1
|
Silva-Rodrigues G, de Castro IM, Borges PHG, Suzukawa HT, de Souza JM, Bartolomeu-Gonçalves G, Pelisson M, Medeiros CIS, Bispo MDLF, de Almeida RSC, Ishida K, Tavares ER, Yamauchi LM, Yamada-Ogatta SF. Geraniol Potentiates the Effect of Fluconazole against Planktonic and Sessile Cells of Azole-Resistant Candida tropicalis: In Vitro and In Vivo Analyses. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:1053. [PMID: 39204397 PMCID: PMC11360560 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16081053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida tropicalis is regarded as an opportunistic pathogen, causing diseases ranging from superficial infections to life-threatening disseminated infections. The ability of this yeast to form biofilms and develop resistance to antifungals represents a significant therapeutic challenge. Herein, the effect of geraniol (GER), alone and combined with fluconazole (FLZ), was evaluated in the planktonic and sessile cells of azole-resistant C. tropicalis. GER showed a time-dependent fungicidal effect on the planktonic cells, impairing the cell membrane integrity. Additionally, GER inhibited the rhodamine 6G efflux, and the molecular docking analyzes supported the binding affinity of GER to the C. tropicalis Cdr1 protein. GER exhibited a synergism with FLZ against the planktonic and sessile cells, inhibiting the adhesion of the yeast cells and the viability of the 48-h biofilms formed on abiotic surfaces. C. tropicalis biofilms treated with GER, alone or combined with FLZ, displayed morphological and ultrastructural alterations, including a decrease in the stacking layers and the presence of wilted cells. Moreover, neither GER alone nor combined with FLZ caused toxicity, and both treatments prolonged the survival of the Galleria mellonella larvae infected with azole-resistant C. tropicalis. These findings indicate that the combination of GER and FLZ may be a promising strategy to control azole-resistant C. tropicalis infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gislaine Silva-Rodrigues
- Postgraduate Program in Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (G.S.-R.); (I.M.d.C.); (P.H.G.B.); (H.T.S.); (L.M.Y.)
| | - Isabela Madeira de Castro
- Postgraduate Program in Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (G.S.-R.); (I.M.d.C.); (P.H.G.B.); (H.T.S.); (L.M.Y.)
| | - Paulo Henrique Guilherme Borges
- Postgraduate Program in Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (G.S.-R.); (I.M.d.C.); (P.H.G.B.); (H.T.S.); (L.M.Y.)
| | - Helena Tiemi Suzukawa
- Postgraduate Program in Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (G.S.-R.); (I.M.d.C.); (P.H.G.B.); (H.T.S.); (L.M.Y.)
| | - Joyce Marinho de Souza
- Postgraduate Program in Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (G.S.-R.); (I.M.d.C.); (P.H.G.B.); (H.T.S.); (L.M.Y.)
| | - Guilherme Bartolomeu-Gonçalves
- Postgraduate Program in Clinical and Laboratory Pathophysiology, Department of Pathology, Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86038-350, Brazil
| | - Marsileni Pelisson
- Postgraduate Program in Clinical and Laboratory Pathophysiology, Department of Pathology, Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86038-350, Brazil
| | | | - Marcelle de Lima Ferreira Bispo
- Synthesis of Medicinal Molecules Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil;
| | - Ricardo Sérgio Couto de Almeida
- Postgraduate Program in Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (G.S.-R.); (I.M.d.C.); (P.H.G.B.); (H.T.S.); (L.M.Y.)
| | - Kelly Ishida
- Laboratory of Antifungal Chemotherapy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil;
| | - Eliandro Reis Tavares
- Department of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Campus Londrina, Londrina 86067-000, Brazil;
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil
| | - Lucy Megumi Yamauchi
- Postgraduate Program in Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (G.S.-R.); (I.M.d.C.); (P.H.G.B.); (H.T.S.); (L.M.Y.)
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil
| | - Sueli Fumie Yamada-Ogatta
- Postgraduate Program in Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (G.S.-R.); (I.M.d.C.); (P.H.G.B.); (H.T.S.); (L.M.Y.)
