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Shen JS, Wang ZJ, Duan Y, Mei LN, Zhu YY, Wei MZ, Wang XH, Luo XD. Antifungal bioactivity of Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna Franch. against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024:118473. [PMID: 38897554 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna Franch. has been widely utilized in folk medicine by the Miao people in the southwestern region of China for treating skin sores which may be associated with microbial infection. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the antifungal bioactivity of S. hookeriana var. digyna against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo, as well as its underlying mechanism and the key bioactive component. MATERIALS AND METHODS The antifungal bioactivity of 80% ethanol extract of S. hookeriana var. digyna (SHE80) was investigated in vitro using the broth microdilution method, time-growth curve, and time-kill assay. Its key functional component and antifungal mechanism were explored with combined approaches including UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, network pharmacology and metabolomics. The antifungal pathway was further supported via microscopic observation of fungal cell morphology and examination of its effects on fungal biofilm and cell membranes using fluorescent staining reagents. In vivo assessment of antifungal bioactivity was conducted using a mouse model infected with C. albicans on the skin. RESULTS S. hookeriana var. digyna suppressed fluconazole-resistant C. albicans efficiently (MIC = 16 μg/mL, MFC = 64 μg/mL). It removed fungal biofilm, increased cell membrane permeability, induced protein leakage, reduced membrane fluidity, disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential, induced the release of reactive oxygen species, promoted cell apoptosis, and inhibited the transformation of fungi from the yeast state to the hyphal state significantly. In terms of mechanism, it affected sphingolipid metabolism and signaling pathway. Moreover, the predicted bioactive component sarcovagine D was supported by antifungal bioactivity evaluation in vitro (MIC = 4 μg/mL, MFC = 16 μg/mL). Furthermore, S. hookeriana var. digyna promoted wound healing, reduced the number of colony-forming units, and reduced inflammation effectively in vivo. CONCLUSIONS The traditional use of S. hookeriana var. digyna for fungal skin infections was supported by antifungal bioactivity investigated in vitro and in vivo. Its mechanism and bioactive component were predicted and confirmed by experiments, which also provided a new antifungal agent for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Shan Shen
- Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education and Yunnan Province, School of Chemical Science and Technology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhao-Jie Wang
- Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education and Yunnan Province, School of Chemical Science and Technology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Duan
- Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education and Yunnan Province, School of Chemical Science and Technology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Na Mei
- Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education and Yunnan Province, School of Chemical Science and Technology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan-Yan Zhu
- Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education and Yunnan Province, School of Chemical Science and Technology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, People's Republic of China
| | - Mei-Zheng Wei
- Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education and Yunnan Province, School of Chemical Science and Technology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin-Hui Wang
- Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education and Yunnan Province, School of Chemical Science and Technology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Dong Luo
- Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education and Yunnan Province, School of Chemical Science and Technology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, People's Republic of China.
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Hoenigl M, Arastehfar A, Arendrup MC, Brüggemann R, Carvalho A, Chiller T, Chen S, Egger M, Feys S, Gangneux JP, Gold JAW, Groll AH, Heylen J, Jenks JD, Krause R, Lagrou K, Lamoth F, Prattes J, Sedik S, Wauters J, Wiederhold NP, Thompson GR. Novel antifungals and treatment approaches to tackle resistance and improve outcomes of invasive fungal disease. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0007423. [PMID: 38602408 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00074-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYFungal infections are on the rise, driven by a growing population at risk and climate change. Currently available antifungals include only five classes, and their utility and efficacy in antifungal treatment are limited by one or more of innate or acquired resistance in some fungi, poor penetration into "sequestered" sites, and agent-specific side effect which require frequent patient reassessment and monitoring. Agents with novel mechanisms, favorable pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles including good oral bioavailability, and fungicidal mechanism(s) are urgently needed. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of novel antifungal agents, with both improved known mechanisms of actions and new antifungal classes, currently in clinical development for treating invasive yeast, mold (filamentous fungi), Pneumocystis jirovecii infections, and dimorphic fungi (endemic mycoses). We further focus on inhaled antifungals and the role of immunotherapy in tackling fungal infections, and the specific PK/pharmacodynamic profiles, tissue distributions as well as drug-drug interactions of novel antifungals. Finally, we review antifungal resistance mechanisms, the role of use of antifungal pesticides in agriculture as drivers of drug resistance, and detail detection methods for antifungal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Hoenigl
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, ECMM Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BiotechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Amir Arastehfar
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maiken Cavling Arendrup
- Unit of Mycology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Roger Brüggemann
- Department of Pharmacy and Radboudumc Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboudumc-CWZ Center of Expertise in Mycology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Agostinho Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Tom Chiller
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sharon Chen
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, NSW South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia
