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Aboul-Ella H, Gohar A, Ali AA, Ismail LM, Mahmoud AEER, Elkhatib WF, Aboul-Ella H. Monoclonal antibodies: From magic bullet to precision weapon. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2024; 5:47. [PMID: 39390211 PMCID: PMC11467159 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-024-00210-1] [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: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are used to prevent, detect, and treat a broad spectrum of non-communicable and communicable diseases. Over the past few years, the market for mAbs has grown exponentially with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.07% from 2024 (237.64 billion USD estimated at the end of 2023) to 2033 (679.03 billion USD expected by the end of 2033). Ever since the advent of hybridoma technology introduced in 1975, antibody-based therapeutics were realized using murine antibodies which further progressed into humanized and fully human antibodies, reducing the risk of immunogenicity. Some benefits of using mAbs over conventional drugs include a drastic reduction in the chances of adverse reactions, interactions between drugs, and targeting specific proteins. While antibodies are very efficient, their higher production costs impede the process of commercialization. However, their cost factor has been improved by developing biosimilar antibodies as affordable versions of therapeutic antibodies. Along with the recent advancements and innovations in antibody engineering have helped and will furtherly help to design bio-better antibodies with improved efficacy than the conventional ones. These novel mAb-based therapeutics are set to revolutionize existing drug therapies targeting a wide spectrum of diseases, thereby meeting several unmet medical needs. This review provides comprehensive insights into the current fundamental landscape of mAbs development and applications and the key factors influencing the future projections, advancement, and incorporation of such promising immunotherapeutic candidates as a confrontation approach against a wide list of diseases, with a rationalistic mentioning of any limitations facing this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Aboul-Ella
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
| | - Asmaa Gohar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Galala University, Suez, Egypt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahram Canadian University (ACU), Giza, Egypt
- Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA), Giza, Egypt
| | - Aya Ahmed Ali
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sinai University, Sinai, Egypt
| | - Lina M Ismail
- Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
- Creative Egyptian Biotechnologists (CEB), Giza, Egypt
| | | | - Walid F Elkhatib
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Galala University, Suez, Egypt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Heba Aboul-Ella
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Drug Technology, Egyptian Chinese University (ECU), Cairo, Egypt
- Scientific Research Group in Egypt (SRGE), Cairo, Egypt
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Gong X, Wani MY, Al-Bogami AS, Ahmad A, Robinson K, Khan A. The Road Ahead: Advancing Antifungal Vaccines and Addressing Fungal Infections in the Post-COVID World. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:3475-3495. [PMID: 39255073 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00245] [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] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
In impoverished nations, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a widespread occurrence of deadly fungal diseases like mucormycosis. The limited availability of effective antifungal treatments and the emergence of drug-resistant fungal strains further exacerbate the situation. Factors such as systemic steroid use, intravenous drug misuse, and overutilization of broad-spectrum antimicrobials contribute to the prevalence of hospital-acquired infections caused by drug-resistant fungi. Fungal infections exploit compromised immune status and employ intricate mechanisms to evade immune surveillance. The immune response involves the innate and adaptive immune systems, leading to phagocytic and complement-mediated elimination of fungi. However, resistance to antifungals poses a challenge, highlighting the importance of antifungal prophylaxis and therapeutic vaccination. Understanding the host-fungal immunological interactions and developing vaccines are vital in combating fungal infections. Further research is needed to address the high mortality and morbidity associated with multidrug-resistant fungal pathogens and to develop innovative treatment drugs and vaccines. This review focuses on the global epidemiological burden of fungal infections, host-fungal immunological interactions, recent advancements in vaccine development and the road ahead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Gong
- Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| | - Mohmmad Younus Wani
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Jeddah, 21589, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Saad Al-Bogami
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Jeddah, 21589, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aijaz Ahmad
- Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Keven Robinson
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Amber Khan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
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AbouAitah K, Geioushy RA, Nour SA, Emam MTH, Zakaria MA, Fouad OA, Shaker YM, Kim BS. A Combined Phyto- and Photodynamic Delivery Nanoplatform Enhances Antimicrobial Therapy: Design, Preparation, In Vitro Evaluation, and Molecular Docking. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024. [PMID: 39374427 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/09/2024]
Abstract
Microbial combating is one of the hot research topics, and finding an alternative strategy is considerably required nowadays. Here, we report on a developed combined chemo- and photodynamic delivery system with a core of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), porphyrin photosensitizer (POR) connected to alginate polymer (ALG), and berberine (alkaloid natural agent, BER) with favorable antimicrobial effects. According to the achieved main designs, the results demonstrated that the loading capacity and entrapment efficiency reached 22.2 wt % and 95.2%, respectively, for ZnO@ALG-POR/BER nanoformulation (second design) compared to 5.88 wt % and 45.1% for ZnOBER@ALG-POR design (first design). Importantly, when the intended nanoformulations were combined with laser irradiation for 10 min, they showed effective antifungal and antibacterial action against Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. Comparing these treatments to ZnO NPs and free BER, a complete (100%) suppression of bacterial and fungal growth was observed by ZnO@ALG-POR/BER nanoformulation treated E. coli, and by ZnOBER treated C. albicans. Also, after laser treatments, most data showed that E. coli was more sensitive to treatments using nanoformulations than S. aureus. The nanoformulations like ZnOBER@ALG-POR were highly comparable to traditional antibiotics against C. albicans and E. coli before laser application. The results of the cytotoxicity assessment demonstrated that the nanoformulations exhibited moderate biocompatibility on normal human immortalized retinal epithelial (RPE1) cells. Notably, the most biocompatible nanoformulation was ZnOBER@ALG-POR, which possessed ∼9% inhibition of RPE1 cells compared to others. High binding affinities were found between all three microbial strains' receptor proteins and ligands in the molecular docking interaction between the receptor proteins and the ligand molecules (mostly BER and POR). In conclusion, our findings point to the possible use of hybrid nanoplatform delivery systems that combine natural agents and photodynamic therapy into a single therapeutic agent, effectively combating microbial infections. Therapeutic efficiency correlates with nanoformulation design and microorganisms, demonstrating possible optimization for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled AbouAitah
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28644, Republic of Korea
- Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Department, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre (NRC), 33 El-Behouth St., Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Ramadan A Geioushy
- Nanostructured Materials and Nanotechnology Department, Advanced Materials Institute, Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (CMRDI), P.O. Box 87, Helwan, Cairo 11421, Egypt
| | - Shaimaa A Nour
- Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products Department, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre (NRC), 33 El-Behouth St., Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Maha T H Emam
- Department of Genetics and Cytology, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, 33 El-Behouth St., Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Mohammed A Zakaria
- Spectroscopy Department, Physics Research Institute, National Research Centre, 33 El-Behouth St., Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Osama A Fouad
- Nanostructured Materials and Nanotechnology Department, Advanced Materials Institute, Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (CMRDI), P.O. Box 87, Helwan, Cairo 11421, Egypt
| | - Yasser M Shaker
- Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products Department, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre (NRC), 33 El-Behouth St., Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Beom Soo Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28644, Republic of Korea
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Bao M, Bu Q, Pan M, Xu R, Chen Y, Yang Y, Wang C, Wang T. Coptidis rhizoma extract alleviates oropharyngeal candidiasis by gC1qR-EGFR/ERK/c-fos axis-induced endocytosis of oral epithelial cells. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 331:118305. [PMID: 38729536 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Coptidis rhizoma, first recorded in the "Shen Nong's Herbal Classic", is one of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used to treat infectious diseases, with reputed effectiveness against oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC). Studies have demonstrated the inhibitory properties of C. rhizoma (CRE) against Candida albicans, yet there is limited information available regarding its treatment mechanism for OPC. AIM OF THE STUDY Our previous research has suggested that CRE can prevent the formation of C. albicans hyphae and their invasion of the oral mucosa, thereby exerting a therapeutic effect on OPC. Nevertheless, the precise therapeutic mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Previous studies have revealed that a receptor for globular heads of C1q (gC1qR), a crucial co-receptor of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), facilitates the EGFR-mediated internalization of C. albicans. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the potential mechanism of action of CRE and its primary component, berberine (BBR), in treating OPC by exploring their effects on the gC1qR-EGFR co-receptor. MATERIALS AND METHODS To identify the chemical components of CRE, we utilized Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography in conjunction with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MSE), revealing the presence of at least 18 distinct components. To observe the therapeutic effects of CRE on OPC at the animal level, we employed hematoxylin and eosin staining, periodic acid-Schiff staining, scanning electron microscopy, and fungal load detection. Subsequently, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory properties of CRE and its main component, BBR, in treating OPC. This was achieved through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) both at the animal and cellular levels. Additionally, we assessed the ability of C. albicans to disrupt the epithelial barrier of FaDu cells by studying the protective effects of BBR on the fusion barrier using the transwell assay. To further explore the underlying mechanisms, we analyzed the effects of BBR on the gC1qR-EGFR/extracellular signal-regulated kinase/c-Fos signaling pathway at the cellular level using qRT-PCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence. Furthermore, we validated the effects of BBR on the gC1qR-EGFR co-receptor through ELISA, qRT-PCR, and western blotting. Finally, to confirm the outcomes observed at the cellular level, we validated the impact of CRE on the gC1qR-EGFR co-receptor in vivo using qRT-PCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence. These comprehensive methods allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of the therapeutic mechanisms of CRE and BBR in treating OPC. RESULTS Our findings indicate that CRE and its primary component, BBR, effectively alleviated the symptoms of OPC by modulating the gC1qR-EGFR co-receptor. The chemical composition of CRE and BBR was accurately identified using UPLC-Q/TOF-MSE. The gC1qR-EGFR co-receptor plays a crucial role in regulating downstream signaling pathways, emerging as a potential therapeutic target for OPC treatment. Through both in vitro and in vivo experiments, we explored the therapeutic potential of CRE and BBR in OPC. Additionally, we employed overexpression and silencing techniques to confirm that BBR can indeed influence the gC1qR-EGFR co-receptor and regulate the gC1qR-EGFR/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/c-Fos signaling pathway, leading to improved OPC outcomes. Furthermore, the significance of CRE's effect on the gC1qR-EGFR co-receptor was validated in vivo. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates that CRE and its main component, BBR, can effectively alleviate OPC symptoms by targeting the gC1qR-EGFR heterodimer receptor. This discovery offers a promising new therapeutic approach for the treatment of OPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyuan Bao
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, 350 Longzihu Road, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Qingru Bu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, 350 Longzihu Road, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Min Pan
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Ran Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, 350 Longzihu Road, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Yujie Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, 350 Longzihu Road, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Yue Yang
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Changzhong Wang
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China.
| | - Tianming Wang
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China.
