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Published on: July 6, 2016
Streptococcus mutans supernatant affects the virulence of Candida albicans
Maíra Terra Garcia1, Jéssica Diane Dos Santos2, Paulo Henrique Fonseca do Carmo2
1Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Science and Technology, Av. Engenheiro Francisco José Longo, 777, São José dos Campos, SP, 12245-000, Brazil. maa.terra@hotmail.com.
Abstract:
Candida albicans causes a variety of clinical manifestations through multiple virulence factors that act simultaneously to overcome the immune system and invade the host tissues. Owing to the limited number of antifungal agents available, new candidiasis therapeutic strategies are required. Previous studies have demonstrated that the metabolites produced by Streptococcus mutans lead to a decrease in the number of Candida cells. Here, for the first time, we evaluated whether the C. albicans cells that survived the pretreatment with S. mutans supernatant can modify their virulence factors and their capability to infect Galleria mellonella larvae. Streptococcus mutans supernatant (SM-S) was obtained by filtering the culture supernatant of this bacterium. Then, C. albicans cells were pretreated with SM-S for 24 h, and the surviving cells were evaluated using in vitro and in vivo assays. The C. albicans pretreated with SM-S showed a significant inhibition of hyphal growth, an altered adhesion pattern, and an impaired capability to form biofilms; however, its proteolytic activity was not affected. In the in vivo assays, C. albicans cells previously exposed to SM-S exhibited a reduced ability to infect G. mellonella and a higher amount of circulating hemocytes. Thus, SM-S could inhibit important virulence factors of C. albicans, which may contribute to the development of new candidiasis therapeutic strategies.
Insights
Metabolites from Streptococcus mutans (SM-S) reduce Candida albicans virulence. Pretreated C. albicans showed inhibited growth, adhesion, and biofilm formation, leading to reduced infection in Galleria mellonella larvae.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Research
Background:
- Candida albicans is a major human pathogen causing candidiasis.
- Limited antifungal agents necessitate novel therapeutic strategies.
- Streptococcus mutans metabolites show potential antifungal activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of Streptococcus mutans supernatant (SM-S) on Candida albicans virulence factors.
- To assess the modified virulence and infectivity of C. albicans surviving SM-S pretreatment.
- To evaluate the potential of SM-S in developing new candidiasis therapies.
Main Methods:
- Streptococcus mutans supernatant (SM-S) was prepared.
- Candida albicans cells were pretreated with SM-S for 24 hours.
- In vitro assays evaluated hyphal growth, adhesion, biofilm formation, and proteolytic activity.
- In vivo assays used Galleria mellonella larvae to assess infectivity and hemocyte response.
Main Results:
- SM-S pretreatment significantly inhibited C. albicans hyphal growth, altered adhesion, and impaired biofilm formation.
- Proteolytic activity of C. albicans remained unaffected by SM-S.
- In vivo, pretreated C. albicans showed reduced infectivity in G. mellonella.
- A higher number of circulating hemocytes was observed in G. mellonella infected with pretreated C. albicans.
Conclusions:
- Streptococcus mutans supernatant (SM-S) effectively inhibits key virulence factors of Candida albicans.
- SM-S pretreatment reduces the pathogenicity of C. albicans in a G. mellonella infection model.
- These findings suggest SM-S as a promising candidate for novel candidiasis therapeutic strategies.
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