clinical isolates were pooled in four groups of 28 to 30 strains that were inoculated by gavage in mice previously treated with antibacterial therapy. Eight strains that either exhibited higher colonization load and/or remained in the gut after antibiotic removal were selected. The phenotypic analysis of these strains compared to an RFP-tagged SC5314 wild type strain did not reveal any specific trait associated with its increased colonization; all strains were able to filament and six of the eight strains displayed invasive growth on Spider medium. Analysis of one of these strains, CaORAL3, revealed that although mice required previous bacterial microbiota reduction with antibiotics to be able to be colonized, removal of this procedure could take place the same day (or even before) Candida inoculation. This strain was able to colonize the intestine of mice already colonized with Candida without antibiotic treatment in co-housing experiments. CaORAL3 was also able to be established as a commensal in mice previously colonized by another (CaHG43) or the same (CaORAL3) C. albicans strain. Therefore, we have identified C. albicans isolates that display higher colonization load than the standard strain SC5314 which will surely facilitate the analysis of the factors that regulate fungal colonization.
Collapse
|
34
|
Musumeci S, Coen M, Leidi A, Schrenzel J. The human gut mycobiome and the specific role of Candida albicans: where do we stand, as clinicians? Clin Microbiol Infect 2021; 28:58-63. [PMID: 34363944 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2021.07.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The so-called 'mycobiome' has progressively acquired interest and increased the complexity of our understanding of the human gut microbiota. Several questions are arising concerning the role of fungi (and in particular of Candida albicans), the so-called 'mycobiome', that has been neglected for a long time and only recently gained interest within the scientific community. There is no consensus on mycobiome normobiosis because of its instability and variability. This review aims to raise awareness about this interesting topic and provide a framework to guide physicians faced with such questions. OBJECTIVES To summarize current knowledge and discuss current and potential implications of the mycobiome in clinical practice. SOURCES We performed a review of the existing literature in Medline Pubmed. CONTENT This review identifies several studies showing associations between specific mycobiome profiles and health. Fungi represent a significant biomass within the microbiota and several factors, such as diet, sex, age, co-morbidities, medications, immune status and inter-kingdom interactions, can influence its structure and population. The human gut mycobiota is indeed a key factor for several physiological processes (e.g. training of the immune system against infections) and pathological processes (e.g. immunological/inflammatory disorders, inflammatory bowel diseases, metabolic syndromes). Moreover, the mycobiome (and C. albicans in particular) could influence an even broader spectrum of conditions such as psychiatric diseases (depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) or chronic viral infections (human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus); moreover, it could be implicated in tumorigenesis. IMPLICATIONS Candida albicans is a well-known opportunistic pathogen and a major component of the mycobiome but its role in the gastrointestinal tract is still poorly understood. From a potential screening biomarker to a key factor for several pathological processes, its presence could influence or even modify our clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Musumeci
- Service of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Matteo Coen
- Service of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Unit of Development and Research in Medical Education (UDREM), Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Antonio Leidi
- Service of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jacques Schrenzel
- Bacteriology Laboratory, Department of Diagnostics, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Genomic Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Ghanem S, Kim CJ, Dutta D, Salifu M, Lim SH. Antimicrobial therapy during cancer treatment: Beyond antibacterial effects. J Intern Med 2021; 290:40-56. [PMID: 33372309 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer treatment options have evolved to include immunotherapy and targeted therapy, in addition to traditional chemoradiation. Chemoradiation places the patient at a higher risk of infection through a myelosuppressive effect. High clinical suspicion and early use of antimicrobials play a major role in decreasing any associated morbidity and mortality. This has led to a widespread use of antimicrobials in cancer patients. Antimicrobial use, however, does not come without its perils. Dysbiosis caused by antimicrobial use affects responses to chemotherapeutic agents and is prognostic in the development and severity