{"title":"Metabolic profile and disordered glycerophospholipid metabolism in recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.","authors":"Jing Chen, Yaoling Wang, Xinyi Chen, Fangfang Di, Guanghua Wang, Runjie Zhang, Jin Qiu","doi":"10.1016/j.micinf.2025.105504","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micinf.2025.105504","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) takes a toll not only on women's reproductive system but also on patients' life quality. The pathogenesis is still not fully understood. This study sought to explore metabolic profile of vaginal discharge from RVVC patients using non-targeted metabolomics and investigate potential bioactive functions of metabolites. The metabolic spectrum of RVVC patients was remarkably distinguished from healthy control and VVC patients. 324 metabolites with significant difference were detected in RVVC compared with control group, of which 239 were upregulated and 85 were downregulated. Moreover, compared with VVC, RVVC had a total of 67 significantly different metabolites including 43 upregulated metabolites and 24 downregulated metabolites. KEGG pathway analysis showed that Glycerophospholipid (GPL) metabolic pathway and PPAR signaling pathway were significantly changed in RVVC and the metabolites enriched into GPL metabolic pathway including LysoPC(18:1(11Z)), LysoPC(20:3(5Z,8Z,11Z)), PC(16:0/20:2(11Z,14Z)), PC(18:1(11Z)/18:1(9Z)) and PE(22:2(13Z,16Z)/18:3(9Z,12Z,15Z)) were significantly changed in RVVC patients and of high AUC values. In addition, the highest increased LysoPS(18:1(9Z)/0:0) in RVVC was demonstrated to not only inhibit the proliferation and migration of vaginal epithelial cells but also promote apoptosis. Molecular docking which showed strongly bind between LysoPS(18:1(9Z)/0:0) and PPAR-γ lead to a hypothesis that LysoPS(18:1(9Z)/0:0) may have an influence on RVVC through PPAR signaling pathway. Our findings provide new perspectives in understanding the pathogenesis of RVVC.</p>","PeriodicalId":18497,"journal":{"name":"Microbes and Infection","volume":" ","pages":"105504"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144031505","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Chlamydia trachomatis regulates ferroptosis through the p53/SLC7A11 pathway to promote reproduction.","authors":"Xinglv Wang, Chengyu Tang, Hongrong Wu, Jingrong Zhang, Lili Chen, Zhongyu Li","doi":"10.1016/j.micinf.2025.105505","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micinf.2025.105505","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Genital tract Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infection is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide. However, its clinical progression is often insidious and prolonged. Understanding the mechanisms by which Ct influences cell death pathways is crucial for elucidating the pathogenic processes of this intracellular bacterium. Ferroptosis, a newly identified form of programmed cell death, is characterized by the iron-dependent accumulation of lipid peroxides. Despite its relevance, the interaction between Ct and ferroptosis remains poorly studied. In the present study, we first performed bioinformatics analysis based on RNA sequencing data under an in vitro model of Ct acute infection. Bioinformatics analysis revealed significant enrichment of differentially expressed genes in ferroptosis and p53 signaling pathways. Subsequently, we validated the hypothesis that Ct inhibits host ferroptosis by expression assays of ferroptosis-related proteins. Further cell proliferation, intracellular ferrous iron fluorescence, and lipid peroxidation assays multifaceted observations of the phenotype. Mechanistically, we found that Ct inhibition of ferroptosis acts by regulating the host p53/SLC7A11 pathway. Finally, indirect immunofluorescence assays demonstrated that ferroptosis decreases inclusion forming units (IFUs) of Ct progeny and thus affects its reproduction, which partly explains Ct's survival strategy of resisting host ferroptosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":18497,"journal":{"name":"Microbes and Infection","volume":" ","pages":"105505"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144034612","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Camila do Nascimento Araujo, Felipe Silva, Cristina Kraemer Zimpel, Silva-Pereira Taiana Tainá, Naila Cristina Soler Camargo, Filipe Menegatti de Melo, Marcelo Valdemir de Araújo, Ana Marcia de Sá Guimarães
