Orientador: Antonio Olavo Cardoso Jorge / Banca: Juliana Campos Junqueira / Banca: Geraldo Batista de Melo / Banca: Silvana Soléo Ferreira dos Santos / Banca: Rosilene Fernandes da Rocha / Resumo: Na procura de meios preventivos e curativos para doença periodontal e cárie dentária, plantas medicinais com finalidade fungicida, bactericida e antiinflamatória vêm sendo investigadas. O objetivo desse trabalho foi o de avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana utilizando-se óleos essenciais de Cymbopogon citratus (D.C.) Stapf, Curcuma zedoaria Roscoe e Tagetes minuta L. sobre cepas de Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus mutans e Candida spp. em crescimento planctônico e em biofilme. Para estudo dos microrganismos em crescimento planctônico, foram determinadas a Concentração Inibitória Mínima e a Concentração Fungicida Mínima de nove cepas clínicas e uma cepa padrão para cada espécie: C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, S. aureus, S. epidermidis e S. mutans. Para avaliação dos efeitos dos óleos essenciais em biofilme, foram utilizadas cepas padrão de Candida albicans (ATCC 18804), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) e Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 35688) isolados e em associações em corpos-de-prova durante cinco dias. A seguir, os corpos-de-prova em resina acrílica foram lavados e colocados em contato com óleos essenciais durante 5 min. O número de unidades formadoras de colônias obtidas em cada biofilme (UFC/mL) foram submetidos à análise estatística descritiva e teste t-Student utilizando-se o software Minitab considerando-se o nível de significância p ≤ 0,05. Também foi realizada microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) nos corpos-de-prova em resina acrílica com biofilme com tratamento e controle. Foram observadas reduções significativas do número de unidades formadoras de colônias (UFC/mL) tanto no biofilme como em associação. As maiores reduções ocorreram no tratamento do óleo essencial de C. citratus, seguidas pelo óleo de T. minuta e C. zedoaria. Os óleos essenciais de Cymbopogon citratus, Tagetes minuta e Curcuma zedoaria apresentaram... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: In the search for preventive and curative means for periodontal disease and tooth decay, herbal-purpose fungicide, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory have been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity using the essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus (D.C.) Stapf, Curcuma zedoaria Roscoe and Tagetes minuta L. on strains of Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus mutans and Candida spp. in planktonic and biofilm growth. For the study of microorganisms in planktonic growth, were determined Minimum Inhibitory Concentration and Minimum Microbicidal Concentration of nine clinical strains and one ATCC for each species: C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, S. aureus, S. epidermidis and S. mutans. To assess the effects of essential oils in biofilm, was used strains of Candida albicans (ATCC 18804), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 35688) alone and in associations in acrylic resin discs immersed in sterile brain heart infusion broth (BHI) containing 5% sucrose, inoculated with microbial suspension and incubated for 5 days. On the fifth day, the discs were washed in sterile saline solution in order to remove loosely bound material. Next, the acrylic resin discs were washed and placed in contact with essential oils for 5 min. The number of CFU obtained in each biofilm (CFU/mL) were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis using Minitab software considering with significance level p ≤ 0.05. It was also performed scanning electron microscopy (SEM) acrylic resin disc with biofilm with treatment and control. It was identified significant reductions in the number of colony forming units (CFU/mL) in both planktonic and biofilm associated. The largest reductions occurred in the treatment of essential oil of C. citratus, followed by oil of T. minuta and C. zedoaria. We conclude that the essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-07-31Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:01:21Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 cardoso_mg_dr_sjc.pdf: 573962 bytes, checksum: 3dafa4a7dc0b8d00f8736dd5f731d5cd (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Primeiramente foi avaliada no estudo a ação antimicrobiana da água ozonizada frente suspensão composta por Candida albicans e Enterococcus faecalis, verificando o tempo necessário de ozonização da água para eliminação