2. Academic Validation
  3. Mechanisms of action of antimicrobial peptides ToAP2 and NDBP-5.7 against Candida albicans planktonic and biofilm cells

Mechanisms of action of antimicrobial peptides ToAP2 and NDBP-5.7 against Candida albicans planktonic and biofilm cells

  • Sci Rep. 2020 Jun 25;10(1):10327. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-67041-2.
Jhones do Nascimento Dias 1,  Calliandra de Souza Silva 1,  Alyne Rodrigues de Araújo 2,  Jessica Maria Teles Souza 2,  Paulo Henrique de Holanda Veloso Júnior 1,  Wanessa Felix Cabral 3,  Maria da Glória da Silva 3,  Peter Eaton 4,  José Roberto de Souza de Almeida Leite 3,  André Moraes Nicola 5,  Patrícia Albuquerque 6,  Ildinete Silva-Pereira 7
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.
  • 2 Biotechnology and Biodiversity Center Research, Biotec, Federal University of the Delta of Parnaíba, Parnaíba, Piauí, Brazil.
  • 3 Center for Research in Applied Morphology and Immunology, NuPMIA, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil.
  • 4 LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
  • 5 Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.
  • 6 Faculty of Ceilândia, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil. palbuquerque@unb.br.
  • 7 Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil. xocolau@unb.br.
PMID: 32587287 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67041-2
Abstract

Candida albicans is a major cause of human infections, ranging from relatively simple to treat skin and mucosal diseases to systemic life-threatening invasive candidiasis. Fungal infections treatment faces three major challenges: the limited number of therapeutic options, the toxicity of the available drugs, and the rise of Antifungal resistance. In this study, we demonstrate the Antifungal activity and mechanism of action of peptides ToAP2 and NDBP-5.7 against planktonic cells and biofilms of C. albicans. Both peptides were active against C. albicans cells; however, ToAP2 was more active and produced more pronounced effects on Fungal cells. Both peptides affected C. albicans membrane permeability and produced changes in Fungal cell morphology, such as deformations in the cell wall and disruption of ultracellular organization. Both peptides showed synergism with amphotericin B, while ToAP2 also presents a synergic effect with fluconazole. Besides, ToAP2 (6.25 µM.) was able to inhibit filamentation after 24 h of treatment and was active against both the early phase and mature biofilms of C. albicans. Finally, ToAP2 was protective in a Galleria mellonella model of Infection. Altogether these results point to the therapeutic potential of ToAP2 and Other antimicrobial peptides in the development of new therapies for C. albicans infections.

Figures
Products