of certain cancer treatment-related complications such as graft-versus-host disease and Clostridioides difficile infections. Studies have also demonstrated that an intact gut microbiota is essential in the anticancer immune response. Antimicrobial use can therefore modulate responses and outcomes with immunotherapy targeting immune checkpoints. In this review, we highlight the perils associated with antimicrobial use during cancer therapy and the importance of a more judicious approach. We discuss the nature of the pathologic changes in the gut microbiota resulting from antimicrobial use. We explore the effect these changes have on responses and outcomes to different cancer treatment modalities including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, as well as potential adverse clinical consequences in the setting of stem cell transplant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Ghanem
- From the, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - C J Kim
- From the, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - D Dutta
- From the, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - M Salifu
- From the, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - S H Lim
- From the, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Vico SH, Prieto D, Monge RA, Román E, Pla J. The Glyoxylate Cycle Is Involved in White-Opaque Switching in Candida albicans. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7070502. [PMID: 34202465 PMCID: PMC8304919 DOI: 10.3390/jof7070502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a commensal yeast that inhabits the gastrointestinal tract of humans. The master regulator of the white-opaque transition WOR1 has been implicated in the adaptation to this commensal status. A proteomic analysis of cells overexpressing this transcription factor (WOR1OE) suggested an altered metabolism of carbon sources and a phenotypic analysis confirmed this alteration. The WOR1OE cells are deficient in using trehalose and xylose and are unable to use 2C sources, which is consistent with a reduction in the amount of Icl1, the isocitrate lyase enzyme. The icl1Δ/Δ mutants overexpressing WOR1 are deficient in the production of phloxine B positive cells, a main characteristic of opaque cells, a phenotype also observed in mating type hemizygous mtla1Δ icl1Δ/Δ cells, suggesting the involvement of Icl1 in the adaptation to the commensal state. In fact, icl1Δ/Δ cells have reduced fitness in mouse gastrointestinal tract as compared with essentially isogenic heterozygous ICL1/icl1Δ, but overproduction of WOR1 in an icl1Δ/Δ mutant does not restore fitness. These results implicate the glyoxylate shunt in the adaptation to commensalism of C. albicans by mechanisms that are partially independent of WOR1.
Collapse
|
37
|
Fourie R, Albertyn J, Sebolai O, Gcilitshana O, Pohl CH. Candida albicans SET3 Plays a Role in Early Biofilm Formation, Interaction With Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Virulence in Caenorhabditis elegans. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:680732. [PMID: 34178723 PMCID: PMC8223063 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.680732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The yeast Candida albicans exhibits multiple morphologies dependent on environmental cues. Candida albicans biofilms are frequently polymicrobial, enabling interspecies interaction through proximity and contact. The interaction between C. albicans and the bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is antagonistic in vitro, with P. aeruginosa repressing the yeast-to-hyphal switch in C. albicans. Previous transcriptional analysis of C. albicans in polymicrobial biofilms with P. aeruginosa revealed upregulation of genes involved in regulation of morphology and biofilm formation, including SET3, a component of the Set3/Hos2 histone deacetylase complex (Set3C). This prompted the question regarding the involvement of SET3 in the interaction between C. albicans and P. aeruginosa, both in vitro and in vivo. We found that SET3 may influence early biofilm formation by C. albicans and the interaction between C. albicans and P. aeruginosa. In addition, although deletion of SET3 did not alter the morphology of C. albicans in the presence of P. aeruginosa, it did cause a reduction in virulence in a Caenorhabditis elegans infection model, even in the presence of P. aeruginosa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruan Fourie
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Jacobus Albertyn
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Olihile Sebolai
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Onele Gcilitshana
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Carolina H Pohl