destes microrganismos. Nas próximas etapas, foi avaliada a eficiência da água ozonizada como agente irrigante, durante o preparo biomecânico, tanto na eliminação de Candida albicans e Enterococcus faecalis, assim como na neutralização de LPS de Escherichia coli inoculados no interior de canais radiculares. Foram utilizados 48 dentes humanos unirradiculados, sendo que nos canais radiculares de 24 espécimes, foram inoculados 20 mL de uma suspensão contendo C. albicans e E. faecalis, e nos outros 24 espécimes, foram inoculados 10 mL LPS de E. coli, verificando-se a ação da água ozonizada como agente irrigante durante o preparo biomecânico. Foram realizadas coletas das amostras (imediata e após sete dias da instrumentação), e os dados foram submetidos à análise estatística. Como resultados, pode-se observar que a ação antimicrobiana da água ozonizada por dez minutos foi efetiva frente à suspensão microbiana. Como agente irrigante durante o preparo biomecânico, a água ozonizada apresentou efetividade frente à suspensão de C. albicans e E. faecalis inoculada no interior dos canais radiculares na coleta imediata, porém, na segunda coleta apresentou pouco efeito residual. Na verificação da neutralização de endotoxina, a ação da água ozonizada como agente irrigante não apresentou efetividade na neutralização de LPS de E. coli inoculada nos canais radiculares, sendo que quantidades restantes de LPS apresentaram efeitos biológicos. Como conclusão, a água ozonizada foi eficiente na redução de C. albicans e E. faecalis inoculada no interior dos canais radiculares, mas não apresentou efeito sobre LPS de E. coli. / At first, the study was to evaluated the antimicrobial action of the ozonized water before the suspension composed of Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis, checking the necessary time of ozonization of the water in order to eliminate these microorganisms. In the next stages, the efficiency of ozonized water as an irrigant agent was evaluated, during the biomechanical preparation, as in the elimination of C. albicans and E. faecalis, as well as in the neutralization of Escherichia coli LPS inoculated into the root canals. Were used 48 single-rooted human teeth, seeing that in the root canals of 24 specimens, it were inoculated 20 mL of a suspension containing C. albicans and E. faecalis, and on the other 24 specimens, it were inoculated 10 mL of Escherichia coli LPS, having been checked the action of the ozonized water as an irrigant agent during the biomechanical preparation. Collections of samples (immediately and after seven days of the instrumentation) were carried out, and the data was submitted to statistical analysis. As a result, one could observe that the antimicrobial action of the ozonized water for ten minutes was effective before the microbial solution. As an irrigant agent during the biomechanical preparation, the ozonized water presented effectiveness before the suspension of C. albicans and E. faecalis inoculated into the root canals in the immediate collection, however, in the second collection it presented little residual effect. When verifying the endotoxin neutralization, the action of the ozonized water as an irrigant agent did not present effectiveness in the neutralization of E. coli LPS inoculated in the root canals, seeing that the remaining quantities of LPS presented biological effects. It was concluded that, the ozonized water was efficient in the reduction of C. albicans and E. faecalis inoculated inside the root canals, but it did not present any effect over E. coli LPS.

The efficacy of a novel carbohydrate extraction procedure was investigated with methylation analysis and alditol acetate method by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. A published extraction procedure for β-glucans was compared to one developed in house. Both procedures gave a dominant glucose peak in the Gas chromatogram indicative of successful β-glucan isolation. Further linkage studies showed four linkage positions for β-glucans isolated with the published method; terminal, 1,3-linkage, 1,6-linkage and 1,3,6-linkage, while β-glucans isolated using the new method showed six linkage positions; terminal, 1,3-linkage, 1,6-linkage, 1,4-linkage, 1,2,3-linkage and 1,3,6-linkage. Diminishing β-glucan linkage peaks in the chromatogram for the published method indicated structure degradation. The results for mannan isolated with 50 mM base gave mannose as a dominant component compared to mannan isolated with 50 mM acid. Base extracted mannan also indicated a good yield of mannan in hyphal form of Candida albicans. This has not been reported with other published isolation methods.