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Soriano-Abarca M, Tapia JC, Cáceres-Valdiviezo MJ, Morey-León G, Fernández-Cadena J, Díaz-Cevallos L, Andrade-Molina D. Virulence-Related Genes Expression in Planktonic Mixed Cultures of Candida albicans and Non-Albicans Candida Species. Microb Physiol 2024; 34:243-254. [PMID: 39265543 DOI: 10.1159/000540991] [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: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Candida albicans is the most common opportunistic pathogen causing fungal infections worldwide, especially in high-risk patients. Its pathogenicity is related to virulence factors gene expression, such as hyphal growth (HWP1), cell adhesion (ALS3), and protease secretion (SAP1) during infection spreading mechanisms. In recent years, an increase in non-albicans Candida infections has been reported, which may present coinfection or competitive interactions with C. albicans, potentially aggravating the patient's condition. This study aims to evaluate the expression of genes related to virulence factors of C. albicans and non-albicans Candida during planktonic stage. METHODS C. albicans (ATCC MYA-3573) as well as with three clinical strains (C. albicans DCA53, C. tropicalis DCT6, and C. parapsilosis DCP1) isolated from blood samples, were grown in 24-well plates at 37°C for 20 h, either in monocultures or mixed cultures. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate the expression levels of the genes HWP1, ALS3, and SAP1 in cells collected during the planktonic stage. In addition, hyphal filamentation was observed using a Scanning Electron Microscope. RESULTS The overexpression of HWP1 and ASL3 genes in mixed growth conditions between C. albicans and non-albicans Candida species suggests a synergistic relationship as well as an increased capacity for hyphal growth and adhesion. In contrast, C. parapsilosis versus C. tropicalis interaction shows an antagonistic relationship during mixed culture, suggesting a decreased virulence profile of C. parapsilosis during initial coinfection with C. tropicalis. CONCLUSION The expression of HWP1, ALS3, and SAP1 genes associated with virulence factors varies under competitive conditions among species of the genus Candida during planktonic stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Soriano-Abarca
- OMICS Science Laboratory, Faculty of Health Science, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Samborondón, Ecuador
| | - Juan Carlos Tapia
- OMICS Science Laboratory, Faculty of Health Science, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Samborondón, Ecuador
| | | | - Gabriel Morey-León
- OMICS Science Laboratory, Faculty of Health Science, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Samborondón, Ecuador
| | - Juan Fernández-Cadena
- African Genome Center, University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), Ben Guerir, Morocco
| | - Linda Díaz-Cevallos
- National Institute of Public Health Research (INSPI), Specialized Platform for Electron and Confocal Microscopy, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Derly Andrade-Molina
- OMICS Science Laboratory, Faculty of Health Science, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Samborondón, Ecuador
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Cao X, Xiao N, Huang J, Li L, Zhong L, Zhang J, Wang F. Synergistic in vitro activity and mechanism of KBN lotion and miconazole nitrate against drug-resistant Candida albicans biofilms. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1426791. [PMID: 39268490 PMCID: PMC11390680 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1426791] [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: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In the face of increasing antifungal resistance among Candida albicans biofilms, this study explores the efficacy of a combined treatment using Kangbainian lotion (KBN) and miconazole nitrate (MN) to address this challenge. Methods Using UPLC-Q-TOF/MS Analysis for Identification of Active Compounds in KBN Lotion; FICI for synergy evaluation, XTT and ROS assays for biofilm viability and oxidative stress, fluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) for structural and viability analysis, and real-time fluorescence for gene expression. Conclusion Our study indicates that the combined application of KBN and MN somewhat impacts the structural integrity of Candida albicans biofilms and affects the expression of several key genes involved in biofilm formation, including ALS1, ALS3, HWP1, HSP90, and CSH1. These preliminary findings suggest that there may be a synergistic effect between KBN and MN, potentially influencing not only the structural aspects of fungal biofilms but also involving the modulation of genetic pathways during their formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Cao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ni Xiao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingyi Huang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lian Zhong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fengyun Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
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Ungureanu D, Oniga O, Moldovan C, Ionuț I, Marc G, Stana A, Pele R, Duma M, Tiperciuc B. An Insight into Rational Drug Design: The Development of In-House Azole Compounds with Antimicrobial Activity. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:763. [PMID: 39200063 PMCID: PMC11350776 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13080763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2024] [Revised: 08/11/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance poses a major threat to global health as the number of efficient antimicrobials decreases and the number of resistant pathogens rises. Our research group has been actively involved in the design of novel antimicrobial drugs. The blueprints of these compounds were azolic heterocycles, particularly thiazole. Starting with oxadiazolines, our research group explored, one by one, the other five-membered heterocycles, developing more or less potent compounds. An overview of this research activity conducted by our research group allowed us to observe an evolution in the methodology used (from inhibition zone diameters to minimal inhibitory concentrations and antibiofilm potential determination) correlated with the design of azole compounds based on results obtained from molecular modeling. The purpose of this review is to present the development of in-house azole compounds with antimicrobial activity, designed over the years by this research group from the departments of Pharmaceutical and Therapeutical Chemistry in Cluj-Napoca.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ungureanu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 41 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.U.); (O.O.); (C.M.); (I.I.); (G.M.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
- “Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuță” Oncology Institute, 34-36 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 12 Ion Creangă Street, 400010 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ovidiu Oniga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 41 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.U.); (O.O.); (C.M.); (I.I.); (G.M.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
| | - Cristina Moldovan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 41 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.U.); (O.O.); (C.M.); (I.I.); (G.M.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
| | - Ioana Ionuț
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 41 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.U.); (O.O.); (C.M.); (I.I.); (G.M.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
| | - Gabriel Marc
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 41 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.U.); (O.O.); (C.M.); (I.I.); (G.M.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
| | - Anca Stana
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 41 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.U.); (O.O.); (C.M.); (I.I.); (G.M.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
| | - Raluca Pele
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 41 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.U.); (O.O.); (C.M.); (I.I.); (G.M.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
| | - Mihaela Duma
- State Veterinary Laboratory for Animal Health and Safety, 1 Piața Mărăști Street, 400609 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Brîndușa Tiperciuc
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 41 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.U.); (O.O.); (C.M.); (I.I.); (G.M.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
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Guo H, Liu Y, Wu X, Cai M, Jiang M, Hu H. Study on the inhibitory effect of fermentation extract of Microporus vernicipes on Candida albicans. Int Microbiol 2024; 27:1181-1193. [PMID: 38147155 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-023-00467-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans is one of the most common species of Candida, which cause various mucosal and systemic infectious diseases. However, the resistance rate to existing clinical antifungal drugs gradually increases in C. albicans. Therefore, new antifungal drugs must be developed to solve the current problem. This study discovered that the solid fermented ethyl acetate crude extract of Microporus vernicipes had inhibitory activity on C. albicans. This study determined that the Mv5 components had significantly inhibited the activity of C. albicans using column chromatography separation component screening. The components included 23 compounds of fatty acids and their derivatives, alkaloids, phenols, and other classes using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HR-MS) analysis, with fatty acids constituting the primary components. The mechanism of action showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Mv5 components against C. albicans was 15.63 μg/mL, while minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) was 31.25 μg/mL. Mv5 components can inhibit the early biofilm formation and destroy the mature biofilm structure. It can inhibit the germ tube growth of C. albicans, thereby inhibiting the transformation of yeast morphology to hyphae. We detected 193 differentially expressed genes, including 156 upregulated and 37 downregulated genes in the Mv5 components of the MIC concentration group. We detected 391 differentially expressed genes, including 334 upregulated and 57 downregulated expression genes in the MFC concentration group. Among these differentially expressed genes, the genes related to mycelium and biofilm formation were significantly downregulated. GO enrichment analysis presented that single-organism process metabolic process, and cellular processes were the biological processes with the most gene enrichment. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG)of Mv5 components were mainly enriched in metabolic pathways, such as meiosis yeast and amino acid metabolism. Therefore, it is believed that the fermentation extract of M. vernicipes inhibits C. albicans, which can provide clues for developing effective antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyang Guo
- College of Life Science and Technology, Mudanjiang Normal University, Mudanjiang, 157011, Heilongjiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510070, China
| | - Yuanchao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510070, China
| | - Xiaoxian Wu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510070, China
| | - Manjun Cai
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510070, China
| | - Ming Jiang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Mudanjiang Normal University, Mudanjiang, 157011, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Huiping Hu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510070, China.
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Xu Z, Li Y, Xu A, Xue L, Soteyome T, Yuan L, Ma Q, Seneviratne G, Hong W, Mao Y, Kjellerup BV, Liu J. Differential alteration in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum quorum-sensing systems and reduced Candida albicans yeast survival and virulence gene expression in dual-species interaction. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0035324. [PMID: 38717160 PMCID: PMC11237386 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00353-24] [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: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum (L. plantarum) are frequently identified in various niches, but their dual-species interaction, especially with C. albicans in yeast form, remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the dual-species interaction of L. plantarum and C. albicans, including proliferation, morphology, and transcriptomes examined by selective agar plate counting, microscopy, and polymicrobial RNA-seq, respectively. Maintaining a stable and unchanged growth rate, L. plantarum inhibited C. albicans yeast cell proliferation but not hyphal growth. Combining optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy, cell-to-cell direct contact and co-aggregation with L. plantarum cells surrounding C. albicans yeast cells were observed during dual-species interaction. Reduced C. albicans yeast cell proliferation in mixed culture was partially due to L. plantarum cell-free culture supernatant but not the acidic environment. Upon polymicrobial transcriptomics analysis, interesting changes were identified in both L. plantarum and C. albicans gene expression. First, two L. plantarum quorum-sensing systems showed contrary changes, with the activation of lamBDCA and repression of luxS. Second, the upregulation of stress response-related genes and downregulation of cell cycle, cell survival, and cell integrity-related pathways were identified in C. albicans, possibly connected to the stress posed by L. plantarum and the reduced yeast cell proliferation. Third, a large scale of pathogenesis and virulence factors were downregulated in C. albicans, indicating the potential interruption of pathogenic activities by L. plantarum. Fourth, partial metabolism and transport pathways were changed in L. plantarum and C. albicans. The information in this study might aid in understanding the behavior of L. plantarum and C. albicans in dual-species interaction.IMPORTANCEThe anti-Candida albicans activity of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum has been explored in the past decades. However, the importance of C. albicans yeast form and the effect of C. albicans on L. plantarum had also been omitted. In this study, the dual-species interaction of L. plantarum and C. albicans was investigated with a focus on the transcriptomes. Cell-to-cell direct contact and co-aggregation with L. plantarum cells surrounding C. albicans yeast cells were observed. Upon polymicrobial transcriptomics analysis, interesting changes were identified, including contrary changes in two L. plantarum quorum-sensing systems and reduced cell survival-related pathways and pathogenesis determinants in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenbo Xu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Green Processing of Natural Products and Product Safety, Engineering Research Center of Starch and Vegetable Protein Processing Ministry of Education, School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yaqin Li
