scholarly journals Symbiotic NCR Peptide Fragments Affect the Viability, Morphology and Biofilm Formation of Candida Species

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 3666
Author(s):  
Bettina Szerencsés ◽  
Attila Gácser ◽  
Gabriella Endre ◽  
Ildikó Domonkos ◽  
Hilda Tiricz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Species ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Antimicrobial Activities ◽  
Dilution Method ◽  
Model Legume ◽  
Anticandidal Activity

The increasing rate of fungal infections causes global problems not only in human healthcare but agriculture as well. To combat fungal pathogens limited numbers of antifungal agents are available therefore alternative drugs are needed. Antimicrobial peptides are potent candidates because of their broad activity spectrum and their diverse mode of actions. The model legume Medicago truncatula produces >700 nodule specific cysteine-rich (NCR) peptides in symbiosis and many of them have in vitro antimicrobial activities without considerable toxicity on human cells. In this work we demonstrate the anticandidal activity of the NCR335 and NCR169 peptide derivatives against five Candida species by using the micro-dilution method, measuring inhibition of biofilm formation with the XTT (2,3-Bis-(2-Methoxy-4-Nitro-5-Sulfophenyl)-2H-Tetrazolium-5-Carboxanilide) assay, and assessing the morphological change of dimorphic Candida species by microscopy. We show that both the N- and C-terminal regions of NCR335 possess anticandidal activity as well as the C-terminal sequence of NCR169. The active peptides inhibit biofilm formation and the yeast-hypha transformation. Combined treatment of C. auris with peptides and fluconazole revealed synergistic interactions and reduced 2-8-fold the minimal inhibitory concentrations. Our results demonstrate that shortening NCR peptides can even enhance and broaden their anticandidal activity and therapeutic potential.

scholarly journals Silver(I) and Copper(II) Complexes of 1,10-Phenanthroline-5,6-Dione Against Phialophora verrucosa: A Focus on the Interaction With Human Macrophages and Galleria mellonella Larvae

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcela Q. Granato ◽  
Thaís P. Mello ◽  
Renata S. Nascimento ◽  
Marcos D. Pereira ◽  
Thabatta L. S. A. Rosa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Human Macrophages ◽  
Phialophora Verrucosa ◽  
Dematiaceous Fungus

Phialophora verrucosa is a dematiaceous fungus that causes mainly chromoblastomycosis, but also disseminated infections such as phaeohyphomycosis and mycetoma. These diseases are extremely hard to treat and often refractory to current antifungal therapies. In this work, we have evaluated the effect of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione (phendione) and its metal-based complexes, [Ag (phendione)2]ClO4 and [Cu(phendione)3](ClO4)2.4H2O, against P. verrucosa, focusing on (i) conidial viability when combined with amphotericin B (AmB); (ii) biofilm formation and disarticulation events; (iii) in vitro interaction with human macrophages; and (iv) in vivo infection of Galleria mellonella larvae. The combination of AmB with each of the test compounds promoted the additive inhibition of P. verrucosa growth, as judged by the checkerboard assay. During the biofilm formation process over polystyrene surface, sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of phendione and its silver(I) and copper(II) complexes were able to reduce biomass and extracellular matrix production. Moreover, a mature biofilm treated with high concentrations of the test compounds diminished biofilm viability in a concentration-dependent manner. Pre-treatment of conidial cells with the test compounds did not alter the percentage of infected THP-1 macrophages; however, [Ag(phendione)2]ClO4 caused a significant reduction in the number of intracellular fungal cells compared to the untreated system. In addition, the killing process was significantly enhanced by post-treatment of infected macrophages with the test compounds. P. verrucosa induced a typically cell density-dependent effect on G. mellonella larvae death after 7 days of infection. Interestingly, exposure to the silver(I) complex protected the larvae from P. verrucosa infection. Collectively, the results corroborate the promising therapeutic potential of phendione-based drugs against fungal infections, including those caused by P. verrucosa.

scholarly journals Oral Candida colonization in HIV-infected patients in Londrina-PR, Brazil: antifungal susceptibility and virulence factors

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1350-1359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suelen Balero De Paula ◽  
Alexandre Tadachi Morey ◽  
Jussevania Pereira Santos ◽  
Pollyanna M. C. Dos Santos ◽  
Danielle G. Gameiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Species ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Cell Surface Hydrophobicity ◽  
Candida Colonization ◽  
Hydrophobic Property ◽  
Predisposing Factor ◽  
Oral Candida