Increased systemic infections and growing resistance of Candida species in immunosuppressed people have prompted research for additional treatment options. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the potential of lemongrass, oregano, and thyme essential oils tested individually, combined, and combined with the antifungal agents fluconazole and caspofungin to kill Candida albicans isolates in a controlled laboratory setting. This study was grounded on the theoretical concepts of the epidemiologic triangle model. The experimental data collected were used to investigate risk factors related to age, gender, race, and comorbidities. Kill rates of lemongrass, oregano, and thyme essential oils individually and combined, kill rates of fluconazole, caspofungin, and the kill rates when the antifungals were each combined with the 3 essential oils were compared using 117 isolates recovered from bloodstream infections between January 2009 through August 1, 2017. The data collected were analyzed using 2-way repeated ANOVAS. According to study results, there were statistically significant increases in kill rates when the isolates were exposed to any of the combinations of essential oils tested. Using binomial and multinomial regression to analyze age, gender, race, and comorbidities resulted in the age group 25-34, kidney failure, and solid organ tumor cancer all being statistically significantly associated with an increased risk for Candida albicans bloodstream infections, and multiple organ failure negatively associated with the risk. Health care practitioners can use the results of this study to reduce the number of patients becoming infected with life-threatening yeast infections, which could reduce the costs associated with infections.

Infektionen durch C. albicans auf den Schleimhäuten sind eine häufige Erkrankung bei Patienten mit einer Schwächung der T-Zellimmunität. Blutstrominfektionen mit der Hefe C. albicans (Candidämie) stellen, vor allem bei Patienten auf Intensivstationen, eine nach wie vor bedrohliche Komplikation mit hoher Letalität dar. Das pH-regulierte Antigen 1 (Pra1) ist ein Protein, das von C. albicans produziert wird, auf der Oberfläche des Pilzes gebunden vorkommt und auch vom Pilz in den Überstand sezerniert wird. Im humanen System bindet das Protein an T-Zellen an das Oberflächenprotein CD46. Es ist des Weiteren bekannt, dass das Pra1 an bestimmte Immunzellen der Maus (Monozyten und Phagozyten) binden kann. Eine Bindung an T-Zellen der Maus ist bisher nicht beschrieben. Eine genaue Charakterisierung der Interaktion von Pra1 mit Immunzellen der Maus ist interessant, da die Maus als biologischer Modellorganismus zur Erforschung der Infektion mit C. albicans dient. In dieser Arbeit konnte gezeigt werden, dass rekombinantes Pra1 (rPra1) auch an Maus-CD4+ T-Zellen binden kann. Es wurden Einflussfaktoren auf die gefundene Bindung von Pra1 an CD4+ T- Zellen gesucht. Als ein Einflussfaktor wurde Zink identifiziert. Pra1 kann an freies Zink binden und durch Zugabe von ZnCl2 während der Inkubation von Pra1 mit T-Zellen kann das Signal von gebundenem Pra1 an CD4+ T-Zellen erhöht werden. Aspf2, ein Protein aus Aspergillus fumigatus mit großer Homologie zu Pra1, kann nicht an diese Zellen binden. Im in-vivo-Experiment mit Tieren, die mit C. albicans infiziert wurden, konnte kein wildtypisches sezerniertes Pra1 gebunden an T-Zellen nachgewiesen werden. Zellkulturüberstände von C. albicans zeigten nach Inkubation in vitro mit T-Zellen ein Signal für gebundenes Pra1 an CD4+ T-Zellen. Die Bindungskinetik von Pra1 an T-Zellen zeigte eine über die Zeit der Inkubation konstante Zunahme des Signals von zellgebundenem rPra1 an CD4+ T-Zellen. In der off-Kinetik fand sich eine Abnahme des Signals über die Zeit bis an die Grenze der Nachweisbarkeit. Der Bindungspartner von Pra1 auf T-Zellen konnte nicht identifiziert werden. Die strukturell und funktionell verwandten Oberflächenproteine Crry, CD59a und CD55 wurden auf Bindungsfähigkeit an