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Faria-Gonçalves P, Rolo J, Gaspar C, Palmeira-de-Oliveira R, Martinez-de-Oliveira J, Palmeira-de-Oliveira A. Virulence Factors as Promoters of Chronic Vulvovaginal Candidosis: A Review. Mycopathologia 2021; 186:755-773. [PMID: 34613569 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-021-00592-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The vast majority of the species of the genus Candida spp. is commensal in humans; however, some are opportunistic pathogens that can cause infection, called candidosis. Among the different types of candidosis, we highlight the vulvovaginal (VVC) which can occur in two main clinical variants: chronic (cVVC) and episodic or sporadic. The incidence of cVVC has been worrying the scientific community, promoting the research on genotypic and phenotypic causes of its occurrence. We summarize important findings on factors that favor chronic vulvovaginal candidosis with respect to molecular epidemiology and the expression of various virulence factors, while clarifying the terminology involving these infections. AIM AND METHODOLOGY The aim of this review was to gather research that linked virulence factors to VVC and its persistence and recurrence, using two databases (Pubmed and Google Scholar). Predisposing factors in women for the occurrence of cVVC and some studies that refer new preventive and alternative therapies were also included, where appropriate. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Several studies have been shedding light on the increasing number of persistence and recurrences of VVC. The expression of virulence factors has been related to both chronic forms of VVC and antifungal resistance. Other studies report mutations occurring in the genome of Candida spp. during the infection phase which may be important indications for new therapies. The introduction of preventive therapies and new therapies has revealed great importance and is also highlighted here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Faria-Gonçalves
- Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University Mandume Ya Ndemufayo, Lubango, Angola.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Joana Rolo
- Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal.
| | - Carlos Gaspar
- Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.,Health Products Research and Development Lda, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Rita Palmeira-de-Oliveira
- Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.,Health Products Research and Development Lda, Covilhã, Portugal.,Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José Martinez-de-Oliveira
- Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Ana Palmeira-de-Oliveira
- Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.,Health Products Research and Development Lda, Covilhã, Portugal
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Nasiri S, Shams Ghahfarokhi M, Razzaghi Abyaneh M. Effect of Carum carvi essential oil on ERG6 gene expression and virulence factors in Candida albicans. Curr Med Mycol 2021; 6:30-36. [PMID: 33628979 PMCID: PMC7888518 DOI: 10.18502/cmm.6.2.3628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose: The present study was conducted to investigate the inhibitory effects of Carum carvi essential oil (EO) against ERG6 gene expression in relation to fungal growth and some important virulence factors in Candida albicans. Materials and Methods: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of C. carvi EO against C. albicans was determined by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M27-A4 method at a concentration range of 20-1280 μg/ml. Furthermore, the expression of ERG6 gene was studied at the 0.5× MIC concentration of C. carvi EO using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The proteinase and phospholipase activities, cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH), and cell membrane ergosterol (CME) content of C. albicans were also assessed at the 0.5× MIC concentration of the plant EO using the approved methods. In addition, fluconazole (FLC) was used as a control antifungal drug. Results: The results indicated that the MIC and minimum fungicidal concentration of C. carvi EO for C. albicans growth were 320 and 640 μg/ml, respectively. The expression of fungal ERG6 at an mRNA level and ergosterol content of yeast cells were significantly decreased by both C. carvi EO (640 μg/ml) and FLC (2 μg/ml). The proteinase and phospholipase activities were also reduced in C. carvi EO by 49.82% and 53.26%, respectively, while they were inhibited in FLC-treated cultures by 27.72% and 34.67%, respectively. Furthermore, the CSH was inhibited in EO- and FLC-treated cultures by 12.75% and 20.80%, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings revealed that C. carvi EO can be considered a potential natural compound in the development of an efficient antifungal agent against C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Nasiri
- Department of Mycology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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Palmeira VF, Goulart FRV, Granato MQ, Alviano DS, Alviano CS, Kneipp LF, Santos ALS. Fonsecaea pedrosoi Sclerotic Cells: Secretion of Aspartic-Type Peptidase and Susceptibility to Peptidase Inhibitors. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1383. [PMID: 30008700 PMCID: PMC6033999 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Fonsecaea pedrosoi is a dematiaceous fungus and the main causative agent of chromoblastomycosis that is a chronic disease usually affecting the human skin and subcutaneous tissues, which causes deformations and incapacities, being frequently refractory to available therapies. A typical globe-shaped, multiseptated and pigmented cells, known as sclerotic cells, are found in the lesions of infected individuals. In the present work, we have investigated the production of aspartic-type peptidase in F. pedrosoi sclerotic cells as well as the effect of peptidase inhibitors (PIs) on its enzymatic activity and viability. Our data showed that sclerotic cells are able to secrete pepstatin A-sensible aspartic peptidase when grown under chemically defined conditions. In addition, aspartic PIs (ritonavir, nelfinavir, indinavir, and saquinavir), which are clinically used in the HIV chemotherapy, significantly decreased the fungal peptidase activity, varying from 55 to 99%. Moreover, sclerotic cell-derived aspartic peptidase hydrolyzed human albumin, an important serum protein, as well as laminin, an extracellular matrix component, but not immunoglobulin G and fibronectin. It is well-known that aspartic peptidases play important physiological roles in fungal cells. With this task in mind, the effect of pepstatin A, a classical aspartic peptidase inhibitor, on the F. pedrosoi proliferation was evaluated. Pepstatin A inhibited the fungal viability in both cellular density- and drug-concentration manners. Moreover, HIV-PIs at 10 μM powerfully inhibited the viability (>65%) of F. pedrosoi sclerotic cells. The detection of aspartic peptidase produced by sclerotic cells, the parasitic form of F. pedrosoi, may contribute to reveal new virulence markers and potential targets for chromoblastomycosis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanila F Palmeira