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Green Processing of Natural Products and Product Safety, Engineering Research Center of Starch and Vegetable Protein Processing Ministry of Education, School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Aijuan Xu
- Guangzhou Hybribio Medical Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liang Xue
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Green Processing of Natural Products and Product Safety, Engineering Research Center of Starch and Vegetable Protein Processing Ministry of Education, School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, China, Guangzhou, Guangdong
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Thanapop Soteyome
- Home Economics Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Lei Yuan
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Functional Foods, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Agricultural Products Processing, Sericultural and Agri-Food Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Wei Hong
- GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuzhu Mao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Birthe V. Kjellerup
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Junyan Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Lingnan Specialty Food Science and Technology, College of Light Industry and Food Science, Academy of Contemporary Agricultural Engineering Innovations, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Processing and Intelligent Manufacturing of Lingnan Specialty Food, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
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10
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Manzano JAH, Brogi S, Calderone V, Macabeo APG, Austriaco N. Globospiramine Exhibits Inhibitory and Fungicidal Effects against Candida albicans via Apoptotic Mechanisms. Biomolecules 2024; 14:610. [PMID: 38927014 PMCID: PMC11201426 DOI: 10.3390/biom14060610] [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: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Candidiasis is considered an emerging public health concern because of the occurrence of drug-resistant Candida strains and the lack of an available structurally diverse antifungal drug armamentarium. The indole alkaloid globospiramine from the anticandidal Philippine medicinal plant Voacanga globosa exhibits a variety of biological activities; however, its antifungal properties remain to be explored. In this study, we report the in vitro anticandidal activities of globospiramine against two clinically relevant Candida species (C. albicans and C. tropicalis) and the exploration of its possible target proteins using in silico methods. Thus, the colony-forming unit (CFU) viability assay revealed time- and concentration-dependent anticandidal effects of the alkaloid along with a decrease in the number of viable CFUs by almost 50% at 60 min after treatment. The results of the MIC and MFC assays indicated inhibitory and fungicidal effects of globospiramine against C. albicans (MIC = 8 µg/mL; MFC = 8 µg/mL) and potential fungistatic effects against C. tropicalis at lower concentrations (MIC = 4 µg/mL; MFC > 64 µg/mL). The FAM-FLICA poly-caspase assay showed metacaspase activation in C. albicans cells at concentrations of 16 and 8 µg/mL, which agreed well with the MIC and MFC values. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation experiments suggested globospiramine to bind strongly with 1,3-β-glucan synthase and Als3 adhesin-enzymes indirectly involved in apoptosis-driven candidal inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe Anthony H. Manzano
- The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, España Blvd., Manila 1015, Philippines;
- UST Laboratories for Vaccine Science, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, España Blvd., Manila 1015, Philippines;
- Laboratory for Organic Reactivity, Discovery, and Synthesis (LORDS), Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, España Blvd., Manila 1015, Philippines
| | - Simone Brogi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Vincenzo Calderone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Allan Patrick G. Macabeo
- Laboratory for Organic Reactivity, Discovery, and Synthesis (LORDS), Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, España Blvd., Manila 1015, Philippines
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, España Blvd., Manila 1015, Philippines
| | - Nicanor Austriaco
- UST Laboratories for Vaccine Science, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, España Blvd., Manila 1015, Philippines;
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, España Blvd., Manila 1015, Philippines
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11
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Cao L, Tan J, Zhang Z, Lin B, Mu Y, Jiang M, Jiang Y, Huang X, Han L. Discovery of Antifungal Norsesquiterpenoids from a Soil-Derived Streptomyces microflavus: Targeting Biofilm Formation and Synergistic Combination with Amphotericin B against Yeast-like Fungi. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:8521-8535. [PMID: 38565849 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c08707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Thirty-five norsesquiterpenoids were isolated from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces microflavus from the forest soil of Ailaoshan in China. The structures of new compounds (1-5, 10-26) were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis including data from experimental and calculated ECD spectra, as well as Mosher's reagent derivatives method. Norsesquiterpenoids showed different levels of antifungal activity with MIC80 values ranging from 25 to 200 μg/mL against Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, and Cryptococcus neoformans. The combining isolated norsesquiterpenoids with amphotericin B resulted in a synergistic interaction against test yeast-like fungi with a fractional inhibitory concentration index < 0.5. Compound 33 significantly inhibited biofilm formation and destroyed the preformed biofilm of fungi. Moreover, 33 downregulated the expression of adhesion-related genes HWP1, ALS1, ALS3, ECE1, EAP1, and BCR1 to inhibit the adhesion of C. albicans. Findings from the current study highlight the potential usage of norsesquiterpenoids from soil-derived Streptomyces for antifungal leads discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Cao
- Institute of Microbial Pharmaceuticals, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
- Key Laboratory of Bioresource Research and Development of Liaoning Province, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Junfeng Tan
- Institute of Microbial Pharmaceuticals, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
- Key Laboratory of Bioresource Research and Development of Liaoning Province, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Zengguang Zhang
- Institute of Microbial Pharmaceuticals, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
- Key Laboratory of Bioresource Research and Development of Liaoning Province, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Bin Lin
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yu Mu
- Institute of Microbial Pharmaceuticals, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
- Key Laboratory of Bioresource Research and Development of Liaoning Province, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Mingguo Jiang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Polysaccharide Materials and Modifications, School of Marine Sciences and Biotechnology, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530008, China
| | - Yi Jiang
- Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Xueshi Huang
- Institute of Microbial Pharmaceuticals, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
- Key Laboratory of Bioresource Research and Development of Liaoning Province, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Li Han
- Institute of Microbial Pharmaceuticals, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
- Key Laboratory of Bioresource Research and Development of Liaoning Province, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
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12
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Jørgensen MR. Pathophysiological microenvironments in oral candidiasis. APMIS 2024. [PMID: 38571459 DOI: 10.1111/apm.13412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Oral candidiasis (OC), a prevalent opportunistic infection of the oral mucosa, presents a considerable health challenge, particularly in individuals with compromised immune responses, advanced age, and local predisposing conditions. A considerable part of the population carries Candida in the oral cavity, but only few develop OC. Therefore, the pathogenesis of OC may depend on factors other than the attributes of the fungus, such as host factors and other predisposing factors. Mucosal trauma and inflammation compromise epithelial integrity, fostering a conducive environment for fungal invasion. Molecular insights into the immunocompromised state reveal dysregulation in innate and adaptive immunity, creating a permissive environment for Candida proliferation. Detailed examination of Candida species (spp.) and their virulence factors uncovers a nuanced understanding beyond traditional C. albicans focus, which embrace diverse Candida spp. and their strategies, influencing adhesion, invasion, immune evasion, and biofilm formation. Understanding the pathophysiological microenvironments in OC is crucial for the development of targeted therapeutic interventions. This review aims to unravel the diverse pathophysiological microenvironments influencing OC development focusing on microbial, host, and predisposing factors, and considers Candida resistance to antifungal therapy. The comprehensive approach offers a refined perspective on OC, seeking briefly to identify potential therapeutic targets for future effective management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mette Rose Jørgensen
- Section of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine, Department of Odontology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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13
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Tayyeb JZ, Priya M, Guru A, Kishore Kumar MS, Giri J, Garg A, Agrawal R, Mat KB, Arockiaraj J. Multifunctional curcumin mediated zinc oxide nanoparticle enhancing biofilm inhibition and targeting apoptotic specific pathway in oral squamous carcinoma cells. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:423. [PMID: 38489102 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09407-7] [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: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oral health remains a significant global concern with the prevalence of oral pathogens and the increasing incidence of oral cancer posing formidable challenges. Additionally, the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains has complicated treatment strategies, emphasizing the urgent need for alternative therapeutic approaches. Recent research has explored the application of plant compounds mediated with nanotechnology in oral health, focusing on the antimicrobial and anticancer properties. METHODS In this study, curcumin (Cu)-mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesized and characterized using SEM, EDAX, UV spectroscopy, FTIR, and XRD to validate their composition and structural features. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of ZnO-CU NPs was investigated through DPPH, ABTS, and zone of inhibition assays. Apoptotic assays and gene expression analysis were performed in KB oral squamous carcinoma cells to identify their anticancer activity. RESULTS ZnO-CU NPs showcased formidable antioxidant prowess in both DPPH and ABTS assays, signifying their potential as robust scavengers of free radicals. The determined minimal inhibitory concentration of 40 µg/mL against dental pathogens underscored the compelling antimicrobial attributes of ZnO-CU NPs. Furthermore, the interaction analysis revealed the superior binding affinity and intricate amino acid interactions of ZnO-CU NPs with receptors on dental pathogens. Moreover, in the realm of anticancer activity, ZnO-CU NPs exhibited a dose-dependent response against Human Oral Epidermal Carcinoma KB cells at concentrations of 10 µg/mL, 20 µg/mL, 40 µg/mL, and 80 µg/mL. Unraveling the intricate mechanism of apoptotic activity, ZnO-CU NPs orchestrated the upregulation of pivotal genes, including BCL2, BAX, and P53, within the KB cells. CONCLUSIONS This multifaceted approach, addressing both antimicrobial and anticancer activity, positions ZnO-CU NPs as a compelling avenue for advancing oral health, offering a comprehensive strategy for tackling both oral infections and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jehad Zuhair Tayyeb
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, 23890, Saudi Arabia
| | - Madhu Priya
- Department of Cariology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Ajay Guru
- Department of Cariology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India.
| | - Meenakshi Sundaram Kishore Kumar
- Biomedical Research Unit and Laboratory Animal Centre (BRULAC), Department of Anatomy, Saveetha Dental College, Chennai, 600 077, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Jayant Giri
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yeshwantrao Chavan College of Engineering, Nagpur, India
| | - Akash Garg
- Rajiv Academy for Pharmacy, Mathura, 281001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rutvi Agrawal
- Rajiv Academy for Pharmacy, Mathura, 281001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Khairiyah Binti Mat
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Agro‑Based Industry, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jeli Campus, Jeli, 17600, Malaysia.
- Advanced Livestock and Aquaculture Research Group, Faculty of Agro‑Based Industry, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jeli Campus, Jeli, 17600, Malaysia.
| | - Jesu Arockiaraj
- Toxicology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, India.
