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Kendil W, Dergal F, Tefiani I, Mahdad YM, Benladghem Z, Ziani-Cherif C, Seddiki SML. Improvement of a low-cost protocol for a simultaneous comparative evaluation of hydrolytic activity between sessile and planktonic cells: Candida albicans as a study model. BIOFOULING 2024; 40:431-445. [PMID: 38973173 DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2024.2376637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Candida albicans is often implicated in nosocomial infections with fatal consequences. Its virulence is contributed to hydrolytic enzymes and biofilm formation. Previous research focused on studying these virulence factors individually. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of biofilm formation on the hydrolytic activity using an adapted low-cost method. Eleven strains of C. albicans were used. The biofilms were formed on pre-treated silicone discs using 24-well plates and then deposited on the appropriate agar to test each enzyme, while the planktonic cells were conventionally seeded. Biofilms were analysed using Raman spectroscopy, fluorescent and scanning electron microscopy. The adapted method provided an evaluation of hydrolytic enzymes activity in C. albicans biofilm and showed that sessile cells had a higher phospholipase and proteinase activities compared with planktonic cells. These findings were supported by spectroscopic and microscopic analyses, which provided valuable insights into the virulence mechanisms of C. albicans during biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wafaa Kendil
- Antifungal Antibiotic: Physico-Chemical Synthesis and Biological Activity Laboratory (LAPSAB), Biology Department, University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria
| | - Fayçal Dergal
- Scientific and Technical Research Center in Physico-Chemical Analysis (CRAPC), Tipaza, Algeria
- Laboratory of Catalysis and Synthesis in Organic Chemistry (LCSCO), Faculty of Sciences, University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria
| | - Ikram Tefiani
- Antifungal Antibiotic: Physico-Chemical Synthesis and Biological Activity Laboratory (LAPSAB), Biology Department, University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria
| | - Yassine Moustafa Mahdad
- Laboratory for Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas, University Center of Naâma, Naâma, Algeria
- Laboratory of Applied Genetic in Agriculture, Ecology and Public Health, University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria
| | - Zakaria Benladghem
- Antifungal Antibiotic: Physico-Chemical Synthesis and Biological Activity Laboratory (LAPSAB), Biology Department, University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria
- Department of Biology, University of Tamanrasset, Tamanrasset, Algeria
| | - Chewki Ziani-Cherif
- Laboratory of Catalysis and Synthesis in Organic Chemistry (LCSCO), Faculty of Sciences, University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria
| | - Sidi Mohammed Lahbib Seddiki
- Antifungal Antibiotic: Physico-Chemical Synthesis and Biological Activity Laboratory (LAPSAB), Biology Department, University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria
- Laboratory for Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas, University Center of Naâma, Naâma, Algeria
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Lim SJ, Muhd Noor ND, Sabri S, Mohamad Ali MS, Salleh AB, Oslan SN. Bibliometric analysis and thematic review of Candida pathogenesis: Fundamental omics to applications as potential antifungal drugs and vaccines. Med Mycol 2024; 62:myad126. [PMID: 38061839 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad126] [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: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Invasive candidiasis caused by the pathogenic Candida yeast species has resulted in elevating global mortality. The pathogenicity of Candida spp. is not only originated from its primary invasive yeast-to-hyphal transition; virulence factors (transcription factors, adhesins, invasins, and enzymes), biofilm, antifungal drug resistance, stress tolerance, and metabolic adaptation have also contributed to a greater clinical burden. However, the current research theme in fungal pathogenicity could hardly be delineated with the increasing research output. Therefore, our study analysed the research trends in Candida pathogenesis over the past 37 years via a bibliometric approach against the Scopus and Web of Science databases. Based on the 3993 unique documents retrieved, significant international collaborations among researchers were observed, especially between Germany (Bernhard Hube) and the UK (Julian Naglik), whose focuses are on Candida proteinases, adhesins, and candidalysin. The prominent researchers (Neils Gow, Alistair Brown, and Frank Odds) at the University of Exeter and the University of Aberdeen (second top performing affiliation) UK contribute significantly to the mechanisms of Candida adaptation, tolerance, and stress response. However, the science mapping of co-citation analysis performed herein could not identify a hub representative of subsequent work since the clusters were semi-redundant. The co-word analysis that was otherwise adopted, revealed three research clusters; the cluster-based thematic analyses indicated the severeness of Candida biofilm and antifungal resistance as well as the elevating trend on molecular mechanism elucidation for drug screening and repurposing. Importantly, the in vivo pathogen adaptation and interactions with hosts are crucial for potential vaccine development.
