1
|
Gandra RM, Ramos LS, Cruz LPS, Souza LOP, Branquinha MH, Santos ALS. Candida parapsilosis: Heterogeneous and strain-specific expression of secreted aspartic proteases (Sapp1 and Sapp2). Med Mycol 2024; 62:myae066. [PMID: 38918050 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myae066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of Candida parapsilosis as a causative agent of fungal infections underscores the need to comprehensively understand its virulence factors. Secreted aspartic proteases (Saps) play a significant role in adhesion events, promoting biofilm formation, causing tissue damage and evading the host's immune response. In C. parapsilosis, three Saps have been identified: Sapp1, Sapp2 and Sapp3. The present study investigates the production dynamics of Sapp1 and Sapp2 across 10 clinical isolates of C. parapsilosis using various approaches. Each fungal isolate demonstrated the capability to utilize bovine serum albumin (BSA) as the sole nitrogen source, as evidenced by its degradation in a cell-free culture medium, forming low molecular mass polypeptides. Interestingly, the degradation of different proteinaceous substrates, such as BSA, human serum albumin (HSA), gelatin and hemoglobin, was typically isolate-dependent. Notably, higher proteolysis of HSA compared to BSA, gelatin and hemoglobin was observed. A quantitative assay revealed that the cleavage of a peptide fluorogenic substrate (cathepsin D) was isolate-specific, ranging from 44.15 to 270.61 fluorescence arbitrary units (FAU), with a mean proteolysis of 150.7 FAU. The presence of both Sapp1 and Sapp2 antigens on the cell surface of these fungal isolates was confirmed through immunological detection employing specific anti-Sapp1 and anti-Sapp2 antibodies. The surface levels of Sapp1 were consistently higher, up to fourfold, compared to Sapp2. Similarly, higher levels of Sapp1 than Sapp2 were detected in fungal secretions. This study provides insights into the dynamic expression and regulation of Sapps in C. parapsilosis, highlighting a known virulence factor that is considered a potential target for drug development against this increasingly prominent pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael M Gandra
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, Brazil
| | - Lívia S Ramos
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Lucas P S Cruz
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Lucieri O P Souza
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Marta H Branquinha
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, Brazil
- Rede Micologia RJ - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - André L S Santos
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, Brazil
- Rede Micologia RJ - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Renga G, Pariano M, D'Onofrio F, Pieraccini G, Di Serio C, Villella VR, Abbate C, Puccetti M, Giovagnoli S, Stincardini C, Bellet MM, Ricci M, Costantini C, Oikonomou V, Romani L. The immune and microbial homeostasis determines the Candida-mast cells cross-talk in celiac disease. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302441. [PMID: 38719750 PMCID: PMC11079604 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune enteropathy resulting from an interaction between diet, genome, and immunity. Although many patients respond to a gluten-free diet, in a substantive number of individuals, the intestinal injury persists. Thus, other factors might amplify the ongoing inflammation. Candida albicans is a commensal fungus that is well adapted to the intestinal life. However, specific conditions increase Candida pathogenicity. The hypothesis that Candida may be a trigger in CD has been proposed after the observation of similarity between a fungal wall component and two CD-related gliadin T-cell epitopes. However, despite being implicated in intestinal disorders, Candida may also protect against immune pathologies highlighting a more intriguing role in the gut. Herein, we postulated that a state of chronic inflammation associated with microbial dysbiosis and leaky gut are favorable conditions that promote C. albicans pathogenicity eventually contributing to CD pathology via a mast cells (MC)-IL-9 axis. However, the restoration of immune and microbial homeostasis promotes a beneficial C. albicans-MC cross-talk favoring the attenuation of CD pathology to alleviate CD pathology and symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Renga
- https://ror.org/00x27da85 Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Marilena Pariano
- https://ror.org/00x27da85 Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Fiorella D'Onofrio
- https://ror.org/00x27da85 Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Di Serio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Valeria Rachela Villella
- European Institute for Research in Cystic Fibrosis (IERFC-Onlus), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Abbate
- European Institute for Research in Cystic Fibrosis (IERFC-Onlus), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Puccetti
- https://ror.org/00x27da85 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Stefano Giovagnoli
- https://ror.org/00x27da85 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Claudia Stincardini
- https://ror.org/00x27da85 Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Marina Maria Bellet
- https://ror.org/00x27da85 Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Ricci
- https://ror.org/00x27da85 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Claudio Costantini
- https://ror.org/00x27da85 Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Vasileios Oikonomou
- https://ror.org/00x27da85 Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Luigina Romani
- https://ror.org/00x27da85 Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chen M, Huang WK, Yao Y, Wu SM, Yang YX, Liu WX, Luo G, Wei SF, Zhang H, Liu HM, Wang B. Heterologous expression of the insect SVWC peptide WHIS1 inhibits Candida albicans invasion into A549 and HeLa epithelial cells. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1358752. [PMID: 38873147 PMCID: PMC11169590 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1358752] [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: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans (C. albicans), a microbe commonly isolated from Candida vaginitis patients with vaginal tract infections, transforms from yeast to hyphae and produces many toxins, adhesins, and invasins, as well as C. albicans biofilms resistant to antifungal antibiotic treatment. Effective agents against this pathogen are urgently needed. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been used to cure inflammation and infectious diseases. In this study, we isolated whole housefly larvae insect SVWC peptide 1 (WHIS1), a novel insect single von Willebrand factor C-domain protein (SVWC) peptide from whole housefly larvae. The expression pattern of WHIS1 showed a response to the stimulation of C. albicans. In contrast to other SVWC members, which function as antiviral peptides, interferon (IFN) analogs or pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs), which are the prokaryotically expressed MdWHIS1 protein, inhibit the growth of C. albicans. Eukaryotic heterologous expression of WHIS1 inhibited C. albicans invasion into A549 and HeLa cells. The heterologous expression of WHIS1 clearly inhibited hyphal formation both extracellularly and intracellularly. Furthermore, the mechanism of WHIS1 has demonstrated that it downregulates all key hyphal formation factors (ALS1, ALS3, ALS5, ECE1, HWP1, HGC1, EFG1, and ZAP1) both extracellularly and intracellularly. These data showed that heterologously expressed WHIS1 inhibits C. albicans invasion into epithelial cells by affecting hyphal formation and adhesion factor-related gene expression. These findings provide new potential drug candidates for treating C. albicans infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ming Chen
- Engineering Research Center of Health Medicine Biotechnology of Guizhou Province & School of Biology and Engineering (Modern Industry College of Health Medicine) & School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, China Ministry of Education (Guizhou Medical University), Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Wei-Kang Huang
- Engineering Research Center of Health Medicine Biotechnology of Guizhou Province & School of Biology and Engineering (Modern Industry College of Health Medicine) & School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yang Yao
- Engineering Research Center of Health Medicine Biotechnology of Guizhou Province & School of Biology and Engineering (Modern Industry College of Health Medicine) & School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Shi-Mei Wu
- Engineering Research Center of Health Medicine Biotechnology of Guizhou Province & School of Biology and Engineering (Modern Industry College of Health Medicine) & School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yong-Xin Yang
- Engineering Research Center of Health Medicine Biotechnology of Guizhou Province & School of Biology and Engineering (Modern Industry College of Health Medicine) & School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Wen-Xia Liu
- Engineering Research Center of Health Medicine Biotechnology of Guizhou Province & School of Biology and Engineering (Modern Industry College of Health Medicine) & School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- School of Basic Medical Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Gang Luo
- School of Basic Medical Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Shao-Feng Wei
- Engineering Research Center of Health Medicine Biotechnology of Guizhou Province & School of Biology and Engineering (Modern Industry College of Health Medicine) & School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, China Ministry of Education (Guizhou Medical University), Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Hong-Mei Liu
- Engineering Research Center of Health Medicine Biotechnology of Guizhou Province & School of Biology and Engineering (Modern Industry College of Health Medicine) & School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, China Ministry of Education (Guizhou Medical University), Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Bing Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Health Medicine Biotechnology of Guizhou Province & School of Biology and Engineering (Modern Industry College of Health Medicine) & School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, China Ministry of Education (Guizhou Medical University), Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Malavia-Jones D, Farrer RA, Stappers MH, Edmondson MB, Borman AM, Johnson EM, Lipke PN, Gow NA. Strain and temperature dependent aggregation of Candida auris is attenuated by inhibition of surface amyloid proteins. Cell Surf 2023; 10:100110. [PMID: 37559873 PMCID: PMC10407437 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcsw.2023.100110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is a multi-drug resistant human fungal pathogen that has become a global threat to human health due to its drug resistant phenotype, persistence in the hospital environment and propensity for patient to patient spread. Isolates display variable aggregation that may affect the relative virulence of strains. Therefore, dissection of this phenotype has gained substantial interest in recent years. We studied eight clinical isolates from four different clades (I-IV); four of which had a strongly aggregating phenotype and four of which did not. Genome analysis identified polymorphisms associated with loss of cell surface proteins were enriched in weakly-aggregating strains. Additionally, we identified down-regulation of chitin synthase genes involved in the synthesis of the chitinous septum. Characterisation of the cells revealed no ultrastructural defects in cytokinesis or cell separation in aggregating isolates. Strongly and weakly aggregating strains did not differ in net surface charge or in cell surface hydrophobicity. The capacity for aggregation and for adhesion to polystyrene microspheres were also not correlated. However, aggregation and extracellular matrix formation were all increased at higher growth temperatures, and treatment with the amyloid protein inhibitor Thioflavin-T markedly attenuated aggregation. Genome analysis further indicated strain specific differences in the genome content of GPI-anchored proteins including those encoding genes with the potential to form amyloid proteins. Collectively our data suggests that aggregation is a complex strain and temperature dependent phenomenon that may be linked in part to the ability to form extracellular matrix and cell surface amyloids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dhara Malavia-Jones
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Rhys A. Farrer
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Mark H.T. Stappers
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Matt B. Edmondson
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Andrew M. Borman
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
- UKHSA Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Infection Services, UKHSA South West Laboratory, Science Quarter, Southmead Hospital, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK
| | - Elizabeth M. Johnson
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
- UKHSA Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Infection Services, UKHSA South West Laboratory, Science Quarter, Southmead Hospital, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK
| | - Peter N. Lipke
- Biology Department, Brooklyn College of City University of New York, 2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210, USA
| | - Neil A.R. Gow
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Brahma P, Aggarwal R, Sanyal K. Biased eviction of variant histone H3 nucleosomes triggers biofilm growth in Candida albicans. mBio 2023; 14:e0206323. [PMID: 37768046 PMCID: PMC10653867 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02063-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Candida albicans lives as a commensal in most healthy humans but can cause superficial skin infections to life-threatening systemic infections. C. albicans also forms biofilms on biotic and abiotic surfaces. Biofilm cells are difficult to treat and highly resistant to antifungals. A specific set of genes is differentially regulated in biofilm cells as compared to free-floating planktonic cells of C. albicans. In this study, we addressed how a variant histone H3VCTG, a previously identified negative regulator of biofilm formation, modulates gene expression changes. By providing compelling evidence, we show that biased eviction of H3VCTG nucleosomes at the promoters of biofilm-relevant genes facilitates the accessibility of both transcription activators and repressors to modulate gene expression. Our study is a comprehensive investigation of genome-wide nucleosome occupancy in both planktonic and biofilm states, which reveals transition to an open chromatin landscape during biofilm mode of growth in C. albicans, a medically relevant pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priya Brahma
- Molecular Mycology Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Rashi Aggarwal
- Molecular Mycology Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Kaustuv Sanyal
- Molecular Mycology Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Edgerton M, Rojas I, Kumar R, Li R, Salvatori O, Abrams S, Irimia D. Neutrophil swarms containing myeloid-derived suppressor cells are crucial for limiting oral mucosal infection by C. albicans. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3346012. [PMID: 37886517 PMCID: PMC10602121 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3346012/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Oral mucosal colonization by C. albicans (Ca) is benign in healthy people but progresses to deeper infection known as oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) that may become disseminated when combined with immunosuppression. Cortisone-induced immunosuppression is a well-known risk factor for OPC, however the mechanism by which it permits infection is poorly understood. Neutrophils are the primary early sentinels preventing invasive fungal growth, and here we identify that in vivo neutrophil functional complexes known as swarms are crucial for preventing Ca invasion which are disrupted by cortisone. Neutrophil swarm function required leukotriene B4 receptor 1 (BLT1) expression, and swarms were further characterized by peripheral association of polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs) showing that OPC recruits PMN-MDSCs to this site of infection. Furthermore, PMN-MDSCs associated with Ca hyphae had no direct antifungal effect but showed prolonged survival times and increased autophagy. Thus in vivo neutrophil swarms are complex structures with spatially associated PMN-MDSCs that likely contribute immunoregulatory functions to resolve OPC. These swarm structures have an important function in preventing deep invasion by Ca within the oral mucosa and represent a mechanism for increased disease severity under immune deficient clinical settings.