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14
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Puumala E, Fallah S, Robbins N, Cowen LE. Advancements and challenges in antifungal therapeutic development. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0014223. [PMID: 38294218 PMCID: PMC10938895 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00142-23] [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: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Over recent decades, the global burden of fungal disease has expanded dramatically. It is estimated that fungal disease kills approximately 1.5 million individuals annually; however, the true worldwide burden of fungal infection is thought to be higher due to existing gaps in diagnostics and clinical understanding of mycotic disease. The development of resistance to antifungals across diverse pathogenic fungal genera is an increasingly common and devastating phenomenon due to the dearth of available antifungal classes. These factors necessitate a coordinated response by researchers, clinicians, public health agencies, and the pharmaceutical industry to develop new antifungal strategies, as the burden of fungal disease continues to grow. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the new antifungal therapeutics currently in clinical trials, highlighting their spectra of activity and progress toward clinical implementation. We also profile up-and-coming intracellular proteins and pathways primed for the development of novel antifungals targeting their activity. Ultimately, we aim to emphasize the importance of increased investment into antifungal therapeutics in the current continually evolving landscape of infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Puumala
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sara Fallah
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Leah E. Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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15
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Pelletier C, Shaw S, Alsayegh S, Brown AJP, Lorenz A. Candida auris undergoes adhesin-dependent and -independent cellular aggregation. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012076. [PMID: 38466738 PMCID: PMC10957086 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is a fungal pathogen of humans responsible for nosocomial infections with high mortality rates. High levels of resistance to antifungal drugs and environmental persistence mean these infections are difficult to treat and eradicate from a healthcare setting. Understanding the life cycle and the genetics of this fungus underpinning clinically relevant traits, such as antifungal resistance and virulence, is of the utmost importance to develop novel treatments and therapies. Epidemiological and genomic studies have identified five geographical clades (I-V), which display phenotypic and genomic differences. Aggregation of cells, a phenotype primarily of clade III strains, has been linked to reduced virulence in some infection models. The aggregation phenotype has thus been associated with conferring an advantage for (skin) colonisation rather than for systemic infection. However, strains with different clade affiliations were compared to infer the effects of different morphologies on virulence. This makes it difficult to distinguish morphology-dependent causes from clade-specific or even strain-specific genetic factors. Here, we identify two different types of aggregation: one induced by antifungal treatment which is a result of a cell separation defect; and a second which is controlled by growth conditions and only occurs in strains with the ability to aggregate. The latter aggregation type depends on an ALS-family adhesin which is differentially expressed during aggregation in an aggregative C. auris strain. Finally, we demonstrate that macrophages cannot clear aggregates, suggesting that aggregation might after all provide a benefit during systemic infection and could facilitate long-term persistence in the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Pelletier
- Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie Shaw
- Centre for Genome-Enabled Biology and Medicine (CGEBM), University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Sakinah Alsayegh
- Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | | | - Alexander Lorenz
- Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
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16
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Schimanski J, Gresnigt MS, Brunner E, Werz O, Hube B, Garscha U. Hyphal-associated protein expression is crucial for Candida albicans-induced eicosanoid biosynthesis in immune cells. Eur J Immunol 2024; 54:e2350743. [PMID: 38233139 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350743] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Candida albicans causes opportunistic infections ranging from mucosal mycoses to life-threatening systemic infections in immunocompromised patients. During C. albicans infection, leukotrienes and prostaglandins are formed from arachidonic acid by 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and cyclooxygenases, respectively to amplify inflammatory conditions, but also to initiate macrophage infiltration to achieve tissue homeostasis. Since less is known about the cellular mechanisms triggering such lipid mediator biosynthesis, we investigated the eicosanoid formation in monocyte-derived M1 and M2 macrophages, neutrophils and HEK293 cells transfected with 5-LOX and 5-LOX-activating protein (FLAP) in response to C. albicans yeast or hyphae. Leukotriene biosynthesis was exclusively induced by hyphae in neutrophils and macrophages, whereas prostaglandin E2 was also formed in response to yeast cells by M1 macrophages. Eicosanoid biosynthesis was significantly higher in M1 compared to M2 macrophages. In HEK_5-LOX/FLAP cells only hyphae activated the essential 5-LOX translocation to the nuclear membrane. Using yeast-locked C. albicans mutants, we demonstrated that hyphal-associated protein expression is critical in eicosanoid formation. For neutrophils and HEK_5-LOX/FLAP cells, hyphal wall protein 1 was identified as the essential surface protein that stimulates leukotriene biosynthesis. In summary, our data suggest that hyphal-associated proteins of C. albicans are central triggers of eicosanoid biosynthesis in human phagocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Schimanski
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Greifswald University, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Mark S Gresnigt
- Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Elena Brunner
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Oliver Werz
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
- Institute for Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Ulrike Garscha
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Greifswald University, Greifswald, Germany
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17
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Feng Z, Lu H, Jiang Y. Promising immunotherapeutic targets for treating candidiasis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1339501. [PMID: 38404288 PMCID: PMC10884116 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1339501] [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: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
In the last twenty years, there has been a significant increase in invasive fungal infections, which has corresponded with the expanding population of individuals with compromised immune systems. As a result, the mortality rate linked to these infections remains unacceptably high. The currently available antifungal drugs, such as azoles, polyenes, and echinocandins, face limitations in terms of their diversity, the escalating resistance of fungi and the occurrence of significant adverse effects. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop new antifungal medications. Vaccines and antibodies present a promising avenue for addressing fungal infections due to their targeted antifungal properties and ability to modulate the immune response. This review investigates the structure and function of cell wall proteins, secreted proteins, and functional proteins within C. albicans. Furthermore, it seeks to analyze the current advancements and challenges in macromolecular drugs to identify new targets for the effective management of candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hui Lu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanying Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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18
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Bromuro C, Posteraro B, Murri R, Fantoni M, Tumbarello M, Sanguinetti M, Dattilo R, Cauda R, Cassone A, Torosantucci A. Identification of two anti- Candida antibodies associated with the survival of patients with candidemia. mBio 2024; 15:e0276923. [PMID: 38088540 PMCID: PMC10790786 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02769-23] [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: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Candidemia (bloodstream invasion by Candida species) is a major fungal disease in humans. Despite the recent progress in diagnosis and treatment, therapeutic options are limited and under threat of antimicrobial resistance. The disease mortality remains high (around 40%). In contrast with deep-seated invasive candidiasis, particularly that occurring in patients with hematologic malignancies and organ transplants, patients with candidemia are often not immunocompromised and therefore able to mount memory anticandidal immune responses, perhaps primed by Candida commensalism. We investigated antibody immunity in candidemia patients and report here on the ability of these patients to produce antibodies that react with Candida antigens. In particular, the patients with high titers of IgG reactive with two immunodominant, virulence-associated antigens (Als3 and MP65) had a higher 30-day survival. If confirmed by controlled, prospective clinical studies, our data could inform the development of antibody therapy to better treat a severe fungal infection such as candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Bromuro
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Brunella Posteraro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Murri
- Dipartimento Salute e Bioetica, Sezione Malattie Infettive, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS , Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Fantoni
- Dipartimento Salute e Bioetica, Sezione Malattie Infettive, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS , Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Tumbarello
- Dipartimento Biotecnologie Mediche, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Maurizio Sanguinetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosanna Dattilo
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Cauda
- Dipartimento Salute e Bioetica, Sezione Malattie Infettive, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS , Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Cassone
- Polo d'Innovazione della Genomica, Genetica e Biologia, Siena, Italy
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Bednarek A, Satala D, Zawrotniak M, Nobbs AH, Rapala-Kozik M, Kozik A. Glyceraldehyde 3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase on the Surface of Candida albicans and Nakaseomyces glabratus Cells-A Moonlighting Protein That Binds Human Vitronectin and Plasminogen and Can Adsorb to Pathogenic Fungal Cells via Major Adhesins Als3 and Epa6. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1013. [PMID: 38256088 PMCID: PMC10815899 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans and other closely related pathogenic yeast-like fungi carry on their surface numerous loosely adsorbed "moonlighting proteins"-proteins that play evolutionarily conserved intracellular functions but also appear on the cell surface and exhibit additional functions, e.g., contributing to attachment to host tissues. In the current work, we characterized this "moonlighting" role for glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH, EC 1.2.1.12) of C. albicans and Nakaseomyces glabratus. GAPDH was directly visualized on the cell surface of both species and shown to play a significant part in the total capacity of fungal cells to bind two selected human host proteins-vitronectin and plasminogen. Using purified proteins, both host proteins were found to tightly interact with GAPDH, with dissociation constants in an order of 10-8 M, as determined by bio-layer interferometry and surface plasmon resonance measurements. It was also shown that exogenous GAPDH tightly adheres to the surface of candidal cells, suggesting that the cell surface location of this moonlighting protein may partly result from the readsorption of its soluble form, which may be present at an infection site (e.g., due to release from dying fungal cells). The major dedicated adhesins, covalently bound to the cell wall-agglutinin-like sequence protein 3 (Als3) and epithelial adhesin 6 (Epa6)-were suggested to serve as the docking platforms for GAPDH in C. albicans and N. glabratus, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Bednarek
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland;
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (D.S.); (M.Z.); (M.R.-K.)
| | - Dorota Satala
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (D.S.); (M.Z.); (M.R.-K.)
| | - Marcin Zawrotniak
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (D.S.); (M.Z.); (M.R.-K.)
| | - Angela H. Nobbs
- Bristol Dental School Research Laboratories, University of Bristol, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, Whitson Street, Bristol BS1 3NY, UK;
| | - Maria Rapala-Kozik
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (D.S.); (M.Z.); (M.R.-K.)
| | - Andrzej Kozik
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland;
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Pathan SK, Shelar A, Deshmukh S, Kalam Khan FA, Ansari SA, Ansari IA, Patil RB, Arote R, Bhusnure O, Patil RH, Sangshetti JN. Exploring antibiofilm potential of some new imidazole analogs against C. albicans: synthesis, antifungal activity, molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024:1-17. [PMID: 38174407 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2296604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
A series of 1, 2, 4, 5-tetrasubstituted imidazole derivatives were synthesized and their antibiofilm potential against Candida albicans was evaluated in vitro. Two of the synthesized derivatives 5e (IC50 = 25 µg/mL) and 5m (IC50 = 6 µg/mL),displayed better antifungal and antibiofilm potential than the standard drug Fluconazole (IC50 = 40 µg/mL) against C. albicans. Based on the in vitro results, we escalated the real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis to gain knowledge of the enzymes expressed in the generation and maintenance of biofilms and the mechanism of biofilm inhibition by the synthesized analogues. We then investigated the possible interactions of the synthesized compounds in inhibiting agglutinin-like proteins, namely Als3, Als4 and Als6 were prominently down-regulated using in-silico molecular docking analysis against the previously available crystal structure of Als3 and constructed structure of Als4 and Als6 using the SWISS-MODEL server. The stability and energy of the agglutinin-like proteins-ligand complexes were evaluated using molecular dynamics simulations (MDS). According to the 100 ns MDS, all the compounds remained stable, formed a maximum of 3, and on average 2 hydrogen bonds, and Gibb's free energy landscape analysis suggested greater affinity of the compounds 5e and 5m toward Als4 protein.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahebaaz K Pathan
- Y. B. Chavan College of Pharmacy, Dr. Rafiq Zakaria Campus, Rauza Baugh, Aurangabad, India
| | - Amruta Shelar
- Department of Technology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | | | | | - Siddique Akber Ansari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Irfan Aamer Ansari
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Rajesh B Patil
- Sinhgad Technical Education Society's Sinhgad College of Pharmacy, Pune, India
| | - Rohidas Arote
- Center for Nano Materials and Science (CNMS), Jain University, Bangalore, India
| | - Omprakash Bhusnure
- Channabasweshwar Channabasweshwar Pharmacy College (Degree), Latur, India
| | - Rajendra H Patil
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
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21
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Yang F, Yang Y, Lin M, He X, Yang Y. Pathogenesis and preventions of denture stomatitis. ZHONG NAN DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF CENTRAL SOUTH UNIVERSITY. MEDICAL SCIENCES 2023; 48:1411-1418. [PMID: 38044653 PMCID: PMC10929865 DOI: 10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2023.230092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Denture stomatitis (DS) is one of the frequent oral diseases caused by multiple factors among denture wearers and is an erythematous lesion of the mucosa in the denture-bearing area, which is a limited and non-specific damage that seriously endangers the oral health of denture wearers. Traditional drug treatment for DS is effective, but it is prone to the development of drug-resistant strains. Therefore, it is important to find new treating options. For the prevention and treatment of DS, there are various methods such as direct administration of azole and polyene antibiotics to the mucosal lesions, extra-oral cleaning of the denture by cleansers and physical disinfection, and modification of denture materials. Natural ingredient preparations that have emerged in recent years are safe, convenient, inexpensive, and less likely to produce drug-resistant strains, and are seen as new sources of drugs for DS treatment. Photodynamic therapy has shown superior antibacterial properties and is also considered promising due to the convenience and safety of the treatment process and the ease of developing drug resistance. Antibacterial agents endow dentures with new characteristics, and denture modification will be a new way to treat DS. In addition, combining different prevention and control methods has shown better antibacterial activity against Candida albicans, which also provides new ideas for prevention and treatment of DS in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenghui Yang
- Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University; Hunan Key Laboratory of Oral Health Research, Changsha 410078.
- Department of Restoration, Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078.
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.
| | - Yuanchao Yang
- Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University; Hunan Key Laboratory of Oral Health Research, Changsha 410078
- Department of Restoration, Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078
| | - Mengwei Lin
- Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University; Hunan Key Laboratory of Oral Health Research, Changsha 410078
- Department of Restoration, Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078
| | - Xinyi He
- Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University; Hunan Key Laboratory of Oral Health Research, Changsha 410078
- Department of Restoration, Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078
| | - Yan Yang
- Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University; Hunan Key Laboratory of Oral Health Research, Changsha 410078.
- Department of Restoration, Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078.