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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
| | - 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
| | - 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
| | - 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
| | - 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
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Wakade RS, Ristow LC, Wellington M, Krysan DJ. Intravital imaging-based genetic screen reveals the transcriptional network governing Candida albicans filamentation during mammalian infection. eLife 2023; 12:e85114. [PMID: 36847358 PMCID: PMC9995110 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is one of the most common human fungal pathogens. C. albicans pathogenesis is tightly linked to its ability to under a morphogenetic transition from typically budding yeast to filamentous forms of hyphae and pseudohyphae. Filamentous morphogenesis is the most intensively studied C. albicans virulence traits; however, nearly all of these studies have been based on in vitro induction of filamentation. Using an intravital imaging assay of filamentation during mammalian (mouse) infection, we have screened a library of transcription factor mutants to identify those that modulate both the initiation and maintenance of filamentation in vivo. We coupled this initial screen with genetic interaction analysis and in vivo transcription profiling to characterize the transcription factor network governing filamentation in infected mammalian tissue. Three core positive (Efg1, Brg1, and Rob1) and two core negative regulators (Nrg1 and Tup1) of filament initiation were identified. No previous systematic analysis of genes affecting the elongation step has been reported and we found that large set of transcription factors affect filament elongation in vivo including four (Hms1, Lys14, War1, Dal81) with no effect on in vitro elongation. We also show that the gene targets of initiation and elongation regulators are distinct. Genetic interaction analysis of the core positive and negative regulators revealed that the master regulator Efg1 primarily functions to mediate relief of Nrg1 repression and is dispensable for expression of hypha-associated genes in vitro and in vivo. Thus, our analysis not only provide the first characterization of the transcriptional network governing C. albicans filamentation in vivo but also revealed a fundamentally new mode of function for Efg1, one of the most widely studied C. albicans transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan S Wakade
- Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of IowaIowa CityUnited States
| | - Laura C Ristow
- Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of IowaIowa CityUnited States
| | - Melanie Wellington
- Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of IowaIowa CityUnited States
| | - Damian J Krysan
- Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of IowaIowa CityUnited States
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of IowaIowa CityUnited States
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Carver College of Medicine, University of IowaIowa CityUnited States
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Schoen TJ, Calise DG, Bok JW, Nwagwu CD, Zarnowski R, Andes D, Huttenlocher A, Keller NP. Aspergillus fumigatus transcription factor ZfpA regulates hyphal development and alters susceptibility to antifungals and neutrophil killing during infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.25.525624. [PMID: 36747761 PMCID: PMC9901008 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.25.525624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Hyphal growth is essential for host colonization during Aspergillus infection. The transcription factor ZfpA regulates A. fumigatus hyphal development including branching, septation, and cell wall composition. However, how ZfpA affects fungal growth and susceptibility to host immunity during infection has not been investigated. Here, we use the larval zebrafish- Aspergillus infection model and primary human neutrophils to probe how ZfpA affects A. fumigatus pathogenesis and response to antifungal drugs in vivo . ZfpA deletion promotes fungal clearance and attenuates virulence in wild-type hosts and this virulence defect is abrogated in neutrophil-deficient zebrafish. ZfpA deletion also increases susceptibility to human neutrophils ex vivo while overexpression impairs fungal killing. Overexpression of ZfpA confers protection against the antifungal caspofungin by increasing chitin synthesis during hyphal development, while ZfpA deletion reduces cell wall chitin and increases caspofungin susceptibility in neutrophil-deficient zebrafish. These findings suggest a protective role for ZfpA activity in resistance to the innate immune response and antifungal treatment during A. fumigatus infection. Author Summary Aspergillus fumigatus is a common environmental fungus that can infect immunocompromised people and cause a life-threatening disease called invasive aspergillosis. An important step during infection is the development of A. fumigatus filaments known as hyphae. A. fumigatus uses hyphae to acquire nutrients and invade host tissues, leading to tissue damage and disseminated infection. In this study we report that a regulator of gene transcription in A. fumigatus called ZfpA is important for hyphal growth during infection. We find that ZfpA activity protects the fungus from being killed by innate immune cells and decreases the efficacy of antifungal drugs during infection by regulating construction of the cell wall, an important protective layer for fungal pathogens. Our study introduces ZfpA as an important genetic regulator of stress tolerance during infection that protects A. fumigatus from the host immune response and antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor J. Schoen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Dante G. Calise
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jin Woo Bok
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Robert Zarnowski
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - David Andes
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Anna Huttenlocher
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Nancy P. Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Jacobsen ID. The Role of Host and Fungal Factors in the Commensal-to-Pathogen Transition of Candida albicans. CURRENT CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2023; 10:55-65. [PMID: 37151578 PMCID: PMC10154278 DOI: 10.1007/s40588-023-00190-w] [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] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Abstract Purpose of Review The fungus Candida albicans has evolved to live in close association with warm-blooded hosts and is found frequently on mucosal surfaces of healthy humans. As an opportunistic pathogen, C. albicans can also cause mucosal and disseminated infections (candidiasis). This review describes the features that differentiate the fungus in the commensal versus pathogenic state and the main factors underlying C. albicans commensal-to-pathogen transition. Recent Findings Adhesion, invasion, and tissue damage are critical steps in the infection process. Especially invasion and damage require transcriptional and morphological changes that differentiate C. albicans in the pathogenic from the commensal state. While the commensal-to-pathogen transition has some conserved causes and features in the oral cavity, the female urogenital tract, and the gut, site-specific differences have been identified in recent years. Summary This review highlights how specific factors in the different mucosal niches affect development of candidiasis. Recent evidence suggests that colonization of the gut is not only a risk factor for systemic candidiasis but might also provide beneficial effects to the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilse D. Jacobsen
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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Sprague JL, Kasper L, Hube B. From intestinal colonization to systemic infections: Candida albicans translocation and dissemination. Gut Microbes 2022; 14:2154548. [PMID: 36503341 PMCID: PMC9746630 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2154548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida species are the most prevalent cause of invasive fungal infections, of which Candida albicans is the most common. Translocation across the epithelial barrier into the bloodstream by intestinal-colonizing C. albicans cells serves as the main source for systemic infections. Understanding the fungal mechanisms behind this process will give valuable insights on how to prevent such infections and keep C. albicans in the commensal state in patients with predisposing conditions. This review will focus on recent developments in characterizing fungal translocation mechanisms, compare what we know about enteric bacterial pathogens with C. albicans, and discuss the different proposed hypotheses for how C. albicans enters and disseminates through the bloodstream immediately following translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob L. Sprague
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany,Contact: Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745Jena, Germany
| | - Lydia Kasper
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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7
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Couttenier E, Bachellier-Bassi S, d'Enfert C, Villard C. Bending stiffness of Candida albicans hyphae as a proxy of cell wall properties. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:3898-3909. [PMID: 36094162 PMCID: PMC9552746 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00219a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The cell wall is a key component of fungi. It constitutes a highly regulated viscoelastic shell which counteracts internal cell turgor pressure. Its mechanical properties thus contribute to define cell morphology. Measurements of the elastic moduli of the fungal cell wall have been carried out in many species including Candida albicans, a major human opportunistic pathogen. They mainly relied on atomic force microscopy, and mostly considered the yeast form. We developed a parallelized pressure-actuated microfluidic device to measure the bending stiffness of hyphae. We found that the cell wall stiffness lies in the MPa range. We then used three different ways to disrupt cell wall physiology: inhibition of beta-glucan synthesis, a key component of the inner cell wall; application of a hyperosmotic shock triggering a sudden decrease of the hyphal diameter; deletion of two genes encoding GPI-modified cell wall proteins resulting in reduced cell wall thickness. The bending stiffness values were affected to different extents by these environmental stresses or genetic modifications. Overall, our results support the elastic nature of the cell wall and its ability to remodel at the scale of the entire hypha over minutes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Couttenier
- Université PSL, Physico-Chimie Curie, CNRS UMR168, F-75005 Paris, France.