Collapse
|
8
|
Kulshrestha A, Gupta P. Secreted aspartyl proteases family: a perspective review on the regulation of fungal pathogenesis. Future Microbiol 2023; 18:295-309. [PMID: 37097060 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2022-0143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Secreted aspartyl proteases (SAPs) are important enzymes for fungal pathogenicity, playing a significant role in infection and survival. This article provides insight into how SAPs facilitate the transformation of yeast cells into hyphae and engage in biofilm formation, invasion and degradation of host cells and proteins. SAPs and their isoenzymes are prevalent during fungal infections, making them a potential target for antifungal and antibiofilm therapies. By targeting SAPs, critical stages of fungal pathogenesis such as adhesion, hyphal development, biofilm formation, host invasion and immune evasion can potentially be disrupted. Developing therapies that target SAPs could provide an effective treatment option for a wide range of fungal infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anmol Kulshrestha
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Raipur, 492010, India
| | - Pratima Gupta
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Raipur, 492010, India
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Satala D, Bras G, Kozik A, Rapala-Kozik M, Karkowska-Kuleta J. More than Just Protein Degradation: The Regulatory Roles and Moonlighting Functions of Extracellular Proteases Produced by Fungi Pathogenic for Humans. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9010121. [PMID: 36675942 PMCID: PMC9865821 DOI: 10.3390/jof9010121] [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: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular proteases belong to the main virulence factors of pathogenic fungi. Their proteolytic activities plays a crucial role in the acquisition of nutrients from the external environment, destroying host barriers and defenses, and disrupting homeostasis in the human body, e.g., by affecting the functions of plasma proteolytic cascades, and playing sophisticated regulatory roles in various processes. Interestingly, some proteases belong to the group of moonlighting proteins, i.e., they have additional functions that contribute to successful host colonization and infection development, but they are not directly related to proteolysis. In this review, we describe examples of such multitasking of extracellular proteases that have been reported for medically important pathogenic fungi of the Candida, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cryptococcus, Rhizopus, and Pneumocystis genera, as well as dermatophytes and selected endemic species. Additional functions of proteinases include supporting binding to host proteins, and adhesion to host cells. They also mediate self-aggregation and biofilm formation. In addition, fungal proteases affect the host immune cells and allergenicity, understood as the ability to stimulate a non-standard immune response. Finally, they play a role in the proper maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Knowledge about the multifunctionality of proteases, in addition to their canonical roles, greatly contributes to an understanding of the mechanisms of fungal pathogenicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Satala
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Grazyna Bras
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Andrzej Kozik
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Maria Rapala-Kozik
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Justyna Karkowska-Kuleta
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Targeting Virulence Factors of Candida albicans with Natural Products. Foods 2022; 11:foods11192951. [PMID: 36230026 PMCID: PMC9562657 DOI: 10.3390/foods11192951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural products derived from natural resources, including nutritional functional food, play an important role in human health. In recent years, the study of anti-fungal and other properties of agri-foods and derived functional compounds has been a hot research topic. Candida albicans is a parasitic fungus that thrives on human mucosal surfaces, which are colonized through opportunistic infection. It is the most prevalent cause of invasive fungal infection in immunocompromised individuals, resulting in a wide variety of clinical symptoms. Moreover, the efficacy of classical therapeutic medications such as fluconazole is often limited by the development of resistance. There is an ongoing need for the development of novel and effective antifungal therapy and medications. Infection of C. albicans is influenced by a great quantity of virulence factors, like adhesion, invasion-promoting enzymes, mycelial growth, and phenotypic change, and among others. Furthermore, various natural products especially from food sources that target C. albicans virulence factors have been researched, providing promising prospects for C. albicans prevention and treatment. In this review, we discuss the virulence factors of C. albicans and how functional foods and derived functional compounds affect them. Our hope is that this review will stimulate additional thoughts and suggestions regarding nutritional functional food and therapeutic development for patients afflicted with C. albicans.
Collapse
|
11
|
Le Bars P, Kouadio AA, Bandiaky ON, Le Guéhennec L, de La Cochetière MF. Host's Immunity and Candida Species Associated with Denture Stomatitis: A Narrative Review. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10071437. [PMID: 35889156 PMCID: PMC9323190 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Denture-related Candida stomatitis, which has been described clinically in the literature, is either localized or generalized inflammation of the oral mucosa in connection with a removable prosthesis. During this inflammatory process, the mycobacterial biofilm and the host’s immune response play an essential role. Among microorganisms of this mixed biofilm, the Candida species proliferates easily and changes from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. In this situation, the relationship between the Candida spp. and the host is influenced by the presence of the denture and conditioned both by the immune response and the oral microbiota. Specifically, this fungus is able to hijack the innate immune system of its host to cause infection. Additionally, older edentulous wearers of dentures may experience an imbalanced and decreased oral microbiome diversity. Under these conditions, the immune deficiency of these aging patients often promotes the spread of commensals and pathogens. The present narrative review aimed to analyze the innate and adaptive immune responses of patients with denture stomatitis and more particularly the involvement of Candida albicans sp. associated with this pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Le Bars
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Nantes University, 1 Place Alexis Ricordeau, 44042 Nantes, France; (A.A.K.); (O.N.B.); (L.L.G.)
- Correspondence: authors:
| | - Alain Ayepa Kouadio
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Nantes University, 1 Place Alexis Ricordeau, 44042 Nantes, France; (A.A.K.); (O.N.B.); (L.L.G.)
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, CHU, Abidjan P.O. Box 612, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Octave Nadile Bandiaky
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Nantes University, 1 Place Alexis Ricordeau, 44042 Nantes, France; (A.A.K.); (O.N.B.); (L.L.G.)
| | - Laurent Le Guéhennec
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Nantes University, 1 Place Alexis Ricordeau, 44042 Nantes, France; (A.A.K.); (O.N.B.); (L.L.G.)
| | - Marie-France de La Cochetière
- EA 3826 Thérapeutiques Cliniques Et expérimentales des Infections, Faculté de Médecine, CHU Hôtel-Dieu, Université de Nantes, 1, rue G. Veil, 44000 Nantes, France;
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kumar R, Rojas IG, Edgerton M. Candida albicans Sap6 Initiates Oral Mucosal Inflammation via the Protease Activated Receptor PAR2. Front Immunol 2022; 13:912748. [PMID: 35844627 PMCID: PMC9277060 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.912748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans Sap6, a secreted aspartyl protease (Sap), contributes to fungal virulence in oral candidiasis. Beside its protease activity, Sap6 contains RGD (RGDRGD) motif required for its binding to host integrins. Sap6 activates immune cells to induce proinflammatory cytokines, although its ability to interact and activate human oral epithelial cells (OECs) remain unknown. Addition of purified recombinant Sap6 (rSap6) to OECs resulted in production of IL-1β and IL-8 cytokines similar to live hyphal C. albicans. OECs exposed to rSap6 showed phosphorylation of p38 and MKP1 and expression of c-Fos not found with C. albicans Δsap6, heat-inactivated Sap6, or rSap6ΔRGD . Heat inactivated rSap6 was able to induce IL-1β but not IL-8 in OECs, while rSap6ΔRGD induced IL-8 but not IL-1β suggesting parallel signaling pathways. C. albicans hyphae increased surface expression of Protease Activated Receptors PAR1, PAR2 and PAR3, while rSap6 increased PAR2 expression exclusively. Pretreatment of OECs with a PAR2 antagonist blocked rSap6-induced p38 MAPK signaling and IL-8 release, while rSap6ΔRGD had reduced MKP1 signaling and IL-1β release independent from PAR2. OECs exposed to rSap6 exhibited loss of barrier function as measured by TEER and reduction in levels of E-cadherin and occludin junctional proteins that was prevented by pretreating OECs with a PAR2 antagonist. OECs treated with PAR2 antagonist also showed reduced rSap6-mediated invasion by C. albicans cells. Thus, Sap6 may initiate OEC responses mediated both through protease activation of PAR2 and by its RGD domain. This novel role of PAR2 suggests new drug targets to block C. albicans oral infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mira Edgerton
- Department of Oral Biology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kowalik A, Majerek M, Mrowiec K, Solich J, Faron-Górecka A, Woźnicka O, Dziedzicka-Wasylewska M, Łukasiewicz S. Dopamine D 2 and Serotonin 5-HT 1A Dimeric Receptor-Binding Monomeric Antibody scFv as a Potential Ligand for Carrying Drugs Targeting Selected Areas of the Brain. Biomolecules 2022; 12:749. [PMID: 35740874 PMCID: PMC9221303 DOI: 10.3390/biom12060749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted therapy uses multiple ways of ensuring that the drug will be delivered to the desired site. One of these ways is an encapsulation of the drug and functionalization of the surface. Among the many molecules that can perform such a task, the present work focused on the antibodies of single-chain variable fragments (scFvs format). We studied scFv, which specifically recognizes the dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptor heteromers. The scFvD2-5-HT1A protein was analyzed biochemically and biologically, and the obtained results indicated that the antibody is properly folded and non-toxic and can be described as low-immunogenic. It is not only able to bind to the D2-5-HT1A receptor heteromer, but it also influences the cAMP signaling pathway and-when surfaced on nanogold particles-it can cross the blood-brain barrier in in vitro models. When administered to mice, it decreased locomotor activity, matching the effect induced by clozapine. Thus, we are strongly convinced that scFvD2-5-HT1A, which was a subject of the present investigation, is a promising targeting ligand with the potential for the functionalization of nanocarriers targeting selected areas of the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agata Kowalik
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (A.K.); (M.M.); (K.M.); (M.D.-W.)
| | - Mateusz Majerek
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (A.K.); (M.M.); (K.M.); (M.D.-W.)
| | - Krzysztof Mrowiec
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (A.K.); (M.M.); (K.M.); (M.D.-W.)
| | - Joanna Solich
- Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Science, 31-343 Krakow, Poland; (J.S.); (A.F.-G.)
| | - Agata Faron-Górecka
- Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Science, 31-343 Krakow, Poland; (J.S.); (A.F.-G.)
| | - Olga Woźnicka
- Department of Cell Biology and Imaging, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Marta Dziedzicka-Wasylewska
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (A.K.); (M.M.); (K.M.); (M.D.-W.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Science, 31-343 Krakow, Poland; (J.S.); (A.F.-G.)
| | - Sylwia Łukasiewicz
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (A.K.); (M.M.); (K.M.); (M.D.-W.)
