Editorial

4 pages, 214 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Editorial of Special Issue “Human Pathogenic Fungi: Host–Pathogen Interactions and Virulence”

by Samir Jawhara

Microorganisms 2023, 11(4), 963; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms11040963 - 07 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 985

Most individuals harbour several species of yeast of the genus Candida, which are considered true symbionts of the human gut microbiota [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Pathogenic Fungi: Host-Pathogen Interactions and Virulence)

Research

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20 pages, 5607 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Oleic Acid and Palmitic Acid from Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and Lactobacillus johnsonii Exhibit Anti-Inflammatory and Antifungal Properties

by Rogatien Charlet, Chrystelle Le Danvic, Boualem Sendid, Patricia Nagnan-Le Meillour and Samir Jawhara

Microorganisms 2022, 10(9), 1803; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms10091803 - 08 Sep 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2613

Abstract

A decrease in populations of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and Lactobacillus johnsonii is observed during the development of colitis and fungal overgrowth, while restoration of these populations reduces inflammatory parameters and fungal overgrowth in mice. This study investigated the effect of two fatty acids from [...] Read more.

A decrease in populations of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and Lactobacillus johnsonii is observed during the development of colitis and fungal overgrowth, while restoration of these populations reduces inflammatory parameters and fungal overgrowth in mice. This study investigated the effect of two fatty acids from B. thetaiotaomicron and L. johnsonii on macrophages and Caco-2 cells, as well as their impact on the inflammatory immune response and on Candida glabrata overgrowth in a murine model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Oleic acid (OA) and palmitic acid (PA) from L. johnsonii and B. thetaiotaomicron were detected during their interaction with epithelial cells from colon samples. OA alone or OA combined with PA (FAs) reduced the expression of proinflammatory mediators in intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells challenged with DSS. OA alone or FAs increased FFAR1, FFAR2, AMPK, and IL-10 expression in macrophages. Additionally, OA alone or FAs decreased COX-2, TNFα, IL-6, and IL-12 expression in LPS-stimulated macrophages. In the DSS murine model, oral administration of FAs reduced inflammatory parameters, decreased Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis populations, and eliminated C. glabrata from the gut. Overall, these findings provide evidence that OA combined with PA exhibits anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Pathogenic Fungi: Host-Pathogen Interactions and Virulence)

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15 pages, 3170 KiB

Open AccessArticle

H89 Treatment Reduces Intestinal Inflammation and Candida albicans Overgrowth in Mice

by Corentin Dumortier, Rogatien Charlet, Ali Bettaieb and Samir Jawhara

Microorganisms 2020, 8(12), 2039; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms8122039 - 19 Dec 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2593

Abstract

Deregulation of the dynamic crosstalk between the gut microbiota, intestinal epithelial cells, and immune cells is critically involved in the development of inflammatory bowel disease and the overgrowth of opportunistic pathogens, including the human opportunistic fungus Candida albicans. In the present study, [...] Read more.

Deregulation of the dynamic crosstalk between the gut microbiota, intestinal epithelial cells, and immune cells is critically involved in the development of inflammatory bowel disease and the overgrowth of opportunistic pathogens, including the human opportunistic fungus Candida albicans. In the present study, we assessed the effect of N-[2-(p-bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (H89), a protein kinase A inhibitor, on the migration of macrophages to C. albicans through dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-challenged Caco-2 cells. We also investigated the impact of H89 on intestinal inflammation and C. albicans clearance from the gut, and determined the diversity of the gut microbiota in a murine model of DSS-induced colitis. H89 reduced the migration of macrophages to C. albicans through DSS-challenged Caco-2 cells. In addition, H89 decreased C. albicans viability and diminished the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and innate immune receptors in macrophages and colonic epithelial Caco-2 cells. In mice with DSS-induced colitis, H89 attenuated the clinical and histological scores of inflammation and promoted the elimination of C. albicans from the gut. H89 administration to mice decreased the overgrowth of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis populations while Lactobacillus johnsonii populations increased significantly. Overall, H89 reduced intestinal inflammation and promoted the elimination of C. albicans from the gut. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Pathogenic Fungi: Host-Pathogen Interactions and Virulence)