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INRAE, USC2019, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Sophie Bachellier-Bassi
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INRAE, USC2019, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Christophe d'Enfert
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INRAE, USC2019, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Catherine Villard
- Université PSL, Physico-Chimie Curie, CNRS UMR168, F-75005 Paris, France.
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Pokhrel S, Boonmee N, Tulyaprawat O, Pharkjaksu S, Thaipisutikul I, Chairatana P, Ngamskulrungroj P, Mitrpant C. Assessment of Biofilm Formation by Candida albicans Strains Isolated from Hemocultures and Their Role in Pathogenesis in the Zebrafish Model. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8101014. [PMID: 36294579 PMCID: PMC9605499 DOI: 10.3390/jof8101014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans, an opportunistic pathogen, has the ability to form biofilms in the host or within medical devices in the body. Biofilms have been associated with disseminated/invasive disease with increased severity of infection by disrupting the host immune response and prolonging antifungal treatment. In this study, the in vivo virulence of three strains with different biofilm formation strengths, that is, non-, weak-, and strong biofilm formers, was evaluated using the zebrafish model. The survival assay and fungal tissue burden were measured. Biofilm-related gene expressions were also investigated. The survival of zebrafish, inoculated with strong biofilms forming C. albicans,, was significantly shorter than strains without biofilms forming C. albicans. However, there were no statistical differences in the burden of viable colonogenic cell number between the groups of the three strains tested. We observed that the stronger the biofilm formation, the higher up-regulation of biofilm-associated genes. The biofilm-forming strain (140 and 57), injected into zebrafish larvae, possessed a higher level of expression of genes associated with adhesion, attachment, filamentation, and cell proliferation, including eap1, als3, hwp1, bcr1, and mkc1 at 8 h. The results suggested that, despite the difference in genetic background, biofilm formation is an important virulence factor for the pathogenesis of C. albicans. However, the association between biofilm formation strength and in vivo virulence is controversial and needs to be further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabi Pokhrel
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Nawarat Boonmee
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Orawan Tulyaprawat
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Sujiraphong Pharkjaksu
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Iyarit Thaipisutikul
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Phoom Chairatana
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Popchai Ngamskulrungroj
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Chalermchai Mitrpant
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
- Correspondence:
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Pseudomonas Synergizes with Fluconazole against Candida during Treatment of Polymicrobial Infection. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0062621. [PMID: 35289633 PMCID: PMC9022521 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00626-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Polymicrobial infections are challenging to treat because we don’t fully understand how pathogens interact during infection and how these interactions affect drug efficacy. Candida albicans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are opportunistic pathogens that can be found in similar sites of infection such as in burn wounds and most importantly in the lungs of CF and mechanically ventilated patients. C. albicans is particularly difficult to treat because of the paucity of antifungal agents, some of which lack fungicidal activity. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of anti-fungal treatment during C. albicans-P. aeruginosa coculture in vitro and co-infection in the mucosal zebrafish infection model analogous to the lung. We find that P. aeruginosa enhances the activity of fluconazole (FLC), an anti-fungal drug that is fungistatic in vitro, to promote both clearance of C. albicans during co-infection in vivo and fungal killing in vitro. This synergy between FLC treatment and bacterial antagonism is partly due to iron piracy, as it is reduced upon iron supplementation and knockout of bacterial siderophores. Our work demonstrates that FLC has enhanced activity in clinically relevant contexts and highlights the need to understand antimicrobial effectiveness in the complex environment of the host with its associated microbial communities.
