Farnesol as a Quorum-sensing Molecule in Candida albicans

Cho, Tamaki; Aoyama, Toshihiro; Toyoda, Mika; Nakayama, Hironobu; Chibana, Hiroji; Kaminishi, Hidenori; Calderone, Richard

doi:10.3314/jjmm.49.281

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Under a clinical perspective, the role of quorumsensing molecules, particularly farnesol [97] and tyrosol [98], produced by Candida spp in virulence is still confusing. They have different roles with apparently opposing effects, suggesting that they act mainly as communication mediators, although some specific pathogenetic actions are clear.…”

Section: Other Virulence Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They have different roles with apparently opposing effects, suggesting that they act mainly as communication mediators, although some specific pathogenetic actions are clear. For example, farnesol induces masking of one of its cell wall pathogenassociated molecular patterns (PAMPs), b -glucan, in the presence of an acidic pH and lactate, so it protects the yeast from being phagocyted [99], and activates Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) production, actions that farnesolic acid and tyrosol are apparently not involved [98].…”

Section: Other Virulence Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Virulence Factors as Promoters of Chronic Vulvovaginal Candidosis: A Review

et al. 2021

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Section: Other Virulence Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Other Virulence Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virulence Factors as Promoters of Chronic Vulvovaginal Candidosis: A Review

et al. 2021

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“…Studies have shown that it acts as a quorum-sensing molecule and is involved in the inhibition of filamentation (5,6) and the formation of biofilms (7,8). More recently, it has been demonstrated that this compound also has an important role in the resistance to oxidative stress (9).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Farnesol is a sesquiterpene that acts as a precursor in the biosynthesis of sterols and isoprenoids in Candida albicans (5,6). Studies have shown that it acts as a quorum-sensing molecule and is involved in the inhibition of filamentation (5,6) and the formation of biofilms (7,8).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Farnesol on Growth, Ergosterol Biosynthesis, and Cell Permeability in Coccidioides posadasii

Brilhante

Lima

Caetano

et al. 2013

Antimicrob Agents Chemother

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Coccidioidomycosis is a systemic mycosis caused by the dimorphic fungi Coccidioides spp. The treatment for chronic and/or disseminated coccidioidomycosis can be prolonged and complicated. Therefore, the search for new drugs is necessary. Farnesol is a precursor in the sterol biosynthesis pathway that has been shown to present antifungal activity. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of farnesol alone and in combination with antifungal agents against clinical and environmental strains of Coccidioides posadasii as well as to determine their effect on the synthesis of ergosterol and on cell permeability. This study employed the broth macrodilution method to determine the MIC of farnesol against 18 strains of C. posadasii. Quantification of ergosterol was performed with 10 strains of C. posadasii after exposure to subinhibitory concentrations of farnesol. Finally, the activity of farnesol was evaluated in the presence of osmotic stress, induced by the addition of NaCl to the culture medium, during the susceptibility tests. The results showed that farnesol exhibited low MICs (ranging from 0.00171 to 0.01369 mg/liter) against all tested strains. The combination of farnesol with the antifungals showed synergistic effects (fractional inhibitory concentration index [FICI] < 0.5). As for the ergosterol quantification, it was observed that exposure to subinhibitory concentrations of farnesol decreased the amount of ergosterol extracted from the fungal cells. Furthermore, farnesol also showed lower MIC values when the strains were subjected to osmotic stress, indicating the action of this compound on the fungal membrane. Thus, due to the high in vitro antifungal activity, this work brings perspectives for the performance of in vivo studies to further elucidate the effects of farnesol on the host cells.

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“…Farnesol acts as a precursor in the biosynthesis of sterols and isoprenoids, which are essential in the regulation of proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, as well as in lipid biosynthesis, in fungi, plants and animals (Cho et al, 2008;Joo & Jetten, 2010). In addition, farnesol is a quorum-sensing molecule of Candida albicans, controlling factors such as density, cell morphogenesis (Hornby et al, 2001) and biofilm formation (Ramage et al, 2002).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Histoplasma capsulatum in planktonic and biofilm forms: in vitro susceptibility to amphotericin B, itraconazole and farnesol

Brilhante

Lima

Marques

et al. 2015

Journal of Medical Microbiology

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It is believed that most microbial infections are caused by pathogens organized in biofilms. Recently, it was shown that the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, estimated to be the most common cause of fungal respiratory diseases, is also able to form biofilm. Although the antifungal therapy commonly used is effective, refractory cases and recurrences have been reported. In the search for new compounds with antimicrobial activity, the sesquiterpene farnesol has gained prominence for its antifungal action. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro susceptibility of H. capsulatum var. capsulatum to the antifungal agents itraconazole and amphotericin B, and farnesol alone and combined, as well as to determine the in vitro antifungal activity of these compounds against biofilms of this pathogen. The results show that farnesol has antifungal activity against H. capsulatum in the yeast and filamentous phases, with MIC values ranging from 0.0078 to 0.00312 mM. A synergistic effect (fractional inhibitory concentration index ¡0.5) between itraconazole and farnesol was found against 100 and 83.3 % of the isolates in yeast and mycelial forms, respectively, while synergism between amphotericin B and farnesol was only observed against 37.5 and 44.4 % of the isolates in yeast and filamentous forms, respectively. Afterwards, the antifungal drugs, itraconazole and amphotericin B, and farnesol alone, and the combination of itraconazole and farnesol, were tested against mature biofilms of H. capsulatum, through XTT (2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide) metabolic assay, and the itraconazole and amphotericin B showed lower antibiofilm activity when compared to farnesol alone and farnesol combined with itraconazole. In conclusion, farnesol showed promising results as an antifungal agent against H. capsulatum and also showed adjuvant action, especially when combined with itraconazole, increasing the fungal susceptibility to this drug.

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Farnesol as a Quorum-sensing Molecule in Candida albicans

Cited by 7 publications

References 32 publications

Virulence Factors as Promoters of Chronic Vulvovaginal Candidosis: A Review

Virulence Factors as Promoters of Chronic Vulvovaginal Candidosis: A Review

Effect of Farnesol on Growth, Ergosterol Biosynthesis, and Cell Permeability in Coccidioides posadasii

Histoplasma capsulatum in planktonic and biofilm forms: in vitro susceptibility to amphotericin B, itraconazole and farnesol

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