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Ghugari R, Tsao S, Schmidt M, Bonneil É, Brenner C, Verreault A. Mechanisms to reduce the cytotoxicity of pharmacological nicotinamide concentrations in the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. FEBS J 2021; 288:3478-3506. [PMID: 33155404 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans is a pathogenic fungus that causes systemic infections and mortality in immunosuppressed individuals. We previously showed that deacetylation of histone H3 lysine 56 by Hst3 is essential for C. albicans viability. Hst3 is a fungal-specific NAD+ -dependent protein deacetylase of the sirtuin family. In vivo, supraphysiological concentrations of nicotinamide (NAM) are required for Hst3 inhibition and cytotoxicity. This underscores the importance of identifying mechanisms by which C. albicans can modulate intracellular NAM concentrations. For the first time in a pathogenic fungus, we combine genetics, heavy isotope labeling, and targeted quantitative metabolomics to identify genes, pathways, and mechanisms by which C. albicans can reduce the cytotoxicity of high NAM concentrations. We discovered three distinct fates for supraphysiological NAM concentrations. First, upon transient exposure to NAM, high intracellular NAM concentrations rapidly return near the physiological levels observed in cells that are not exposed to NAM. Second, during the first step of a fungal-specific NAM salvage pathway, NAM is converted into nicotinic acid, a metabolite that cannot inhibit the sirtuin Hst3. Third, we provide evidence that NAM enters the NAD+ metabolome through a NAM exchange reaction that contributes to NAM-mediated inhibition of sirtuins. However, in contrast to the other fates of NAM, the NAM exchange reaction cannot cause a net decrease in the intracellular concentration of NAM. Therefore, this reaction cannot enhance resistance to NAM. In summary, we demonstrate that C. albicans possesses at least two mechanisms to attenuate the cytotoxicity of pharmacological NAM concentrations. It seems likely that those two mechanisms of resistance to cytotoxic NAM concentrations are conserved in many other pathogenic fungi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Ghugari
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, QC, Canada
- Programme de Biologie Moléculaire, Université de Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sarah Tsao
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Mark Schmidt
- Department of Biochemistry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, IA, USA
| | - Éric Bonneil
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Charles Brenner
- Department of Diabetes & Cancer Metabolism, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Alain Verreault
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, QC, Canada
- Département de Pathologie et Biologie Cellulaire, Université de Montréal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
d'Enfert C, Kaune AK, Alaban LR, Chakraborty S, Cole N, Delavy M, Kosmala D, Marsaux B, Fróis-Martins R, Morelli M, Rosati D, Valentine M, Xie Z, Emritloll Y, Warn PA, Bequet F, Bougnoux ME, Bornes S, Gresnigt MS, Hube B, Jacobsen ID, Legrand M, Leibundgut-Landmann S, Manichanh C, Munro CA, Netea MG, Queiroz K, Roget K, Thomas V, Thoral C, Van den Abbeele P, Walker AW, Brown AJP. The impact of the Fungus-Host-Microbiota interplay upon Candida albicans infections: current knowledge and new perspectives. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 45:fuaa060. [PMID: 33232448 PMCID: PMC8100220 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuaa060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a major fungal pathogen of humans. It exists as a commensal in the oral cavity, gut or genital tract of most individuals, constrained by the local microbiota, epithelial barriers and immune defences. Their perturbation can lead to fungal outgrowth and the development of mucosal infections such as oropharyngeal or vulvovaginal candidiasis, and patients with compromised immunity are susceptible to life-threatening systemic infections. The importance of the interplay between fungus, host and microbiota in driving the transition from C. albicans commensalism to pathogenicity is widely appreciated. However, the complexity of these interactions, and the significant impact of fungal, host and microbiota variability upon disease severity and outcome, are less well understood. Therefore, we summarise the features of the fungus that promote infection, and how genetic variation between clinical isolates influences pathogenicity. We discuss antifungal immunity, how this differs between mucosae, and how individual variation influences a person's susceptibility to infection. Also, we describe factors that influence the composition of gut, oral and vaginal microbiotas, and how these affect fungal colonisation and antifungal immunity. We argue that a detailed understanding of these variables, which underlie fungal-host-microbiota interactions, will present opportunities for directed antifungal therapies that benefit vulnerable patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christophe d'Enfert
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, USC 2019 INRA, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Ann-Kristin Kaune
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Ashgrove Road West, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Leovigildo-Rey Alaban