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
The putative role of zinc homeostasis in grain formation by Madurella mycetomatis during mycetoma infection. FUNGAL BIOL REV 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbr.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
15
|
Gutierrez-Gongora D, Geddes-McAlister J. Peptidases: promising antifungal targets of the human fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans. Facets (Ott) 2022. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2021-0157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a globally important fungal pathogen, primarily inflicting disease on immunocompromised individuals. The widespread use of antifungal agents in medicine and agriculture supports the development of antifungal resistance through evolution, and the emergence of new strains with intrinsic resistance drives the need for new therapeutics. For C. neoformans, the production of virulence factors, including extracellular peptidases (e.g., CnMpr-1 and May1) with mechanistic roles in tissue invasion and fungal survival, constitute approximately 2% of the fungal proteome and cover five classes of enzymes. Given their role in fungal virulence, peptidases represent promising targets for anti-virulence discovery in the development of new approaches against C. neoformans. Additionally, intracellular peptidases, which are involved in resistance mechanisms against current treatment options (e.g., azole drugs), as well as capsule biosynthesis and elaboration of virulence factors, present additional opportunities to combat the pathogen. In this review, we highlight key cryptococcal peptidases with defined or predicted roles in fungal virulence and assess sequence alignments against their human homologs. With this information, we define the feasibility of the select peptidases as “druggable” targets for inhibition, representing prospective therapeutic options against the deadly fungus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Davier Gutierrez-Gongora
- The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Jennifer Geddes-McAlister
- The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
- Canadian Proteomics and Artificial Intelligence Research and Training Consortium
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Kasabe UI, Kale KB, Rode NR, Shelar AV, Patil RH, Mhaske PC, Chaskar MG. Synthesis and antifungal screening of tetramethyl hexahydro-1 H-xanthene-1,8(2 H)-dione derivatives as potential inhibitors of morphogenesis and biofilm formation in Candida albicans. NEW J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d1nj04168a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
A series of hexahydro-1H-xanthene-1,8(2H)-dione derivatives were synthesized. All the derivatives were screened for their anti-virulence properties against Candida albicans. In silico studies were performed to corroborate the experimentally observed facts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Umesh I. Kasabe
- Department of Chemistry, Baburaoji Gholap College (Affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune), Sangvi, Pune-411027, India
| | - Kishor B. Kale
- Department of Chemistry, Nowrosjee Wadia College (Affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune), Pune-411001, India
| | - Nitin R. Rode
- Department of Chemistry, Nowrosjee Wadia College (Affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune), Pune-411001, India
| | - Amruta V. Shelar
- Department of Technology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune-411007, India
| | - Rajendra H. Patil
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune-411007, India
| | - Pravin C. Mhaske
- Department of Chemistry, Sir Parashurambhau College (Affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune), Pune-411030, India
| | - Manohar G. Chaskar
- Department of Chemistry, Baburaoji Gholap College (Affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune), Sangvi, Pune-411027, India
- Dean, Science and Technology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune-411007, India
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Lim SJ, Ali MSM, Sabri S, Noor NDM, Salleh AB, Oslan SN. Opportunistic yeast pathogen Candida spp.: Secreted and membrane-bound virulence factors. Med Mycol 2021; 59:1127-1144. [PMID: 34506621 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myab053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by Candida spp. especially Candida albicans, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis. Although the medicinal therapeutic strategies have rapidly improved, the mortality rate due to candidiasis has continuously increased. The secreted and membrane-bound virulence factors (VFs) are responsible for fungal invasion, damage and translocation through the host enterocytes besides the evasion from host immune system. VFs such as agglutinin-like sequences (Als), heat shock protein 70, phospholipases, secreted aspartyl proteinases (Sap), lipases, enolases and phytases are mostly hydrolases which degrade the enterocyte membrane components except for candidalysin, the VF acts as a peptide toxin to induce necrotic cell lysis. To date, structural studies of the VFs remain underexplored, hindering their functional analyses. Among the VFs, only secreted aspartyl proteinases and agglutinin-like sequences have their structures deposited in Protein Data Bank (PDB). Therefore, this review scrutinizes the mechanisms of these VFs by discussing the VF-deficient studies of several Candida spp. and their abilities to produce these VFs. Nonetheless, their latest reported sequential and structural analyses are discussed to impart a wider perception of the host-pathogen interactions and potential vaccine or antifungal drug targets. This review signifies that more VFs structural investigations and mining in the emerging Candida spp. are required to decipher their pathogenicity and virulence mechanisms compared to the prominent C. albicans. LAY ABSTRACT Candida virulence factors (VFs) including mainly enzymes and proteins play vital roles in breaching the human intestinal barrier and causing deadly candidiasis. Limited VFs' structural studies hinder deeper comprehension of their mechanisms and thus the design of vaccines and antifungal drugs against fungal infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Si Jie Lim
- Enzyme Technology and X-ray Crystallography Laboratory, VacBio 5, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.,Enzyme and Microbial Technology (EMTech) Research Centre, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Shukuri Mohamad Ali
- Enzyme Technology and X-ray Crystallography Laboratory, VacBio 5, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.,Enzyme and Microbial Technology (EMTech) Research Centre, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Suriana Sabri
- Enzyme and Microbial Technology (EMTech) Research Centre, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.,Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Noor Dina Muhd Noor
- Enzyme and Microbial Technology (EMTech) Research Centre, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Abu Bakar Salleh
- Enzyme and Microbial Technology (EMTech) Research Centre, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Siti Nurbaya Oslan
- Enzyme Technology and X-ray Crystallography Laboratory, VacBio 5, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.,Enzyme and Microbial Technology (EMTech) Research Centre, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Last A, Maurer M, S. Mosig A, S. Gresnigt M, Hube B. In vitro infection models to study fungal-host interactions. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 45:fuab005. [PMID: 33524102 PMCID: PMC8498566 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuab005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections (mycoses) affect over a billion people per year. Approximately, two million of these infections are life-threatening, especially for patients with a compromised immune system. Fungi of the genera Aspergillus, Candida, Histoplasma and Cryptococcus are opportunistic pathogens that contribute to a substantial number of mycoses. To optimize the diagnosis and treatment of mycoses, we need to understand the complex fungal-host interplay during pathogenesis, the fungal attributes causing virulence and how the host resists infection via immunological defenses. In vitro models can be used to mimic fungal infections of various tissues and organs and the corresponding immune responses at near-physiological conditions. Furthermore, models can include fungal interactions with the host-microbiota to mimic the in vivo situation on skin and mucosal surfaces. This article reviews currently used in vitro models of fungal infections ranging from cell monolayers to microfluidic 3D organ-on-chip (OOC) platforms. We also discuss how OOC models can expand the toolbox for investigating interactions of fungi and their human hosts in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Last
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology—Hans Knoell Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Michelle Maurer
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Jena University Hospital, Nonnenplan 2,07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Alexander S. Mosig
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Jena University Hospital, Nonnenplan 2,07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Mark S. Gresnigt
- Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology—Hans Knoell Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology—Hans Knoell Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Neugasse 24, 07743, Jena, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Lee HS, Kim Y. Aucklandia lappa Causes Membrane Permeation of Candida albicans. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 30:1827-1834. [PMID: 33148941 PMCID: PMC9728268 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2009.09044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans is a major fungal pathogen in humans. In our previous study, we reported that an ethanol extract from Aucklandia lappa weakens C. albicans cell wall by inhibiting synthesis or assembly of both (1,3)-β-D-glucan polymers and chitin. In the current study, we found that the extract is involved in permeabilization of C. albicans cell membranes. While uptake of ethidium bromide (EtBr) was 3.0% in control cells, it increased to 7.4% for 30 min in the presence of the A. lappa ethanol extract at its minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), 0.78 mg/ml, compared to uptake by heat-killed cells. Besides, leakage of DNA and proteins was observed in A. lappa-treated C. albicans cells. The increased uptake of EtBr and leakage of cellular materials suggest that A. lappa ethanol extract induced functional changes in C. albicans cell membranes. Incorporation of diphenylhexatriene (DPH) into membranes in the A. lappa-treated C. albicans cells at its MIC decreased to 84.8%, after 60 min of incubation, compared with that of the controls, indicate that there was a change in membrane dynamics. Moreover, the anticandidal effect of the A. lappa ethanol extract was enhanced at a growth temperature of 40°C compared to that at 35°C. The above data suggest that the antifungal activity of the A. lappa ethanol extract against C. albicans is associated with synergistic action of membrane permeabilization due to changes in membrane dynamics and cell wall damage caused by reduced formation of (1,3)-β-D-glucan and chitin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heung-Shick Lee
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Korea University, Sejongsi 3009, Republic of Korea
| | - Younhee Kim
- Department of Korean Medicine, Semyung University, Jecheon 7136, Republic of Korea,Corresponding author Phone: +82-43-649-1346 Fax: +82-43-649-1341 E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Chen L, Qu S, Yang K, Liu M, Li YX, Keller NP, Zeng X, Tian J. Perillaldehyde: A promising antifungal agent to treat oropharyngeal candidiasis. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 180:114201. [PMID: 32822688 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Perillaldehyde (PAE), a natural monoterpenoid agent extracted from Perilla frutescence, PAE has been reported to present various physiological capabilities, such as anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative and anti-fungal. In this study, we show that PAE exhibits strong antifungal activity against Candida albicans (C. albicans). C. albicans, a fungal pathogen with high incidence of antifungal resistance in clinical settings, is the major cause of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC). OPC is characterized by inflammatory immunological responses to fungal infections. Our in vitro results show PAE inhibited several virulence attributes of C. albicans including biofilm formation, yeast-to-hyphal transition and secreted aspartic proteinases (SAPs) gene expression. Using an experimental murine model of OPC, we found that PAE inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome assembly, reduced the excessive accumulation of ROS and prevented the p65 transfer in nuclear; processes all leading to reduced inflammation burden in the host. Together, this supports use PAE as a promising new agent to improve OPC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chen
- College of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Su Qu
- College of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Kunlong Yang
- College of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, Jiangsu Province, PR China; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Man Liu
- College of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Yong-Xin Li
- College of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Nancy P Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.
