1
|
Santos ALS, Braga-Silva LA, Gonçalves DS, Ramos LS, Oliveira SSC, Souza LOP, Oliveira VS, Lins RD, Pinto MR, Muñoz JE, Taborda CP, Branquinha MH. Repositioning Lopinavir, an HIV Protease Inhibitor, as a Promising Antifungal Drug: Lessons Learned from Candida albicans-In Silico, In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7060424. [PMID: 34071195 PMCID: PMC8229492 DOI: 10.3390/jof7060424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The repurposing strategy was applied herein to evaluate the effects of lopinavir, an aspartic protease inhibitor currently used in the treatment of HIV-infected individuals, on the globally widespread opportunistic human fungal pathogen Candida albicans by using in silico, in vitro and in vivo approaches in order to decipher its targets on fungal cells and its antifungal mechanisms of action. Secreted aspartic proteases (Saps) are the obviously main target of lopinavir. To confirm this hypothesis, molecular docking assays revealed that lopinavir bound to the Sap2 catalytic site of C. albicans as well as inhibited the Sap hydrolytic activity in a typically dose-dependent manner. The inhibition of Saps culminated in the inability of C. albicans yeasts to assimilate the unique nitrogen source (albumin) available in the culture medium, culminating with fungal growth inhibition (IC50 = 39.8 µM). The antifungal action of lopinavir was corroborated by distinct microscopy analyses, which evidenced drastic and irreversible changes in the morphology that justified the fungal death. Furthermore, our results revealed that lopinavir was able to (i) arrest the yeasts-into-hyphae transformation, (ii) disturb the synthesis of neutral lipids, including ergosterol, (iii) modulate the surface-located molecules, such as Saps and mannose-, sialic acid- and N-acetylglucosamine-containing glycoconjugates, (iv) diminish the secretion of hydrolytic enzymes, such as Saps and esterase, (v) negatively influence the biofilm formation on polystyrene surface, (vi) block the in vitro adhesion to epithelial cells, (vii) contain the in vivo infection in both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice and (viii) reduce the Sap production by yeasts recovered from kidneys of infected animals. Conclusively, the exposed results highlight that lopinavir may be used as a promising repurposing drug against C. albicans infection as well as may be used as a lead compound for the development of novel antifungal drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- André L. S. Santos
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil; (L.A.B.-S.); (D.S.G.); (L.S.R.); (S.S.C.O.); (L.O.P.S.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica (PPGBq), Instituto de Química (IQ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, Brazil
- Correspondence: (A.L.S.S.); (M.H.B.); Tel.: +55-21-3938-0366 (A.L.S.S.)
| | - Lys A. Braga-Silva
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil; (L.A.B.-S.); (D.S.G.); (L.S.R.); (S.S.C.O.); (L.O.P.S.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica (PPGBq), Instituto de Química (IQ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, Brazil
| | - Diego S. Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil; (L.A.B.-S.); (D.S.G.); (L.S.R.); (S.S.C.O.); (L.O.P.S.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica (PPGBq), Instituto de Química (IQ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, Brazil
| | - Lívia S. Ramos
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil; (L.A.B.-S.); (D.S.G.); (L.S.R.); (S.S.C.O.); (L.O.P.S.)
| | - Simone S. C. Oliveira
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil; (L.A.B.-S.); (D.S.G.); (L.S.R.); (S.S.C.O.); (L.O.P.S.)
| | - Lucieri O. P. Souza
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil; (L.A.B.-S.); (D.S.G.); (L.S.R.); (S.S.C.O.); (L.O.P.S.)
| | - Vanessa S. Oliveira
- Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife 50740-465, Brazil; (V.S.O.); (R.D.L.)
| | - Roberto D. Lins
- Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife 50740-465, Brazil; (V.S.O.); (R.D.L.)
| | - Marcia R. Pinto
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói 24210-130, Brazil;
| | - Julian E. Muñoz
- MICROS Group, Medicine Traslacional Institute, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia;
| | - Carlos P. Taborda
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-060, Brazil;
- Laboratório de Micologia Médica—LIM53/IMTSP, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Marta H. Branquinha
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil; (L.A.B.-S.); (D.S.G.); (L.S.R.); (S.S.C.O.); (L.O.P.S.)