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22
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Román E, Prieto D, Hidalgo-Vico S, Alonso-Monge R, Pla J. The defective gut colonization of Candida albicans hog1 MAPK mutants is restored by overexpressing the transcriptional regulator of the white opaque transition WOR1. Virulence 2023; 14:2174294. [PMID: 36760104 PMCID: PMC9928469 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2174294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcriptional master regulator of the white opaque transition of Candida albicans WOR1 is important for the adaptation to the commensal lifestyle in the mammalian gut, a major source of invasive candidiasis. We have generated cells that overproduce Wor1 in mutants defective in the Hog1 MAP kinase, defective in several stress responses and unable to colonize the mice gut. WOR1 overexpression allows hog1 to be established as a commensal in the murine gut in a commensalism model and even compete with wild-type C. albicans cells for establishment. This increased fitness correlates with an enhanced ability to adhere to biotic surfaces as well as increased proteinase and phospholipase production and a decrease in filamentation in vitro. We also show that hog1 WOR1OE are avirulent in a systemic candidiasis model in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Román
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain,CONTACT Elvira Román
| | - Daniel Prieto
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Hidalgo-Vico
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rebeca Alonso-Monge
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Pla
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain,Jesús Pla Parasitología Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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23
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Wu M, Xu X, Hu R, Chen Q, Chen L, Yuan Y, Li J, Zhou L, Feng S, Wang L, Chen S, Gu M. A Membrane-Targeted Photosensitizer Prevents Drug Resistance and Induces Immune Response in Treating Candidiasis. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2207736. [PMID: 37875397 PMCID: PMC10724446 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202207736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans (C. albicans), a ubiquitous polymorphic fungus in humans, causes different types of candidiasis, including oral candidiasis (OC) and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), which are physically and mentally concerning and financially costly. Thus, developing alternative antifungals that prevent drug resistance and induce immunity to eliminate Candida biofilms is crucial. Herein, a novel membrane-targeted aggregation-induced emission (AIE) photosensitizer (PS), TBTCP-QY, is developed for highly efficient photodynamic therapy (PDT) of candidiasis. TBTCP-QY has a high molar absorption coefficient and an excellent ability to generate 1 O2 and •OH, entering the interior of biofilms due to its high permeability. Furthermore, TBTCP-QY can efficiently inhibit biofilm formation by suppressing the expression of genes related to the adhesion (ALS3, EAP1, and HWP1), invasion (SAP1 and SAP2), and drug resistance (MDR1) of C. albicans, which is also advantageous for eliminating potential fungal resistance to treat clinical infectious diseases. TBTCP-QY-mediated PDT efficiently targets OC and VVC in vivo in a mouse model, induces immune response, relieves inflammation, and accelerates the healing of mucosal defects to combat infections caused by clinically isolated fluconazole-resistant strains. Moreover, TBTCP-QY demonstrates excellent biocompatibility, suggesting its potential applications in the clinical treatment of OC and VVC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming‐Yu Wu
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural DrugsSchool of Life Science and EngineeringSouthwest Jiaotong UniversityChengduSichuan610031China
| | - Xiaoyu Xu
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
| | - Rui Hu
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
- Department of Respiratory DiseasesThe Research and Application Center of Precision MedicineThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450014China
| | - Qingrong Chen
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
| | - Luojia Chen
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
| | - Yuncong Yuan
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Medical Intensive Care UnitMaternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei ProvinceTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430070China
| | - Li Zhou
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
| | - Shun Feng
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural DrugsSchool of Life Science and EngineeringSouthwest Jiaotong UniversityChengduSichuan610031China
| | - Lianrong Wang
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
- Department of Respiratory DiseasesThe Research and Application Center of Precision MedicineThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450014China
| | - Shi Chen
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
| | - Meijia Gu
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
- Department of Respiratory DiseasesThe Research and Application Center of Precision MedicineThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450014China
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24
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Carlson SL, Mathew L, Savage M, Kok K, Lindsay JO, Munro CA, McCarthy NE. Mucosal Immunity to Gut Fungi in Health and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1105. [PMID: 37998910 PMCID: PMC10672531 DOI: 10.3390/jof9111105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiome is a diverse microbial community composed of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that plays a major role in human health and disease. Dysregulation of these gut organisms in a genetically susceptible host is fundamental to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). While bacterial dysbiosis has been a predominant focus of research for many years, there is growing recognition that fungal interactions with the host immune system are an important driver of gut inflammation. Candida albicans is likely the most studied fungus in the context of IBD, being a near universal gut commensal in humans and also a major barrier-invasive pathogen. There is emerging evidence that intra-strain variation in C. albicans virulence factors exerts a critical influence on IBD pathophysiology. In this review, we describe the immunological impacts of variations in C. lbicans colonisation, morphology, genetics, and proteomics in IBD, as well as the clinical and therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean L. Carlson
- Centre for Immunobiology, The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AT, UK
- Gastroenterology Department, Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London E1 1BB, UK
| | - Liya Mathew
- Centre for Immunobiology, The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - Michael Savage
- Centre for Immunobiology, The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - Klaartje Kok
- Centre for Immunobiology, The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AT, UK
- Gastroenterology Department, Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London E1 1BB, UK
| | - James O. Lindsay
- Centre for Immunobiology, The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AT, UK
- Gastroenterology Department, Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London E1 1BB, UK
| | - Carol A. Munro
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK
| | - Neil E. McCarthy
- Centre for Immunobiology, The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AT, UK
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25
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Rich KD, Srivastava S, Muthye VR, Wasmuth JD. Identification of potential molecular mimicry in pathogen-host interactions. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16339. [PMID: 37953771 PMCID: PMC10637249 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16339] [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: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogens have evolved sophisticated strategies to manipulate host signaling pathways, including the phenomenon of molecular mimicry, where pathogen-derived biomolecules imitate host biomolecules. In this study, we resurrected, updated, and optimized a sequence-based bioinformatics pipeline to identify potential molecular mimicry candidates between humans and 32 pathogenic species whose proteomes' 3D structure predictions were available at the start of this study. We observed considerable variation in the number of mimicry candidates across pathogenic species, with pathogenic bacteria exhibiting fewer candidates compared to fungi and protozoans. Further analysis revealed that the candidate mimicry regions were enriched in solvent-accessible regions, highlighting their potential functional relevance. We identified a total of 1,878 mimicked regions in 1,439 human proteins, and clustering analysis indicated diverse target proteins across pathogen species. The human proteins containing mimicked regions revealed significant associations between these proteins and various biological processes, with an emphasis on host extracellular matrix organization and cytoskeletal processes. However, immune-related proteins were underrepresented as targets of mimicry. Our findings provide insights into the broad range of host-pathogen interactions mediated by molecular mimicry and highlight potential targets for further investigation. This comprehensive analysis contributes to our understanding of the complex mechanisms employed by pathogens to subvert host defenses and we provide a resource to assist researchers in the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaylee D. Rich
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Host-Parasite Interactions Research Training Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Shruti Srivastava
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Host-Parasite Interactions Research Training Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Viraj R. Muthye
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Host-Parasite Interactions Research Training Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - James D. Wasmuth
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Host-Parasite Interactions Research Training Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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26
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Khan F, Jeong GJ, Javaid A, Thuy Nguyen Pham D, Tabassum N, Kim YM. Surface adherence and vacuolar internalization of bacterial pathogens to the Candida spp. cells: Mechanism of persistence and propagation. J Adv Res 2023; 53:115-136. [PMID: 36572338 PMCID: PMC10658324 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2022.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The co-existence of Candida albicans with the bacteria in the host tissues and organs displays interactions at competitive, antagonistic, and synergistic levels. Several pathogenic bacteria take advantage of such types of interaction for their survival and proliferation. The chemical interaction involves the signaling molecules produced by the bacteria or Candida spp., whereas the physical attachment occurs by involving the surface proteins of the bacteria and Candida. In addition, bacterial pathogens have emerged to internalize inside the C. albicans vacuole, which is one of the inherent properties of the endosymbiotic relationship between the bacteria and the eukaryotic host. AIM OF REVIEW The interaction occurring by the involvement of surface protein from diverse bacterial species with Candida species has been discussed in detail in this paper. An in silico molecular docking study was performed between the surface proteins of different bacterial species and Als3P of C. albicans to explain the molecular mechanism involved in the Als3P-dependent interaction. Furthermore, in order to understand the specificity of C. albicans interaction with Als3P, the evolutionary relatedness of several bacterial surface proteins has been investigated. Furthermore, the environmental factors that influence bacterial pathogen internalization into the Candida vacuole have been addressed. Moreover, the review presented future perspectives for disrupting the cross-kingdom interaction and eradicating the endosymbiotic bacterial pathogens. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW With the involvement of cross-kingdom interactions and endosymbiotic relationships, the bacterial pathogens escape from the environmental stresses and the antimicrobial activity of the host immune system. Thus, the study of interactions between Candida and bacterial pathogens is of high clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fazlurrahman Khan
- Marine Integrated Biomedical Technology Center, The National Key Research Institutes in Universities, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Research Center for Marine Integrated Bionics Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea.
| | - Geum-Jae Jeong
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
| | - Aqib Javaid
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, University of Hyderabad, India
| | - Dung Thuy Nguyen Pham
- Institute of Applied Technology and Sustainable Development, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
| | - Nazia Tabassum
- Marine Integrated Biomedical Technology Center, The National Key Research Institutes in Universities, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Research Center for Marine Integrated Bionics Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Mog Kim
- Marine Integrated Biomedical Technology Center, The National Key Research Institutes in Universities, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Research Center for Marine Integrated Bionics Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Department of Food Science and Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea.
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27
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Nenciarini S, Cavalieri D. Immunomodulatory Potential of Fungal Extracellular Vesicles: Insights for Therapeutic Applications. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1487. [PMID: 37892168 PMCID: PMC10605264 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membranous vesicular organelles that perform a variety of biological functions including cell communication across different biological kingdoms. EVs of mammals and, to a lesser extent, bacteria have been deeply studied over the years, whereas investigations of fungal EVs are still in their infancy. Fungi, encompassing both yeast and filamentous forms, are increasingly recognized for their production of extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing a wealth of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. These EVs play pivotal roles in orchestrating fungal communities, bolstering pathogenicity, and mediating interactions with the environment. Fungal EVs have emerged as promising candidates for innovative applications, not only in the management of mycoses but also as carriers for therapeutic molecules. Yet, numerous questions persist regarding fungal EVs, including their mechanisms of generation, release, cargo regulation, and discharge. This comprehensive review delves into the present state of knowledge regarding fungal EVs and provides fresh insights into the most recent hypotheses on the mechanisms driving their immunomodulatory properties. Furthermore, we explore the considerable potential of fungal EVs in the realms of medicine and biotechnology. In the foreseeable future, engineered fungal cells may serve as vehicles for tailoring cargo- and antigen-specific EVs, positioning them as invaluable biotechnological tools for diverse medical applications, such as vaccines and drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Duccio Cavalieri
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy;
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28
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Wu S, Song R, Liu T, Li C. Antifungal therapy: Novel drug delivery strategies driven by new targets. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 199:114967. [PMID: 37336246 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114967] [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: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
In patients with compromised immunity, invasive fungal infections represent a significant cause of mortality. Given the limited availability and drawbacks of existing first-line antifungal drugs, there is a growing interest in exploring novel targets that could facilitate the development of new antifungal agents or enhance the effectiveness of conventional ones. While previous studies have extensively summarized new antifungal targets inherent in fungi for drug development purposes, the exploration of potential targets for novel antifungal drug delivery strategies has received less attention. In this review, we provide an overview of recent advancements in new antifungal drug delivery strategies that leverage novel targets, including those located in the physio-pathological barrier at the site of infection, the infection microenvironment, fungal-host interactions, and the fungal pathogen itself. The objective is to enhance therapeutic efficacy and mitigate toxic effects in fungal infections, particularly in challenging cases such as refractory, recurrent, and drug-resistant invasive fungal infections. We also discuss the current challenges and future prospects associated with target-driven antifungal drug delivery strategies, offering important insights into the clinical implementation of these innovative approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, PR China
| | - Ruiqi Song
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, PR China
| | - Tongbao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, PR China.
| | - Chong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, PR China; College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China.