Introduction: Host colonization by Candida species is an important predisposing factor to candidiasis, which seems to be more frequent in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Knowledge about the distribution, antifungal susceptibility, and virulence of oral Candida isolates is important for effective management of candidiasis. Methodology: Oral rinses were collected from 242 HIV-infected patients without clinical evidence of candidiasis seen at the AIDS referral center in Londrina, Brazil. Species were identified by standard phenotypic and molecular methods, and characterized in vitro according to antifungal susceptibility, cell surface hydrophobicity, biofilm formation, and enzyme activities. Results: Oral Candida colonization was detected in 50.4% of patients and combined use of antiretroviral therapy and protease inhibitor had a protective effect against colonization. Candida albicans (75.2%) was the most prevalent species. A high proportion of Candida spp. (39.9%) showed decreased susceptibility to fluconazole. Five isolates were resistant to nystatin. Protease and phospholipase activities were detected in 100% and 36.8% of isolates, respectively. Most isolates displayed a hydrophobic property that was associated with biofilm formation ability. Conclusions: A significant number of oral Candida species exhibiting decreased susceptibility to fluconazole were isolated from colonized HIV-infected individuals. Furthermore, all isolates expressed potential virulence attributes in vitro. Given the high incidence and severity of fungal infections in HIV-infected individuals, the results of this study reinforce the importance of antifungal susceptibility testing, which contributes to therapeutic strategies and highlights the need for continuous surveillance of Candida colonization in this population.

scholarly journals Copper(II) and Zinc(II) Complexes with the Clinically Used Fluconazole: Comparison of Antifungal Activity and Therapeutic Potential

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Nevena Lj. Stevanović ◽  
Ivana Aleksic ◽  
Jakob Kljun ◽  
Sanja Skaro Bogojevic ◽  
Aleksandar Veselinovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Candida Parapsilosis ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Candida Krusei ◽  
Strong Inhibition ◽  
Subinhibitory Concentrations ◽  
Pyocyanin Production

Copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes with clinically used antifungal drug fluconazole (fcz), {[CuCl2(fcz)2].5H2O}n, 1, and {[ZnCl2(fcz)2]·2C2H5OH}n, 2, were prepared and characterized by spectroscopic and crystallographic methods. The polymeric structure of the complexes comprises four fluconazole molecules monodentately coordinated via the triazole nitrogen and two chlorido ligands. With respect to fluconazole, complex 2 showed significantly higher antifungal activity against Candida krusei and Candida parapsilosis. All tested compounds reduced the total amount of ergosterol at subinhibitory concentrations, indicating that the mode of activity of fluconazole was retained within the complexes, which was corroborated via molecular docking with cytochrome P450 sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51) as a target. Electrostatic, steric and internal energy interactions between the complexes and enzyme showed that 2 has higher binding potency to this target. Both complexes showed strong inhibition of C. albicans filamentation and biofilm formation at subinhibitory concentrations, with 2 being able to reduce the adherence of C. albicans to A549 cells in vitro. Complex 2 was able to reduce pyocyanin production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa between 10% and 25% and to inhibit its biofilm formation by 20% in comparison to the untreated control. These results suggest that complex 2 may be further examined in the mixed Candida-P. aeruginosa infections.

scholarly journals Conifers Phytochemicals: A Valuable Forest with Therapeutic Potential

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 3005
Author(s):  
Kanchan Bhardwaj ◽  
Ana Sanches Silva ◽  
Maria Atanassova ◽  
Rohit Sharma ◽  
Eugenie Nepovimova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Cell Damage ◽  
Cancer Growth ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Antioxidant Effects

Conifers have long been recognized for their therapeutic potential in different disorders. Alkaloids, terpenes and polyphenols are the most abundant naturally occurring phytochemicals in these plants. Here, we provide an overview of the phytochemistry and related commercial products obtained from conifers. The pharmacological actions of different phytochemicals present in conifers against bacterial and fungal infections, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are also reviewed. Data obtained from experimental and clinical studies performed to date clearly underline that such compounds exert promising antioxidant effects, being able to inhibit cell damage, cancer growth, inflammation and the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, an attempt has been made with the intent to highlight the importance of conifer-derived extracts for pharmacological purposes, with the support of relevant in vitro and in vivo experimental data. In short, this review comprehends the information published to date related to conifers’ phytochemicals and illustrates their potential role as drugs.

scholarly journals Review of T-2307, an Investigational Agent That Causes Collapse of Fungal Mitochondrial Membrane Potential

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 130
Author(s):  
Nathan P. Wiederhold
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane Potential ◽  
Candida Species ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Candida Auris