- BIOASTER Microbiology Technology Institute, 40 avenue Tony Garnier, 69007 Lyon, France
- Université de Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Sayoni Chakraborty
- Microbial Immunology Research Group, Emmy Noether Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, and the Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Neugasse 25, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Nathaniel Cole
- Gut Microbiology Group, Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Ashgrove Road West, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Margot Delavy
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, USC 2019 INRA, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
- Université de Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Daria Kosmala
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, USC 2019 INRA, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
- Université de Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Benoît Marsaux
- ProDigest BV, Technologiepark 94, B-9052 Gent, Belgium
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ricardo Fróis-Martins
- Immunology Section, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Moran Morelli
- Mimetas, Biopartner Building 2, J.H. Oortweg 19, 2333 CH Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Diletta Rosati
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marisa Valentine
- Microbial Immunology Research Group, Emmy Noether Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, and the Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Zixuan Xie
- Gut Microbiome Group, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119–129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yoan Emritloll
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, USC 2019 INRA, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Peter A Warn
- Magic Bullet Consulting, Biddlecombe House, Ugbrook, Chudleigh Devon, TQ130AD, UK
| | - Frédéric Bequet
- BIOASTER Microbiology Technology Institute, 40 avenue Tony Garnier, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Marie-Elisabeth Bougnoux
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, USC 2019 INRA, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Stephanie Bornes
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMRF0545, 20 Côte de Reyne, 15000 Aurillac, France
| | - Mark S Gresnigt
- Microbial Immunology Research Group, Emmy Noether Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, and the Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Microbial Immunology Research Group, Emmy Noether Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, and the Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Ilse D Jacobsen
- Microbial Immunology Research Group, Emmy Noether Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, and the Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Mélanie Legrand
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, USC 2019 INRA, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Salomé Leibundgut-Landmann
- Immunology Section, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Chaysavanh Manichanh
- Gut Microbiome Group, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119–129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carol A Munro
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Ashgrove Road West, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Mihai G Netea
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Karla Queiroz
- Mimetas, Biopartner Building 2, J.H. Oortweg 19, 2333 CH Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Karine Roget
- NEXBIOME Therapeutics, 22 allée Alan Turing, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Vincent Thomas
- BIOASTER Microbiology Technology Institute, 40 avenue Tony Garnier, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Claudia Thoral
- NEXBIOME Therapeutics, 22 allée Alan Turing, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | - Alan W Walker
- Gut Microbiology Group, Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Ashgrove Road West, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Alistair J P Brown
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Pradhan A, Ma Q, de Assis LJ, Leaves I, Larcombe DE, Rodriguez Rondon AV, Nev OA, Brown AJP. Anticipatory Stress Responses and Immune Evasion in Fungal Pathogens. Trends Microbiol 2021; 29:416-427. [PMID: 33059975 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In certain niches, microbes encounter environmental challenges that are temporally linked. In such cases, microbial fitness is enhanced by the evolution of anticipatory responses where the initial challenge simultaneously activates pre-emptive protection against the second impending challenge. The accumulation of anticipatory responses in domesticated yeasts, which have been termed 'adaptive prediction', has led to the emergence of 'core stress responses' that provide stress cross-protection. Protective anticipatory responses also seem to be common in fungal pathogens of humans. These responses reflect the selective pressures that these fungi have faced relatively recently in their evolutionary history. Consequently, some pathogens have evolved 'core environmental responses' which exploit host signals to trigger immune evasion strategies that protect them against imminent immune attack.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arnab Pradhan