T-Zellen in entsprechenden Knockout- Mäusen getestet, konnten jedoch als Rezeptor für Pra1 ausgeschlossen werden. Durch die Bindung von sezerniertem Pra1 an neutrophile Granulozyten wird die Fähigkeit dieser Zellen zur Phagozytose eingeschränkt. Die Bindung von Pra1 an CD4+ T-Zellen führt zur Kostimulation der T-Zellen, also zur verstärkten Zellaktivierung und Proliferation. Durch die Zugabe von 10 μM Zinkchlorid wird die kostimulatorische Aktivität von Pra1 verstärkt. Während der Zellaktivierung von Effektor-Memory-CD4+ T-Zellen reduziert rPra1 die Sekretion von IFN-γ. Diese Reduktion von IFN-γ-produzierenden Zellen entsteht nicht durch einen Einfluss von Pra1 während der Zellaktivierung von naiven CD4+ T-Zellen zu Th1-Zellen und auch nicht durch die Auslösung von Apoptose in IFN-γ-produzierenden Th1-Zellen. Die Bindung von Pra1 an CD4+- T-Zellen, die über den T-Zell-Rezeptor aktiviert werden, reduziert in vitro die Sekretion des Zytokins. Zusätzlich werden weitere Zytokine in ihrer sezernierten Menge reduziert wie IL-2 und TNF-α. / Infections caused by C. albicans on mucosal surfaces are a common disease in patients suffering from suppression of the T cell immune defense. Blood stream infections by the yeast C. albicans (candedemia) represent still a severe complication in patients in intensive care units with high rates of lethality. The pH-regulated antigen 1 (Pra1) is a protein produced by C. albicans which is present on the surface of the fungi and is secreted into the supernatant of fungal cultures as well. Pra1 can bind to human T cells via the surface protein CD46. It is known, that this protein can also bind to certain immune cells of mice (monocytes and phagocytes). Binding to T cells of mice is not yet known. A characterization of the interaction of Pra1 with immune cells of mice would be valuable, because mice act as a biological model system for the investigation of infections with C. albicans. In this paper, it could be shown that recombinant Pra1 (rPra1) can bind to mouse CD4+ T cells as well. After the finding that rPra1 can bind to CD4+ T cells, different parameters determining this binding have been studied. Zinc was found to be one influencing factor on the binding. Pra1 can bind free zinc ions and by the addition of ZnCl2 while incubating T cells with Pra1 the signal of bound Pra1 to CD4+ T cells could be increased. Aspf2, a protein from Aspergillus fumigatus with high homology to Pra1, was not able to bind to these cells. In in-vivo-experiments with animals infected with C. albicans, no wild-typic secreted Pra1 was found bound to T cells. Supernatant from C. albicans cultures produced, after incubation in vitro, a signal for cell-bound Pra1 on CD4+ T cells. Kinetics of the binding of rPra1 to T cells showed a constant increase of signal over the time of incubation. The off-kinetics revealed a decrease of cell-bound rPra1 over time to the edge of detectability. The receptor of Pra1 on T cells has not been identified yet. The structurally and functionally comparable surface proteins Crry, CD59a and CD55 were tested in knockout mice for each of these proteins and could be excluded as possible receptors. After binding of secreted Pra1 to neutrophilic granulocytes these cells experience a decreased capacity to phagocytose pathogens. The binding of Pra1 to CD4+ T cells leads to a costimulation of T cells, which results in increased cell activation and proliferation. This costimulatory capacity of Pra1 can be augmented by adding 10 μM zinc chloride. During activation of naïve CD4+ T cells Pra1 reduces the secretion of IFN-γ. The reduction of IFN-γ-producing cells is not due to an influence of Pra1 during cell activation of naive CD4+ T cells to Th1 cells and is also not due to induction of apoptosis in IFN-γ-producing Th1 cells. The binding of Pra1 to ex-vivo isolated CD4+ T cells reduces the in vitro secretion of IFN-γ after stimulating these cells via their T cell receptor. Additionally, the secretion of IL-2 and TNF-α was reduced.