- The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Matthias Egger
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, ECMM Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Simon Feys
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean-Pierre Gangneux
- Centre National de Référence des Mycoses et Antifongiques LA-AspC Aspergilloses chroniques, European Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM EC), Centre hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, Rennes, France
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Jeremy A W Gold
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Andreas H Groll
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Infectious Disease Research Program, Center for Bone Marrow Transplantation, University Children's Hospital, Muenster, Germany
| | - Jannes Heylen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jeffrey D Jenks
- Department of Public Health, Durham County, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Robert Krause
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, ECMM Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BiotechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and National Reference Center for Mycosis, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frédéric Lamoth
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Juergen Prattes
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, ECMM Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BiotechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Sarah Sedik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, ECMM Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Joost Wauters
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nathan P Wiederhold
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - George R Thompson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases University of California-Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA
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Wang Z, Shao J. Fungal vaccines and adjuvants: a tool to reveal the interaction between host and fungi. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:293. [PMID: 38850421 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-04010-7] [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: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Fungal infections are incurring high risks in a range from superficial mucosal discomforts (such as oropharyngeal candidiasis and vulvovaginal candidiasis) to disseminated life-threatening diseases (such as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and cryptococcal meningitis) and becoming a global health problem in especially immunodeficient population. The major obstacle to conquer fungal harassment lies in the presence of increasing resistance to conventional antifungal agents used in newly clinically isolated strains. Although recombinant cytokines and mono-/poly-clonal antibodies are added into antifungal armamentarium, more effective antimycotic drugs are exceedingly demanded. It is comforting that the development of fungal vaccines and adjuvants opens up a window to brighten the prospective way in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of fungal assaults. In this review, we focus on the progression of several major fungal vaccines devised for the control of Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., Cryptococcus spp., Coccidioides spp., Paracoccidioides spp., Blastomyces spp., Histoplasma spp., Pneumocystis spp. as well as the adjuvants adopted. We then expound the interaction between fungal vaccines/adjuvants and host innate (macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils), humoral (IgG, IgM and IgA) and cellular (Th1, Th2, Th17 and Tc17) immune responses which generally experience immune recognition of pattern recognition receptors, activation of immune cells, and clearance of invaded fungi. Furthermore, we anticipate an in-depth understanding of immunomodulatory properties of univalent and multivalent vaccines against diverse opportunistic fungi, providing helpful information in the design of novel fungal vaccines and adjuvants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixu Wang
- Laboratory of Anti-Infection and Immunity, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (College of Life Science), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Zhijing Building, 350 Longzihu Road, Xinzhan District, Hefei, 230012, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Shao
- Laboratory of Anti-Infection and Immunity, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (College of Life Science), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Zhijing Building, 350 Longzihu Road, Xinzhan District, Hefei, 230012, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Zhijing Building, 350 Longzihu Road, Xinzhan District, Hefei, 230012, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
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Diez A, Arrieta-Aguirre I, Carrano G, Fernandez-de-Larrinoa I, Moragues MD. A novel Candida albicans Als3, Hwp1 and Met6 derived complex peptide protects mice against hematogenously induced candidiasis. Vaccine 2024:S0264-410X(24)00597-8. [PMID: 38789371 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.05.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Candida albicans can cause superficial or systemic infections in humans, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Vaccination strategies targeting specific antigens of C. albicans have shown promise in providing protection against invasive candidiasis. This study aimed to evaluate the immuno-protective capacity of a KLH conjugated complex peptide, 3P-KLH, containing epitopes from C. albicans antigens Als3, Hwp1, and Met6 in a murine model of hematogenously induced candidiasis. Mice immunized with 3P-KLH raised a specific antibody response, and protection against C. albicans infection was assessed. Immunized mice exhibited significantly lower fungal load in their kidneys compared to the control group. Moreover, 37.5 % of immunized mice survived 21 days after the infection, while all control animals died within the first nine days. These findings suggest that the 3P-KLH complex peptide, targeting C. albicans key antigens, elicits a protective immune response and reduces the severity of systemic Candida infection. In addition, the high binding affinity of the selected epitopes with MHC II alleles further supports the potential immunogenicity of this peptide in humans. This research provides insights into the development of novel immunotherapeutic approaches against invasive candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ander Diez
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain; Department of Nursing I, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Ines Arrieta-Aguirre
- Department of Nursing I, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.