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Qinxi Ma
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Leandro J de Assis
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Ian Leaves
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Daniel E Larcombe
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Alejandra V Rodriguez Rondon
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Olga A Nev
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Alistair J P Brown
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Wang JM, Woodruff AL, Dunn MJ, Fillinger RJ, Bennett RJ, Anderson MZ. Intraspecies Transcriptional Profiling Reveals Key Regulators of Candida albicans Pathogenic Traits. mBio 2021; 12:e00586-21. [PMID: 33879584 PMCID: PMC8092256 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00586-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The human commensal and opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans displays extensive genetic and phenotypic variation across clinical isolates. Here, we performed RNA sequencing on 21 well-characterized isolates to examine how genetic variation contributes to gene expression differences and to link these differences to phenotypic traits. C. albicans adapts primarily through clonal evolution, and yet hierarchical clustering of gene expression profiles in this set of isolates did not reproduce their phylogenetic relationship. Strikingly, strain-specific gene expression was prevalent in some strain backgrounds. Association of gene expression with phenotypic data by differential analysis, linear correlation, and assembly of gene networks connected both previously characterized and novel genes with 23 C. albicans traits. Construction of de novo gene modules produced a gene atlas incorporating 67% of C. albicans genes and revealed correlations between expression modules and important phenotypes such as systemic virulence. Furthermore, targeted investigation of two modules that have novel roles in growth and filamentation supported our bioinformatic predictions. Together, these studies reveal widespread transcriptional variation across C. albicans isolates and identify genetic and epigenetic links to phenotypic variation based on coexpression network analysis.IMPORTANCE Infectious fungal species are often treated uniformly despite clear evidence of genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity being widespread across strains. Identifying the genetic basis for this phenotypic diversity is extremely challenging because of the tens or hundreds of thousands of variants that may distinguish two strains. Here, we use transcriptional profiling to determine differences in gene expression that can be linked to phenotypic variation among a set of 21 Candida albicans isolates. Analysis of this transcriptional data set uncovered clear trends in gene expression characteristics for this species and new genes and pathways that were associated with variation in pathogenic processes. Direct investigation confirmed functional predictions for a number of new regulators associated with growth and filamentation, demonstrating the utility of these approaches in linking genes to important phenotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua M Wang
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Andrew L Woodruff
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Matthew J Dunn
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Robert J Fillinger
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Richard J Bennett
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Matthew Z Anderson
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Fourie R, Cason ED, Albertyn J, Pohl CH. Transcriptional response of Candida albicans to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a polymicrobial biofilm. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2021; 11:6134339. [PMID: 33580263 PMCID: PMC8049422 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans is frequently co-isolated with the Gram-negative bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In vitro, the interaction is complex, with both species influencing each other. Not only does the bacterium kill hyphal cells of C. albicans through physical interaction, it also affects C. albicans biofilm formation and morphogenesis, through various secreted factors and cell wall components. The present study sought to expand the current knowledge regarding the interaction between C. albicans and P. aeruginosa, using transcriptome analyses of early static biofilms. Under these conditions, a total of 2,537 open reading frames (approximately 40% of the C. albicans transcriptome) was differentially regulated in the presence of P. aeruginosa. Upon deeper analyses it became evident that the response of C. albicans toward P. aeruginosa was dominated by a response to hypoxia, and included those associated with stress as well as iron and zinc homeostasis. These conditions may also lead to the observed differential regulation of genes associated with cell membrane synthesis, morphology, biofilm formation and phenotypic switching. Thus, C. albicans in polymicrobial biofilms with P. aeruginosa have unique transcriptional profiles that may influence commensalism as well as pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruan Fourie
- Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
| | - Errol D Cason
- Department of Animal Wildlife and Grassland Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
| | - Jacobus Albertyn
- Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
| | - Carolina H Pohl
- Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Growth and Antifungal Resistance of the Pathogenic Yeast, Candida Albicans, in the Microgravity Environment of the International Space Station: An Aggregate of Multiple Flight Experiences. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11040283. [PMID: 33801697 PMCID: PMC8067245 DOI: 10.3390/life11040283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This report was designed to compare spaceflight-induced cellular and physiological adaptations of Candida albicans cultured in microgravity on the International Space Station across several payloads. C. albicans is a common opportunistic fungal pathogen responsible for a variety of superficial infections as well as systemic and more severe infections in humans. Cumulatively, the propensity of this organism to be widespread through the population, the ability to produce disease in immunocompromised individuals, and the tendency to respond to environmental stress with characteristics associated with increased virulence, require a better understanding of the yeast response to microgravity for spaceflight crew safety. As such, the responses of this yeast cultivated during several missions using two in-flight culture bioreactors were analyzed and compared herein. In general, C. albicans had a slightly shorter generation time and higher growth propensity in microgravity as compared to terrestrial controls. Rates of cell filamentation differed between bioreactors, but were low and not significantly different between flight and terrestrial controls. Viable cells were retrieved and cultured, resulting in a colony morphology that was similar between cells cultivated in flight and in terrestrial control conditions, and in contrast to that previously observed in a ground-based microgravity analog system. Of importance, yeast demonstrated an increased resistance when challenged during spaceflight with the antifungal agent, amphotericin B. Similar levels of resistance were not observed when challenged with the functionally disparate antifungal drug caspofungin. In aggregate, yeast cells cultivated in microgravity demonstrated a subset of characteristics associated with virulence. In addition, and beyond the value of the specific responses of C. albicans to microgravity, this report includes an analysis of biological reproducibility across flight opportunities, compares two spaceflight hardware systems, and includes a summary of general flight and payload timelines.
Collapse
|
44
|
Summers KL, Foster Frey J, Arfken AM. Characterization of Kazachstania slooffiae, a Proposed Commensal in the Porcine Gut. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7020146. [PMID: 33671322 PMCID: PMC7922399 DOI: 10.3390/jof7020146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Kazachstania slooffiae is a fungus commonly isolated from the gastrointestinal tract and feces of post-weaning pigs. Studies have implicated its ability to positively alter piglet gut health through potential symbioses with beneficial bacteria, including Lactobacillus and Prevotella, in providing amino acids as an energy source for microbial and piglet growth, and it has been found to be positively correlated with short-chain fatty acids in the piglet gut. However, basic mycological information remains limited, hampering in vitro studies. In this study, we characterized the growth parameters, biofilm formation ability, susceptibility to antimicrobials, and genetic relatedness of K. slooffiae to other fungal isolates. Optimal fungal growth conditions were determined, no antifungal resistance was found against multiple classes of antifungal drugs (azoles, echinocandins, polyenes, or pyrimidine analogues), and dimorphic growth was observed. K. slooffiae produced biofilms that became more complex in the presence of Lactobacillus acidophilus supernatant, suggesting positive interactions with this bacterium in the gut, while Enterococcus faecalis supernatant decreased density, suggesting an antagonistic interaction. This study characterizes the in vitro growth conditions that are optimal for further studies of K. slooffiae, which is an important step in defining the role and interactions of K. slooffiae in the porcine gut environment.