| | - Xiaobin Zeng
- Center Lab of Longhua Branch and Department of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen People's Hospital, 2nd Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Medicine School of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518037, Guangdong Province, PR China.
| | - Jun Tian
- College of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, Jiangsu Province, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Bacteria Modify Candida albicans Hypha Formation, Microcolony Properties, and Survival within Macrophages. mSphere 2020; 5:5/4/e00689-20. [PMID: 32759336 PMCID: PMC7407070 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00689-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is the predominant fungus colonizing the oral cavity that can have both synergistic and antagonistic interactions with other bacteria. Interkingdom polymicrobial associations modify fungal pathogenicity and are believed to increase microbial resistance to innate immunity. However, it is not known how these interactions alter fungal survival during phagocytic killing. We demonstrated that secreted molecules of S. gordonii and P. aeruginosa alter C. albicans survival within the phagosome of macrophages and alter fungal pathogenic phenotypes, including filamentation and microcolony formation. Moreover, we provide evidence for a dual interaction between S. gordonii and C. albicans such that S. gordonii signaling peptides can promote C. albicans commensalism by decreasing microcolony attachment while increasing invasion in epithelial cells. Our results identify bacterial diffusible factors as an attractive target to modify virulence of C. albicans in polymicrobial infections. Phagocytic cells are crucial components of the innate immune system preventing Candida albicans mucosal infections. Streptococcus gordonii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa often colonize mucosal sites, along with C. albicans, and yet interkingdom interactions that might alter the survival and escape of fungi from macrophages are not understood. Murine macrophages were coinfected with S. gordonii or P. aeruginosa, along with C. albicans to evaluate changes in fungal survival. S. gordonii increased C. albicans survival and filamentation within macrophage phagosomes, while P. aeruginosa reduced fungal survival and filamentation. Coinfection with S. gordonii resulted in greater escape of C. albicans from macrophages and increased size of fungal microcolonies formed on macrophage monolayers, while coinfection with P. aeruginosa reduced macrophage escape and produced smaller microcolonies. Microcolonies formed in the presence of P. aeruginosa cells outside macrophages also had significantly reduced size that was not found with P. aeruginosa phenazine deletion mutants. S. gordonii cells, as well as S. gordonii heat-fixed culture supernatants, increased C. albicans microcolony biomass but also resulted in microcolony detachment. A heat-resistant, trypsin-sensitive pheromone processed by S. gordonii Eep was needed for these effects. The majority of fungal microcolonies formed on human epithelial monolayers with S. gordonii supernatants developed as large floating structures with no detectable invasion of epithelium, along with reduced gene expression of C. albicansHYR1, EAP1, and HWP2 adhesins. However, a subset of C. albicans microcolonies was smaller and had greater epithelial invasiveness compared to microcolonies grown without S. gordonii. Thus, bacteria can alter the killing and escape of C. albicans from macrophages and contribute to changes in C. albicans pathogenicity. IMPORTANCECandida albicans is the predominant fungus colonizing the oral cavity that can have both synergistic and antagonistic interactions with other bacteria. Interkingdom polymicrobial associations modify fungal pathogenicity and are believed to increase microbial resistance to innate immunity. However, it is not known how these interactions alter fungal survival during phagocytic killing. We demonstrated that secreted molecules of S. gordonii and P. aeruginosa alter C. albicans survival within the phagosome of macrophages and alter fungal pathogenic phenotypes, including filamentation and microcolony formation. Moreover, we provide evidence for a dual interaction between S. gordonii and C. albicans such that S. gordonii signaling peptides can promote C. albicans commensalism by decreasing microcolony attachment while increasing invasion in epithelial cells. Our results identify bacterial diffusible factors as an attractive target to modify virulence of C. albicans in polymicrobial infections.
Collapse
|
22
|
Sho1p Connects Glycolysis to Ras1-cAMP Signaling and Is Required for Microcolony Formation in Candida albicans. mSphere 2020; 5:5/4/e00366-20. [PMID: 32641426 PMCID: PMC7343979 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00366-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
C. albicans microcolonies form extensive hyphal structures that enhance surface adherence and penetrate underlying tissues to promote fungal infections. This study examined the environmental conditions that promote microcolony formation and how these signals are relayed, in order to disrupt signaling and reduce pathogenesis. We found that a membrane-localized protein, Sho1, is an upstream regulator of glycolysis and required for Ras1-cAMP signaling. Sho1 controlled the Ras1-dependent expression of core microcolony genes involved in adhesion and virulence. This new regulatory function for Sho1 linking glycolysis to microcolony formation reveals a novel role for this fungal membrane protein. Candida albicans is an opportunistic, dimorphic fungus that causes candidiasis in immunocompromised people. C. albicans forms specialized structures called microcolonies that are important for surface adhesion and virulence. Microcolonies form in response to specific environmental conditions and require glycolytic substrates for optimal growth. However, fungal signaling pathways involved in sensing and transmitting these environmental cues to induce microcolony formation have not been identified. Here, we show that the C. albicans Ras1-cAMP cascade is required for microcolony formation, while the Cek1-MAP kinase pathway is not required, and Hog1 represses microcolony formation. The membrane protein Sho1, known to regulate the Cek1 pathway in yeasts, was indispensable for C. albicans microcolony formation but regulated the Ras1-cAMP pathway instead, based upon diminished intracellular levels of cAMP and reduced expression of core microcolony genes, including HWP1, PGA10, and ECE1, in C. albicanssho1Δ cells. Based upon predicted physical interactions between Sho1 and the glycolytic enzymes Pfk1, Fba1, Pgk1, and Cdc19, we hypothesized that Sho1 regulates Ras1-cAMP by establishing cellular energy levels produced by glycolysis. Indeed, microcolony formation was restored in C. albicanssho1Δ cells by addition of exogenous intermediates of glycolysis, including downstream products of each predicted interacting enzyme (fructose 1,6 bisphosphate, glyceraldehyde phosphate, 3-phosphoglyceric acid, and pyruvate). Thus, C. albicans Sho1 is an upstream regulator of the Ras1-cAMP signaling pathway that connects glycolytic metabolism to the formation of pathogenic microcolonies. IMPORTANCEC. albicans microcolonies form extensive hyphal structures that enhance surface adherence and penetrate underlying tissues to promote fungal infections. This study examined the environmental conditions that promote microcolony formation and how these signals are relayed, in order to disrupt signaling and reduce pathogenesis. We found that a membrane-localized protein, Sho1, is an upstream regulator of glycolysis and required for Ras1-cAMP signaling. Sho1 controlled the Ras1-dependent expression of core microcolony genes involved in adhesion and virulence. This new regulatory function for Sho1 linking glycolysis to microcolony formation reveals a novel role for this fungal membrane protein.
Collapse
|
23
|
Lohse MB, Gulati M, Craik CS, Johnson AD, Nobile CJ. Combination of Antifungal Drugs and Protease Inhibitors Prevent Candida albicans Biofilm Formation and Disrupt Mature Biofilms. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1027. [PMID: 32523574 PMCID: PMC7261846 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Biofilms formed by the fungal pathogen Candida albicans are resistant to many of the antifungal agents commonly used in the clinic. Previous reports suggest that protease inhibitors, specifically inhibitors of aspartyl proteases, could be effective antibiofilm agents. We screened three protease inhibitor libraries, containing a total of 80 compounds for the abilities to prevent C. albicans biofilm formation and to disrupt mature biofilms. The compounds were screened individually and in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of the most commonly prescribed antifungal agents for Candida infections: fluconazole, amphotericin B, or caspofungin. Although few of the compounds affected biofilms on their own, seven aspartyl protease inhibitors inhibited biofilm formation when combined with amphotericin B or caspofungin. Furthermore, nine aspartyl protease inhibitors disrupted mature biofilms when combined with caspofungin. These results suggest that the combination of standard antifungal agents together with specific protease inhibitors may be useful in the prevention and treatment of C. albicans biofilm infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew B Lohse
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.,Department of Biology, BioSynesis, Inc., San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Megha Gulati
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, United States
| | - Charles S Craik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Alexander D Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Clarissa J Nobile
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Villamizar LF, Barrera G, Marshall SD, Richena M, Harland D, Jackson TA. Three-dimensional cellular aggregates formed by Beauveria pseudobassiana in liquid culture with potential for use as a biocontrol agent of the African black beetle ( Heteronychus arator). Mycology 2020; 12:105-118. [PMID: 34026302 PMCID: PMC8128166 DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2020.1754953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Beauveria pseudobassiana formed three-dimensional aggregates of cells (CAs) in liquid culture. CAs were formed mainly by blastospores and conidia, distinct from microsclerotia formed through adhesion of hyphae. The formation, germination and sporulation of CAs were studied, as well as the pathogenicity of conidia produced from them against adults of black beetle. After 4 days of culture, CAs were formed, becoming compact and melanised after 10 days of incubation. Electron microscopy showed three-dimensional CAs averaging 431.65 µm in length with irregular shapes and rough surfaces, where cells were trapped within an extracellular matrix. CAs germinated after 2 days of incubation on agar-plates producing hyphae and forming phialides and conidia after 4 days. Produced conidia caused 45% mortality of black beetle adults. CAs germination and sporulation on soil were directly correlated with soil moisture, reaching 80% and 100% germination on the surface of soil with 17% and 30% moisture, respectively. CAs maintained 100% germination after 2 years of storage under refrigeration. These CAs could have a similar function as microsclerotia in nature, acting as resistant structures able to protect internal cells and their ability to sporulate producing infective conidia, suggesting their potential to be used as bioinsecticides to control soil-dwelling insects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Gloria Barrera
- Control Biológico De Plagas Agrícolas, Colombian Corporation for Agricultural Research, Vía Mosquera, Colombia
| | | | - Marina Richena
- Lincoln Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Duane Harland