| | - Giulia Carrano
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
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5
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Shen Y, Pan M, Gao H, Zhang Y, Wang R, Li J, Mao Z. New azole derivatives linked to indole/indoline moieties combined with FLC against drug-resistant Candida albicans. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:1236-1246. [PMID: 38665837 PMCID: PMC11042159 DOI: 10.1039/d4md00021h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is the most common fungal pathogen associated with human opportunistic infections. Invasive infections caused by C. albicans are becoming increasingly serious. However, with the rising incidence of fungal infection, many fungi are resistant to commonly used drugs. Therefore, there is an urgent need for exploring new anti-fungal drugs that fungi are not resistant to. A series of novel azole derivatives linked to indole/indoline moieties were prepared, and in vitro antifungal activity evaluated. All compounds combined with FLC showed excellent activity against drug-resistant C. albicans with low toxicity. A preliminary mechanistic study indicated that S1 combined with FLC could inhibit the formation of C. albicans biofilms as well as destroy the integrity of cell-membrane structure and mitochondrial function. S1 could be considered a new fungal agent for further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhong Shen
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine Kunming 650500 PR China
| | - Min Pan
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine Kunming 650500 PR China
| | - Hui Gao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine Kunming 650500 PR China
| | - Yi Zhang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine Kunming 650500 PR China
| | - Ruirui Wang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine Kunming 650500 PR China
| | - Jun Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine Kunming 650500 PR China
| | - Zewei Mao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine Kunming 650500 PR China
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6
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Chen H, Geng X, Ning Q, Shi L, Zhang N, He S, Zhao M, Zhang J, Li Z, Shi J, Li J. Biophilic Positive Carbon Dot Exerts Antifungal Activity and Augments Corneal Permeation for Fungal Keratitis. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:4044-4053. [PMID: 38517749 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c01042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Fungal keratitis (FK) is an infectious eye disease that poses a significant risk of blindness. However, the effectiveness of conventional antifungal drugs is limited due to the intrinsic ocular barrier that impedes drug absorption. There is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic strategies to effectively combat FK. Herein, we synthesized an ultrasmall positively charged carbon dot using a simple stage-melting method. The carbon dot can penetrate the corneal barrier by opening the tight junctions, allowing them to reach the lesion site and effectively kill the fungi. The results both in vitro and in vivo demonstrated that it exhibited good biocompatibility and antifungal activity, significantly improving the therapeutic effect in a mouse model of FK. Therefore, this biophilic ultrasmall size and positive carbon dot, characterized by its ability to penetrate the corneal barrier and its antifungal properties, may offer valuable insights into the design of effective ocular nanomedicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiying Chen
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450003 Zhengzhou, China
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, 450001 Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiwen Geng
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450003 Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qingyun Ning
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450003 Zhengzhou, China
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, 450001 Zhengzhou, China
| | - Liuqi Shi
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450003 Zhengzhou, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450003 Zhengzhou, China
| | - Siyu He
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450003 Zhengzhou, China
| | - Mengyang Zhao
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450003 Zhengzhou, China
| | - Junjie Zhang
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450003 Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhanrong Li
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450003 Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jun Shi
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, 450001 Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jingguo Li