Invasive infections caused by Candida that are resistant to clinically available antifungals are of increasing concern. Increasing rates of fluconazole resistance in non-albicans Candida species have been documented in multiple countries on several continents. This situation has been further exacerbated over the last several years by Candida auris, as isolates of this emerging pathogen that are often resistant to multiple antifungals. T-2307 is an aromatic diamidine currently in development for the treatment of invasive fungal infections. This agent has been shown to selectively cause the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential in yeasts when compared to mammalian cells. In vitro activity has been demonstrated against Candida species, including C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. auris strains, which are resistant to azole and echinocandin antifungals. Activity has also been reported against Cryptococcus species, and this has translated into in vivo efficacy in experimental models of invasive candidiasis and cryptococcosis. However, little is known regarding the clinical efficacy and safety of this agent, as published data from studies involving humans are not currently available.

scholarly journals Eap1p, an Adhesin That Mediates Candida albicans Biofilm Formation In Vitro and In Vivo

2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 931-939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang Li ◽  
Michael J. Svarovsky ◽  
Amy J. Karlsson ◽  
Joel P. Wagner ◽  
Karen Marchillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Cell Adhesion ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Gene Dosage ◽  
Venous Catheter ◽  
Flow Chamber ◽  
Dependent Manner

ABSTRACT Candida albicans is the leading cause of systemic fungal infections in immunocompromised humans. The ability to form biofilms on surfaces in the host or on implanted medical devices enhances C. albicans virulence, leading to antimicrobial resistance and providing a reservoir for infection. Biofilm formation is a complex multicellular process consisting of cell adhesion, cell growth, morphogenic switching between yeast form and filamentous states, and quorum sensing. Here we describe the role of the C. albicans EAP1 gene, which encodes a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored, glucan-cross-linked cell wall protein, in adhesion and biofilm formation in vitro and in vivo. Deleting EAP1 reduced cell adhesion to polystyrene and epithelial cells in a gene dosage-dependent manner. Furthermore, EAP1 expression was required for C. albicans biofilm formation in an in vitro parallel plate flow chamber model and in an in vivo rat central venous catheter model. EAP1 expression was upregulated in biofilm-associated cells in vitro and in vivo. Our results illustrate an association between Eap1p-mediated adhesion and biofilm formation in vitro and in vivo.

scholarly journals Synergistic Effect of Combined Application of a New Fungicide Fluopimomide with a Biocontrol Agent Bacillus methylotrophicus TA-1 for Management of Gray Mold in Tomato

Plant Disease ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 103 (8) ◽  
pp. 1991-1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoxue Ji ◽  
Jingjing Li ◽  
Zhen Meng ◽  
Shouan Zhang ◽  
Bei Dong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Antimicrobial Activities ◽  
Gray Mold ◽  
Control Efficacy ◽  
Bacillus Methylotrophicus

Gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea can be a severe disease of tomato infecting leaves and fruits of tomato plants. Chemical control is currently the most effective and reliable method; however, application of fungicides has many drawbacks. The combination of biological control agents with newly developed fungicides may be a practicable method to control B. cinerea. Fluopimomide is a newly developed fungicide with a novel mode of action. Bacillus methylotrophicus TA-1, isolated from rhizosphere soil of tomato, is a bacterial strain with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities. Little information is currently available about the effect of fluopimomide and its integrated effect on B. cinerea. Therefore, laboratory, pot, and field experiments were carried out to determine the effects of fluopimomide alone and in combination with B. methylotrophicus TA-1 against gray mold on tomato. The in vitro growth of B. methylotrophicus TA-1 was unaffected by 100 mg liter−1 fluopimomide. Inhibition of B. cinerea mycelial growth was significantly increased under combined treatment of fluopimomide and B. methylotrophicus TA-1. In greenhouse experiments, efficacy against gray mold was significantly greater by an integration of fluopimomide and B. methylotrophicus TA-1 than by either alone; control efficacy of fluopimomide at 50 and 100 g ha−1 in combination with B. methylotrophicus TA-1 at 108 colony-forming units (cfu) ml−1 reached 70.16 and 69.32%, respectively, compared with the untreated control. In both field trials during 2017 and 2018, control efficacy was significantly higher for the combination of fluopimomide at 50 and 100 g ha−1 in combination with B. methylotrophicus TA-1 than for either treatment alone. The results from this study indicated that integration of the new fungicide fluopimomide with the biocontrol agent B. methylotrophicus TA-1 synergistically increased control efficacy of the fungicide against gray mold of tomato.

scholarly journals Biofilm Formation by Pneumocystis spp.