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10
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Radakovic N, Nikolić A, Jovanović NT, Stojković P, Stankovic N, Šolaja B, Opsenica I, Pavic A. Unraveling the anti-virulence potential and antifungal efficacy of 5-aminotetrazoles using the zebrafish model of disseminated candidiasis. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 230:114137. [PMID: 35077918 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans remains the main causal agent of candidiasis, the most common fungal infection with disturbingly high mortality rates worldwide. The limited diversity and efficacy of clinical antifungal drugs, exacerbated by emerging drug resistance, have resulted in the failure of current antifungal therapies. This imposes an urgent demand for the development of innovative strategies for effective eradication of candidal infections. While the existing clinical drugs display fungicidal or fungistatic activity, the strategy specifically targeting C. albicans filamentation, as the most important virulence trait, represents an attractive approach for overcoming the drawbacks related to clinical antifungals. The results acquired in this study revealed the significant potential of 5-aminotetrazoles as a new class of effective and safe anti-virulence agents. Moreover, these novel agents were active when applied both alone and in combination with clinically approved polyenes. Complete prevention of C. albicans morphogenetic yeast-to-hyphae transition was achieved at doses as low as 1.3 μM under conditions mimicking various filamentation-responsive stimuli in the human body, while no cardio- or hepatotoxicity was observed at doses as high as 200 μM. The treatment of C. albicans-infected zebrafish embryos with nystatin alone had low efficacy, while the combination of nystatin and selected 5-aminotetrazoles prevented fungal filamentation, successfully eliminating the infection and rescuing the infected embryos from lethal disseminated candidiasis. In addition, the most potent anti-virulence 5-aminotetrazole prevented C. albicans in developing the resistance to nystatin when applied in combination, keeping the fungus sensitive to the antifungal drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasa Radakovic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042, Belgrade 152, Serbia
| | - Andrea Nikolić
- University of Belgrade - Faculty of Chemistry, PO Box 51, Studentski trg 16, 11158, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nataša Terzić Jovanović
- University of Belgrade - Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, Njegoševa 12, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Pavle Stojković
- University of Belgrade - Faculty of Chemistry, PO Box 51, Studentski trg 16, 11158, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nada Stankovic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042, Belgrade 152, Serbia
| | - Bogdan Šolaja
- Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Knez Mihailova 35, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Igor Opsenica
- University of Belgrade - Faculty of Chemistry, PO Box 51, Studentski trg 16, 11158, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Aleksandar Pavic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042, Belgrade 152, Serbia.
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11
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Sovari SN, Radakovic N, Roch P, Crochet A, Pavic A, Zobi F. Combatting AMR: A molecular approach to the discovery of potent and non-toxic rhenium complexes active against C. albicans-MRSA co-infection. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 226:113858. [PMID: 34562853 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major emerging threat to public health, causing serious issues in the successful prevention and treatment of persistent diseases. While the problem escalates, lack of financial incentive has lead major pharmaceutical companies to interrupt their antibiotic drug discovery programs. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for novel solutions outside the traditional development pathway, with emphasis on new classes of active compounds with non-classical mechanisms of action. Metal complexes are an untapped source of antibiotic potential owing to unique modes of action and a wider range of three-dimensional geometries as compared to purely organic compounds. In this study, we present the antimicrobial and antifungal efficacy of a family of rhenium tricarbonyl diimine complexes with varying ligands, charge and lipophilicity. Our study allowed the identification of potent and non-toxic complexes active in vivo against S. aureus infections at MIC doses as low as 300 ng/mL, as well as against C. albicans-MRSA mixed co-infection. The compounds are capable of suppressing the C. albicans morphogenetic yeast-to-hyphal transition, eradicating fungal-S. aureus co-infection, while showing no sign of cardio-, hepato-, hematotoxiciy or teratogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Nasiri Sovari
- Department of Chemistry, Fribourg University, Chemin Du Musée 9, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Natasa Radakovic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Paul Roch
- Department of Chemistry, Fribourg University, Chemin Du Musée 9, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Aurélien Crochet
- Department of Chemistry, Fribourg University, Chemin Du Musée 9, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Aleksandar Pavic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Fabio Zobi
- Department of Chemistry, Fribourg University, Chemin Du Musée 9, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland.
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12
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Ding X, Kambara H, Guo R, Kanneganti A, Acosta-Zaldívar M, Li J, Liu F, Bei T, Qi W, Xie X, Han W, Liu N, Zhang C, Zhang X, Yu H, Zhao L, Ma F, Köhler JR, Luo HR. Inflammasome-mediated GSDMD activation facilitates escape of Candida albicans from macrophages. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6699. [PMID: 34795266 PMCID: PMC8602704 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27034-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is the most common cause of fungal sepsis. Inhibition of inflammasome activity confers resistance to polymicrobial and LPS-induced sepsis; however, inflammasome signaling appears to protect against C. albicans infection, so inflammasome inhibitors are not clinically useful for candidiasis. Here we show disruption of GSDMD, a known inflammasome target and key pyroptotic cell death mediator, paradoxically alleviates candidiasis, improving outcomes and survival of Candida-infected mice. Mechanistically, C. albicans hijacked the canonical inflammasome-GSDMD axis-mediated pyroptosis to promote their escape from macrophages, deploying hyphae and candidalysin, a pore-forming toxin expressed by hyphae. GSDMD inhibition alleviated candidiasis by preventing C. albicans escape from macrophages while maintaining inflammasome-dependent but GSDMD-independent IL-1β production for anti-fungal host defenses. This study demonstrates key functions for GSDMD in Candida's escape from host immunity in vitro and in vivo and suggests that GSDMD may be a potential therapeutic target in C. albicans-induced sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xionghui Ding
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Research Building, Room 814, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Hiroto Kambara
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Research Building, Room 814, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Rongxia Guo
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Research Building, Room 814, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, CAMS Key laboratory for prevention and control of hematological disease treatment related infection, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, 288 Nanjing Road, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Apurva Kanneganti
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Research Building, Room 814, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Maikel Acosta-Zaldívar
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jiajia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, CAMS Key laboratory for prevention and control of hematological disease treatment related infection, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, 288 Nanjing Road, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Fei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, CAMS Key laboratory for prevention and control of hematological disease treatment related infection, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, 288 Nanjing Road, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Ting Bei