- Lincoln Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Atallah NJ, Scherer AK, Alexander NJ, Dagher Z, Viens AL, Muhammed M, Branda JA, Mansour MK. Candida albicans necrotizing fasciitis following elective surgery. Med Mycol Case Rep 2020; 28:39-41. [PMID: 32420013 PMCID: PMC7214761 DOI: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2020.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Necrotizing fasciitis is a potentially fatal soft tissue infection that requires prompt clinical suspicion, pharmacological and surgical interventions. Bacterial pathogens, such as beta-hemolytic streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus, are the main etiology of necrotizing fasciitis, however, rare cases caused by fungal pathogens, such as Candida albicans, have been reported following trauma. Here, we present the first case of C. albicans necrotizing fasciitis following an elective surgical procedure in an immunocompetent adult.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie J. Atallah
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Allison K. Scherer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Natalie J. Alexander
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zeina Dagher
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Adam L. Viens
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maged Muhammed
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Division of Gastroenterology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Adult Inpatient Medicine, Newton Wellesley Hospital, Newton, MA, USA
| | - John A. Branda
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael K. Mansour
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Corresponding author. Transplant Infectious Diseases and Immunocompromised Host Service Jackson, 1328A Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Baraniya D, Chen T, Nahar A, Alakwaa F, Hill J, Tellez M, Ismail A, Puri S, Al-Hebshi NN. Supragingival mycobiome and inter-kingdom interactions in dental caries. J Oral Microbiol 2020; 12:1729305. [PMID: 32158514 PMCID: PMC7048226 DOI: 10.1080/20002297.2020.1729305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Recent studies have reveled the presence of a complex fungal community (mycobiome) in the oral cavity. However, the role of oral mycobiome in dental caries and its interaction with caries-associated bacteria is not yet clear. Methods: Whole-mouth supragingival plaque samples from 30 children (6–10 years old) with no caries, early caries, or advanced caries were sequenced for internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS-2). The mycobiome profiles were correlated with previously published bacteriome counterparts. Interaction among selected fungal and bacterial species was assessed by co-culture or spent media experiments. Results: Fungal load was extremely low. Candida, Malassezia, Cryptococcus, and Trichoderma spp. were the most prevalent/abundant taxa. Advanced caries was associated with significantly higher fungal load and prevalence/abundance of Candida albicans. Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida sake were significantly over-abundant in early caries, while Malassezia globosa was significantly enriched in caries-free subjects. C. albicans correlated with Streptococcus mutans and Scardovia wiggsiae among other caries-associated bacteria, while M. globosa inversely correlated with caries-associated bacteria. In-vitro, M. globosa demonstrated inhibitory properties against S. mutans. Conclusions: the results substantiate the potential role of the oral mycobiome, primarily Candida species, in dental caries. Inter-kingdom correlations and inhibition of S. mutans by M. globosa are worth further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Divyashri Baraniya
- Oral Microbiome Research Laboratory, Department of Oral Health Sciences, Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tsute Chen
- Department of Microbiology, Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anubhav Nahar
- Oral Microbiome Research Laboratory, Department of Oral Health Sciences, Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Fadhl Alakwaa
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jennifer Hill
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marisol Tellez
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Amid Ismail
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sumant Puri
- Oral Microbiome Research Laboratory, Department of Oral Health Sciences, Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nezar Noor Al-Hebshi
- Oral Microbiome Research Laboratory, Department of Oral Health Sciences, Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Zainal M, Mohamad Zain N, Mohd Amin I, Ahmad VN. The antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of allicin against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus - A therapeutic potential for denture stomatitis. Saudi Dent J 2020; 33:105-111. [PMID: 33551624 PMCID: PMC7848799 DOI: 10.1016/j.sdentj.2020.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study is to determine the therapeutic efficacy of allicin against Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), the common etiological agents for denture stomatitis (DS). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs), minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFCs) of allicin were determined by the broth microdilution method followed by checkerboard microdilution method for a synergistic interaction between allicin + nystatin and allicin + CHX. The potential of allicin to eradicate C. albicans and S. aureus biofilms was assessed by treating biofilm formed on self- polymerized acrylic resin with allicin at a sub-MIC concentration for 5 min. The commercial denture cleanser (brand X) was used as a positive control. A Kruskal-Wallis test followed by the post-hoc Mann-Whitney U test was applied (SPSS 20.0), and the level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Allicin exhibited antimicrobial activity against C. albicans (MIC:8 µg/ml and MFC:16 µg/ml) and S. aureus (MIC:8 µg/ml and MBC:8 µg/ml). A synergistic interaction was observed between allicin + nystatin and allicin + CHX (FICI ≤ 0.5). Allicin exhibited significant biofilm eradication against C. albicans and S. aureus biofilms with percentages of 50.0% and 52.6%, respectively. The results of this study suggest a possible application of allicin in treating C. albicans and S. aureus infection in DS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mukarramah Zainal
- Centre of Preclinical Science Studies, Faculty of Dentistry, University Teknologi MARA Selangor, Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Nurhayati Mohamad Zain
- Centre of Preclinical Science Studies, Faculty of Dentistry, University Teknologi MARA Selangor, Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Indah Mohd Amin
- Centre of Preclinical Science Studies, Faculty of Dentistry, University Teknologi MARA Selangor, Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Vivi Noryati Ahmad
- Centre of Preclinical Science Studies, Faculty of Dentistry, University Teknologi MARA Selangor, Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Payne M, Weerasinghe H, Tedja I, Andrianopoulos A. A unique aspartyl protease gene expansion in Talaromyces marneffei plays a role in growth inside host phagocytes. Virulence 2019; 10:277-291. [PMID: 30880596 PMCID: PMC6527018 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2019.1593776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspartyl proteases are a widely represented class of proteolytic enzymes found in eukaryotes and retroviruses. They have been associated with pathogenicity in a range of disease-causing microorganisms. The dimorphic human-pathogenic fungus Talaromyces marneffei has a large expansion of these proteases identified through genomic analyses. Here we characterize the expansion of these genes (pop - paralogue of pep) and their role in T. marneffei using computational and molecular approaches. Many of the genes in this monophyletic family show copy number variation and positive selection despite the preservation of functional regions and possible redundancy. We show that the expression profile of these genes differs and some are expressed during intracellular growth in the host. Several of these proteins have distinctive localization as well as both additive and epistatic effects on the formation of yeast cells during macrophage infections. The data suggest that this is a recently evolved aspartyl protease gene family which affects intracellular growth and contributes to the pathogenicity of T. marneffei.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Payne
- Genetics, Genomics and Systems Biology, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Harshini Weerasinghe
- Genetics, Genomics and Systems Biology, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Irma Tedja
- Genetics, Genomics and Systems Biology, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alex Andrianopoulos
- Genetics, Genomics and Systems Biology, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Abstract
Aspartyl proteases are present in various organisms and, among virulent species, are considered major virulence factors. Host tissue and cell damage, hijacking of immune responses, and hiding from innate immune cells are the most common behaviors of fungal secreted proteases enabling pathogen survival and invasion. C. parapsilosis, an opportunistic human-pathogenic fungus mainly threatening low-birth weight neonates and children, possesses three SAPP protein-encoding genes that could contribute to the invasiveness of the species. Our results suggest that SAPP1 and SAPP2, but not SAPP3, influence host evasion by regulating cell damage, phagocytosis, phagosome-lysosome maturation, killing, and cytokine secretion. Furthermore, SAPP1 and SAPP2 also effectively contribute to complement evasion. Candida parapsilosis is an emerging non-albicans Candida species that largely affects low-birth-weight infants and immunocompromised patients. Fungal pathogenesis is promoted by the dynamic expression of diverse virulence factors, with secreted proteolytic enzymes being linked to the establishment and progression of disease. Although secreted aspartyl proteases (Sap) are critical for Candida albicans pathogenicity, their role in C. parapsilosis is poorly elucidated. In the present study, we aimed to examine the contribution of C. parapsilosisSAPP genes SAPP1, SAPP2, and SAPP3 to the virulence of the species. Our results indicate that SAPP1 and SAPP2, but not SAPP3, influence adhesion, host cell damage, phagosome-lysosome maturation, phagocytosis, killing capacity, and cytokine secretion by human peripheral blood-derived macrophages. Purified Sapp1p and Sapp2p were also shown to efficiently cleave host complement component 3b (C3b) and C4b proteins and complement regulator factor H. Additionally, Sapp2p was able to cleave factor H-related protein 5 (FHR-5). Altogether, these data demonstrate the diverse, significant contributions that SAPP1 and SAPP2 make to the establishment and progression of disease by C. parapsilosis through enabling the attachment of the yeast cells to mammalian cells and modulating macrophage biology and disruption of the complement cascade. IMPORTANCE Aspartyl proteases are present in various organisms and, among virulent species, are considered major virulence factors. Host tissue and cell damage, hijacking of immune responses, and hiding from innate immune cells are the most common behaviors of fungal secreted proteases enabling pathogen survival and invasion. C. parapsilosis, an opportunistic human-pathogenic fungus mainly threatening low-birth weight neonates and children, possesses three SAPP protein-encoding genes that could contribute to the invasiveness of the species. Our results suggest that SAPP1 and SAPP2, but not SAPP3, influence host evasion by regulating cell damage, phagocytosis, phagosome-lysosome maturation, killing, and cytokine secretion. Furthermore, SAPP1 and SAPP2 also effectively contribute to complement evasion.
