Affiliation:
1. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Mar del Plata Argentina
2. Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro Campos dos Goytacazes Brazil
Abstract
Aims
This study aimed to evaluate the combined effect of a mannose-binding lectin Helja with fluconazole (FLC) on Candida albicans and to get insights about the joint action mechanism.
Methods and Results
The fungal growth was assessed following the optical density at 630 nm. Fungal cell morphology and nucleus integrity were analysed by flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy using Calcofluor White (CFW) and 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining respectively. The basis of Helja + FLC action on cell wall and plasma membrane was analysed using perturbing agents. The Helja + FLC combination exhibited an inhibitory effect of fungal growth about three times greater than the sum of both compounds separately and inhibited fungal morphological plasticity, an important virulence attribute associated with drug resistance. Cells treated with Helja + FLC showed morphological changes, nucleus disintegration and formation of multimera structures, leading to cell collapse.
Conclusions
Our findings indicate that the Helja + FLC combination exhibited a potent antifungal activity based on their simultaneous action on different microbial cell targets.
Significance and Impact of Study
The combination of a natural protein with conventional drugs might be helpful for the design of effective therapeutic strategies against Candida, contributing to minimize the development of drug resistance and host cell toxicity.
Funder
Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica
CONICET
Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata
FAPERJ
CNPq
Bilateral Project
MINCYT
CAPES
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Subject
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology,General Medicine,Biotechnology
Cited by
3 articles.
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