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Research Building, Room 814, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Wanjun Qi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Xuemei Xie
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Research Building, Room 814, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Wenli Han
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Research Building, Room 814, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Ningning Liu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Cunling Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Research Building, Room 814, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Research Building, Room 814, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Hongbo Yu
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, 1400 VFW Parkway West Roxbury, Boston, MA, 02132, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Li Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Research Building, Room 814, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Fengxia Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, CAMS Key laboratory for prevention and control of hematological disease treatment related infection, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, 288 Nanjing Road, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Julia R Köhler
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Hongbo R Luo
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Research Building, Room 814, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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13
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Van Genechten W, Van Dijck P, Demuyser L. Fluorescent toys 'n' tools lighting the way in fungal research. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 45:fuab013. [PMID: 33595628 PMCID: PMC8498796 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuab013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although largely overlooked compared to bacterial infections, fungal infections pose a significant threat to the health of humans and other organisms. Many pathogenic fungi, especially Candida species, are extremely versatile and flexible in adapting to various host niches and stressful situations. This leads to high pathogenicity and increasing resistance to existing drugs. Due to the high level of conservation between fungi and mammalian cells, it is hard to find fungus-specific drug targets for novel therapy development. In this respect, it is vital to understand how these fungi function on a molecular, cellular as well as organismal level. Fluorescence imaging allows for detailed analysis of molecular mechanisms, cellular structures and interactions on different levels. In this manuscript, we provide researchers with an elaborate and contemporary overview of fluorescence techniques that can be used to study fungal pathogens. We focus on the available fluorescent labelling techniques and guide our readers through the different relevant applications of fluorescent imaging, from subcellular events to multispecies interactions and diagnostics. As well as cautioning researchers for potential challenges and obstacles, we offer hands-on tips and tricks for efficient experimentation and share our expert-view on future developments and possible improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter Van Genechten
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3001 Leuven-heverlee, Belgium
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3001 Leuven-Heverlee, Belgium
- Laboratory for Nanobiology, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200g, 3001 Leuven-Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Patrick Van Dijck
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3001 Leuven-heverlee, Belgium
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3001 Leuven-Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Liesbeth Demuyser
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3001 Leuven-heverlee, Belgium
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3001 Leuven-Heverlee, Belgium
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14
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Wagner AS, Hancock TJ, Lumsdaine SW, Kauffman SJ, Mangrum MM, Phillips EK, Sparer TE, Reynolds TB. Activation of Cph1 causes ß(1,3)-glucan unmasking in Candida albicans and attenuates virulence in mice in a neutrophil-dependent manner. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009839. [PMID: 34432857 PMCID: PMC8423308 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Masking the immunogenic cell wall epitope ß(1,3)-glucan under an outer layer of mannosylated glycoproteins is an important virulence factor deployed by Candida albicans during infection. Consequently, increased ß(1,3)-glucan exposure (unmasking) reveals C. albicans to the host's immune system and attenuates its virulence. We have previously shown that activation of the Cek1 MAPK pathway via expression of a hyperactive allele of an upstream kinase (STE11ΔN467) induced unmasking. It also increased survival of mice in a murine disseminated candidiasis model and attenuated kidney fungal burden by ≥33 fold. In this communication, we utilized cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression to test if the clearance of the unmasked STE11ΔN467 mutant was dependent on the host immune system. Suppression of the immune response by cyclophosphamide reduced the attenuation in fungal burden caused by the STE11ΔN467 allele. Moreover, specific depletion of neutrophils via 1A8 antibody treatment also reduced STE11ΔN467-dependent fungal burden attenuation, but to a lesser extent than cyclophosphamide, demonstrating an important role for neutrophils in mediating fungal clearance of unmasked STE11ΔN467 cells. In an effort to understand the mechanism by which Ste11ΔN467 causes unmasking, transcriptomics were used to reveal that several components in the Cek1 MAPK pathway were upregulated, including the transcription factor CPH1 and the cell wall sensor DFI1. In this report we show that a cph1ΔΔ mutation restored ß(1,3)-glucan exposure to wild-type levels in the STE11ΔN467 strain, confirming that Cph1 is the transcription factor mediating Ste11ΔN467-induced unmasking. Furthermore, Cph1 is shown to induce a positive feedback loop that increases Cek1 activation. In addition, full unmasking by STE11ΔN467 is dependent on the upstream cell wall sensor DFI1. However, while deletion of DFI1 significantly reduced Ste11ΔN467-induced unmasking, it did not impact activation of the downstream kinase Cek1. Thus, it appears that once stimulated by Ste11ΔN467, Dfi1 activates a parallel signaling pathway that is involved in Ste11ΔN467-induced unmasking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S. Wagner
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Trevor J. Hancock
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Stephen W. Lumsdaine
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Sarah J. Kauffman
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Mikayla M. Mangrum
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Elise K. Phillips
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Timothy E. Sparer
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Todd B. Reynolds
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
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15
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Ost KS, O’Meara TR, Stephens WZ, Chiaro T, Zhou H, Penman J, Bell R, Catanzaro JR, Song D, Singh S, Call DH, Hwang-Wong E, Hanson KE, Valentine JF, Christensen KA, O’Connell RM, Cormack B, Ibrahim AS, Palm NW, Noble SM, Round JL. Adaptive immunity induces mutualism between commensal eukaryotes. Nature 2021; 596:114-118. [PMID: 34262174 PMCID: PMC8904204 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03722-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pathogenic fungi reside in the intestinal microbiota but rarely cause disease. Little is known about the interactions between fungi and the immune system that promote commensalism. Here we investigate the role of adaptive immunity in promoting mutual interactions between fungi and host. We find that potentially pathogenic Candida species induce and are targeted by intestinal immunoglobulin A (IgA) responses. Focused studies on Candida albicans reveal that the pathogenic hyphal morphotype, which is specialized for adhesion and invasion, is preferentially targeted and suppressed by intestinal IgA responses. IgA from mice and humans directly targets hyphal-enriched cell-surface adhesins. Although typically required for pathogenesis, C. albicans hyphae are less fit for gut colonization1,2 and we show that immune selection against hyphae improves the competitive fitness of C. albicans. C. albicans exacerbates intestinal colitis3 and we demonstrate that hyphae and an IgA-targeted adhesin exacerbate intestinal damage. Finally, using a clinically relevant vaccine to induce an adhesin-specific immune response protects mice from C. albicans-associated damage during colitis. Together, our findings show that adaptive immunity suppresses harmful fungal effectors, with benefits to both C. albicans and its host. Thus, IgA uniquely uncouples colonization from pathogenesis in commensal fungi to promote homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyla S. Ost