Candida albicans est une levure polymorphique commensale de la cavité buccale et du tractus digestif qui peut entrainer des infections sévères particulièrement chez les patients immunodéprimés. A l'état pathogène, les formes blastospores sont généralement observées en association avec des éléments filamenteux. L'anticorps monoclonal 3D9.3 (AcM 3D9.3) réagit avec la surface des tubes germinatifs de C. albicans et reconnait un épitope protéique porté par l'antigène 3D9 (Ag 3D9). Nous avons montré que l'épitope 3D9 est présent uniquement sur les éléments mycéliens de la seule espèce C. albicans. L'Ag 3D9 a été purifié et présente, en Western-Blot, deux zones de marquage plus intense à 140 et 180 kDa. L'analyse par spectrométrie de masse a permis de montrer que la protéine Als3 était présente dans ces deux zones. L'absence de réactivité de l'AcM 3D9.3 sur une souche mutée pour le gène ALS3 et la réactivité d'un sérum anti-Als3p sur l'Ag 3D9 purifié démontre que l'Ag 3D9 correspond à la protéine Als3. De plus, nous avons montré que l'épitope 3D9 était présent dans les protéines Als3p codées par les deux allèles ALS3. Des études d'interactions entre l'Als3p et les constituants de l'hôte ont été réalisées. L'AcM 3D9.3 inhibe l'interaction des tubes germinatifs avec les cellules endothéliales de la veine ombilicale humaine et les cellules épithéliales buccales. De plus, l'étude d'une souche mutée pour le gène ALS3 montre que l'Als3p est une des adhésines participant à l'interaction directe entre les tubes germinatifs et les plaquettes sanguines natives lavées. Il reste désormais à identifier le récepteur plaquettaire responsable de la fixation des plaquettes natives sur l'Als3p.

<p>This thesis is focused on enzymatic studies of the secreted aspartic proteases (Saps) from <i>Candida albicans</i> as a tool for discovery of anti-<i>candida</i> drugs. <i>C. albicans</i> causes infections in a number of different locations, which differ widely in the protein substrates available and pH. Since <i>C. albicans</i> needs Saps during virulent growth, these enzymes are good targets for drug development.</p><p>In order to investigate the catalytic characteristics of Saps and their inhibitor affinities, substrate-based kinetic assays were developed. Due to the low sensitivity of these assays, especially at the sub-optimal pH required to mimic the different locations of infections, these assays were not satisfactory. Therefore, a biosensor assay was developed whereby, it was possible to study interaction between Saps and inhibitors without the need to optimise catalytic efficacy. Furthermore, the biosensor assay allowed determination of affinity, as well as the individual association and dissociation rates for inhibitor interactions.</p><p>Knowledge about substrate specificity, Sap subsite adaptivity, and the pH dependencies of catalytic efficacy has been accumulated. Also, screening of transition-state analogue inhibitors designed for HIV-1 protease has revealed inhibitors with affinity for Saps. Furthermore, the kinetics and pH dependencies of their interaction with Saps have been investigated. One of these inhibitors, BEA-440, displayed a complex interaction with Saps, indicating a conformational change upon binding and a very slow dissociation rate. A time dependent interaction was further supported by inhibition measurements. The structural information obtained affords possibilities for design of new more potent inhibitors that might ultimately become drugs against candidiasis. The strategy to combine substrate specificity studies with inhibitor screening has led to complementary results that generate a framework for further development of potent inhibitors.</p>

The trimorphic fungus Candida albicans is the leading cause of systemic candidiasis, a disease with poor prognosis affecting immunocompromised patients. The capacity to switch between growth morphologies is tightly coupled to its ability to cause life-threatening infection. Recently, the molecular chaperone Heat Shock Protein 90 (Hsp90) has been implicated as a major regulator of C. albicans morphogenesis via the Ras1-PKA pathway. In model organisms from plant, animal and fungal kingdoms, Hsp90 stabilizes regulators of cell signaling and participates in many important cellular processes. Hsp90’s roles in C. albicans are beginning to be dissected. This thesis represents a comprehensive overview of the morphological response of C. albicans to compromised Hsp90 function, illuminating previously unidentified roles for this chaperone in cell cycle progression, cytokinesis and vacuole maintenance. This work sheds light on the importance of Hsp90 in fungal development and the therapeutic potential of Hsp90 inhibitors in the treatment of fungal infections.