Collapse
|
30
|
Wang M, Cao Y, Xia M, Al-Hatmi AMS, Ou W, Wang Y, Sibirny AA, Zhao L, Zou C, Liao W, Bai F, Zhi X, de Hoog S, Kang Y. Virulence and antifungal susceptibility of microsatellite genotypes of Candida albicans from superficial and deep locations. Yeast 2019; 36:363-373. [PMID: 31037772 PMCID: PMC6618086 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A set of 185 strains of Candida albicans from patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and from non‐VVC clinical sources in southwest China was analysed. Strains were subjected to genotyping using CAI microsatellite typing and amplification of an intron‐containing region of the 25S rRNA gene. Microsatellite genotypes of strains from non‐VVC sources showed high polymorphism, whereas those of VVC were dominated by few, closely similar genotypes. However, among non‐VVC strains, two genotypes were particularly prevalent in patients with lung cancer. 25S rDNA genotype A was dominant in VVC sources (86.7%), whereas genotypes A, B, and C were rather evenly distributed among non‐VVC sources; known genotypes D and E were not found. In an experimental mouse model, isolates from lung cancer and AIDS patients proved to have higher virulence than VVC strains. Among 156 mice infected with C. albicans, 19 developed non‐invasive urothelial carcinoma. No correlation could be established between parameters of virulence, source of infection, and incidence of carcinoma. C. albicans strains from VVC were less susceptible to itraconazole than the strains from non‐VVC sources, whereas there was small difference in antifungal susceptibility between different 25S rDNA genotypes of C. albicans tested against amphotericin B, itraconazole, fluconazole, and flucytosine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meizhu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education of Guizhou & Guizhou Talent Base for Microbiology and Human Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology of Education Department of Guizhou, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.,Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Yu Cao
- School of Big Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Maoning Xia
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, People's Hospital of Dazu District, Chongqing, China
| | - Abdullah M S Al-Hatmi
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Ministry of Health, Directorate General of Health Services, Ibri, Oman.,Centre of Expertise in Mycology of Radboudumc/Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Weizheng Ou
- Department of Clinical Lab, Guiyang Public Health Treatment Center, Guiyang, China
| | - Yanyan Wang
- Infection Control Section, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Andriy A Sibirny
- Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland.,Institute of Cell Biology, NAS of Ukraine, Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Liang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education of Guizhou & Guizhou Talent Base for Microbiology and Human Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology of Education Department of Guizhou, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Chenggang Zou
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bioresources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Wanqing Liao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Institute of Medical Mycology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fengyan Bai
- Systematic Mycology and Lichenology Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xie Zhi
- Department of Dermatology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Sybren de Hoog
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Centre of Expertise in Mycology of Radboudumc/Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Yingqian Kang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education of Guizhou & Guizhou Talent Base for Microbiology and Human Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology of Education Department of Guizhou, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.,School of Big Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Wang M, Danesi P, James TY, Al-Hatmi AMS, Najafzadeh MJ, Dolatabadi S, Ming C, Liou GY, Kang Y, de Hoog S. Comparative pathogenicity of opportunistic black yeasts in Aureobasidium. Mycoses 2019; 62:803-811. [PMID: 31107996 DOI: 10.1111/myc.12931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Aureobasidium pullulans and A. melanogenum are black-yeast-like surface colonisers and are commonly encountered as contaminants in the hospital. The species are able to produce melanin which play a role in protection against environmental stress and irradiation. Aureobasidium melanogenum shows higher frequency in opportunistic infections compared to A. pullulans. Comparative pathogenicity of opportunistic black yeasts between Aureobasidium pullulans and A. melanogenum to explain the observed differences in frequency in infection. Degrees of melanisation and thermotolerance were measured, and virulence of strains from different sources was examined in Galleria mellonela and murine infection models. Aureobasidium melanogenum responds with increased melanisation to temperature stress and generally survives at 37°C, A. pullulans on average scored less on these parameters. In the murine model, differences between species were not significant, but the melanised A. melanogenum group showed the highest virulence. This result was not reproducible in Galleria mellonella larvae at 25°C. The A. melanogenum black group showed higher pathogenicity in murine model, indicating that the combination of melanisation and thermotolerance rather than species affiliation is instrumental. Galleria larvae did not survive very well at 37°C, and hence, this model is judged insufficient to detect the small virulence differences observed in Aureobasidium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meizhu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education of Guizhou & Guizhou Talent Base for Microbiology and Human Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology of Education Department of Guizhou, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.,Center of Expertise in Mycology, Radboud University Medical Center/CWZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Patrizia Danesi
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Venice, Italy
| | - Timothy Y James
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Abdullah M S Al-Hatmi
- Center of Expertise in Mycology, Radboud University Medical Center/CWZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Ministry of Health, Directorate General of Health Services, Ibri, Oman
| | - Mohammad Javad Najafzadeh
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Somayeh Dolatabadi
- Faculty of Engineering, Sabzevar University of New Technology, Sabzevar, Iran
| | - Chunyan Ming
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Center, Nanchong Central Hospital, Nanchong, China
| | - Guey-Yuh Liou
- Bioresource Collection and Research Center, Food Industry Research and Development Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yingqian Kang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education of Guizhou & Guizhou Talent Base for Microbiology and Human Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology of Education Department of Guizhou, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.,Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sybren de Hoog
- Center of Expertise in Mycology, Radboud University Medical Center/CWZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Chevalier M, Doglio A, Rajendran R, Ramage G, Prêcheur I, Ranque S. Inhibition of adhesion-specific genes by Solidago virgaurea extract causes loss of Candida albicans biofilm integrity. J Appl Microbiol 2019; 127:68-77. [PMID: 31013388 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Candida albicans biofilms are commonly associated with severe oral infections. We previously discovered that a crude extract from the Solidago virgaurea plant (SV extract) was a potent inhibitor of C. albicans biofilm formation. Here, we further investigate the mechanisms underlying C. albicans biofilm inhibition by the SV extract. METHODS AND RESULTS The SV extract was shown to inhibit laboratory and clinical C. albicans isolates adherence and hyphal transition on inert support and epithelial human cells, without affecting viability and growth of planktonic yeasts. Interestingly, RT-PCR-based experiments demonstrated that some key genes involved in adhesion and hyphal morphological switch (e.g. Hwp1p, Ece1p, Als3p) were strongly down-regulated by the SV extract. Moreover, antimicrobial synergy testing (checkerboard assay) demonstrated that antifungal effects of miconazole, nystatin or a common antiseptic mouthwash were synergistically improved when used in combination with the SV extract. CONCLUSIONS The SV extract prevents C. albicans biofilm formation through direct inhibition of key adherence and hyphae-associated genes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Biofilm is considered as a key virulence factor of C. albicans infection. Our discovery of an inhibitor specifically acting on genes involved in biofilm formation paves the way for the future development of a new class of antifungal product.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Chevalier
- Micoralis, UFR Odontologie, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.,AP-HM, IRD, VITROME, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Université Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - A Doglio
- Micoralis, UFR Odontologie, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.,Unité de Thérapie Cellulaire et Génique (UTCG), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France
| | - R Rajendran
- Infection and Immunity Research Group, Glasgow Dental School, School of Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - G Ramage
- Infection and Immunity Research Group, Glasgow Dental School, School of Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - I Prêcheur
- Micoralis, UFR Odontologie, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.,Pôle Odontologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France
| | - S Ranque
- AP-HM, IRD, VITROME, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Université Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Candida albicans Morphology-Dependent Host FGF-2 Response as a Potential Therapeutic Target. J Fungi (Basel) 2019; 5:jof5010022. [PMID: 30841504 PMCID: PMC6462958 DOI: 10.3390/jof5010022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis mediated by proteins such as Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF-2) is a vital component of normal physiological processes and has also been implicated in contributing to the disease state associated with various microbial infections. Previous studies by our group and others have shown that Candida albicans, a common agent of candidiasis, induces FGF-2 secretion in vitro and angiogenesis in brains and kidneys during systemic infections. However, the underlying mechanism(s) via which the fungus increases FGF-2 production and the role(s) that FGF-2/angiogenesis plays in C. albicans disease remain unknown. Here we show, for the first time, that C. albicans hyphae (and not yeast cells) increase the FGF-2 response in human endothelial cells. Moreover, Candidalysin, a toxin secreted exclusively by C. albicans in the hyphal state, is required to induce this response. Our in vivo studies show that in the systemic C. albicans infection model, mice treated with FGF-2 exhibit significantly higher mortality rates when compared to untreated mice not given the angiogenic growth factor. Even treatment with fluconazole could not fully rescue infected animals that were administered FGF-2. Our data suggest that the increase of FGF-2 production/angiogenesis induced by Candidalysin contributes to the pathogenicity of C. albicans.
Collapse
|
34
|
Inflammatory Cell Recruitment in Candida glabrata Biofilm Cell-Infected Mice Receiving Antifungal Chemotherapy. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8020142. [PMID: 30691087 PMCID: PMC6406391 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8020142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Revised: 01/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Due to a high rate of antifungal resistance, Candida glabrata is one of the most prevalent Candida spp. linked to systemic candidiasis, which is particularly critical in catheterized patients. The goal of this work was to simulate a systemic infection exclusively derived from C. glabrata biofilm cells and to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment of two echinocandins—caspofungin (Csf) and micafungin (Mcf). (2) Methods: CD1 mice were infected with 48 h-biofilm cells of C. glabrata and then treated with Csf or Mcf. After 72 h, the efficacy of each drug was evaluated to assess the organ fungal burden through colony forming units (CFU) counting. The immune cell recruitment into target organs was evaluated by flow cytometry or histopathology analysis. (3) Results: Fungal burden was found to be higher in the liver than in the kidneys. However, none of the drugs was effective in completely eradicating C. glabrata biofilm cells. At the evaluated time point, flow cytometry analysis showed a predominant mononuclear response in the spleen, which was also evident in the liver and kidneys of the infected mice, as observed by histopathology analysis. (4) Conclusions: Echinocandins do not have a significant impact on liver and kidney fungal burden, or recruited inflammatory infiltrate, when mice are intravenously (i.v.) infected with C. glabrata biofilm-grown cells.
Collapse
|
35
|
von Ranke NL, Bello ML, Cabral LM, Castro HC, Rodrigues CR. Molecular modeling and dynamic simulations of agglutinin-like family members from Candida albicans: New insights into potential targets for the treatment of candidiasis. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2018; 36:4352-4365. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2017.1417159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia L. von Ranke
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, 24210-130 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Murilo L. Bello
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Lucio M. Cabral
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Helena C. Castro
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, 24210-130 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carlos R. Rodrigues
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Rodríguez-Cerdeira C, Gregorio MC, Molares-Vila A, López-Barcenas A, Fabbrocini G, Bardhi B, Sinani A, Sánchez-Blanco E, Arenas-Guzmán R, Hernandez-Castro R. Biofilms and vulvovaginal candidiasis. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2018; 174:110-125. [PMID: 30447520 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2018.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2018] [Revised: 11/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Candida species, including C. albicans, are part of the mucosal flora of most healthy women, and inhabit the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Under favourable conditions, they can colonize the vulvovaginal mucosa, giving rise to symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). The mechanism by which Candida spp. produces inflammation is unknown. Both, the blastoconidia and the pseudohyphae are capable of destroying the vaginal epithelium by direct invasion. Although the symptoms are not always related to the fungal burden, in general, VVC is associated with a greater number of yeasts and pseudohyphae. Some years ago, C. albicans was the species most frequently involved in the different forms of VVC. However, infections by different species have emerged during the last two decades producing an increase in causative species of VVC such as C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei and C. tropicalis. Candida species are pathogenic organisms that have two forms of development: planktonic and biofilm. A biofilm is defined as a community of microorganisms attached to a surface and encompassed by an extracellular matrix. This form of presentation gives microorganisms greater resistance to antifungal agents. This review, about Candia spp. with a special emphasis on Candida albicans discusses specific areas such as biofilm structure and development, cell morphology and biofilm formation, biofilm-associated gene expression, the cell surface and adherence, the extracellular matrix, biofilm metabolism, and biofilm drug resistance in vulvovaginitis biofilms as an important virulence factor in fungi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Rodríguez-Cerdeira
- Efficiency, Quality and Costs in Health Services Research Group (EFISALUD), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Spain; Dermatology Department, Hospital do Meixoeiro and University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain; European Women's Dermatologic and Venereologic Society (EWDVS), Vigo, Spain.
| | - Miguel Carnero Gregorio
- Efficiency, Quality and Costs in Health Services Research Group (EFISALUD), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Spain; Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Alberto Molares-Vila
- Efficiency, Quality and Costs in Health Services Research Group (EFISALUD), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Spain; Department of Department of Analytical & Food Chemistry, Universidade de Vigo (UVIGO), Spain
| | - Adriana López-Barcenas
- Efficiency, Quality and Costs in Health Services Research Group (EFISALUD), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Spain; Mycology Service, Hospital Manuel Gea González, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Ardiana Sinani
- Dermatology Service, Military Medical Unit, University Trauma Hospital, Tirana, Albania
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Candida albicans Sfl1/Sfl2 regulatory network drives the formation of pathogenic microcolonies. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007316. [PMID: 30252918 PMCID: PMC6173444 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that can infect oral mucosal surfaces while being under continuous flow from saliva. Under specific conditions, C. albicans will form microcolonies that more closely resemble the biofilms formed in vivo than standard in vitro biofilm models. However, very little is known about these microcolonies, particularly genomic differences between these specialized biofilm structures and the traditional in vitro biofilms. In this study, we used a novel flow system, in which C. albicans spontaneously forms microcolonies, to further characterize the architecture of fungal microcolonies and their genomics compared to non-microcolony conditions. Fungal microcolonies arose from radially branching filamentous hyphae that increasingly intertwined with one another to form extremely dense biofilms, and closely resembled the architecture of in vivo oropharyngeal candidiasis. We identified 20 core microcolony genes that were differentially regulated in flow-induced microcolonies using RNA-seq. These genes included HWP1, ECE1, IHD1, PLB1, HYR1, PGA10, and SAP5. A predictive algorithm was utilized to identify ten transcriptional regulators potentially involved in microcolony formation. Of these transcription factors, we found that Rob1, Ndt80, Sfl1 and Sfl2, played a key role in microcolony formation under both flow and static conditions and to epithelial surfaces. Expression of core microcolony genes were highly up-regulated in Δsfl1 cells and down-regulated in both Δsfl2 and Δrob1 strains. Microcolonies formed on oral epithelium using C. albicans Δsfl1, Δsfl2 and Δrob1 deletion strains all had altered adhesion, invasion and cytotoxicity. Furthermore, epithelial cells infected with deletion mutants had reduced (SFL2, NDT80, and ROB1) or enhanced (SFL2) immune responses, evidenced by phosphorylation of MKP1 and c-Fos activation, key signal transducers in the hyphal invasion response. This profile of microcolony transcriptional regulators more closely reflects Sfl1 and Sfl2 hyphal regulatory networks than static biofilm regulatory networks, suggesting that microcolonies are a specialized pathogenic form of biofilm.