- Department of Pathology, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Teresa R. O’Meara
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - W. Zac Stephens
- Department of Pathology, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Tyson Chiaro
- Department of Pathology, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Haoyang Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jourdan Penman
- Department of Pathology, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Rickesha Bell
- Department of Pathology, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jason R. Catanzaro
- Section of Pulmonology, Allergy, Immunology and Sleep Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Deguang Song
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Shakti Singh
- The Lundquist Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Harbor–UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
| | - Daniel H. Call
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | - Elizabeth Hwang-Wong
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kimberly E. Hanson
- Department of Pathology, Division of Clinical Microbiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - John F. Valentine
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | - Ryan M. O’Connell
- Department of Pathology, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Brendan Cormack
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ashraf S. Ibrahim
- The Lundquist Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Harbor–UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA.,David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Noah W. Palm
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Suzanne M. Noble
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - June L. Round
- Department of Pathology, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to J.L.R.,
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16
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Wakade RS, Huang M, Mitchell AP, Wellington M, Krysan DJ. Intravital Imaging of Candida albicans Identifies Differential In Vitro and In Vivo Filamentation Phenotypes for Transcription Factor Deletion Mutants. mSphere 2021; 6:e0043621. [PMID: 34160243 PMCID: PMC8265662 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00436-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is an important cause of human fungal infections. A widely studied virulence trait of C. albicans is its ability to undergo filamentation to hyphae and pseudohyphae. Although yeast, pseudohyphae, and hyphae are present in pathological samples of infected mammalian tissue, it has been challenging to characterize the role of regulatory networks and specific genes during in vivo filamentation. In addition, the phenotypic heterogeneity of C. albicans clinical isolates is becoming increasingly recognized, while correlating this heterogeneity with pathogenesis remains an important goal. Here, we describe the use of an intravital imaging approach to characterize C. albicans filamentation in a mammalian model of infection by taking advantage of the translucence of mouse pinna (ears). Using this model, we have found that the in vitro and in vivo filamentation phenotypes of different C. albicans isolates can vary significantly, particularly when in vivo filamentation is compared to solid agar-based assays. We also show that the well-characterized transcriptional regulators Efg1 and Brg1 appear to play important roles both in vivo and in vitro. In contrast, Ume6 is much more important in vitro than in vivo. Finally, strains that are dependent on Bcr1 for in vitro filamentation are able to form filaments in vivo in its absence. This intravital imaging approach provides a new approach to the systematic characterization of this important virulence trait during mammalian infection. Our initial studies provide support for the notion that the regulation and initiation of C. albicans filamentation in vivo is distinct from in vitro induction. IMPORTANCE Candida albicans is one of the most common causes of fungal infections in humans. C. albicans undergoes a transition from a round yeast form to a filamentous form during infection, which is critical for its ability to cause disease. Although this transition has been studied in the laboratory for years, methods to do so in an animal model of infection have been limited. We have developed a microscopy method to visualize fluorescently labeled C. albicans undergoing this transition in the subcutaneous tissue of mice. Our studies indicate that the regulation of C. albicans filamentation during infection is distinct from that observed in laboratory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan S. Wakade
- Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Manning Huang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Aaron P. Mitchell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Melanie Wellington
- Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Damian J. Krysan
- Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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17
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Prasath KG, Alexpandi R, Parasuraman R, Pavithra M, Ravi AV, Pandian SK. Anti-inflammatory potential of myristic acid and palmitic acid synergism against systemic candidiasis in Danio rerio (Zebrafish). Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 133:111043. [PMID: 33378951 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.111043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Nosocomial Candida colonization causes Systemic candidiasis in human with invasive infections in immunocompromised patients. Of all Candida spp., C. albicans is dominant in morbidity of all systemic candidiasis but C. tropicalis is phenomenal in mortality, virulence aspects and resistance development against antifungal drugs. The present study investigated the synergistic anti-virulent activity of myristic acid (MA) and palmitic acid (PA) against insidious dimorphic Candida spp. (C. albicans and C. tropicalis). In vitro and qPCR results revealed the mechanisms of MA-PA combination effectively inhibiting various virulence aspects such as biofilm, hyphal formation, secreted aspartyl proteases, lipases, ergosterol biosynthesis and drug effluxes. Further, in Danio rerio (Zebrafish), the MA-PA treatment increased the survival of animals and also the treated groups showed decreased level of fungal burden compared to the infected controls, after 3rd day of post infection. Histopathology of vital organs and SEM analysis of skin revealed a drastic recovery and reduced the inflammation of both Candida spp. infections in MA-PA treated animals. In addition, MA-PA treatment reduced the haemolysin and increased the susceptibility of Candida spp. in human blood model. Hence, this study suggested the therapeutic utilization of MA-PA as synergistic combination for their anti-inflammatory potency against systemic candidiasis and candidemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishnan Ganesh Prasath
- Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Science Campus, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Rajaiah Alexpandi
- Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Science Campus, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Rayar Parasuraman
- Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Science Campus, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Murugesan Pavithra
- Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Science Campus, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Arumugam Veera Ravi
- Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Science Campus, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Shunmugiah Karutha Pandian
- Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Science Campus, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India.