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450003 Zhengzhou, China
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, 450001 Zhengzhou, China
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Corrêa-Moreira D, Baptista BDO, Giosa D, Oliveira MME. Editorial: Emerging fungal pathogens: perspectives. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2024; 5:1369062. [PMID: 38419622 PMCID: PMC10899703 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2024.1369062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Danielly Corrêa-Moreira
- Laboratory of Taxonomy, Biochemistry and Bioprospecting of Fungi, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Domenico Giosa
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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8
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Zheng M, Chen H, Li X, Chen S, Shi Y, Hu H. Discovery of a novel antifungal agent: All-hydrocarbon stapling modification of peptide Aurein1.2. J Pept Sci 2024; 30:e3533. [PMID: 37431279 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Aurein1.2 is secreted by the Australian tree frog Litoria aurea and is active against a broad range of infectious microbes including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Its antifungal potency has garnered considerable interest in developing novel classes of natural antifungal agents to fight pathogenic infection by fungi. However, serious pharmacological hurdles remain, hindering its clinical translation. To alleviate its susceptibility to proteolytic degradation and improve its antifungal activity, six conformationally locked peptides were synthesized through hydrocarbon stapling modification and evaluated for their physicochemical and antifungal parameters. Among them, SAU2-4 exhibited significant improvement in helicity levels, protease resistance, and antifungal activity compared to the template linear peptide Aurein1.2. These results confirmed the prominent role of hydrocarbon stapling modification in the manipulation of peptide pharmacological properties and enhanced the application potential of Aurein1.2 in the field of antifungal agent development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjun Zheng
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huixuan Chen
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang Li
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Si Chen
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yejiao Shi
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Honggang Hu
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
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Sun A, Chai N, Zhu X, Li Y, Wang R, Zhang Y, Mao Z. Optimization and antifungal activity of quinoline derivatives linked to chalcone moiety combined with FLC against Candida albicans. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 260:115782. [PMID: 37672929 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
In present work, a series of quinoline derivatives linked to chalcone moiety have been prepared, and their in vitro and in vivo antifungal activities against C. albicans have been evaluated. The results indicated that quinoline combined with fluconazole (FLC) showed good inhibitory activity against C. albicans. Especially, compound PK-10 combined with FLC displayed the best antifungal activity against 14 FLC-resistant C. albicans strains with almost no cytotoxicity. Preliminary mechanistic studies proved that PK-10 combined with FLC could inhibit the hyphae formation of C. albicans, induce the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the damage of mitochondrial membrane potential and the decrease of intracellular ATP content, which led to mitochondrial dysfunction. In vivo studies found obvious effects of the co-treatment regimen had obvious effects based on histological analysis, body weight curves, and coefficients of major organs. Therefore, the optimization of quinolone-chalcone derivatives combined with FLC could exert the potent antifungal activity in vitro and in vivo obviously, suggesting them as new agents to treat drug-resistant C. albicans infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimei Sun
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, PR China
| | - Nannan Chai
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, PR China
| | - Xianhu Zhu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, PR China
| | - Yanping Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, PR China
| | - Ruirui Wang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, PR China.
| | - Yi Zhang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, PR China
| | - Zewei Mao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, PR China.