Collapse
|
45
|
Cohen-Kedar S, Keizer D, Schwartz S, Rabinowitz KM, Kaboub K, Shaham Barda E, Sadot E, Wolff-Bar M, Shaltiel T, Dotan I. Commensal fungi and their cell-wall β-glucans direct differential responses in human intestinal epithelial cells. Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:864-878. [PMID: 33616974 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202048852] [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] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) are the first to encounter luminal antigens and play an active role in intestinal immune responses. We previously reported that β-glucans, major fungal cell-wall glycans, induced chemokine secretion by IEC lines in a Dectin-1- and Syk-dependent manner. Here, we show that in contrast to β-glucans, stimulation of IEC lines with Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae did not induce secretion of any of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-8, CCL2, CXCL1, and GM-CSF. Commensal fungi and β-glucans activated Syk and ERK in IEC lines. However, only β-glucans activated p38, JNK, and the transcription factors NF-κB p65 and c-JUN, which were necessary for cytokine secretion. Furthermore, costimulation of IEC lines with β-glucans and C. albicans yielded decreased cytokine secretion compared to stimulation with β-glucans alone. Finally, ex vivo stimulation of human colonic mucosal explants with zymosan and C. albicans, leads to epithelial Syk and ERK phosphorylation, implying recognition of fungi and similar initial signaling pathways as in IEC lines. Lack of cytokine secretion in response to commensal fungi may reflect IECs' response to fungal glycans, other than β-glucans, that contribute to mucosal tolerance. Skewed epithelial response to commensal fungi may impair homeostasis and contribute to intestinal inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarit Cohen-Kedar
- Division of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.,Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Danielle Keizer
- Division of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.,Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Suzana Schwartz
- Division of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.,Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Keren M Rabinowitz
- Division of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.,Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Kawsar Kaboub
- Division of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.,Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Efrat Shaham Barda
- Division of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.,Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eran Sadot
- Department of Surgery, Beilinson Campus, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Meirav Wolff-Bar
- Department of Pathology, Beilinson Campus, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Tali Shaltiel
- Department of Surgery, Beilinson Campus, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Iris Dotan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.,Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Kollu NV, LaJeunesse DR. Cell Rupture and Morphogenesis Control of the Dimorphic Yeast Candida albicans by Nanostructured Surfaces. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:1361-1369. [PMID: 33490795 PMCID: PMC7818643 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c04980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nanostructured surfaces control microbial biofilm formation by killing mechanically via surface architecture. However, the interactions between nanostructured surfaces (NSS) and cellular fungi have not been thoroughly investigated and the application of NSS as a means of controlling fungal biofilms is uncertain. Cellular yeast such as Candida albicans are structurally and biologically distinct from prokaryotic microbes and therefore are predicted to react differently to nanostructured surfaces. The dimorphic opportunistic fungal pathogen, C. albicans, is responsible for most cases of invasive candidiasis and is a serious health concern due to the rapid increase of drug resistance strains. In this paper, we show that the nanostructured surfaces from a cicada wing alter C. albicans' viability, biofilm formation, adhesion, and morphogenesis through physical contact. However, the fungal cell response to the NSS suggests that nanoscale mechanical interactions impact C. albicans differently than prokaryotic microbes. This study informs on the use of nanoscale architecture for the control of eukaryotic biofilm formation and illustrates some potential caveats with the application of NSS as an antimicrobial means.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naga Venkatesh Kollu
- Department of Nanoscience,
Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina 27401, United States
| | - Dennis R. LaJeunesse
- Department of Nanoscience,
Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina 27401, United States