- Correspondence: (A.L.S.S.); (M.H.B.); Tel.: +55-21-3938-0366 (A.L.S.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ramos LS, Oliveira SSC, Braga-Silva LA, Branquinha MH, Santos ALS. Secreted aspartyl peptidases by the emerging, opportunistic and multidrug-resistant fungal pathogens comprising the Candida haemulonii complex. Fungal Biol 2020; 124:700-707. [PMID: 32690251 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2020.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The opportunistic pathogens comprising the Candida haemulonii complex (C. haemulonii, C. duobushaemulonii and C. haemulonii var. vulnera) are notable for their intrinsic resistance to different antifungal classes. Little is known about the virulence attributes in this emerging fungal complex. However, it is well-recognized that enzymes play important roles in virulence/pathogenesis of candidiasis. Herein, we aimed to identify aspartyl-type peptidases in 12 clinical isolates belonging to the C. haemulonii complex. All isolates were able to grow in a chemically defined medium containing albumin as the sole nitrogen source, and a considerable consumption of this protein occurred after 72-96 h. C. haemulonii var. vulnera isolates showed the lowest albumin degradation capability and the poorest growth rate. The measurement of secreted aspartyl peptidase (Sap) activity, using the cathepsin D fluorogenic substrate, varied from 91.6 to 413.3 arbitrary units and the classic aspartyl peptidase inhibitor, pepstatin A, significantly blocked the Sap released by C. haemulonii complex. No differences were observed in the Sap activity among the three fungal species. Flow cytometry, using a polyclonal antibody against Sap1-3 of C. albicans, detected homologous proteins at the surface of C. haemulonii complex (anti-Sap1-3-labeled cells ranged from 24.6 to 79.1%). Additionally, the immunoblotting assay, conducted with the same Sap1-3 antibody, recognized a protein of ∼50 kDa in all fungal isolates. A glimpse in the genome of these fungi revealed several potential proteins containing Sap1-3-like conserved domain. Altogether, our results demonstrated the potential of C. haemulonii species complex to produce Saps, an important virulence factor of Candida spp.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lívia S Ramos
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Simone S C Oliveira
- 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
| | - Lys A Braga-Silva
- 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
| | - Marta H Branquinha
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 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, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gandra RM, Silva LN, Souto XM, Sangenito LS, Cruz LPS, Braga-Silva LA, Gonçalves DS, Seabra SH, Branquinha MH, Santos ALS. The serine peptidase inhibitor TPCK induces several morphophysiological changes in the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto. Med Mycol 2020; 57:1024-1037. [PMID: 30753649 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myz008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto (C. parapsilosis) has emerged as the second/third commonest Candida species isolated from hospitals worldwide. Candida spp. possess numerous virulence attributes, including peptidases that play multiple roles in both physiological and pathological events. So, fungal peptidases are valid targets for new drugs development. With this premise in mind, we have evaluated the effect of serine peptidase inhibitors (SPIs) on both cell biology and virulence aspects of C. parapsilosis. First, five different SPIs, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, benzamidine, 4-(2-aminoethyl) benzenesulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride, N-α-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone hydrochloride, and N-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK) were tested, and TPCK showed the best efficacy to arrest fungal growth. Subsequently, the ability of TPCK to modulate physiopathological processes was investigated. Overall, TPCK was able to (i) inhibit the cell-associated serine peptidase activities, (ii) promote morphometric and ultrastructural alterations, (iii) induce an increase in the intracellular oxidation level, which culminates in a vigorous lipid peroxidation and accumulation of neutral lipids in cytoplasmic inclusions, (iv) modulate the expression/exposition of surface structures, such as mannose/glucose-rich glycoconjugates, N-acetylglucosamine-containing molecules, chitin, polypeptides and surface aspartic peptidases, (v) reduce the adhesion to either polystyrene or glass surfaces as well as to partially disarticulate the mature biofilm, (vi) block the fungal interaction with macrophages, and (vii) protect Galleria mellonella from fungal infection, enhancing larvae survivability. Altogether, these results demonstrated that TPCK induced several changes over fungal biology besides the interference with aspects associated to C. parapsilosis virulence and pathogenesis, which indicates that SPIs could be novel promising therapeutic agents in dealing with candidiasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael M Gandra
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Laura N Silva
- 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
| | - Xênia M Souto
- 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
| | - Leandro S Sangenito
- 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
| | - Lucas P S Cruz
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lys A Braga-Silva
- 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
| | - Diego S Gonçalves
- 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
| | - Sergio H Seabra
- Laboratório de Tecnologia em Cultura de Células, Centro Universitário Estadual da Zona Oeste, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marta H Branquinha
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 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