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Clavijo-Giraldo DM, Pérez-García LA, Hernández-Chávez MJ, Martínez-Duncker I, Mora-Montes HM. Contribution of N-Linked Mannosylation Pathway to Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis Biofilm Formation. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:6843-6857. [PMID: 37908782 PMCID: PMC10614665 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s431745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mycoses are a growing threat to human health, and systemic candidiasis caused by Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis is frequent in immunocompromised patients. Biofilm formation is a virulence factor found in these organisms, as sessile cells adhere to surfaces, the stratification and production of extracellular matrix provides protection and resistance to antifungal drugs. Previous evidence indicated that the N-linked mannosylation pathway is relevant to C. albicans biofilms, but its contribution to other species remains unknown. Methods C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis och1∆ mutants, which have a disrupted N-linked mannosylation pathway, were used to form biofilms. In addition, wild-type and mutant cells were also treated to remove N-linked mannans or block this pathway. Biofilms were analyzed by quantifying the included fungal biomass, and extracellular matrix components. Moreover, gene expression and secreted hydrolytic enzymes were also quantified in these biofilms. Results The och1∆ mutants showed a reduced ability to form biofilms in both fungal species when compared to the wild-type and control strains. This observation was confirmed by trimming N-linked mannans from walls or blocking the pathway with tunicamycin B. According to this observation, mutant, and treated cells showed an altered composition of the extracellular matrix and increased susceptibility to antifungal drugs when compared to control or untreated cells. The gene expression of secreted virulence factors, such as aspartyl proteinases and phospholipases, was normal in all the tested cells but the secreted activity was reduced, suggesting a defect in the secretory pathway, which was later confirmed by treating cells with brefeldin A. Conclusion Proper N-linked mannosylation is required for biofilm formation in both C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis. Disruption of this posttranslational modification affected the secretory pathway, offering a link between glycosylation and biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luis A Pérez-García
- Departamento de Biología, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Gto., México
- Facultad de Estudios Profesionales Zona Huasteca, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosí, México
| | | | - Iván Martínez-Duncker
- Laboratorio de Glicobiología Humana y Diagnóstico Molecular; Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
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Zhao Z, Sun Y, Li M, Yu Q. Construction of Candida albicans Adhesin-Exposed Synthetic Cells for Preventing Systemic Fungal Infection. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1521. [PMID: 37896925 PMCID: PMC10611093 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11101521] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of efficient fungal vaccines is urgent for preventing life-threatening systemic fungal infections. In this study, we prepared a synthetic, cell-based fungal vaccine for preventing systemic fungal infections using synthetic biology techniques. The synthetic cell EmEAP1 was constructed by transforming the Escherichia coli chassis using a de novo synthetic fragment encoding the protein mChEap1 that was composed of the E. coli OmpA peptide, the fluorescence protein mCherry, the Candida albicans adhesin Eap1, and the C-terminally transmembrane region. The EmEAP1 cells highly exposed the mChEap1 on the cell surface under IPTG induction. The fungal vaccine was then prepared by mixing the EmEAP1 cells with aluminum hydroxide gel and CpG. Fluorescence quantification revealed that the fungal vaccine was stable even after 112 days of storage. After immunization in mice, the vaccine resided in the lymph nodes, inducing the recruitment of CD11c+ dendritic cells. Moreover, the vaccine strongly activated the CD4+ T splenocytes and elicited high levels of anti-Eap1 IgG. By the prime-boost immunization, the vaccine prolonged the survival time of the mice infected by the C. albicans cells and attenuated fungal colonization together with inflammation in the kidneys. This study sheds light on the development of synthetic biology-based fungal vaccines for the prevention of life-threatening fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zirun Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (Z.Z.); (Y.S.); (M.L.)
| | - Ying Sun
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (Z.Z.); (Y.S.); (M.L.)
| | - Mingchun Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (Z.Z.); (Y.S.); (M.L.)
| | - Qilin Yu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (Z.Z.); (Y.S.); (M.L.)
- Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, Tianjin 300350, China
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12
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Qureshi MI, Jamil QA, Usman F, Wani TA, Farooq M, Shah HS, Ahmad H, Khalil R, Sajjad M, Zargar S, Kausar S. Tioconazole-Loaded Transethosomal Gel Using Box-Behnken Design for Topical Applications: In Vitro, In Vivo, and Molecular Docking Approaches. Gels 2023; 9:767. [PMID: 37754448 PMCID: PMC10530999 DOI: 10.3390/gels9090767] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Tioconazole (TCZ) is a broad-spectrum fungicidal BCS class II drug with reported activity against Candida albicans, dermatophytes, and certain Staphylococci bacteria. We report the use of TCZ-loaded transethosomes (TEs) to overcome the skin's barrier function. TCZ-loaded TEs were fabricated by using a cold method with slight modification. Box-Behnken composite design was utilized to investigate the effect of independent variables. The fabricated TEs were assessed with various physicochemical characterizations. The optimized formulation of TCZ-loaded TEs was incorporated into gel and evaluated for pH, conductivity, drug content, spreadability, rheology, in vitro permeation, ex vivo permeation, and in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity. The fabricated TCZ-loaded TEs had a % EE of 60.56 to 86.13, with particle sizes ranging from 219.1 to 757.1 nm. The SEM images showed spherically shaped vesicles. The % drug permeation was between 77.01 and 92.03. The kinetic analysis of all release profiles followed Higuchi's diffusion model. The FTIR, DSC, and XRD analysis showed no significant chemical interactions between the drug and excipients. A significantly higher antifungal activity was observed for TCZ-loaded transethosomal gel in comparison to the control. The in vivo antifungal study on albino rats indicated that TCZ-loaded transethosomal gel showed a comparable therapeutic effect in comparison to the market brand Canesten®. Molecular docking demonstrated that the TCZ in the TE composition was surrounded by hydrophobic excipients with increased overall hydrophobicity and better permeation. Therefore, TCZ in the form of transethosomal gel can serve as an effective drug delivery system, having the ability to penetrate the skin and overcome the stratum corneum barrier with improved efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Imran Qureshi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 66000, Pakistan; (M.I.Q.); (Q.A.J.)