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18
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Grainha T, Jorge P, Alves D, Lopes SP, Pereira MO. Unraveling Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans Communication in Coinfection Scenarios: Insights Through Network Analysis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:550505. [PMID: 33262953 PMCID: PMC7686562 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.550505] [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: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Modern medicine is currently facing huge setbacks concerning infection therapeutics as microorganisms are consistently knocking down every antimicrobial wall set before them. The situation becomes more worrying when taking into account that, in both environmental and disease scenarios, microorganisms present themselves as biofilm communities that are often polymicrobial. This comprises a competitive advantage, with interactions between different species altering host responses, antimicrobial effectiveness, microbial pathogenesis and virulence, usually augmenting the severity of the infection and contributing for the recalcitrance towards conventional therapy. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans are two opportunistic pathogens often co-isolated from infections, mainly from mucosal tissues like the lung. Despite the billions of years of co-existence, this pair of microorganisms is a great example on how little is known about cross-kingdom interactions, particularly within the context of coinfections. Given the described scenario, this study aimed to collect, curate, and analyze all published experimental information on the molecular basis of P. aeruginosa and C. albicans interactions in biofilms, in order to shed light into key mechanisms that may affect infection prognosis, increasing this area of knowledge. Publications were optimally retrieved from PubMed and Web of Science and classified as to their relevance. Data was then systematically and manually curated, analyzed, and further reconstructed as networks. A total of 641 interactions between the two pathogens were annotated, outputting knowledge on important molecular players affecting key virulence mechanisms, such as hyphal growth, and related genes and proteins, constituting potential therapeutic targets for infections related to these bacterial-fungal consortia. Contrasting interactions were also analyzed, and quorum-sensing inhibition approaches were highlighted. All annotated data was made publicly available at www.ceb.uminho.pt/ISCTD, a database already containing similar data for P. aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus communication. This will allow researchers to cut on time and effort when studying this particular subject, facilitating the understanding of the basis of the inter-species and inter-kingdom interactions and how it can be modulated to help design alternative and more effective tailored therapies. Finally, data deposition will serve as base for future dataset integration, whose analysis will hopefully give insights into communications in more complex and varied biofilm communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tânia Grainha
- CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO-Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
| | - Paula Jorge
- CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO-Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
| | - Diana Alves
- CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO-Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
| | - Susana Patrícia Lopes
- CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO-Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
| | - Maria Olívia Pereira
- CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO-Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
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19
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Scherer AK, Blair BA, Park J, Seman BG, Kelley JB, Wheeler RT. Redundant Trojan horse and endothelial-circulatory mechanisms for host-mediated spread of Candida albicans yeast. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008414. [PMID: 32776983 PMCID: PMC7447064 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The host innate immune system has developed elegant processes for the detection and clearance of invasive fungal pathogens. These strategies may also aid in the spread of pathogens in vivo, although technical limitations have previously hindered our ability to view the host innate immune and endothelial cells to probe their roles in spreading disease. Here, we have leveraged zebrafish larvae as a model to view the interactions of these host processes with the fungal pathogen Candida albicans in vivo. We examined three potential host-mediated mechanisms of fungal spread: movement inside phagocytes in a "Trojan Horse" mechanism, inflammation-assisted spread, and endothelial barrier passage. Utilizing both chemical and genetic tools, we systematically tested the loss of neutrophils and macrophages and the loss of blood flow on yeast cell spread. Both neutrophils and macrophages respond to yeast-locked and wild type C. albicans in our model and time-lapse imaging revealed that macrophages can support yeast spread in a "Trojan Horse" mechanism. Surprisingly, loss of immune cells or inflammation does not alter dissemination dynamics. On the other hand, when blood flow is blocked, yeast can cross into blood vessels but they are limited in how far they travel. Blockade of both phagocytes and circulation reduces rates of dissemination and significantly limits the distance of fungal spread from the infection site. Together, this data suggests a redundant two-step process whereby (1) yeast cross the endothelium inside phagocytes or via direct uptake, and then (2) they utilize blood flow or phagocytes to travel to distant sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison K. Scherer
- Department of Molecular & Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, United States of America
| | - Bailey A. Blair
- Department of Molecular & Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, United States of America
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, United States of America
| | - Jieun Park
- Department of Cell Biology and Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Brittany G. Seman
- Department of Molecular & Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, United States of America
| | - Joshua B. Kelley
- Department of Molecular & Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, United States of America
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, United States of America
| | - Robert T. Wheeler
- Department of Molecular & Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, United States of America
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, United States of America