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Review

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34 pages, 26676 KiB

Open AccessReview

Anti-Malassezia Drug Candidates Based on Virulence Factors of Malassezia-Associated Diseases

by Muriel Billamboz and Samir Jawhara

Microorganisms 2023, 11(10), 2599; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms11102599 - 20 Oct 2023

Viewed by 2058

Abstract

Malassezia is a lipophilic unicellular fungus that is able, under specific conditions, to cause severe cutaneous and systemic diseases in predisposed subjects. This review is divided into two complementary parts. The first one discusses how virulence factors contribute to Malassezia pathogenesis that triggers [...] Read more.

Malassezia is a lipophilic unicellular fungus that is able, under specific conditions, to cause severe cutaneous and systemic diseases in predisposed subjects. This review is divided into two complementary parts. The first one discusses how virulence factors contribute to Malassezia pathogenesis that triggers skin diseases. These virulence factors include Malassezia cell wall resistance, lipases, phospholipases, acid sphingomyelinases, melanin, reactive oxygen species (ROS), indoles, hyphae formation, hydrophobicity, and biofilm formation. The second section describes active compounds directed specifically against identified virulence factors. Among the strategies for controlling Malassezia spread, this review discusses the development of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) antagonists, inhibition of secreted lipase, and fighting biofilms. Overall, this review offers an updated compilation of Malassezia species, including their virulence factors, potential therapeutic targets, and strategies for controlling their spread. It also provides an update on the most active compounds used to control Malassezia species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Pathogenic Fungi: Host-Pathogen Interactions and Virulence)

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18 pages, 1896 KiB

Open AccessReview

Healthy Diet and Lifestyle Improve the Gut Microbiota and Help Combat Fungal Infection

by Samir Jawhara

Microorganisms 2023, 11(6), 1556; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms11061556 - 11 Jun 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5516

Abstract

Western diets are rapidly spreading due to globalization, causing an increase in obesity and diseases of civilization. These Western diets are associated with changes in the gut microbiota related to intestinal inflammation. This review discusses the adverse effects of Western diets, which are [...] Read more.

Western diets are rapidly spreading due to globalization, causing an increase in obesity and diseases of civilization. These Western diets are associated with changes in the gut microbiota related to intestinal inflammation. This review discusses the adverse effects of Western diets, which are high in fat and sugar and low in vegetable fiber, on the gut microbiota. This leads to gut dysbiosis and overgrowth of Candida albicans, which is a major cause of fungal infection worldwide. In addition to an unhealthy Western diet, other factors related to disease development and gut dysbiosis include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, prolonged use of antibiotics, and chronic psychological stress. This review suggests that a diversified diet containing vegetable fiber, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins D and E, as well as micronutrients associated with probiotic or prebiotic supplements can improve the biodiversity of the microbiota, lead to short-chain fatty acid production, and reduce the abundance of fungal species in the gut. The review also discusses a variety of foods and plants that are effective against fungal overgrowth and gut dysbiosis in traditional medicine. Overall, healthy diets and lifestyle factors contribute to human well-being and increase the biodiversity of the gut microbiota, which positively modulates the brain and central nervous system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Pathogenic Fungi: Host-Pathogen Interactions and Virulence)

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15 pages, 2503 KiB

Open AccessReview

How Gut Bacterial Dysbiosis Can Promote Candida albicans Overgrowth during Colonic Inflammation

by Samir Jawhara

Microorganisms 2022, 10(5), 1014; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms10051014 - 12 May 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4675

Abstract

Candida albicans is a commensal opportunistic yeast, which is capable of colonising many segments of the human digestive tract. Excessive C. albicans overgrowth in the gut is associated with multiple risk factors such as immunosuppression, antibiotic treatment associated with changes to the gut [...] Read more.