| | - Qazi Adnan Jamil
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 66000, Pakistan; (M.I.Q.); (Q.A.J.)
| | - Faisal Usman
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan;
| | - Tanveer A. Wani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mudassir Farooq
- Department of Manufacturing Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Hamid Saeed Shah
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Syed Abdul Qadir Jillani (Out Fall) Road, Lahore 54000, Pakistan;
| | - Hassan Ahmad
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Central Punjab, 1-Khayabaan-e-Jinnah Road, Johar Town, Lahore 54000, Pakistan;
| | - Ruqaiya Khalil
- Centro De Investigaciones Biomédicas, University of Vigo (CINBO), 36310 Vigo, Spain;
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
| | - Muhammad Sajjad
- College of Pharmacy, University of Sargodha, Sargodha 40100, Pakistan;
| | - Seema Zargar
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Safina Kausar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan;
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13
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Lin C, Tang H, Hu X, Li G, Jiang T, Yang W, Xia Z, Zhu Y, Xu H, Zhou J, Shen J. A PCR-Reverse Dot Blot Hybridization Based Microfluidics Detection System for the Rapid Identification of 13 Fungal Pathogens Directly After Blood Cultures Over a Period of Time. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:5347-5357. [PMID: 37605759 PMCID: PMC10440108 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s424156] [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: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction It is time-consuming to identify fungal pathogens from positive blood cultures using the standard culture-based method. And delayed diagnosis of bloodstream infection leads to significantly increased mortality. Methods We developed a PCR-reverse dot blot hybridization combined with microfluidic chip techniques to rapidly identify 13 fungal pathogens within 3-4 h using the sample of blood cultured over a period of time. Results We performed clinical validation using 43 blood culture-positive samples with a sensitivity of 96.7%, a specificity of 100%, and a concordance rate of 97.7%. Samples with different culture durations were evaluated using our approach, showing a detection rate of 85.2% at 16 h and 96.3% at 24 h; the platform could reach a detection limit of 103cfu/mL for the Candida spp. and 103 copies/mL for Aspergillus spp. Discussion The detection rate of the platform is much higher than the positive rates of concurrent blood cultures. This method bears substantial clinical application potential as it incorporates the microfluidic platform with low reagent consumption, automation, and low cost (about 10 dollars).