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Mba IE, Nweze EI. Mechanism of Candida pathogenesis: revisiting the vital drivers. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 39:1797-1819. [PMID: 32372128 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-020-03912-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Candida is the most implicated fungal pathogen in the clinical setting. Several factors play important roles in the pathogenesis of Candida spp. Multiple transcriptional circuits, morphological and phenotypic switching, biofilm formation, tissue damaging extracellular hydrolytic enzymes, metabolic flexibility, genome plasticity, adaptation to environmental pH fluctuation, robust nutrient acquisition system, adherence and invasions (mediated by adhesins and invasins), heat shock proteins (HSPs), cytolytic proteins, escape from phagocytosis, evasion from host immune system, synergistic coaggregation with resident microbiota, resistance to antifungal agents, and the ability to efficiently respond to multiple stresses are some of the major pathogenic determinants of Candida species. The existence of multiple connections, in addition to the interactions and associations among all of these factors, are distinctive features that play important roles in the establishment of Candida infections. This review describes all the underlying factors and mechanisms involved in Candida pathogenesis by evaluating pathogenic determinants of Candida species. It reinforces the already available pool of data on the pathogenesis of Candida species by providing a clear and simplified understanding of the most important factors implicated in the pathogenesis of Candida species. The Candida pathogenesis network, an illustration linking all the major determinants of Candida pathogenesis, is also presented. Taken together, they will further improve our current understanding of how these factors modulate virulence and consequent infection(s). Development of new antifungal drugs and better therapeutic approaches to candidiasis can be achieved in the near future with continuing progress in the understanding of the mechanisms of Candida pathogenesis.
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Intravital Imaging Reveals Divergent Cytokine and Cellular Immune Responses to Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.00266-19. [PMID: 31088918 PMCID: PMC6520444 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00266-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In modern medicine, physicians are frequently forced to balance immune suppression against immune stimulation to treat patients such as those undergoing transplants and chemotherapy. More-targeted therapies designed to preserve immunity and prevent opportunistic fungal infection in these patients could be informed by an understanding of how fungi interact with professional and nonprofessional immune cells in mucosal candidiasis. In this study, we intravitally imaged these host-pathogen dynamics during Candida infection in a transparent vertebrate model host, the zebrafish. Single-cell imaging revealed an unexpected partitioning of the inflammatory response between phagocytes and epithelial cells. Surprisingly, we found that in vivo cytokine profiles more closely match in vitro responses of epithelial cells rather than phagocytes. Furthermore, we identified a disconnect between canonical inflammatory cytokine production and phagocyte recruitment to the site of infection, implicating noncytokine chemoattractants. Our study contributes to a new appreciation for the specialization and cross talk among cell types during mucosal infection. Candida yeasts are common commensals that can cause mucosal disease and life-threatening systemic infections. While many of the components required for defense against Candida albicans infection are well established, questions remain about how various host cells at mucosal sites assess threats and coordinate defenses to prevent normally commensal organisms from becoming pathogenic. Using two Candida species, C. albicans and C. parapsilosis, which differ in their abilities to damage epithelial tissues, we used traditional methods (pathogen CFU, host survival, and host cytokine expression) combined with high-resolution intravital imaging of transparent zebrafish larvae to illuminate host-pathogen interactions at the cellular level in the complex environment of a mucosal infection. In zebrafish, C. albicans grows as both yeast and epithelium-damaging filaments, activates the NF-κB pathway, evokes proinflammatory cytokines, and causes the recruitment of phagocytic immune cells. On the other hand, C. parapsilosis remains in yeast morphology and elicits the recruitment of phagocytes without inducing inflammation. High-resolution mapping of phagocyte-Candida interactions at the infection site revealed that neutrophils and macrophages attack both Candida species, regardless of the cytokine environment. Time-lapse monitoring of single-cell gene expression in transgenic reporter zebrafish revealed a partitioning of the immune response during C. albicans infection: the transcription factor NF-κB is activated largely in cells of the swimbladder epithelium, while the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is expressed in motile cells, mainly macrophages. Our results point to different host strategies for combatting pathogenic Candida species and separate signaling roles for host cell types.
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Rosowski EE, Knox BP, Archambault LS, Huttenlocher A, Keller NP, Wheeler RT, Davis JM. The Zebrafish as a Model Host for Invasive Fungal Infections. J Fungi (Basel) 2018; 4:jof4040136. [PMID: 30551557 PMCID: PMC6308935 DOI: 10.3390/jof4040136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The zebrafish has become a widely accepted model host for studies of infectious disease, including fungal infections. The species is genetically tractable, and the larvae are transparent and amenable to prolonged in vivo imaging and small molecule screening. The aim of this review is to provide a thorough introduction into the published studies of fungal infection in the zebrafish and the specific ways in which this model has benefited the field. In doing so, we hope to provide potential new zebrafish researchers with a snapshot of the current toolbox and prior results, while illustrating how the model has been used well and where the unfulfilled potential of this model can be found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Rosowski
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53716, USA.
| | - Benjamin P Knox
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53716, USA.
| | - Linda S Archambault
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA.
| | - Anna Huttenlocher
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53716, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA.
| | - Nancy P Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53716, USA.
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
| | - Robert T Wheeler
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA.
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA.
| | - J Muse Davis
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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