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Palmeira VF, Alviano DS, Braga-Silva LA, Goulart FRV, Granato MQ, Rozental S, Alviano CS, Santos ALS, Kneipp LF. HIV Aspartic Peptidase Inhibitors Modulate Surface Molecules and Enzyme Activities Involved with Physiopathological Events in Fonsecaea pedrosoi. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:918. [PMID: 28579986 PMCID: PMC5437157 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Fonsecaea pedrosoi is the main etiological agent of chromoblastomycosis, a recalcitrant disease that is extremely difficult to treat. Therefore, new chemotherapeutics to combat this fungal infection are urgently needed. Although aspartic peptidase inhibitors (PIs) currently used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have shown anti-F. pedrosoi activity their exact mechanisms of action have not been elucidated. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of four HIV-PIs on crucial virulence attributes expressed by F. pedrosoi conidial cells, including surface molecules and secreted enzymes, both of which are directly involved in the disease development. In all the experiments, conidia were treated with indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir and saquinavir (100 μM) for 24 h, and then fungal cells were used to evaluate the effects of HIV-PIs on different virulence attributes expressed by F. pedrosoi. In comparison to untreated controls, exposure of F. pedrosoi cells to HIV-PIs caused (i) reduction on the conidial granularity; (ii) irreversible surface ultrastructural alterations, such as shedding of electron dense and amorphous material from the cell wall, undulations/invaginations of the plasma membrane with and withdrawal of this membrane from the cell wall; (iii) a decrease in both mannose-rich glycoconjugates and melanin molecules and an increase in glucosylceramides on the conidial surface; (iv) inhibition of ergosterol and lanosterol production; (v) reduction in the secretion of aspartic peptidase, esterase and phospholipase; (vi) significant reduction in the viability of non-pigmented conidia compared to pigmented ones. In summary, HIV-PIs are efficient drugs with an ability to block crucial biological processes of F. pedrosoi and can be seriously considered as potential compounds for the development of new chromoblastomycosis chemotherapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanila F Palmeira
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratório de Estrutura de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniela S Alviano
- Laboratório de Estrutura de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lys A Braga-Silva
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fátima R V Goulart
- Laboratório de Estrutura de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcela Q Granato
- Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo CruzRio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sonia Rozental
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Celuta S Alviano
- Laboratório de Estrutura de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - André L S Santos
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lucimar F Kneipp
- Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo CruzRio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abi-chacra ÉA, Souza LO, Cruz LP, Braga-Silva LA, Gonçalves DS, Sodré CL, Ribeiro MD, Seabra SH, Figueiredo-Carvalho MH, Barbedo LS, Zancopé-Oliveira RM, Ziccardi M, Santos AL. Phenotypical properties associated with virulence from clinical isolates belonging to theCandida parapsilosiscomplex. FEMS Yeast Res 2013; 13:831-48. [DOI: 10.1111/1567-1364.12092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2013] [Revised: 08/22/2013] [Accepted: 09/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Érika A. Abi-chacra
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases (LIP); Departamento de Microbiologia Geral; Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG); Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS); Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ); Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - Lucieri O.P. Souza
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases (LIP); Departamento de Microbiologia Geral; Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG); Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS); Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ); Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - Lucas P. Cruz
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases (LIP); Departamento de Microbiologia Geral; Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG); Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS); Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ); Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - Lys A. Braga-Silva
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases (LIP); Departamento de Microbiologia Geral; Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG); Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS); Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ); Rio de Janeiro Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica; Instituto de Química; UFRJ; Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - Diego S. Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases (LIP); Departamento de Microbiologia Geral; Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG); Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS); Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ); Rio de Janeiro Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica; Instituto de Química; UFRJ; Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - Cátia L. Sodré
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases (LIP); Departamento de Microbiologia Geral; Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG); Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS); Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ); Rio de Janeiro Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular; Instituto de Biologia; Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF); Niterói Brazil
| | - Marcos D. Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia/Micologia; Instituto de Biologia do Exército (IBEx); Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - Sergio H. Seabra
- Laboratório de Tecnologia em Cultura de Células; Centro Universitário Estadual da Zona Oeste (UEZO); Duque de Caxias Brazil
| | - Maria H.G. Figueiredo-Carvalho
- Laboratório de Micologia; Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas; Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ); Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - Leonardo S. Barbedo
- Laboratório de Micologia; Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas; Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ); Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - Rosely M. Zancopé-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Micologia; Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas; Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ); Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - Mariangela Ziccardi
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases (LIP); Departamento de Microbiologia Geral; Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG); Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS); Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ); Rio de Janeiro Brazil