- 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, Brazil.,Laboratório de Estrutura de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fatima R V Goulart
- Laboratório de Estrutura de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcela Q Granato
- Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniela S Alviano
- Laboratório de Estrutura de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Celuta S Alviano
- Laboratório de Estrutura de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lucimar F Kneipp
- Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 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, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Araújo Paulo de Medeiros M, Vieira de Melo AP, Maia de Sousa AM, Silva-Rocha WP, Pipolo Milan E, Maranhão Chaves G. Characterization of virulence factors of vaginal and anal isolates of Candida albicans sequentially obtained from patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis in north-east Brazil. J Mycol Med 2017; 27:567-572. [PMID: 28844452 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Revised: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
In order to better understand the pathogenesis of VVC, focusing on the role of C. albicans virulence factors in triggering this infirmity; we evaluated four virulence factors of 62 clinical isolates of C. albicans sequentially obtained from the vagina and anus of patients with sporadic and recurrent VVC. Virulence factors were phenotypically evaluated in vitro, including: adhesion capacity to epithelial cells obtained from healthy individuals, morphogenesis in the presence of fetal bovine serum, biofilm formation in polystyrene microtiter plates and proteinase activity using bovine serum albumin. Colonizing anal isolates were as able as infecting vaginal isolates to express the virulence factors evaluated in vitro. It was observed an association between the expression of virulence factors studied and the signs and symptoms of VVC presented by the patients. No statistically significant difference was observed in the expression of virulence factors between vaginal isolates of C. albicans obtained from patients with sporadic VVC and those obtained from patients with recurrent VVC. Our results suggest that the ability to express virulence factors is important for the pathogenesis of VVC, but it seems not to be crucial for the transition from colonization to infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Araújo Paulo de Medeiros
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal city, Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil
| | - A P Vieira de Melo
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal city, Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil
| | - A M Maia de Sousa
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal city, Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil
| | - W P Silva-Rocha
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal city, Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil
| | - E Pipolo Milan
- Department of Infectology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal city, Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil
| | - G Maranhão Chaves
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal city, Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil.
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Secretory Aspartyl Proteinases Cause Vaginitis and Can Mediate Vaginitis Caused by Candida albicans in Mice. mBio 2015; 6:e00724. [PMID: 26037125 PMCID: PMC4453014 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00724-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Vaginal inflammation (vaginitis) is the most common disease caused by the human-pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. Secretory aspartyl proteinases (Sap) are major virulence traits of C. albicans that have been suggested to play a role in vaginitis. To dissect the mechanisms by which Sap play this role, Sap2, a dominantly expressed member of the Sap family and a putative constituent of an anti-Candida vaccine, was used. Injection of full-length Sap2 into the mouse vagina caused local neutrophil influx and accumulation of the inflammasome-dependent interleukin-1β (IL-1β) but not of inflammasome-independent tumor necrosis factor alpha. Sap2 could be replaced by other Sap, while no inflammation was induced by the vaccine antigen, the N-terminal-truncated, enzymatically inactive tSap2. Anti-Sap2 antibodies, in particular Fab from a human combinatorial antibody library, inhibited or abolished the inflammatory response, provided the antibodies were able, like the Sap inhibitor Pepstatin A, to inhibit Sap enzyme activity. The same antibodies and Pepstatin A also inhibited neutrophil influx and cytokine production stimulated by C. albicans intravaginal injection, and a mutant strain lacking SAP1, SAP2, and SAP3 was unable to cause vaginal inflammation. Sap2 induced expression of activated caspase-1 in murine and human vaginal epithelial cells. Caspase-1 inhibition downregulated IL-1β and IL-18 production by vaginal epithelial cells, and blockade of the IL-1β receptor strongly reduced neutrophil influx. Overall, the data suggest that some Sap, particularly Sap2, are proinflammatory proteins in vivo and can mediate the inflammasome-dependent, acute inflammatory response of vaginal epithelial cells to C. albicans. These findings support the notion that vaccine-induced or passively administered anti-Sap antibodies could contribute to control vaginitis. IMPORTANCE Candidal vaginitis is an acute inflammatory disease that affects many women of fertile age, with no definitive cure and, in its recurrent forms, causing true devastation of quality of life. Unraveling the fungal factors causing inflammation is important to be able to devise novel tools to fight the disease. In an experimental murine model, we have discovered that aspartyl proteinases, particularly Sap2, may cause the same inflammatory signs of vaginitis caused by the fungus and that anti-Sap antibodies and the protease inhibitor Pepstatin A almost equally inhibit Sap- and C. albicans-induced inflammation. Sap-induced vaginitis is an early event during vaginal infection, is uncoupled from fungal growth, and requires Sap and caspase-1 enzymatic activities to occur, suggesting that Sap or products of Sap activity activate an inflammasome sensor of epithelial cells. Our data support the notion that anti-Sap antibodies could help control the essence of candidal vaginitis, i.e., the inflammatory response.