- Postgraduate Program in Clinical and Laboratory Pathophysiology, Department of Pathology, Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86038-350, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Amsri A, Pruksaphon K, Thammasit P, Nosanchuk JD, Youngchim S. Adaptation to an amoeba host drives selection of virulence-associated traits and genetic variation in saprotrophic Candida albicans. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1367656. [PMID: 38550616 PMCID: PMC10976851 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1367656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Amoebae are micropredators that play an important role in controlling fungal populations in ecosystems. However, the interaction between fungi and their amoebic predators suggests that the pressure from predatory selection can significantly influence the development of fungal virulence and evolutionary processes. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the adaptation of saprotrophic Candida albicans strains during their interactions with Acanthamoeba castellanii. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of survival after co-culture by colony counting of the yeast cells and examining yeast cell phenotypic and genetic characteristics. Our results indicated that exposure to amoebae enhanced the survival capacity of environmental C. albicans and induced visible morphological alterations in C. albicans, particularly by an increase in filamentation. These observed phenotypic changes were closely related to concurrent genetic variations. Notably, mutations in genes encoding transcriptional repressors (TUP1 and SSN6), recognized for their negative regulation of filamentous growth, were exclusively identified in amoeba-passaged isolates, and absent in unexposed isolates. Furthermore, these adaptations increased the exposed isolates' fitness against various stressors, simultaneously enhancing virulence factors and demonstrating an increased ability to invade A549 lung human epithelial cells. These observations indicate that the sustained survival of C. albicans under ongoing amoebic predation involved a key role of mutation events in microevolution to modulate the ability of these isolates to change phenotype and increase their virulence factors, demonstrating an enhanced potential to survive in diverse environmental niches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Artid Amsri
- Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Kritsada Pruksaphon
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
- Center of Excellence Research for Melioidosis and Microorganisms (CERMM), Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Patcharin Thammasit
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Joshua D. Nosanchuk
- Department of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases), Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sirida Youngchim
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lima R, Ribeiro FC, Colombo AL, de Almeida JN. The emerging threat antifungal-resistant Candida tropicalis in humans, animals, and environment. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2022; 3:957021. [PMID: 37746212 PMCID: PMC10512401 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2022.957021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Antifungal resistance in humans, animals, and the environment is an emerging problem. Among the different fungal species that can develop resistance, Candida tropicalis is ubiquitous and causes infections in animals and humans. In Asia and some Latin American countries, C. tropicalis is among the most common species related to candidemia, and mortality rates are usually above 40%. Fluconazole resistance is especially reported in Asian countries and clonal spread in humans and the environment has been investigated in some studies. In Brazil, high rates of azole resistance have been found in animals and the environment. Multidrug resistance is still rare, but recent reports of clinical multidrug-resistant isolates are worrisome. The molecular apparatus of antifungal resistance has been majorly investigated in clinical C. tropicalis isolates, revealing that this species can develop resistance through the conjunction of different adaptative mechanisms. In this review article, we summarize the main findings regarding antifungal resistance and Candida tropicalis through an "One Health" approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Lima
- Special Mycology Laboratory, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Felipe C. Ribeiro
- Special Mycology Laboratory, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Arnaldo L. Colombo
- Special Mycology Laboratory, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joăo N. de Almeida
- Special Mycology Laboratory, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Clinical Laboratory, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bastos RW, Rossato L, Goldman GH, Santos DA. Fungicide effects on human fungal pathogens: Cross-resistance to medical drugs and beyond. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1010073. [PMID: 34882756 PMCID: PMC8659312 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are underestimated threats that affect over 1 billion people, and Candida spp., Cryptococcus spp., and Aspergillus spp. are the 3 most fatal fungi. The treatment of these infections is performed with a limited arsenal of antifungal drugs, and the class of the azoles is the most used. Although these drugs present low toxicity for the host, there is an emergence of therapeutic failure due to azole resistance. Drug resistance normally develops in patients undergoing azole long-term therapy, when the fungus in contact with the drug can adapt and survive. Conversely, several reports have been showing that resistant isolates are also recovered from patients with no prior history of azole therapy, suggesting that other routes might be driving antifungal resistance. Intriguingly, antifungal resistance also happens in the environment since resistant strains have been isolated from plant materials, soil, decomposing matter, and compost, where important human fungal pathogens live. As the resistant fungi can be isolated from the environment, in places where agrochemicals are extensively used in agriculture and wood industry, the hypothesis that fungicides could be driving and selecting resistance mechanism in nature, before the contact of the fungus with the host, has gained more attention. The effects of fungicide exposure on fungal resistance have been extensively studied in Aspergillus fumigatus and less investigated in other human fungal pathogens. Here, we discuss not only classic and recent studies showing that environmental azole exposure selects cross-resistance to medical azoles in A. fumigatus, but also how this phenomenon affects Candida and Cryptococcus, other 2 important human fungal pathogens found in the environment. We also examine data showing that fungicide exposure can select relevant changes in the morphophysiology and virulence of those pathogens, suggesting that its effect goes beyond the cross-resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael W. Bastos
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil
| | - Luana Rossato
- Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados-MS, Brazil
| | - Gustavo H. Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil
| | - Daniel A. Santos
- Laboratory of Mycology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte-MG, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|