The Extracellular Matrix of Fungal Biofilms

Mitchell, Kaitlin; Żarnowski, Robert; Andes, David R.

doi:10.1007/5584_2016_6

Cited by 62 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 96 publications

(142 reference statements)

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“…The ECM composition varies among different fungal species and even across different environmental conditions under which biofilm can grow ( Al-Fattani and Douglas, 2006 ; Flemming and Wingender, 2010 ; Reichhardt et al, 2015 ). As far as we are aware, the ECM composition of Pseudallescheria and Scedosporium biofilms is unknown, and further studies are therefore needed to determine its composition and whether it plays an important role in drug-sequestration, as was described in Candida biofilms ( Nett et al, 2010 ; Vediyappan et al, 2010 ; Mitchell et al, 2016 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biofilm Formation by Pseudallescheria/Scedosporium Species: A Comparative Study

et al. 2017

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Pseudallescheria/Scedosporium species are medically important fungi that are present in soil and human impacted areas and capable of causing a wide spectrum of diseases in humans. Although little is known about their pathogenesis, their growth process and infection routes are very similar to those of Aspergillus species, which grow as biofilms in invasive infections. All nine strains tested here displayed the ability to grow as biofilms in vitro and to produce a dense network of interconnected hyphae on both polystyrene and the surfaces of central venous catheters, but with different characteristics. Scedosporium boydii and S. aurantiacum clinical isolates were able to form biofilms faster than the corresponding environmental strains, as evidenced in kinetic assays for S. boydii and CLSM for S. aurantiacum. Biofilms formed by Pseudallescheria/Scedosporium species had significantly higher resistance to the class of antifungal azole than was observed in planktonic cells, indicating a protective role for this structure. In addition, the clinical S. aurantiacum isolate that formed the most robust biofilms was also more virulent in a larvae Galleria mellonella infection model, suggesting that the ability to form biofilms enhances virulence in Pseudallescheria/Scedosporium species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biofilm Formation by Pseudallescheria/Scedosporium Species: A Comparative Study

et al. 2017

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“…As the drug resistance in C. albicans is essentially multifactorial, and the production of biofilm matrix is one of the relevant resistance-related mechanisms associated with the development of biofilm, pharmacological interventions during the early phase of biofilm formation leading to the reduction of its extracellular matrix are strongly correlated with increased treatment effectiveness [ 83 ]. Numerous reports have indicated that the mechanisms responsible for the reduction in carbohydrate content of biofilm extracellular matrix are associated with changed expression of gene encoding enzymes modifying the amount of β-1,3-glucan ( FKS1, BGL2P, PHR1P, XOG1) , β-1,6-glucan ( BIG1, KRE5 ) and mannan ( PMR1 , ALG11 , MNN9 , MNN4-4 , VRG4 , VAN-1) [ 83 , 84 ].…”

Section: A New Perspective For Plants’ Components In Antifungal Thmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant-Derived Substances in the Fight Against Infections Caused by Candida Species

Guevara-Lora

Bras

Karkowska‐Kuleta

et al. 2020

IJMS

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Yeast-like fungi from the Candida genus are predominantly harmless commensals that colonize human skin and mucosal surfaces, but under conditions of impaired host immune system change into dangerous pathogens. The pathogenicity of these fungi is typically accompanied by increased adhesion and formation of complex biofilms, making candidal infections challenging to treat. Although a variety of antifungal drugs have been developed that preferably attack the fungal cell wall and plasma membrane, these pathogens have acquired novel defense mechanisms that make them resistant to standard treatment. This causes an increase in the incidence of candidiasis and enforces the urgent need for an intensified search for new specifics that could be helpful, alone or synergistically with traditional drugs, for controlling Candida pathogenicity. Currently, numerous reports have indicated the effectiveness of plant metabolites as potent antifungal agents. These substances have been shown to inhibit growth and to alter the virulence of different Candida species in both the planktonic and hyphal form and during the biofilm formation. This review focuses on the most recent findings that provide evidence of decreasing candidal pathogenicity by different substances of plant origin, with a special emphasis on the mechanisms of their action. This is a particularly important issue in the light of the currently increasing frequency of emerging Candida strains and species resistant to standard antifungal treatment.

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“…The most medically relevant function of the extracellular matrix is its ability to provide a physical barrier between biofilm cells and immune system and often drugs used for treatment [ 9 , 154 , 177 ]. Fungus biofilms were reported to be up to 1000-fold more resistant to antifungal agents than planktonic cells, but the mechanism of this resistance remains unclear [ 10 , 123 ].…”

Section: Physical and Molecular Resistance In Fungal Biofilmsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fungal Biofilms and Polymicrobial Diseases

Costa-Orlandi

Sardi

Pitangui

et al. 2017

JoF

166

142

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Biofilm formation is an important virulence factor for pathogenic fungi. Both yeasts and filamentous fungi can adhere to biotic and abiotic surfaces, developing into highly organized communities that are resistant to antimicrobials and environmental conditions. In recent years, new genera of fungi have been correlated with biofilm formation. However, Candida biofilms remain the most widely studied from the morphological and molecular perspectives. Biofilms formed by yeast and filamentous fungi present differences, and studies of polymicrobial communities have become increasingly important. A key feature of resistance is the extracellular matrix, which covers and protects biofilm cells from the surrounding environment. Furthermore, to achieve cell–cell communication, microorganisms secrete quorum-sensing molecules that control their biological activities and behaviors and play a role in fungal resistance and pathogenicity. Several in vitro techniques have been developed to study fungal biofilms, from colorimetric methods to omics approaches that aim to identify new therapeutic strategies by developing new compounds to combat these microbial communities as well as new diagnostic tools to identify these complex formations in vivo. In this review, recent advances related to pathogenic fungal biofilms are addressed.

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The Extracellular Matrix of Fungal Biofilms

Cited by 62 publications

References 96 publications

Biofilm Formation by Pseudallescheria/Scedosporium Species: A Comparative Study

Biofilm Formation by Pseudallescheria/Scedosporium Species: A Comparative Study

Plant-Derived Substances in the Fight Against Infections Caused by Candida Species

Fungal Biofilms and Polymicrobial Diseases

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