Candida albicans is a commensal opportunistic yeast, which is capable of colonising many segments of the human digestive tract. Excessive C. albicans overgrowth in the gut is associated with multiple risk factors such as immunosuppression, antibiotic treatment associated with changes to the gut microbiota and digestive mucosa that support C. albicans translocation across the digestive intestinal barrier and haematogenous dissemination, leading to invasive fungal infections. The C. albicans cell wall contains mannoproteins, β-glucans, and chitin, which are known to trigger a wide range of host cell activities and to circulate in the blood during fungal infection. This review describes the role of C. albicans in colonic inflammation and how various receptors are involved in the immune defence against C. albicans with a special focus on the role of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and TLRs in intestinal homeostasis and C. albicans sensing. This review highlights gut microbiota dysbiosis during colonic inflammation in a dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis murine model and the effect of fungal glycan fractions, in particular β-glucans and chitin, on the modification of the gut microbiota, as well as how these glycans modulate the immuno-inflammatory response of the host. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Pathogenic Fungi: Host-Pathogen Interactions and Virulence)

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20 pages, 1294 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Human Mycobiome in Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Current Situation and Future Perspectives

by Juan de Dios Caballero, Rafael Cantón, Manuel Ponce-Alonso, Marta María García-Clemente, Elia Gómez G. de la Pedrosa, José Luis López-Campos, Luis Máiz, Rosa del Campo and Miguel Ángel Martínez-García

Microorganisms 2022, 10(4), 810; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms10040810 - 13 Apr 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3245

Abstract

Microbes play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, and asthma. While the role of bacterial pathogens has been extensively studied, the contribution of fungal species to the pathogenesis [...] Read more.

Microbes play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, and asthma. While the role of bacterial pathogens has been extensively studied, the contribution of fungal species to the pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases is much less understood. The recent introduction of next-generation sequencing techniques has revealed the existence of complex microbial lung communities in healthy individuals and patients with chronic respiratory disorders, with fungi being an important part of these communities’ structure (mycobiome). There is growing evidence that the components of the lung mycobiome influence the clinical course of chronic respiratory diseases, not only by direct pathogenesis but also by interacting with bacterial species and with the host’s physiology. In this article, we review the current knowledge on the role of fungi in chronic respiratory diseases, which was obtained by conventional culture and next-generation sequencing, highlighting the limitations of both techniques and exploring future research areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Pathogenic Fungi: Host-Pathogen Interactions and Virulence)

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40 pages, 13109 KiB

Open AccessReview

Promising Drug Candidates and New Strategies for Fighting against the Emerging Superbug Candida auris

by Muriel Billamboz, Zeeshan Fatima, Saif Hameed and Samir Jawhara

Microorganisms 2021, 9(3), 634; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms9030634 - 18 Mar 2021

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 4845

Abstract

Invasive fungal infections represent an expanding threat to public health. During the past decade, a paradigm shift of candidiasis from Candida albicans to non-albicans Candida species has fundamentally increased with the advent of Candida auris. C. auris was identified in 2009 and [...] Read more.

Invasive fungal infections represent an expanding threat to public health. During the past decade, a paradigm shift of candidiasis from Candida albicans to non-albicans Candida species has fundamentally increased with the advent of Candida auris. C. auris was identified in 2009 and is now recognized as an emerging species of concern and underscores the urgent need for novel drug development strategies. In this review, we discuss the genomic epidemiology and the main virulence factors of C. auris. We also focus on the different new strategies and results obtained during the past decade in the field of antifungal design against this emerging C. auris pathogen yeast, based on a medicinal chemist point of view. Critical analyses of chemical features and physicochemical descriptors will be carried out along with the description of reported strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Pathogenic Fungi: Host-Pathogen Interactions and Virulence)

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