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Sacristán B, Blanco MT, Galán-Ladero MA, Blanco J, Pérez-Giraldo C, Gómez-García AC. Aspartyl proteinase, phospholipase, hemolytic activities and biofilm production of Candida albicans isolated from bronchial aspirates of ICU patients. Med Mycol 2010; 49:94-7. [PMID: 20465518 DOI: 10.3109/13693786.2010.482947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
A correlation between mucosal colonization by Candida albicans and the subsequent development of invasive respiratory infection has been previously described. The aim of this study was to evaluate different enzymatic activities in vitro and to determine the capacity to form biofilms by 17 C. albicans isolates from bronchial aspirates of mechanically ventilated patients hospitalized in intensive care units. All the C. albicans clinical isolates tested were biofilm producers and displayed detectable levels of proteinase and hemolytic activities, although phospholipase activity was not detected in one strain. The correlation noted among the virulence factors studied suggests that the presence of more than one concurrent factor could facilitate the spread of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Sacristán
- Area of Microbiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
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Patel M, Gulube Z, Dutton M. The effect of Dodonaea viscosa var. angustifolia on Candida albicans proteinase and phospholipase production and adherence to oral epithelial cells. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2009; 124:562-565. [PMID: 19450675 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2009] [Revised: 03/06/2009] [Accepted: 05/07/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY This study investigated effect of a crude extract of Dodonaea viscosa on the proteinase and phospholipase production and adherence to epithelial cells by Candida albicans isolated from HIV positive and HIV negative patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty Candida albicans strains isolated from HIV positive and 20 from HIV negative patients were investigated. The isolates were exposed to subinhibitory concentration of crude plant extract and adherence, proteinase and phospholipase production were assessed. The results were analysed using Student's t-test and a two-way ANOVA. RESULTS Dodonaea viscosa var. angustifolia inhibited the adherence of Candida albicans to oral epithelial cells (p=<0.01) but no significant effect of the plant extract on proteinase and phospholipase production was observed. Results from Candida albicans strains isolated from HIV positive and HIV negative patients were similar. CONCLUSIONS Dodonaea viscosa var. angustifolia inhibited the adherence of Candida albicans to oral epithelial cells, which is the initial step of colonization in the infection process. This plant has a therapeutic potential at subinhibitory concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrudula Patel
- Division of Oral Microbiology, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand and National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa.
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Savini V, Catavitello C, Manna A, Talia M, Febbo F, Balbinot A, D’Antonio F, Di Bonaventura G, Celentano C, Liberati M, Piccolomini R, D’Antonio D. Two Cases of Vaginitis Caused by Itraconazole-Resistant Saccharomyces cerevisiae and a Review of Recently Published Studies. Mycopathologia 2008; 166:47-50. [DOI: 10.1007/s11046-008-9119-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2007] [Accepted: 03/31/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Tronchin G, Pihet M, Lopes-Bezerra LM, Bouchara JP. Adherence mechanisms in human pathogenic fungi. Med Mycol 2008; 46:749-72. [DOI: 10.1080/13693780802206435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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Cassone A, De Bernardis F, Santoni G. Anticandidal immunity and vaginitis: novel opportunities for immune intervention. Infect Immun 2007; 75:4675-86. [PMID: 17562759 PMCID: PMC2044548 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00083-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Cassone
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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Current awareness on yeast. Yeast 2007. [DOI: 10.1002/yea.1324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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