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An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract
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Histone deacetylase inhibitors may reduce pathogenicity and virulence in Candida albicans

Giovanna Simonetti1, Claudio Passariello, Dante Rotili

  • 1Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome Italy.

FEMS Yeast Research
|July 14, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) significantly reduced Candida albicans virulence factors like cell adhesion and hypha formation. This suggests HDACi could be a valuable addition to antifungal treatments for C. albicans infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Candida albicans utilizes virulence factors regulated by epigenetic mechanisms, such as histone acetylation/deacetylation.
  • Understanding these epigenetic controls is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies against C. albicans infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of various histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) on C. albicans virulence phenotypes.
  • To assess the effects of HDACi on fungal adhesion and the yeast-to-hypha transition.

Main Methods:

  • Treatment of C. albicans with selected HDAC inhibitors.
  • Assay of fungal adherence to human pneumocytes.
  • Measurement of serum-induced yeast germination.
  • Quantitative analysis of EFG1 gene transcription.
  • Testing of an HDA1-deficient C. albicans strain.

Main Results:

  • Certain HDAC inhibitors reduced C. albicans adherence to human pneumocytes by up to 90%.
  • HDAC inhibitors significantly inhibited serum-induced germination, correlating with reduced EFG1 transcription.
  • Inhibition of germination was less pronounced in an HDA1-deficient strain.

Conclusions:

  • Specific HDAC inhibitors demonstrate potential in reducing C. albicans virulence.
  • HDAC inhibitors may offer a viable therapeutic approach for managing C. albicans infections, particularly in combination therapies for at-risk patients.

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