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Satala D, Karkowska-Kuleta J, Bras G, Rapala-Kozik M, Kozik A. Candida parapsilosis cell wall proteins-CPAR2_404800 and CPAR2_404780-Are adhesins that bind to human epithelial and endothelial cells and extracellular matrix proteins. Yeast 2023; 40:377-389. [PMID: 36851809 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3847] [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: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the initial steps necessary for the development of Candida infections is the adherence to the host tissues and cells. Recent transcriptomic studies suggest that, in Candida parapsilosis-a fungal infectious agent that causes systemic candidiasis in immunosuppressed individuals-the adhesion is mediated by pathogen cell-exposed proteins belonging to the agglutinin-like sequence (Als) family. However, to date, the actual interactions of individual members of this family with human cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) have not been characterized in detail. In the current study, we focused attention on two of these C. parapsilosis Als proteins-CPAR2_404800 and CPAR2_404780-that were proteomically identified in the fungal cell wall of yeasts grown in the media suitable for culturing human epithelial and endothelial cells. Both proteins were extracted from the cell wall and purified, and using a microplate binding assay and a fluorescence microscopic analysis were shown to adhere to human cells of A431 (epithelial) and HMEC-1 (endothelial) lines. The human extracellular matrix components that are also plasma proteins-fibronectin and vitronectin-enhanced these interactions, and also could directly bind to CPAR2_404800 and CPAR2_404780 proteins, with a high affinity (KD in a range of 10-7 to 10-8 M) as determined by surface plasmon resonance measurements. Our findings highlight the role of proteins CPAR2_404800 and CPAR2_404780 in adhesion to host cells and proteins, contributing to the knowledge of the mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions during C. parapsilosis-caused infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Satala
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Justyna Karkowska-Kuleta
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Grazyna Bras
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Maria Rapala-Kozik
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Andrzej Kozik
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
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Lyagin I, Aslanli A, Domnin M, Stepanov N, Senko O, Maslova O, Efremenko E. Metal Nanomaterials and Hydrolytic Enzyme-Based Formulations for Improved Antifungal Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11359. [PMID: 37511117 PMCID: PMC10379199 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Active research of metal-containing compounds and enzymes as effective antifungal agents is currently being conducted due to the growing antifungal resistance problem. Metals are attracting special attention due to the wide variety of ligands that can be used for them, including chemically synthesized and naturally obtained variants as a result of the so-called "green synthesis". The main mechanism of the antifungal action of metals is the triggering of the generation and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Further action of ROS on various biomolecules is nonspecific. Various hydrolytic enzymes (glucanases and proteases), in turn, exhibit antifungal properties by affecting the structural elements of fungal cells (cell walls, membranes), fungal quorum sensing molecules, fungal own protective agents (mycotoxins and antibiotics), and proteins responsible for the adhesion and formation of stable, highly concentrated populations in the form of biofilms. A wide substrate range of enzymes allows the use of various mechanisms of their antifungal actions. In this review, we discuss the prospects of combining two different types of antifungal agents (metals and enzymes) against mycelial fungi and yeast cells. Special attention is paid to the possible influence of metals on the activity of the enzymes and the possible effects of proteins on the antifungal activity of metal-containing compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilya Lyagin
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Lenin Hills 1/3, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Aysel Aslanli
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Lenin Hills 1/3, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maksim Domnin
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Lenin Hills 1/3, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Nikolay Stepanov
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Lenin Hills 1/3, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga Senko
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Lenin Hills 1/3, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga Maslova
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Lenin Hills 1/3, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena Efremenko
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Lenin Hills 1/3, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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Pang C, Chen J, Yang L, Yang Y, Qi H, Li R, Cao Y, Miao H. Shikonin Inhibits Candida albicans Biofilms via the Ras1-cAMP-Efg1 Signalling Pathway. Int J Gen Med 2023; 16:2653-2662. [PMID: 37384115 PMCID: PMC10296564 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s417327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate the influence of shikonin (SK) on the formation of Candida albicans biofilms and discuss the possible mechanism. Methods The inhibition of the formation of C. albicans biofilms by SK was observed by scanning electron microscopy. A silicone film method and a water-hydrocarbon two-phase assay were performed to investigate the effects of SK on cell adhesion. Real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to analyse the expression of genes related to cell adhesion and Ras1-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) - enhanced filamentous growth protein 1 (Efg1) signalling pathway. Finally, the level of cAMP in C. albicans was detected and exogenous cAMP rescue experiment was conducted. Results The results showed that SK could destroy the typical three-dimensional structure of the biofilms, inhibit cell surface hydrophobicity and cell adhesion, downregulate the expression of Ras1-cAMP-Efg1 signalling pathway-related genes (ECE1, HWP1, ALS3, RAS1, CYR1, EFG1 and TEC1) and effectively reduce the production of key messenger cAMP in the Ras1-cAMP-Efg1 pathway. Meanwhile, exogenous cAMP reversed the inhibitory effect of SK on biofilms formation. Conclusion Our results suggest that SK exhibits potential anti-C. albicans biofilms effects related to the inhibition of Ras1-cAMP-Efg1 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Pang
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Nerve Injury and Repair, Chengde, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianshuang Chen
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Nerve Injury and Repair, Chengde, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lan Yang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Research and Development for Chinese Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yang Yang
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Haihua Qi
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ran Li
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yingying Cao
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hao Miao
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
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Sun M, Ju J, Xu H, Wang Y. Intestinal fungi and antifungal secretory immunoglobulin A in Crohn's disease. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1177504. [PMID: 37359518 PMCID: PMC10285161 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1177504] [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: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The human gastrointestinal tract harbors trillions of commensal microorganisms. Emerging evidence points to a possible link between intestinal fungal dysbiosis and antifungal mucosal immunity in inflammatory bowel disease, especially in Crohn's disease (CD). As a protective factor for the gut mucosa, secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) prevents bacteria from invading the intestinal epithelium and maintains a healthy microbiota community. In recent years, the roles of antifungal SIgA antibodies in mucosal immunity, including the regulation of intestinal immunity binding to hyphae-associated virulence factors, are becoming increasingly recognized. Here we review the current knowledge on intestinal fungal dysbiosis and antifungal mucosal immunity in healthy individuals and in patients with CD, discuss the factors governing antifungal SIgA responses in the intestinal mucosa in the latter group, and highlight potential antifungal vaccines targeting SIgA to prevent CD.
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Mosaddad SA, Mahootchi P, Safari S, Rahimi H, Aghili SS. Interactions between systemic diseases and oral microbiota shifts in the aging community: A narrative review. J Basic Microbiol 2023. [PMID: 37173818 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202300141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
As a gateway to general health and a diverse microbial habitat, the oral cavity is colonized by numerous microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea. Oral microbiota plays an essential role in preserving oral health. Besides, the oral cavity also significantly contributes to systemic health. Physiological aging influences all body systems, including the oral microbial inhabitants. The cited effect can cause diseases by forming dysbiotic communities. Since it has been demonstrated that microbial dysbiosis could disturb the symbiosis state between the host and the resident microorganism, shifting the condition toward a more pathogenic one, this study investigated how the oral microbial shifts in aging could associate with the development or progression of systemic diseases in older adults. The current study focused on the interactions between variations in the oral microbiome and prevalent diseases in older adults, including diabetes mellitus, Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, pulmonary diseases, cardiovascular diseases, oral candidiasis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and glaucoma. Underlying diseases can dynamically modify the oral ecology and the composition of its resident oral microbiome. Clinical, experimental, and epidemiological research suggests the associations of systemic disorders with bacteremia and inflammation after oral microbial changes in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Ali Mosaddad
- Student Research Committee, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Pegah Mahootchi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, School of Dentistry, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Science, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Sajedeh Safari
- Department of Prosthodontics, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hussein Rahimi
- Student Research Committee, School of Dentistry, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Sara Aghili
- Student Research Committee, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Gaziano R, Sabbatini S, Monari C. The Interplay between Candida albicans, Vaginal Mucosa, Host Immunity and Resident Microbiota in Health and Disease: An Overview and Future Perspectives. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1211. [PMID: 37317186 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), which is primarily caused by Candida albicans, is an infection that affects up to 75% of all reproductive-age women worldwide. Recurrent VVC (RVVC) is defined as >3 episodes per year and affects nearly 8% of women globally. At mucosal sites of the vagina, a delicate and complex balance exists between Candida spp., host immunity and local microbial communities. In fact, both immune response and microbiota composition play a central role in counteracting overgrowth of the fungus and maintaining homeostasis in the host. If this balance is perturbed, the conditions may favor C. albicans overgrowth and the yeast-to-hyphal transition, predisposing the host to VVC. To date, the factors that affect the equilibrium between Candida spp. and the host and drive the transition from C. albicans commensalism to pathogenicity are not yet fully understood. Understanding the host- and fungus-related factors that drive VVC pathogenesis is of paramount importance for the development of adequate therapeutic interventions to combat this common genital infection. This review focuses on the latest advances in the pathogenic mechanisms implicated in the onset of VVC and also discusses novel potential strategies, with a special focus on the use of probiotics and vaginal microbiota transplantation in the treatment and/or prevention of recurrent VVC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Gaziano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Samuele Sabbatini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Medical Microbiology Section, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Claudia Monari
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Medical Microbiology Section, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
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Doron I, Kusakabe T, Iliev ID. Immunoglobulins at the interface of the gut mycobiota and anti-fungal immunity. Semin Immunol 2023; 67:101757. [PMID: 37003056 PMCID: PMC10192079 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
The dynamic and complex community of microbes that colonizes the intestines is composed of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. At the mucosal surfaces, immunoglobulins play a key role in protection against bacterial and fungal pathogens, and their toxins. Secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) is the most abundantly produced antibody at the mucosal surfaces, while Immunoglobulin G (IgG) isotypes play a critical role in systemic protection. IgA and IgG antibodies with reactivity to commensal fungi play an important role in shaping the mycobiota and host antifungal immunity. In this article, we review the latest evidence that establishes a connection between commensal fungi and B cell-mediated antifungal immunity as an additional layer of protection against fungal infections and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itai Doron
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; The Jill Roberts Institute for Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Takato Kusakabe
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; The Jill Roberts Institute for Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Iliyan D Iliev
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; The Jill Roberts Institute for Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA; Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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Roe K. Treatment alternatives for multidrug-resistant fungal pathogens. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103596. [PMID: 37086779 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
Several fungal pathogens are becoming resistant to conventional fungal infection treatments, and some fungal pathogens have become multidrug resistant. Alternative treatments include fungal vaccines, natural or synthetic monoclonal antibody (mAb) injections, or potentially natural or synthetic mAbs produced in vivo by packaged mRNA. Specifically synthesized proteins can mask distinctive pathogenic fungal surface proteins and target pathogenic fungal proteins to stop fungal infections. Treatments could use direct injections or injections of packaged mRNA with instructions for patient synthesis of either the natural or synthetic mAbs. These alternative treatments offer potentially significant advantages compared with existing treatments for fungal pathogens. Teaser: New fungal pathogen treatment approaches can use natural or synthetic monoclonal antibodies to activate immune cells and treat specific fungal infections that are now multidrug resistant to conventional antifungal drugs.