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Ke CL, Liao YT, Lin CH. MSS2 maintains mitochondrial function and is required for chitosan resistance, invasive growth, biofilm formation and virulence in Candida albicans. Virulence 2021; 12:281-297. [PMID: 33427576 PMCID: PMC7808435 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2020.1870082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is the most prevalent fungal pathogen in humans, particularly in immunocompromised patients. In this study, by screening a C. albicans mutant library, we first identified that the MSS2 gene, an ortholog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae MSS2 required for mitochondrial respiration, mediates chitosan resistance. Upon treatment with 0.2% chitosan, the growth of mss2Δ strains was strikingly impaired, and MSS2 expression was significantly repressed by chitosan. Furthermore, mss2Δ strains exhibited slow growth on medium supplemented with glycerol as the sole carbon source. Similar to the chitosan-treated wild-type strain, the mss2Δ strain exhibited a significantly impaired ATP production ability. These data suggest that an antifungal mechanism of chitosan against C. albicans acts by inhibiting MSS2 gene expression, leading to repression of mitochondrial function. Normal respiratory function is suggested to be required for fungal virulence. Interestingly, the mss2Δ mutant strains exhibited significantly impaired invasive ability in vitro and ex vivo but retained normal hyphal development ability in liquid medium. Furthermore, the MSS2 deletion strains could not form robust biofilms and exhibited significantly reduced virulence. Collectively, these results demonstrated that the antifungal effect of chitosan against C. albicans is mediated via inhibition of mitochondrial biogenesis. These data may provide another strategy for antifungal drug development via inhibition of fungal mitochondria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cai-Ling Ke
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University , Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ting Liao
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University , Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hsuan Lin
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University , Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Joao I, Bujdáková H, Jordao L. Opportunist Coinfections by Nontuberculous Mycobacteria and Fungi in Immunocompromised Patients. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:E771. [PMID: 33147819 PMCID: PMC7693372 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9110771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and many fungal species (spp.) are commonly associated with opportunistic infections (OPIs) in immunocompromised individuals. Moreover, occurrence of concomitant infection by NTM (mainly spp. of Mycobacterium avium complex and Mycobacterium abscessus complex) and fungal spp. (mainly, Aspergillus fumigatus, Histoplasma capsulatum and Cryptococcus neoformans) is very challenging and is associated with poor patient prognosis. The most frequent clinical symptoms for coinfection and infection by single agents (fungi or NTM) are similar. For this reason, the accurate identification of the aetiological agent(s) is crucial to select the best treatment approach. Despite the significance of this topic it has not been sufficiently addressed in the literature. This review aims at summarizing case reports and studies on NTM and fungi coinfection during the last 20 years. In addition, it briefly characterizes OPIs and coinfection, describes key features of opportunistic pathogens (e.g., NTM and fungi) and human host predisposing conditions to OPIs onset and outcome. The review could interest a wide spectrum of audiences, including medical doctors and scientists, to improve awareness of these infections, leading to early identification in clinical settings and increasing research in the field. Improved diagnosis and availability of therapeutic options might contribute to improve the prognosis of patients' survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ines Joao
- National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal;
| | - Helena Bujdáková
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Luisa Jordao
- National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal;
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Matsui H, Higashide M, Hanaki H. Evaluation of a rapid immunochromatographic test for the detection of Candida species from oropharyngeal samples. J Microbiol Methods 2020; 179:106090. [PMID: 33129918 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2020.106090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Oropharyngeal candidiasis is the most common opportunistic fungal infectious disease. Culture methods and microscopy are used to detect the presence of Candida species in clinical specimens. We have previously developed an immunochromatographic test (ICT) to enable the simple and rapid diagnosis of candidiasis. In this study, we evaluated the performance of the ICT for the detection of Candida species from pharyngeal swabs and compared the results with those of the culture method. The isolated Candida species were identified using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, and viable cell counts were determined using selective chromogenic agar. The detection rate of C. albicans was 63.3% and 0% among ≤102 and ≥ 106 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL of viable Candida cells from pharyngeal swabs, respectively. The detection rate of nonC. albicans Candida species, especially C. glabrata, increased commensurately from 16.7% at ≤102 CFU/mL to 75.0% at ≥106 CFU/mL. Among the 300 pharyngeal swabs analyzed, 59 cultures detected Candida species at a count of >103 CFU/mL (53 were ICT-positive). Of the remaining 241 culture-negative specimens, 219 were ICT-negative. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the ICT were 89.8%, 90.9%, and 90.7%, respectively. Taken together, the ICT evaluated can be made readily available for clinical use in detecting Candida.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hidehito Matsui
- Ōmura Satoshi Memorial Institute, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Masato Higashide
- Kotobiken Medical Laboratories, Inc., 445-1, Kamiyokoba, Ibaraki 305-0854, Japan
| | - Hideaki Hanaki
- Ōmura Satoshi Memorial Institute, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|