{"title":"Comparative pathoadaptation of Mycobacterium canettii and Mycobacterium tuberculosis: insights from assays on phagosome acidification, cytosolic access, and transcriptomics.","authors":"Camila do Nascimento Araujo, Felipe Silva, Cristina Kraemer Zimpel, Silva-Pereira Taiana Tainá, Naila Cristina Soler Camargo, Filipe Menegatti de Melo, Marcelo Valdemir de Araújo, Ana Marcia de Sá Guimarães","doi":"10.1016/j.micinf.2025.105503","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micinf.2025.105503","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Genetic and molecular differences between Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and its ancestral counterpart, Mycobacterium canettii (Mcan), remain poorly known. Our study aimed to compare their modulation of phagosome acidification and cytosolic access in macrophages, and their in vitro transcriptomes. Using spectrofluorometry, we tracked pH changes in mycobacteria-containing vacuoles in THP-1 macrophages. A single-cell FRET protocol evaluated cytosolic access of mycobacteria in these cells. Similar to Mtb, Mcan inhibits phagosome acidification and accesses the cytosol. Transcriptomic and genetic analyses reveal mutations in two-component systems (PhoPR, SenX3-RegX3, and DevRS/DosRS) and in specific genes (e.g., lactate dehydrogenase and espACD) driving variations in gene expression between pathogens. Moreover, Mcan upregulates genes of iron and molybdopterin metabolism compared to Mtb, suggesting a role for metals in the evolution of tuberculous mycobacteria. The upregulation of the termination factor Rho in Mtb also suggests differences in antisense transcription and/or gene expression regulation. In conclusion, phagosome modulation and cytosolic access in macrophages are ancestral traits predating the emergence of the MTBC and not exclusive to Mtb's strict pathogenic lifestyle. Additionally, gene expression regulation likely shaped the phenotypic differences between Mcan and Mtb, contributing to the evolutionary transition from an environmental Mcan-like ancestor to the MTBC's host-adapted lifestyle.</p>","PeriodicalId":18497,"journal":{"name":"Microbes and Infection","volume":" ","pages":"105503"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144025884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Host-parasite interactions after in vitro infection of human macrophages by Leishmania major: Dual analysis of microRNA and mRNA profiles reveals regulation of key processes through time kinetics.","authors":"Chiraz Atri, Ghada Mkannez, Hanène Attia, Rabiaa Manel Sghaier, Aymen Bali, Ali Ben-Cheikh, Imen Rabhi, Béatrice Regnault, David Piquemal, Kais Ghedira, Koussay Dellagi, Dhafer Laouini, Fatma Zahra Guerfali","doi":"10.1016/j.micinf.2025.105502","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.micinf.2025.105502","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Micro-RNAs are a class of small non-coding ribonucleic acids that concomitantly regulate the expression of tens to hundreds of genes. To reduce the host's defense, Leishmania parasites hijack the cellular functions of their macrophage's targets through gene expression regulation. Only few studies have attempted to correlate miRNAs and mRNAs expressions within the same samples in the context of cellular parasitism. In this study, the profiling of human macrophages, in vitro infected by L. major parasites, was performed at both the mRNA transcriptomic level and the expression of a set of 365 miRNAs, and we correlated their expressions in search for a common molecular signature. Both mRNA and miRNA profiles were monitored during the first 24 h post-infection to capture potential time-dependent fluctuations. We then cross-correlated the cellular biological processes and the pathways associated to the predicted targets of miRNAs and to the differentially expressed mRNAs at all time points of infection on the same samples. Besides revealing the classical activation of immune signaling pathways, the mRNA-micro-RNAs correlation study highlighted other common regulatory inflammatory biological processes, allowing identification of rapidly modulated pathways, and bringing further evidence on the early molecular cross talk that take place between Leishmania and infected cells.</p>","PeriodicalId":18497,"journal":{"name":"Microbes and Infection","volume":" ","pages":"105502"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144018212","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maarit Ylätalo, Eveliina Taavitsainen-Wahlroos, Inés Reigada, Leena Hanski