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Prasad P, Tippana M. Morphogenic plasticity: the pathogenic attribute of Candida albicans. Curr Genet 2023; 69:77-89. [PMID: 36947241 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-023-01263-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans is a commensal organism of the human gastrointestinal tract and a prevalent opportunistic pathogen. It exhibits different morphogenic forms to survive in different host niches with distinct environmental conditions (pH, temperature, oxidative stress, nutrients, serum, chemicals, radiation, etc.) and genetic factors (transcription factors and genes). The different morphogenic forms of C. albicans are yeast, hyphal, pseudohyphal, white, opaque, and transient gray cells, planktonic and biofilm forms of cells. These forms differ in the parameters like cellular phenotype, colony morphology, adhesion to solid surfaces, gene expression profile, and the virulent traits. Each form is functionally distinct and responds discretely to the host immune system and antifungal drugs. Hence, morphogenic plasticity is the key to virulence. In this review, we address the characteristics, the pathogenic potential of the different morphogenic forms and the conditions required for morphogenic transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Prasad
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal, Telangana, India.
| | - Meena Tippana
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal, Telangana, India
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Bing J, Guan Z, Zheng T, Zhang Z, Fan S, Ennis CL, Nobile CJ, Huang G. Clinical isolates of Candida auris with enhanced adherence and biofilm formation due to genomic amplification of ALS4. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011239. [PMID: 36913408 PMCID: PMC10035925 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen and a new global threat to human health. A unique morphological feature of this fungus is its multicellular aggregating phenotype, which has been thought to be associated with defects in cell division. In this study, we report a new aggregating form of two clinical C. auris isolates with increased biofilm forming capacity due to enhanced adherence of adjacent cells and surfaces. Unlike the previously reported aggregating morphology, this new aggregating multicellular form of C. auris can become unicellular after treatment with proteinase K or trypsin. Genomic analysis demonstrated that amplification of the subtelomeric adhesin gene ALS4 is the reason behind the strain's enhanced adherence and biofilm forming capacities. Many clinical isolates of C. auris have variable copy numbers of ALS4, suggesting that this subtelomeric region exhibits instability. Global transcriptional profiling and quantitative real-time PCR assays indicated that genomic amplification of ALS4 results in a dramatic increase in overall levels of transcription. Compared to the previously characterized nonaggregative/yeast-form and aggregative-form strains of C. auris, this new Als4-mediated aggregative-form strain of C. auris displays several unique characteristics in terms of its biofilm formation, surface colonization, and virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Bing
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Department of infectious diseases, Huashan Hospital and State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhangyue Guan
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Department of infectious diseases, Huashan Hospital and State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianhong Zheng
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Department of infectious diseases, Huashan Hospital and State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhijie Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shuru Fan
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Department of infectious diseases, Huashan Hospital and State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Shanghai, China
| | - Craig L Ennis
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, California, United States of America
- Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, Merced, California, United States of America
| | - Clarissa J Nobile
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, California, United States of America
- Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, Merced, California, United States of America
| | - Guanghua Huang
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Department of infectious diseases, Huashan Hospital and State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Shanghai, China
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Poon Y, Hui M. Inhibitory effect of lactobacilli supernatants on biofilm and filamentation of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida parapsilosis. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1105949. [PMID: 36860488 PMCID: PMC9969145 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1105949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Probiotic Lactobacillus strains had been investigated for the potential to protect against infection caused by the major fungal pathogen of human, Candida albicans. Besides antifungal activity, lactobacilli demonstrated a promising inhibitory effect on biofilm formation and filamentation of C. albicans. On the other hand, two commonly isolated non-albicans Candida species, C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis, have similar characteristics in filamentation and biofilm formation with C. albicans. However, there is scant information of the effect of lactobacilli on the two species. Methods In this study, biofilm inhibitory effects of L. rhamnosus ATCC 53103, L. plantarum ATCC 8014, and L. acidophilus ATCC 4356 were tested on the reference strain C. albicans SC5314 and six bloodstream isolated clinical strains, two each of C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. parapsilosis. Results and Discussion Cell-free culture supernatants (CFSs) of L. rhamnosus and L. plantarum significantly inhibited in vitro biofilm growth of C. albicans and C. tropicalis. L. acidophilus, conversely, had little effect on C. albicans and C. tropicalis but was more effective on inhibiting C. parapsilosis biofilms. Neutralized L. rhamnosus CFS at pH 7 retained the inhibitory effect, suggesting that exometabolites other than lactic acid produced by the Lactobacillus strain might be accounted for the effect. Furthermore, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of L. rhamnosus and L. plantarum CFSs on the filamentation of C. albicans and C. tropicalis strains. Significantly less Candida filaments were observed after co-incubating with CFSs under hyphae-inducing conditions. Expressions of six biofilm-related genes (ALS1, ALS3, BCR1, EFG1, TEC1, and UME6 in C. albicans and corresponding orthologs in C. tropicalis) in biofilms co-incubated with CFSs were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR. When compared to untreated control, the expressions of ALS1, ALS3, EFG1, and TEC1 genes were downregulated in C. albicans biofilm. In C. tropicalis biofilms, ALS3 and UME6 were downregulated while TEC1 was upregulated. Taken together, the L. rhamnosus and L. plantarum strains demonstrated an inhibitory effect, which is likely mediated by the metabolites secreted into culture medium, on filamentation and biofilm formation of C. albicans and C. tropicalis. Our finding suggested an alternative to antifungals for controlling Candida biofilm.
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Bellavita R, Maione A, Braccia S, Sinoca M, Galdiero S, Galdiero E, Falanga A. Myxinidin-Derived Peptide against Biofilms Caused by Cystic Fibrosis Emerging Pathogens. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043092. [PMID: 36834512 PMCID: PMC9964602 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043092] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lung infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are triggered by multidrug-resistant bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The CF airways are considered ideal sites for the colonization and growth of bacteria and fungi that favor the formation of mixed biofilms that are difficult to treat. The inefficacy of traditional antibiotics reinforces the need to find novel molecules able to fight these chronic infections. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a promising alternative for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities. We developed a more serum-stable version of the peptide WMR (WMR-4) and investigated its ability to inhibit and eradicate C. albicans, S. maltophilia, and A. xylosoxidans biofilms in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Our results suggest that the peptide is able better to inhibit than to eradicate both mono and dual-species biofilms, which is further confirmed by the downregulation of some genes involved in biofilm formation or in quorum-sensing signaling. Biophysical data help to elucidate its mode of action, showing a strong interaction of WMR-4 with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and its insertion in liposomes mimicking Gram-negative and Candida membranes. Our results support the promising therapeutic application of AMPs in the treatment of mono- and dual-species biofilms during chronic infections in CF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Bellavita
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Maione
- Department of Biology, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Simone Braccia
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Marica Sinoca
- Department of Biology, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Galdiero
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Emilia Galdiero
- Department of Biology, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Annarita Falanga
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Via dell’ Università 100, 80055 Portici, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-253-4525
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Singh S, Barbarino A, Youssef EG, Coleman D, Gebremariam T, Ibrahim AS. Protective Efficacy of Anti-Hyr1p Monoclonal Antibody against Systemic Candidiasis Due to Multi-Drug-Resistant Candida auris. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:103. [PMID: 36675924 PMCID: PMC9860579 DOI: 10.3390/jof9010103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is a multi-drug-resistant fungal pathogen that can survive outside the host and can easily spread and colonize the healthcare environment, medical devices, and human skin. C. auris causes serious life-threatening infections (up to 60% mortality) in immunosuppressed patients staying in such contaminated healthcare facilities. Some isolates of C. auris are resistant to virtually all clinically available antifungal drugs. Therefore, alternative therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. Using in silico protein modeling and analysis, we identified a highly immunogenic and surface-exposed epitope that is conserved between C. albicans hyphal-regulated protein (Cal-Hyr1p) and Hyr1p/Iff-like proteins in C. auris (Cau-HILp). We generated monoclonal antibodies (MAb) against this Cal-Hyr1p epitope, which recognized several clinical isolates of C. auris representing all four clades. An anti-Hyr1p MAb prevented biofilm formation and enhanced opsonophagocytic killing of C. auris by macrophages. When tested for in vivo efficacy, anti-Hyr1p MAb protected 55% of mice against lethal systemic C. auris infection and showed significantly less fungal burden. Our study is highly clinically relevant and provides an effective alternative therapeutic option to treat infections due to MDR C. auris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakti Singh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ashley Barbarino
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Eman G. Youssef
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Declan Coleman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
- Biology Department, Pomona College, Pomona, CA 91711, USA
| | - Teclegiorgis Gebremariam
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Ashraf S. Ibrahim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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El-Sakhawy MA, M Donia AER, Kobisi ANA, Abdelbasset WK, Saleh AM, Ibrahim AM, Negm RM. Oral Candidiasis of Tobacco Smokers: A Literature Review. Pak J Biol Sci 2023; 26:1-14. [PMID: 37129200 DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2023.1.14] [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] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The mouth is a vital point of entry into the human body, the health of the mouth entails mental, physical as well as social well-being. Studying diseases, microbiota and environmental conditions of the mouth is important to maintain oral health and all body. The smoke of tobacco cigarettes is one of the worst habits that affect the health of the mouth and the body. Therefore, this review has been conducted to study the effect of smoking on the balance of the oral microbiota and the opportunistic organisms, one of the most important of them <i>Candida</i>. Although a few studies have found that cigarette smoking does not influence carriage by <i>Candida</i> significantly. However, most of the studies had results completely contrary to that, smoking cigarettes affect <i>Candida</i> pathogenic characteristics such as a transition from yeast to hyphal form, biofilm formation and, virulence-related gene expressions. Tobacco is not only an inducer of the transition process but it considers an excellent medium for this process. Furthermore, smoking was significantly associated with <i>Candida</i> pathogenicity in patients with clinically suspected oral leukoplakia and smoking worsens oral candidiasis and dampens epithelial cell defense response. Nicotine significantly altered the composition and proportion of yeast cells, as well as the extracellular polysaccharide amounts which increase biofilm matrix and thickness which could promote oral candidiasis. Smoking has the potential to alter the oral condition and cause severe oxidative stress, thereby damaging the epithelial barrier of the mouth. These oxidative molecules during smoking activate epithelial cells proteins called oxidative stress-sensing proteins. If some of these proteins induced, widely thought to have anti-inflammatory properties, inhibit the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and are linked to inflammation and oxidative stress is thought to be a possible therapeutic objective and a crucial regulator for smoking-related oral diseases and mouth candidiasis for instance leukoplakia. Also, it is transported into the cell nucleus in the existence of additional electrophilic chemicals to activate antioxidant enzyme gene expression. Therefore, smoking cigarettes destroys oral health and consequently destroys the health of the whole body.
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Chudzik-Rząd B, Zalewski D, Kasela M, Sawicki R, Szymańska J, Bogucka-Kocka A, Malm A. The Landscape of Gene Expression during Hyperfilamentous Biofilm Development in Oral Candida albicans Isolated from a Lung Cancer Patient. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010368. [PMID: 36613809 PMCID: PMC9820384 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010368] [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: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The filamentation ability of Candida albicans represents one of the main virulence factors allowing for host tissue penetration and biofilm formation. The aim of this paper was to study the genetic background of the hyperfilamentous biofilm development in vitro in C. albicans isolated from the oral cavity of a lung cancer patient. Analyzed C. albicans isolates (CA1, CA2, CA3) were chosen based on their different structures of mature biofilm. The CA3 isolate possessing hyperfilamentation properties and forming high biofilm was compared with CA1 and CA2 isolates exhibiting low or average biofilm-forming ability, respectively. The detailed biofilm organization was studied with the use of confocal scanning laser microscopy. The whole transcriptome analysis was conducted during three stages of biofilm development (24 h, 48 h, 72 h). In contrast to CA1 and/or CA2 isolate, the CA3 isolate was characterized by a significant upregulation of genes encoding for cell wall proteins (HWP1, PGA13, PGA44, ALS3) and candidalysin (ECE1), as well as being involved in iron metabolism (FRE1, ALS3), sulfur metabolism (HAL21), the degradation of aromatic compounds (HQD2), and membrane transport (DIP5, PHO89, TNA1). In contrast, some genes (SCW11, FGR41, RBE1) in the CA3 were downregulated. We also observed the overexpression of a few genes over time-mainly FRE1, ATX1, CSA2 involved in iron metabolism. This is the first insight into the potential function of multiple genes in the hyperfilamentous biofilm formation in C. albicans, primarily isolated from host tissue, which may have an important clinical impact on cancer patients. Moreover, the presented data can lay the foundation for further research on novel pathogen-specific targets for antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Chudzik-Rząd
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodźki St., 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Daniel Zalewski
- Department of Biology and Genetics, Medical University of Lublin, 4a Chodźki St., 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Martyna Kasela
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodźki St., 20-093 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence: (M.K.); (A.M.); Tel.: +48-81448-7100 (M.K. & A.M.)
| | - Rafał Sawicki
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodźki St., 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Jolanta Szymańska
- Department of Comprehensive Paediatric and Adult Dentistry, Medical University of Lublin, 6 Chodźki St., 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Bogucka-Kocka
- Department of Biology and Genetics, Medical University of Lublin, 4a Chodźki St., 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Malm
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodźki St., 20-093 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence: (M.K.); (A.M.); Tel.: +48-81448-7100 (M.K. & A.M.)