Collapse
|
38
|
Rapala-Kozik M, Bochenska O, Zajac D, Karkowska-Kuleta J, Gogol M, Zawrotniak M, Kozik A. Extracellular proteinases of Candida species pathogenic yeasts. Mol Oral Microbiol 2018; 33:113-124. [PMID: 29139623 DOI: 10.1111/omi.12206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The increased incidence of severe disseminated infections caused by the opportunistic yeast-like fungi Candida spp. highlights the urgent need for research into the major virulence factors of these pathogens-extracellular aspartic proteinases of the candidapepsin and yapsin families. Classically, these enzymes were considered to be generally destructive factors that damage host tissues and provide nutrients for pathogen propagation. However, in recent decades, novel and more specific functions have been suggested for extracellular candidal proteinases. These include contributions to cell wall maintenance and remodeling, the formation of polymicrobial biofilms, adhesion to external protective barriers of the host, the deregulation of host proteolytic cascades (such as the complement system, blood coagulation and the kallikrein-kinin system), a dysregulated host proteinase-inhibitor balance, the inactivation of host antimicrobial peptides, evasion of immune responses and the induction of inflammatory mediator release from host cells. Only a few of these activities recognized in Candida albicans candidapepsins have been also confirmed in other Candida species, and characterization of Candida glabrata yapsins remains limited.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Rapala-Kozik
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - O Bochenska
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - D Zajac
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - J Karkowska-Kuleta
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - M Gogol
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.,Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - M Zawrotniak
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - A Kozik
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Zawrotniak M, Bochenska O, Karkowska-Kuleta J, Seweryn-Ozog K, Aoki W, Ueda M, Kozik A, Rapala-Kozik M. Aspartic Proteases and Major Cell Wall Components in Candida albicans Trigger the Release of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:414. [PMID: 28983472 PMCID: PMC5613151 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neutrophils use different mechanisms to cope with pathogens that invade the host organism. The most intriguing of these responses is a release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) composed of decondensed chromatin and granular proteins with antimicrobial activity. An important potential target of NETs is Candida albicans-an opportunistic fungal pathogen that employs morphological and phenotype switches and biofilm formation during contact with neutrophils, accompanied by changes in epitope exposition that mask the pathogen from host recognition. These processes differ depending on infection conditions and are thus influenced by the surrounding environment. In the current study, we compared the NET release by neutrophils upon contact with purified main candidal cell surface components. We show here for the first time that in addition to the main cell wall-building polysaccharides (mannans and β-glucans), secreted aspartic proteases (Saps) trigger NETs with variable intensities. The most efficient NET-releasing response is with Sap4 and Sap6, which are known to be secreted by fungal hyphae. This involves mixed, ROS-dependent and ROS-independent signaling pathways, mainly through interactions with the CD11b receptor. In comparison, upon contact with the cell wall-bound Sap9 and Sap10, neutrophils responded via a ROS-dependent mechanism using CD16 and CD18 receptors for protease recognition. In addition to the Saps tested, the actuation of selected mediating kinases (Src, Syk, PI3K, and ERK) was also investigated. β-Glucans were found to trigger a ROS-dependent process of NET production with engagement of Dectin-1 as well as CD11b and CD18 receptors. Mannans were observed to be recognized by TLRs, CD14, and Dectin-1 receptors and triggered NET release mainly via a ROS-independent pathway. Our results thus strongly suggest that neutrophils activate NET production in response to different candidal components that are presented locally at low concentrations at the initial stages of infection. However, NET release seemed to be blocked by increasing numbers of fungal cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Zawrotniak
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian UniversityKrakow, Poland
| | - Oliwia Bochenska
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian UniversityKrakow, Poland
| | - Justyna Karkowska-Kuleta
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian UniversityKrakow, Poland
| | - Karolina Seweryn-Ozog
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian UniversityKrakow, Poland
| | - Wataru Aoki
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto UniversityKyoto, Japan
| | - Mitsuyoshi Ueda
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto UniversityKyoto, Japan
| | - Andrzej Kozik
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian UniversityKrakow, Poland
| | - Maria Rapala-Kozik
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian UniversityKrakow, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Candida albicans Sap6 amyloid regions function in cellular aggregation and zinc binding, and contribute to zinc acquisition. Sci Rep 2017; 7:2908. [PMID: 28588252 PMCID: PMC5460171 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03082-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen colonizing the oral cavity. C. albicans secreted aspartic protease Sap6 is important for virulence during oral candidiasis since it degrades host tissues to release nutrients and essential transition metals. We found that zinc specifically increased C. albicans autoaggregation induced by Sap6; and that Sap6 itself bound zinc ions. In silico analysis of Sap6 predicted four amyloidogenic regions that were synthesized as peptides (P1–P4). All peptides, as well as full length Sap6, demonstrated amyloid properties, and addition of zinc further increased amyloid formation. Disruption of amyloid regions by Congo red significantly reduced auotoaggregation. Deletion of C. albicans genes that control zinc acquisition in the ZAP1 regulon, including zinc transporters (Pra1 and Zrt1) and other zinc-regulated surface proteins, resulted in lower autoaggregation and reduction of surface binding of Sap6. Cells with high expression of PRA1 and ZRT1 also showed increased Sap6-mediated autoaggregation. C. albicans ∆sap6 deletion mutants failed to accumulate intracellular zinc comparable to ∆zap1, ∆zrt1, and ∆pra1 cells. Thus Sap6 is a multi-functional molecule containing amyloid regions that promotes autoaggregation and zinc uptake, and may serve as an additional system for the community acquisition of zinc.
Collapse
|
41
|
Reddy RCJ, Jeelani S, Duraiselvi P, Kandasamy M, Kumar GS, Pandian RAV. Assessment of Effectiveness of Fluconazole and Clotrimazole in Treating Oral Candidiasis Patients: A Comparative Study. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent 2017; 7:90-94. [PMID: 28462176 PMCID: PMC5390584 DOI: 10.4103/jispcd.jispcd_34_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims: One of the most common fungal infections infecting humans is Candidiasis. Belonging to the group of opportunistic infections, it often affects individuals with various debilitating diseases. Fluconazole and clotrimazole are two of the commonly used anti-fungal agents for the treatment of oral candidiasis. Hence, we planned this study to evaluate the effectiveness of fluconazole and clotrimazole in the treatment of patients suffering from candidiasis. Materials and Methods: A total of 180 participants were enrolled in the present study. All the patients of candidiasis were divided broadly into two study groups. Group I included patients who were treated with fluconazole mouthrinse whereas group II included patients who were treated with clotrimazole mouth paint. Grading of patient discomfort was done as noted from readings given by the patients. Specimen was collection by a swab from the lesional area of the oral cavity from the patients and were incubated in Sabouraud's dextrose agar medium and assessed. All the patients were treated with medication as give to their respective groups. Patients were recalled as assessed. All the readings were recorded and analyzed. Results: For group I patients, the fungal eradication was 89.5%, whereas for group II patients, the fungal eradication was 86.7%. No significant results were obtained while comparing the mycological eradiation in patients of the two study groups. Conclusion: Approximately similar effectiveness in terms of treatment was noted with fluconazole and clotrimazole in treating patients with candidiasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R C Jagat Reddy
- Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Chettinad Dental College and Research Institute, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - S Jeelani
- Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Sri Venkateshwaraa Dental College, Puducherry, India
| | - P Duraiselvi
- Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Sri Venkateshwaraa Dental College, Puducherry, India
| | - M Kandasamy
- Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Rajas Dental College and Hospital, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - G Suresh Kumar
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Adthiparasakthi Dental College and Hospital, Melmaruvathur, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - R Azhal Vel Pandian
- Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Sri Venkateshwaraa Dental College, Puducherry, India
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Real-Time Approach to Flow Cell Imaging of Candida albicans Biofilm Development. J Fungi (Basel) 2017; 3:jof3010013. [PMID: 29371532 PMCID: PMC5715965 DOI: 10.3390/jof3010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2017] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of Candida albicans to form biofilms is a virulence factor that allows tissue attachment and subsequent infection of host tissues. Fungal biofilms have been particularly well studied, however the vast majority of these studies have been conducted under static conditions. Oral biofilms form in the presence of salivary flow, therefore we developed a novel flow system used for real-time imaging of fungal biofilm development. C. albicans wild-type (WT) cells readily attached to the substrate surface during the 2 h attachment phase, then formed heterogeneous biofilms after 18 h flow. Quantitative values for biomass, rates of attachment and detachment, and cell-cell adhesion events were obtained for C. albicans WT cells and for a hyperfilamentous mutant Δhog1. Attachment rates of C. albicans WT cells were nearly 2-fold higher than C. albicans Δhog1 cells, although Δhog1 cells formed 4-fold higher biomass. The reduced normalized detachment rate was the primary factor responsible for the increased biomass of Δhog1 biofilm, showing that cell detachment rates are an important predictor for ultimate biofilm mass under flow. Unlike static biofilms, C. albicans cells under constant laminar flow undergo continuous detachment and seeding that may be more representative of the development of in vivo biofilms.