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhui Lin
- Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
- Clinical Laboratory, Anhui Public Health Clinical Center Hefei, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hao Tang
- Clinical Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinyi Hu
- Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
- Clinical Laboratory, Anhui Public Health Clinical Center Hefei, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ge Li
- Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
- Clinical Laboratory, Anhui Public Health Clinical Center Hefei, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tong Jiang
- Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
- Clinical Laboratory, Anhui Public Health Clinical Center Hefei, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wensu Yang
- Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
- Clinical Laboratory, Anhui Public Health Clinical Center Hefei, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhaoxin Xia
- Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
- Clinical Laboratory, Anhui Public Health Clinical Center Hefei, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi Zhu
- Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
- Clinical Laboratory, Anhui Public Health Clinical Center Hefei, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huaming Xu
- Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
- Clinical Laboratory, Anhui Public Health Clinical Center Hefei, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jilu Shen
- Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
- Clinical Laboratory, Anhui Public Health Clinical Center Hefei, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
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14
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Gómez-Gaviria M, Martínez-Duncker I, García-Carnero LC, Mora-Montes HM. Differential Recognition of Sporothrix schenckii, Sporothrix brasiliensis, and Sporothrix globosa by Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages and Dendritic Cells. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:4817-4834. [PMID: 37520448 PMCID: PMC10386844 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s419629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sporotrichosis is a mycosis frequently caused by Sporothrix schenckii, Sporothrix brasiliensis, and Sporothrix globosa. The cell wall is a species-specific fungal structure with a direct role in activating the host's immune response. The current knowledge about anti-Sporothrix immunity comes from studies using S. schenckii or S. brasiliensis and murine cells. Macrophages and dendritic cells detect and eliminate pathogens, and although the function of these cells links innate with adaptive immunity, little is known about their interaction with Sporothrix spp. Methods S. schenckii, S. brasiliensis, and S. globosa conidia or yeast-like cells were co-incubated with human monocyte-derived macrophages or dendritic cells, and the phagocytosis and cytokine stimulation were assessed. These interactions were also performed in the presence of specific blocking agents of immune receptors or fungal cells with altered walls to analyze the contribution of these molecules to the immune cell-fungus interaction. Results Both types of immune cells phagocytosed S. globosa conidia and yeast-like cells to a greater extent, followed by S. brasiliensis and S. schenckii. Furthermore, when the wall internal components were exposed, the phagocytosis level increased for S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis, in contrast to S. globosa. Thus, the cell wall components have different functions during the interaction with macrophages and dendritic cells. S. globosa stimulated an increased proinflammatory response when compared to the other species. In macrophages, this was a dectin-1-, mannose receptor-, and TLR2-dependent response, but dectin-1- and TLR2-dependent stimulation in dendritic cells. For S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis, cytokine production was dependent on the activation of TLR4, CR3, and DC-SIGN. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that these species are recognized by immune cells differently and that this may depend on both the structure and cell wall organization of the different morphologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Gómez-Gaviria
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, GuanajuatoMéxico
| | - Iván Martínez-Duncker
- Laboratorio de Glicobiología Humana y Diagnóstico Molecular; Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Laura C García-Carnero
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, GuanajuatoMéxico
| | - Héctor M Mora-Montes
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, GuanajuatoMéxico
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15
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Loh JT, Teo JKH, Kannan S, Verma CS, Lim HH, Lam KP. Disrupting the Dok3-Card9 Interaction with Synthetic Peptides Enhances Antifungal Effector Functions of Human Neutrophils. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1780. [PMID: 37513967 PMCID: PMC10383035 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15071780] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal disease is an emerging and serious public health threat globally. The expanding population of susceptible individuals, together with the rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant fungi pathogens, call for the development of novel therapeutic strategies beyond the limited repertoire of licensed antifungal drugs. Card9 is a critical signaling molecule involved in antifungal defense; we have previously identified Dok3 to be a key negative regulator of Card9 activity in neutrophils. In this study, we identified two synthetic peptides derived from the coiled-coil domain of Card9, which can specifically block Dok3-Card9 binding. We showed that these peptides are cell-permeable, non-toxic, and can enhance antifungal cytokine production and the phagocytosis of human neutrophils upon fungal infection. Collectively, these data provide a proof of concept that disrupting the Dok3-Card9 interaction can boost the antifungal effector functions of neutrophils; they further suggest the potential utility of these peptide inhibitors as an immune-based therapeutic to fight fungal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Tong Loh
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 8A Biomedical Grove, Singapore S138648, Singapore
| | - Joey Kay Hui Teo
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 8A Biomedical Grove, Singapore S138648, Singapore
| | - Srinivasaraghavan Kannan
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 30 Biopolis Street, Singapore S138671, Singapore
| | - Chandra S Verma
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 30 Biopolis Street, Singapore S138671, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, Singapore S117558, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore S637551, Singapore
| | - Hong-Hwa Lim
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 8A Biomedical Grove, Singapore S138648, Singapore
| | - Kong-Peng Lam
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 8A Biomedical Grove, Singapore S138648, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore S637551, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore S117545, Singapore
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