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Lopes JP, Lionakis MS. Pathogenesis and virulence of Candida albicans. Virulence 2022; 13:89-121. [PMID: 34964702 PMCID: PMC9728475 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2021.2019950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a commensal yeast fungus of the human oral, gastrointestinal, and genital mucosal surfaces, and skin. Antibiotic-induced dysbiosis, iatrogenic immunosuppression, and/or medical interventions that impair the integrity of the mucocutaneous barrier and/or perturb protective host defense mechanisms enable C. albicans to become an opportunistic pathogen and cause debilitating mucocutaneous disease and/or life-threatening systemic infections. In this review, we synthesize our current knowledge of the tissue-specific determinants of C. albicans pathogenicity and host immune defense mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Pedro Lopes
- From the Fungal Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology (LCIM), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michail S. Lionakis
- From the Fungal Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology (LCIM), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Bethesda, MD, USA
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Similarities and Differences among Species Closely Related to Candida albicans: C. tropicalis, C. dubliniensis, and C. auris. Cell Microbiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/2599136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Although Candida species are widespread commensals of the microflora of healthy individuals, they are also among the most important human fungal pathogens that under certain conditions can cause diseases (candidiases) of varying severity ranging from mild superficial infections of the mucous membranes to life-threatening systemic infections. So far, the vast majority of research aimed at understanding the molecular basis of pathogenesis has been focused on the most common species—Candida albicans. Meanwhile, other closely related species belonging to the CTG clade, namely, Candida tropicalis and Candida dubliniensis, are becoming more important in clinical practice, as well as a relatively newly identified species, Candida auris. Despite the close relationship of these microorganisms, it seems that in the course of evolution, they have developed distinct biochemical, metabolic, and physiological adaptations, which they use to fit to commensal niches and achieve full virulence. Therefore, in this review, we describe the current knowledge on C. tropicalis, C. dubliniensis, and C. auris virulence factors, the formation of a mixed species biofilm and mutual communication, the environmental stress response and related changes in fungal cell metabolism, and the effect of pathogens on host defense response and susceptibility to antifungal agents used, highlighting differences with respect to C. albicans. Special attention is paid to common diagnostic problems resulting from similarities between these species and the emergence of drug resistance mechanisms. Understanding the different strategies to achieve virulence, used by important opportunistic pathogens of the genus Candida, is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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Gupta SK, Osmanoglu Ö, Minocha R, Bandi SR, Bencurova E, Srivastava M, Dandekar T. Genome-wide scan for potential CD4+ T-cell vaccine candidates in Candida auris by exploiting reverse vaccinology and evolutionary information. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:1008527. [PMID: 36405591 PMCID: PMC9669072 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1008527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is a globally emerging fungal pathogen responsible for causing nosocomial outbreaks in healthcare associated settings. It is known to cause infection in all age groups and exhibits multi-drug resistance with high potential for horizontal transmission. Because of this reason combined with limited therapeutic choices available, C. auris infection has been acknowledged as a potential risk for causing a future pandemic, and thus seeking a promising strategy for its treatment is imperative. Here, we combined evolutionary information with reverse vaccinology approach to identify novel epitopes for vaccine design that could elicit CD4+ T-cell responses against C. auris. To this end, we extensively scanned the family of proteins encoded by C. auris genome. In addition, a pathogen may acquire substitutions in epitopes over a period of time which could cause its escape from the immune response thus rendering the vaccine ineffective. To lower this possibility in our design, we eliminated all rapidly evolving genes of C. auris with positive selection. We further employed highly conserved regions of multiple C. auris strains and identified two immunogenic and antigenic T-cell epitopes that could generate the most effective immune response against C. auris. The antigenicity scores of our predicted vaccine candidates were calculated as 0.85 and 1.88 where 0.5 is the threshold for prediction of fungal antigenic sequences. Based on our results, we conclude that our vaccine candidates have the potential to be successfully employed for the treatment of C. auris infection. However, in vivo experiments are imperative to further demonstrate the efficacy of our design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shishir K. Gupta
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Functional Genomics and Systems Biology Group, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Evolutionary Genomics Group, Center for Computational and Theoretical Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Özge Osmanoglu
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Functional Genomics and Systems Biology Group, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Rashmi Minocha
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sourish Reddy Bandi
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Functional Genomics and Systems Biology Group, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Elena Bencurova
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Functional Genomics and Systems Biology Group, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mugdha Srivastava
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Functional Genomics and Systems Biology Group, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Core Unit Systems Medicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Dandekar
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Functional Genomics and Systems Biology Group, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- BioComputing Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
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Abstract
Invasive fungal infections are emerging diseases that kill over 1.5 million people per year worldwide. With the increase of immunocompromised populations, the incidence of invasive fungal infections is expected to continue to rise. Vaccines for viral and bacterial infectious diseases have had a transformative impact on human health worldwide. However, no fungal vaccines are currently in clinical use. Recently, interest in fungal vaccines has grown significantly. One Candida vaccine has completed phase 2 clinical trials, and research on vaccines against coccidioidomycosis continues to advance. Additionally, multiple groups have discovered various Cryptococcus mutant strains that promote protective responses to subsequent challenge in mouse models. There has also been progress in antibody-mediated fungal vaccines. In this review, we highlight recent fungal vaccine research progress, outline the wealth of data generated, and summarize current research for both fungal biology and immunology studies relevant to fungal vaccine development. We also review technological advancements in vaccine development and highlight the future prospects of a human vaccine against invasive fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amariliz Rivera
- Department of Pediatrics and Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey, USA;
| | - Jennifer Lodge
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Current affiliation: Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA;
| | - Chaoyang Xue
- Public Health Research Institute and Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey, USA;
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Song M, Thak EJ, Kang HA, Kronstad JW, Jung WH. Cryptococcus neoformans can utilize ferritin as an iron source. Med Mycol 2022; 60:myac056. [PMID: 35943215 PMCID: PMC9387142 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myac056] [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: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Ferritin, a major iron storage protein in vertebrates, supplies iron upon iron deficiency. Ferritin is also found extracellularly, and acts as an iron carrier and a contributor to the immune response to invading microbes. Some microbial pathogens take advantage of ferritin as an iron source upon infection. However, no information is currently available on whether the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans can acquire iron from ferritin. Here, we found that C. neoformans grew well in the presence of ferritin as a sole iron source. We showed that the binding of ferritin to the surface of C. neoformans is necessary and that acidification may contribute to ferritin-iron utilization by the fungus. Our data also revealed that the high-affinity reductive iron uptake system in C. neoformans is required for ferritin-iron acquisition. Furthermore, phagocytosis of C. neoformans by macrophages led to increased intracellular ferritin levels, suggesting that iron is sequestered by ferritin in infected macrophages. The increase in intracellular ferritin levels was reversed upon infection with a C. neoformans mutant deficient in the high-affinity reductive iron uptake system, indicating that this system plays a major role in iron acquisition in the phagocytosed C. neoformans in macrophages. LAY SUMMARY Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen causing life-threatening pulmonary disease and cryptococcal meningitis, mainly in immunocompromised patients. In this study, we found that C. neoformans can use ferritin, a major iron storage protein in vertebrates, as a sole iron source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moonyong Song
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Korea
| | - Eun Jung Thak
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea
| | - Hyun Ah Kang
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea
| | - James W Kronstad
- Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Won Hee Jung
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Korea
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Transcriptomics and Phenotyping Define Genetic Signatures Associated with Echinocandin Resistance in Candida auris. mBio 2022; 13:e0079922. [PMID: 35968956 PMCID: PMC9426441 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00799-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida auris emerged as a human fungal pathogen only during the past decade. Remarkably, C. auris displays high degrees of genomic diversity and phenotypic plasticity, with four major clades causing hospital outbreaks with high mortality and morbidity rates. C. auris can show clinical resistance to all classes of antifungal drugs, including echinocandins that are usually recommended as first-line therapies for invasive candidiasis. Here, we exploit transcriptomics coupled with phenotypic profiling to characterize a set of clinical C. auris isolates displaying pronounced echinocandin resistance (ECN-R). A hot spot mutation in the echinocandin FKS1 target gene is present in all resistant isolates. Moreover, ECN-R strains share a core signature set of 362 genes differentially expressed in ECN-R isolates. Among others, mitochondrial gene expression and genes affecting cell wall function appear to be the most prominent, with the latter correlating well with enhanced adhesive traits, increased cell wall mannan content, and altered sensitivity to cell wall stress of ECN-R isolates. Moreover, ECN-R phenotypic signatures were also linked to pathogen recognition and interaction with immune cells. Hence, transcriptomics paired with phenotyping is a suitable tool to predict resistance and fitness traits as well as treatment outcomes in pathogen populations with complex phenotypic diversity. IMPORTANCE The surge in antimicrobial drug resistance in some bacterial and fungal pathogens constitutes a significant challenge to health care facilities. The emerging human fungal pathogen Candida auris has been particularly concerning, as isolates can display pan-antifungal resistance traits against all drugs, including echinocandins. However, the mechanisms underlying this phenotypic diversity remain poorly understood. We identify transcriptomic signatures in C. auris isolates resistant to otherwise fungicidal echinocandins. We identify a set of differentially expressed genes shared by resistant strains compared to unrelated susceptible isolates. Moreover, phenotyping demonstrates that resistant strains show distinct behaviors, with implications for host-pathogen interactions. Hence, this work provides a solid basis to identify the mechanistic links between antifungal multidrug resistance and fitness costs that affect the interaction of C. auris with host immune defenses.
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50
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Lachat J, Pascault A, Thibaut D, Le Borgne R, Verbavatz JM, Weiner A. Trans-cellular tunnels induced by the fungal pathogen Candida albicans facilitate invasion through successive epithelial cells without host damage. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3781. [PMID: 35773250 PMCID: PMC9246882 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31237-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans is normally commensal, residing in the mucosa of most healthy individuals. In susceptible hosts, its filamentous hyphal form can invade epithelial layers leading to superficial or severe systemic infection. Although invasion is mainly intracellular, it causes no apparent damage to host cells at early stages of infection. Here, we investigate C. albicans invasion in vitro using live-cell imaging and the damage-sensitive reporter galectin-3. Quantitative single cell analysis shows that invasion can result in host membrane breaching at different stages and host cell death, or in traversal of host cells without membrane breaching. Membrane labelling and three-dimensional 'volume' electron microscopy reveal that hyphae can traverse several host cells within trans-cellular tunnels that are progressively remodelled and may undergo 'inflations' linked to host glycogen stores. Thus, C. albicans early invasion of epithelial tissues can lead to either host membrane breaching or trans-cellular tunnelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy Lachat
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Cimi-Paris, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Alice Pascault
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Cimi-Paris, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Delphine Thibaut
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Cimi-Paris, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Rémi Le Borgne
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, 75013, Paris, France
| | | | - Allon Weiner
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Cimi-Paris, 75013, Paris, France.
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