Effects of farnesol and lyticase on the formation of Candida albicans biofilm

Abstract

<jats:p>Background and Aim: Candida albicans is a dimorphic fungus that has both yeast and filamentous forms. It is part of the normal flora in the oral and genital areas of mammals. One factor for the pathogenicity of C. albicans is its ability to switch from yeast to hyphae. The hyphal form adheres and penetrates tissues more readily than the yeast form and produces biofilms that are associated with chronic infection. Biofilms are protective niches that enable microorganisms to be more resistant to antibiotic treatment, thus allowing for persistent infection. The first stage in the transition from yeast to hyphae involves the formation of a germ tube, and this transition is triggered by interactions with host cells. Germ tube formation is dependent on serum, pH, temperature, and quorum-sensing molecules (QSMs). Farnesol, which is a QSM in C. albicans, can prevent yeast to hyphae conversion and inhibits the growth of fungal biofilm. Lyticase is a synergistic enzyme complex that catalyzes yeast cell lysis by β-1,3-glucanase and is a highly specific alkaline protease that produces protoplasts or spheroplasts. This study investigated the effect of farnesol and lyticase on the formation of C. albicans biofilms. Materials and Methods: C. albicans ATCC 2091 was cultivated on liquid and solid Sabouraud media. The presence of C. albicans was confirmed using HiCrome Candida Agar chromogenic medium. Enzyme activities were assayed using a HiCandida Identification Kit. The morphology and densitometry parameters of C. albicans biofilms were considered in the presence of farnesol (Sigma-Aldrich, Germany), lyticase (from Arthrobacter luteus; Sigma-Aldrich, Germany), and farnesol–lyticase. Results: This study shows that both farnesol and lyticase possess antifungal activity against C. albicans biofilms. A significant difference among treatment groups (p&lt;0.05) was observed from strong biofilm production to medium and weak. Conclusion: Many studies have been devoted to the antimicrobial action of farnesol. Bacterial enzyme lyticase is also used to degrade fungal cell walls. Both molecules show substantial antifungal properties that are similar to the properties of modern antimycotics. The current study demonstrates that farnesol and lyticase can disrupt biofilm formation in C. albicans ATCC 2091, which is an effective biofilm producer.</jats:p>

Reduction in Pathogenicity in Yeast-like Fungi by Farnesol in Quail Model

“…Farnesol inhibited filamentation [ 25 ] including hyphal initiation [ 5 , 13 , 26 ], and filamentous growth while not disrupting their growth rates. In addition, farnesol blocked the yeast-to-hypha transition for a period of at least 6–10 h after germ-tube formation but did not block preexisting hyphal elongation [ 4 , 27 ]. It was reported that farnesol induced apoptosis in C. albicans via the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial degradation, and caspase activation [ 28 ].…”

“…In nature, fungi of the genus Candida are widespread. They live on household items and food, primarily on sugar-rich vegetables and fruits, in dairy products as well as in the internal cavities of mammals including humans [ 3 , 4 , 5 ].…”

Hydrolytic Enzymes as Potentiators of Antimicrobials against an Inter-Kingdom Biofilm Model

“…Lyticase is an endoglycosidase with an affinity toward β(1–3)-glucans ( 41 ) found in the matrix and cell wall of fungi but not targeted by the endoglycosidases present in the Ce/De/Di cocktail (cellulase and dispersin B). It has already been shown to reduce C. albicans and P. aeruginosa biofilm biomass in vitro ( 42 – 44 ) or to successfully treat a catheter colonized by a Acremonium fungus when combined with amphotericin B ( 45 ).…”

Enhancement of the antifungal activity of some antimycotics by farnesol and reduction of Candida albicans pathogenicity in a quail model experiment

“…As a QS molecule, farnesol participates in regulating various physiological processes in Candida , including filamentation, biofilm formation, drug susceptibility, and apoptosis [ 3 , 4 , 16 , 22 ]. This compound is produced by many organisms, mainly fungi and is also found in many essential oils of plants [ 23 ].…”