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie T. Cushion ◽  
Margaret S. Collins ◽  
Michael J. Linke
Keyword(s):  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Continuous Cultivation ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
Intense Staining ◽  
In Vitro System ◽  
Major Surface

ABSTRACT Pneumocystis spp. can cause a lethal pneumonia in hosts with debilitated immune systems. The manner in which these fungal infections spread throughout the lung, the life cycles of the organisms, and their strategies used for survival within the mammalian host are largely unknown, due in part to the lack of a continuous cultivation method. Biofilm formation is one strategy used by microbes for protection against environmental assaults, for communication and differentiation, and as foci for dissemination. We posited that the attachment and growth of Pneumocystis within the lung alveoli is akin to biofilm formation. An in vitro system comprised of insert wells suspended in multiwell plates containing supplemented RPMI 1640 medium supported biofilm formation by P. carinii (from rat) and P. murina (from mouse).Dramatic morphological changes accompanied the transition to a biofilm. Cyst and trophic forms became highly refractile and produced branching formations that anastomosed into large macroscopic clusters that spread across the insert. Confocal microscopy revealed stacking of viable organisms enmeshed in concanavalin A-staining extracellular matrix. Biofilms matured over a 3-week time period and could be passaged. These passaged organisms were able to cause infection in immunosuppressed rodents. Biofilm formation was inhibited by farnesol, a quorum-sensing molecule in Candida spp., suggesting that a similar communication system may be operational in the Pneumocystis biofilms. Intense staining with a monoclonal antibody to the major surface glycoproteins and an increase in (1,3)-β-d-glucan content suggest that these components contributed to the refractile properties. Identification of this biofilm process provides a tractable in vitro system that should fundamentally advance the study of Pneumocystis.

Ginseng aqueous extract attenuates the production of virulence factors, stimulates twitching and adhesion, and eradicates biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2011 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. 419-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Misagh Alipour ◽  
Abdelwahab Omri ◽  
Zacharias E. Suntres
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Aqueous Extract ◽  
North American ◽  
American Ginseng ◽  
Antimicrobial Activities ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Dilution Method ◽  
Agar Dilution Method

This study was carried out to examine the antimicrobial activity of the aqueous extract of Panax quinquefolius from North American ginseng (NAGE) root against Pseudomonas aeruginosa . The minimum inhibitory concentrations of reference and clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were measured by a standard agar-dilution method. At subinhibitory NAGE concentrations, the secretion of virulence factors, motility on agar, and adhesion to 96-well microplates were studied on the nonmucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa O1 strain. At suprainhibitory concentrations, the activity of NAGE against mature biofilm complexes formed in the Calgary Biofilm Device and the Stovall flow cell were assessed. NAGE possessed an antibacterial activity against all the Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains at 1.25%–2.5% w/v. NAGE also significantly attenuated pyocyanin, pyoverdine, and lipase concentrations, stimulated twitching, and attenuated swarming and swimming motility. At 1.25% w/v, NAGE augmented adhesion, and at 5% w/v detached 1-day-old biofilms in microplates. The extract also eradicated 6-day-old mature biofilms (5% w/v), and fluorescence microscopy displayed a reduction of live cells and biofilm complexes compared with nontreated biofilms. These data suggest that the aqueous extract from North American ginseng possesses antimicrobial activities in vitro.

3,4-Dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-One Analogues: Microwave irradiated Synthesis with Antimicrobial and Antituberculosis Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-70
Author(s):  
Navin Patel ◽  
Sabir Pathan ◽  
Hetal I. Soni
Keyword(s):  
Microwave Irradiation ◽  
Biginelli Reaction ◽  
Antitubercular Activity ◽  
Antimicrobial Activities ◽  
Chemical Diversity ◽  
Spectral Studies ◽  
Dilution Method ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Microwave Irradiation Method

Background: For rapid and sustainable synthesis, microwave irradiation method is serviceable. This present study deals with the preparation of oxadiazole and pyridine bearing 1,2,3,4- tetrahydro pyrimidine derivatives by microwave irradiation. Objective: The present study aims to carry out rapid synthesis of chloro-acetamides of oxadiazoles of Biginelli product and amino cyano derivative of pyridine by microwave-assisted heating. Our efforts are focused on the introduction of chemical diversity in the molecular framework in order to synthesize pharmacologically interesting compounds. Methods:: Microwave irradiation was used for the synthesis of 2-((3-cyano-4-(3,4-dichloro phenyl)- 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) pyridin-2-yl) amino)-N-(5-(substituted) -(6-methyl-2-oxo -1,2,3,4- tetrahydro pyrimidin-5-yl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)acetamide by using Biginelli reaction. New structural analogues were confirmed by spectral studies followed by their screening for in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus Pyogenus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial strains and for antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus clavatus by micro-broth dilution method. In vitro antimycobacterial activity determined out against (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) H37Rv strain using Lowenstein-Jensen medium. Results: As compared to the conventional method, microwave irradiation method is advantageous for the synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidin derivatives. Potent antimicrobial activities and antitubercular activity were found for some of the compounds. Conclusion: Microwave irradiation method provided an effective way to discover a novel class of antimicrobial and antituberculosis agents. 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidin derivatives showed improved antimicrobial and good antituberculosis activity.

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