Collapse
|
43
|
Staniszewska M, Bondaryk M, Kazek M, Gliniewicz A, Braunsdorf C, Schaller M, Mora-Montes HM, Ochal Z. Effect of serine protease KEX2 on Candida albicans virulence under halogenated methyl sulfones. Future Microbiol 2017; 12:285-306. [DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2016-0141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: The effect of KEX2 mutations on C. albicans virulence and resistance to halogenated methyl sulfones was assessed. Materials & methods: The mechanism of action of sulfones was studied using flow cytometry and microscopy. Expression of KEX2 and SAP5 was assessed using quantitative Real-Time-PCR. 2,3-Bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide and lactate dehydrogenase assays were elaborated to study, respectively, metabolism of Candida treated with sulfones and their cytotoxicity against tissues. Inflammatory response was detected by ELISA. Results: Lysosome permeabilization and dose-dependent programmed cell death under sulfones were noted. KEX2 induction depended on halogenomethylsulfonyl groups, which affected cell wall biosynthesis and adhesion. Conclusion: Sulfones treatment reduced Candida pathogenicity in Galleria mellonella. Sulfones are an alternative for antifungal therapies due to their safety profile and antibiofilm activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monika Staniszewska
- Independent Laboratory of Streptomyces and Fungi Imperfecti, National Institute of Public Health–National Institute of Hygiene, Chocimska 24, 00–791 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Bondaryk
- Independent Laboratory of Streptomyces and Fungi Imperfecti, National Institute of Public Health–National Institute of Hygiene, Chocimska 24, 00–791 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michalina Kazek
- Laboratory of Physiology, The Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Science, Twarda 51/55, 00–818 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Gliniewicz
- Laboratory of Medical Entomology and Pest Control, National Institute of Public Health-National Institute of Hygiene, Chocimska 24, 00-791 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Christina Braunsdorf
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Liebermeisterstr.25, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Martin Schaller
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Liebermeisterstr.25, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hector M Mora-Montes
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P. 36050, Guanajuato, Gto., México
| | - Zbigniew Ochal
- Warsaw University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Noakowskiego 3, 00-664 Warsaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Abstract
Candida albicans is a fungal species that is part of the normal human microbiota and also an opportunistic pathogen capable of causing mucosal and systemic infections. C. albicans cells proliferate in a planktonic (suspension) state, but they also form biofilms, organized and tightly packed communities of cells attached to a solid surface. Biofilms colonize many niches of the human body and persist on implanted medical devices, where they are a major source of new C. albicans infections. Here, we used an unbiased and global substrate-profiling approach to discover proteolytic activities produced specifically by C. albicans biofilms, compared to planktonic cells, with the goal of identifying potential biofilm-specific diagnostic markers and targets for therapeutic intervention. This activity-based profiling approach, coupled with proteomics, identified Sap5 (Candidapepsin-5) and Sap6 (Candidapepsin-6) as major biofilm-specific proteases secreted by C. albicans. Fluorogenic peptide substrates with selectivity for Sap5 or Sap6 confirmed that their activities are highly upregulated in C. albicans biofilms; we also show that these activities are upregulated in other Candida clade pathogens. Deletion of the SAP5 and SAP6 genes in C. albicans compromised biofilm development in vitro in standard biofilm assays and in vivo in a rat central venous catheter biofilm model. This work establishes secreted proteolysis as a promising enzymatic marker and potential therapeutic target for Candida biofilm formation. Biofilm formation by the opportunistic fungal pathogen C. albicans is a major cause of life-threatening infections. This work provides a global characterization of secreted proteolytic activity produced specifically by C. albicans biofilms. We identify activity from the proteases Sap5 and Sap6 as highly upregulated during C. albicans biofilm formation and develop Sap-cleavable fluorogenic substrates that enable the detection of biofilms from C. albicans and also from additional pathogenic Candida species. Furthermore, SAP5 and SAP6 deletions confirm that both proteases are required for proper biofilm development in vitro and in vivo. We propose that secreted proteolysis is a promising marker for the diagnosis and potential therapeutic targeting of Candida biofilm-associated infections.
Collapse
|
45
|
Significance of hyphae formation in virulence of Candida tropicalis and transcriptomic analysis of hyphal cells. Microbiol Res 2016; 192:65-72. [PMID: 27664724 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2016.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Revised: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Recently, the proportion of Candida tropicalis in clinical isolates has significantly increased. Some C. tropicalis strains colonize the skin or mucosal surfaces as commensals; others trigger invasive infection. To date, the pathogenicity of C. tropicalis has not been thoroughly researched. This study reports several virulence factors, including biofilm and hyphae formation, proteinase, phospholipase, lipase and hemolytic activity, in 52 clinical isolates of C. tropicalis collected from five hospitals in four provinces of China. Some C. tropicalis tended to produce more hyphae than others in the same circumstance. Six C. tropicalis strains with different morphologies were injected into mice via the tail vein, and the survival proportions and fungal burdens of the strains were evaluated. Hyphal production by C. tropicalis was associated with stronger virulence. RNA sequencing revealed that C. tropicalis with more hyphae up-regulated several genes involved in morphological differentiation and oxidative response, including IF2, Atx1, and Sod2. It appears that hyphal formation plays a vital role in the pathogenicity of C. tropicalis, and interacts with the oxidative stress response to strengthen the organism's virulence.
Collapse
|
46
|
Xu H, Sobue T, Bertolini M, Thompson A, Dongari-Bagtzoglou A. Streptococcus oralis and Candida albicans Synergistically Activate μ-Calpain to Degrade E-cadherin From Oral Epithelial Junctions. J Infect Dis 2016; 214:925-34. [PMID: 27190184 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiw201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus oralis forms robust mucosal biofilms with Candida albicans that have increased pathogenic potential. In this study, using oral epithelial cultures, organotypic oral mucosal constructs, and a mouse model of oral infection, we demonstrated that S. oralis augmented C. albicans invasion through epithelial junctions. C. albicans and S. oralis decreased epithelial E-cadherin levels by synergistically increasing µ-calpain, a proteolytic enzyme that targets E-cadherin. In the mouse coinfection model this was accompanied by increased fungal kidney dissemination. Coinfection with a secreted aspartyl protease (sap) mutant sap2456 and S. oralis increased μ-calpain and triggered mucosal invasion and systemic dissemination, suggesting that fungal protease activity is not required for invasion during coinfection. We conclude that C. albicans and S. oralis synergize to activate host enzymes that cleave epithelial junction proteins and increase fungal invasion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongbin Xu
- Department of Oral Health and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington
| | - Takanori Sobue
- Department of Oral Health and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington
| | - Martinna Bertolini
- Department of Oral Health and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington
| | - Angela Thompson
- Department of Oral Health and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington
| | - Anna Dongari-Bagtzoglou
- Department of Oral Health and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Saraswat D, Kumar R, Pande T, Edgerton M, Cullen PJ. Signalling mucin Msb2 Regulates adaptation to thermal stress in Candida albicans. Mol Microbiol 2016; 100:425-41. [PMID: 26749104 PMCID: PMC4955288 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Temperature is a potent inducer of fungal dimorphism. Multiple signalling pathways control the response to growth at high temperature, but the sensors that regulate these pathways are poorly defined. We show here that the signalling mucin Msb2 is a global regulator of temperature stress in the fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Msb2 was required for survival and hyphae formation at 42°C. The cytoplasmic signalling domain of Msb2 regulated temperature-dependent activation of the CEK mitogen activated proteins kinase (MAPK) pathway. The extracellular glycosylated domain of Msb2 (100-900 amino acid residues) had a new and unexpected role in regulating the protein kinase C (PKC) pathway. Msb2 also regulated temperature-dependent induction of genes encoding regulators and targets of the unfolded protein response (UPR), which is a protein quality control (QC) pathway in the endoplasmic reticulum that controls protein folding/degradation in response to high temperature and other stresses. The heat shock protein and cell wall component Ssa1 was also required for hyphae formation and survival at 42°C and regulated the CEK and PKC pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darpan Saraswat
- Department of Oral Biology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260-1300, USA
| | - Rohitashw Kumar
- Department of Oral Biology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260-1300, USA
| | - Tanaya Pande
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260-1300, USA
| | - Mira Edgerton
- Department of Oral Biology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260-1300, USA
| | - Paul J. Cullen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260-1300, USA
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Experimental Models of Vaginal Candidiasis and Their Relevance to Human Candidiasis. Infect Immun 2016; 84:1255-1261. [PMID: 26883592 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01544-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a high-incidence disease seriously affecting the quality of life of women worldwide, particularly in its chronic, recurrent forms (RVVC), and with no definitive cure or preventive measure. Experimental studies in currently used rat and mouse models of vaginal candidiasis have generated a large mass of data on pathogenicity determinants and inflammation and immune responses of potential importance for the control of human pathology. However, reflection is necessary about the relevance of these rodent models to RVVC. Here we examine the chemical, biochemical, and biological factors that determine or contrast the forms of the disease in rodent models and in women and highlight the differences between them. We also appeal for approaches to improve or replace the current models in order to enhance their relevance to human infection.
Collapse
|
49
|
Tati S, Davidow P, McCall A, Hwang-Wong E, Rojas IG, Cormack B, Edgerton M. Candida glabrata Binding to Candida albicans Hyphae Enables Its Development in Oropharyngeal Candidiasis. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005522. [PMID: 27029023 PMCID: PMC4814137 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic mechanisms of Candida glabrata in oral candidiasis, especially because of its inability to form hyphae, are understudied. Since both Candida albicans and C. glabrata are frequently co-isolated in oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC), we examined their co-adhesion in vitro and observed adhesion of C. glabrata only to C. albicans hyphae microscopically. Mice were infected sublingually with C. albicans or C. glabrata individually, or with both species concurrently, to study their ability to cause OPC. Infection with C. glabrata alone resulted in negligible infection of tongues; however, colonization by C. glabrata was increased by co-infection or a pre-established infection with C. albicans. Furthermore, C. glabrata required C. albicans for colonization of tongues, since decreasing C. albicans burden with fluconazole also reduced C. glabrata. C. albicans hyphal wall adhesins Als1 and Als3 were important for in vitro adhesion of C. glabrata and to establish OPC. C. glabrata cell wall protein coding genes EPA8, EPA19, AWP2, AWP7, and CAGL0F00181 were implicated in mediating adhesion to C. albicans hyphae and remarkably, their expression was induced by incubation with germinated C. albicans. Thus, we found a near essential requirement for the presence of C. albicans for both initial colonization and establishment of OPC infection by C. glabrata.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Swetha Tati
- Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States of America
| | - Peter Davidow
- Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States of America
| | - Andrew McCall
- Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Hwang-Wong
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Isolde G. Rojas
- Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States of America
| | - Brendan Cormack
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Mira Edgerton
- Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Dutton LC, Jenkinson HF, Lamont RJ, Nobbs AH. Role of Candida albicans secreted aspartyl protease Sap9 in interkingdom biofilm formation. Pathog Dis 2016; 74:ftw005. [PMID: 26772652 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftw005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The fungus Candida albicans colonizes oral cavity surfaces and is carried by up to 60% of human populations. Biofilm development by C. albicans may be modulated by oral streptococci, such as Streptococcus gordonii, S. oralis or S. mutans, so as to augment pathogenicity. In this study we sought to determine if the cell wall-associated secreted aspartyl proteinase Sap9 was necessary for hyphal adhesin functions associated with biofilm community development. A sap9Δ mutant of C. albicans SC5314 formed biofilms that were flatter, and contained fewer blastospores and more hyphal filaments than the parent strain. This phenotypic difference was accentuated under flow (shear) conditions and in the presence of S. gordonii. Dual-species biofilms of C. albicans sap9Δ with S. oralis, S. sanguinis, S. parasanguinis, S. mutans and Enterococcus faecalis all contained more matted hyphae and more bacteria bound to substratum compared to C. albicans wild type. sap9Δ mutant hyphae showed significantly increased cell surface hydrophobicity, ∼25% increased levels of binding C. albicans cell wall protein Als3, and reduced interaction with Eap1, implicating Sap9 in fungal cell-cell recognition. These observations suggest that Sap9 is associated with protein-receptor interactions between fungal cells, and with interkingdom communication in the formation of polymicrobial biofilm communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay C Dutton
- School of Oral and Dental Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 2LY, UK
| | - Howard F Jenkinson
- School of Oral and Dental Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 2LY, UK
| | - Richard J Lamont
- Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Angela H Nobbs
- School of Oral and Dental Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 2LY, UK
| |
Collapse
|