Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 12, 2026

Small-Scale Plasma Membrane Preparation for the Analysis of Candida albicans Cdr1-mGFPHis
09:44

Small-Scale Plasma Membrane Preparation for the Analysis of Candida albicans Cdr1-mGFPHis

Published on: June 13, 2021

2.9K

Synthetic conjugate peptide Fba-Met6 (MP12) induces complement-mediated resistance against disseminated Candida

Abby L Adams1, Karen Eberle1, Jonothan Rosario Colón1

  • 1Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, 1901 Perdido St., New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.

Vaccine
|June 15, 2021
PubMed

Insights

A new vaccine targeting Candida albicans surface proteins, Fructose bisphosphate aldolase (Fba) and Methionine synthase (Met6), significantly improved survival in mice. This novel approach enhances the natural immune response against invasive fungal infections.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Mycology
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Candida albicans is a common human commensal causing life-threatening candidemia and disseminated infections.
  • Invasive candidiasis presents a significant global health burden with high mortality rates and unmet vaccine needs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and evaluate a novel, human-feasible vaccine targeting surface proteins of Candida albicans.
  • To assess the efficacy of a double-peptide construct (Fba-Met6) in preventing invasive C. albicans infection.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a conjugate vaccine (Fba-Met6 MP12) targeting epitopes from Fructose bisphosphate aldolase (Fba) and Methionine synthase (Met6).
  • Intramuscular vaccination of mice with Fba-Met6 MP12, followed by lethal C. albicans challenge.
  • Assessment of survival rates, antibody titers (IgG1, IgG2a), and the role of complement in vaccine-mediated protection using cobra venom factor (CVF).

Main Results:

  • Vaccination with Fba-Met6 MP12 significantly enhanced survival against a lethal C. albicans challenge in mice.
  • Robust IgG1 and IgG2a antibody titers were observed in vaccinated mice, indicating a strong adaptive immune response.
  • Complement depletion abrogated the protective effects of the Fba-Met6 MP12 vaccine, highlighting its crucial role in anti-Candida immunity.

Conclusions:

  • The novel Fba-Met6 MP12 vaccine demonstrates potential for preventing invasive C. albicans infections by engaging the complement system.
  • This study validates a multivalent vaccine strategy targeting surface proteins to enhance the natural immune response against Candida.
  • The findings support the development of a new vaccine to address the pressing need for preventing C. albicans-associated morbidity and mortality.
Keywords:
CandidiasisComplementFungalHumoralPeptideVaccine

More Related Videos

Quantifying the Antifungal Activity of Peptides Against Candida albicans06:45

Quantifying the Antifungal Activity of Peptides Against Candida albicans

Published on: January 13, 2023

2.6K
A Soluble Tetrazolium-Based Reduction Assay to Evaluate the Effect of Antibodies on Candida tropicalis Biofilms06:50

A Soluble Tetrazolium-Based Reduction Assay to Evaluate the Effect of Antibodies on Candida tropicalis Biofilms

Published on: September 16, 2022

3.3K

Related Concept Videos

Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Candidiasis01:20

Candidiasis

Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by opportunistic species of Candida. It can affect various anatomical sites, including the skin, oral cavity, nails, and genitourinary tract. Among its forms, vaginal candidiasis is the most common type of mucosal infection. It typically results from the overgrowth of Candida albicans in the vaginal mucosa. Under normal conditions, C. albicans exists as a commensal organism within the vaginal microbiota, regulated by the dominance of lactobacilli, which...
Antifungal Agents01:15

Antifungal Agents

Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to cholesterol contributes to...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...