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas; Instituto Oswaldo Cruz; Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ); Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - André L.S. Santos
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases (LIP); Departamento de Microbiologia Geral; Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG); Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS); Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ); Rio de Janeiro Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica; Instituto de Química; UFRJ; Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
L.S. Santos A, A. Braga-Silva L. Aspartic Protease Inhibitors: Effective Drugs against the Human Fungal Pathogen Candida albicans. Mini Rev Med Chem 2013. [DOI: 10.2174/138955713804484802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
7
|
Santos ALS, Braga-Silva LA. Aspartic protease inhibitors: effective drugs against the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Mini Rev Med Chem 2013; 13:155-162. [PMID: 23256485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2012] [Revised: 06/09/2012] [Accepted: 06/15/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans can invade humans and may lead to mucosal and skin infections or to deep-seated mycoses of almost all inner organs, especially in immunocompromised patients. In this context, both the host immune status and the ability of C. albicans to modulate the expression of its virulence factors are relevant aspects that drive the candidal susceptibility or resistance; in this last case, culminating in the establishment of successful infection known as candidiasis. C. albicans possesses a potent armamentarium consisting of several virulence molecules that help the fungal cells to escape from the host immune responses. There is no doubt that the secretion of aspartic proteases, designated as Saps, is one of the major virulence attributes produced by C. albicans cells, since these hydrolytic enzymes participate in a wide range of fungal physiological processes as well as in different facets of the fungal-host interactions. For these reasons, Saps clearly hold promise as new potential drug targets. Corroborating this hypothesis, the introduction of anti-human immunodeficiency virus drugs of the aspartic protease inhibitor-type (HIV PIs) have emerged as new agents for the inhibition of Saps. The introduction of HIV PIs has revolutionized the treatment of HIV disease, reducing the opportunistic infections, especially candidiasis. The attenuation of candidal infections in HIV-infected individuals might not solely has not only resulted from improved immunological status, but also as a result of direct inhibition of C. albicans Saps as well as the blockage of several biological processes controlled by these proteolytic enzymes. The present article will discuss the updates on the functional implications of HIV PIs on the development of candidiasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- André L S Santos
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil.
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
L.S. Santos A, A. Braga-Silva L. Aspartic Protease Inhibitors: Effective Drugs against the Human Fungal Pathogen Candida albicans. Mini Rev Med Chem 2012. [DOI: 10.2174/1389557511307010155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
9
|
Braga-Silva LA, Santos ALS. Aspartic protease inhibitors as potential anti-Candida albicans drugs: impacts on fungal biology, virulence and pathogenesis. Curr Med Chem 2011; 18:2401-19. [PMID: 21568917 DOI: 10.2174/092986711795843182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2011] [Accepted: 05/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Mycoses are still one of the most problematic illnesses worldwide, especially affecting immunocompromised individuals. The development of novel antifungal drugs is becoming more demanding every day, since existing drugs either have too many side effects or they tend to lose effectiveness due to the resistant fungal strains. In this scenario, Candida albicans is still the main fungal pathogen isolated in hospitals. Pathogenicity results essentially from modifications of the host defense mechanisms that secondarily initiate transformations in the fungal behavior. The pathogenesis of C. albicans is multifactorial and different virulence attributes are important during the various stages of infection. Some virulence factors, like the secreted aspartic proteases (Saps), play a role in several infection stages and the inhibition of one of the many stages may contribute to the containment of the pathogen and thus should help in the treatment of disease. Therefore, Saps are potential targets for the development of novel anti-C. albicans drugs. Herein, we review the beneficial properties of pepstatin A and aspartic-type protease inhibitors used in the anti-human immunodeficiency virus chemotherapy on C. albicans, with particular emphasis in the effects on Sap activity, proliferation, morphogenesis (yeasts into mycelia transformation), ultrastructural architecture, adhesion to mammalian cells and abiotic materials, modulation of unrelated virulence factors (e.g., surface glycoconjugates, lipases and sterol), experimental candidiasis infection as well as synergistic properties when conjugated with classical antifungals. Collectively, these positive findings have stimulated the search for novel natural and/or synthetic pharmacological compounds with anti-aspartic protease properties against the human opportunistic fungus C. albicans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L A Braga-Silva
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Prof. Paulo de Góes and Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Abstract
Secreted aspartyl peptidases (Saps) are virulence attributes produced by Candida albicans that participate in multiple aspects of the fungal biology and pathogenesis. In the present paper, we have shown that amprenavir, a peptidase inhibitor used in HIV chemotherapy, inhibited Sap2 and growth of C. albicans and also promoted ultrastructural alterations. Esterase activity, sterol content, biofilm formation and the expression of surface mannose- and sialic acid-rich glycoconjugates were also reduced by amprenavir.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lys A Braga-Silva
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Bioquímica Microbiana, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Instituto de Microbiologia Prof. Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|