The trimorphic fungus Candida albicans is the leading cause of systemic candidiasis, a disease with poor prognosis affecting immunocompromised patients. The capacity to switch between growth morphologies is tightly coupled to its ability to cause life-threatening infection. Recently, the molecular chaperone Heat Shock Protein 90 (Hsp90) has been implicated as a major regulator of C. albicans morphogenesis via the Ras1-PKA pathway. In model organisms from plant, animal and fungal kingdoms, Hsp90 stabilizes regulators of cell signaling and participates in many important cellular processes. Hsp90’s roles in C. albicans are beginning to be dissected. This thesis represents a comprehensive overview of the morphological response of C. albicans to compromised Hsp90 function, illuminating previously unidentified roles for this chaperone in cell cycle progression, cytokinesis and vacuole maintenance. This work sheds light on the importance of Hsp90 in fungal development and the therapeutic potential of Hsp90 inhibitors in the treatment of fungal infections.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans have shown antagonistic relationships, both in vivo and in vitro. The interaction between P. aeruginosa and C. albicans is one of the many prokaryotic-eukaryotic interactions existing in nature and needs more research due to their complex pathogenicity in humans. In this work, we have studied growth dynamics of Candida in a mixed population of Pseudomonas and Candida, and their receptor and ligand specificities, both from an ecological and a molecular point of view. Initially, growth, viability, and morphogenesis of Candida were studied in the presence of Pseudomonas and the conditioned medium of Pseudomonas using two Candida strains, namely CAF2 and tup1 mutant. The killing effect of Pseudomonas was more pronounced on the hyphal form of Candida. However, growth of Candida was inhibited by Pseudomonas irrespective of its morphological form. The conditioned medium had no effect on the growth rate of Candida. Nevertheless, it completely inhibited the germination of Candida. The attachment of Pseudomonas to Candida was studied using different strains of both, and with Pseudomonas cells harvested at different stages of its growth. The percent attachment varied with the age of the textit Pseudomonas culture. A lecB mutant of Pseudomonas showed a two-fold reduction in attachment compared to the wild type PAK strain. Carbohydrate inhibition studies confirmed that LecB is not directly involved in the attachment mechanism, but indirectly involves through regulating the expression of other proteins required for attachment. A genomic DNA library of Pseudomonas PAO1 was screened for clones that had acquired the ability to attach to C. albicans. A clone was isolated with a small increase in attachment and was subjected to genetic analysis. It contained nucleotides 458565 to 475917 of the Pseudomonas genome including some genes of the Pil-Chp gene cluster. Seven transposon mutants that represent mutations in ChpA,B,C,D,E operon and three other ORFs were selected, and their attachment ability was tested. All seven mutants showed a reduction in attachment indicating that this was a non specific effect, which could be attributed to the in vitro manipulation of the bacteria. We conclude that the attachment of Pseudomonas to Candida is multi-factorial.