{"title":"Chlamydia pneumoniae relies on host glutathione for its growth and induces integrated stress response-mediated changes in macrophage glutathione metabolism.","authors":"Maarit Ylätalo, Eveliina Taavitsainen-Wahlroos, Inés Reigada, Leena Hanski","doi":"10.1016/j.micinf.2025.105501","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.micinf.2025.105501","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia pneumoniae can enter into persistent phenotype, which is refractory to antibiotics and causes prolonged inflammatory state in the host. Molecular mechanisms enabling C. pneumoniae intracellular survival and governing the balance between persistent and productive infection phenotype remain poorly understood. In this study, the role of glutathione (GSH) metabolism in C. pneumoniae growth and progeny production was studied in THP-1 macrophages and A549 epithelial cells. Results indicate that depletion of cellular GSH pools decreased C. pneumoniae replication, but only if the constituent amino acids were also sequestered from the culture. C. pneumoniae infection increased the expression of GSH biosynthetic genes but also upregulated ChaC1, an intracellular enzyme involved in GSH breakage. C. pneumoniae infection was found to increase PERK phosphorylation in THP-1 macrophages and chemical inhibition of PERK prevented the infection-induced upregulation of GSH biosynthesis and GSH degradation genes and suppressed C. pneumoniae replication. C. pneumoniae -induced ChaC1 upregulation was also suppressed by protein kinase R inhibitor or treatment with ISRIB, indicating an involvement of redundant pathways of the host cell stress response. The data suggest that C. pneumoniae requires amino acids derived from the host cell GSH pools to enable active bacterial replication.</p>","PeriodicalId":18497,"journal":{"name":"Microbes and Infection","volume":" ","pages":"105501"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143788674","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carlos López-Figueroa, Noelia Carmona-Vicente, Esmeralda Cano, Núria Navarro, Cristina Risco, Joan Repullés, Joaquim Segalés, Júlia Vergara-Alert
{"title":"Porcine alveolar macrophages and nasal epithelial cells internalize porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) but do not support its replication in vitro.","authors":"Carlos López-Figueroa, Noelia Carmona-Vicente, Esmeralda Cano, Núria Navarro, Cristina Risco, Joan Repullés, Joaquim Segalés, Júlia Vergara-Alert","doi":"10.1016/j.micinf.2025.105500","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.micinf.2025.105500","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) primarily targets enterocytes subsequent to fecal-oral exposure, resulting in severe gastrointestinal disease in neonatal piglets. However, recent evidence suggests potential alternative PEDV entry and replication routes via the respiratory tract. The present study delved into the possibility of an alternative pathway for PEDV infection in porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs), 3D4/21 cells (3D4), and nasal turbinate epithelial cells, focusing on the inherent innate antiviral and anti-inflammatory immune responses to a cell-adapted non-S INDEL USA PEDV strain. CCL-81 cells were used as positive controls of infection, while non-infected CCL-81, PAMs, and 3D4 cells served as negative controls. Quantification of the viral load in cells and supernatants (SN) was carried out at multiple hours post-inoculation (hpi; 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hpi) using RT-qPCR, while infectious virus titers were assessed through TCID<sub>50</sub>/ml on cell cultures and immunofluorescence (IF) staining. PEDV capture and internalization were examined using IF at 24 and 48 hpi, alongside the evaluation of the presence of viral particles and ultrastructural changes using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Proinflammatory and antiviral cytokine levels in SN were measured using ELISA and Luminex. In both PAMs and 3D4 cells, PEDV RNA levels peaked at 12 hpi in cells and SN, then declined gradually without significant differences between cell types. Only few PAMs and 3D4 cells tested positive for PEDV IF, with no increase in positive cells between 24 and 48 hpi. TEM did not reveal viral particles or changes in cell organelles, and no proinflammatory or antiviral cytokine expression was detected in either cell type of macrophage cells. In parallel, nasal turbinate organoids (NTOs), cultivated as 2D monolayer and at an air-liquid interface (ALI), were exposed to PEDV, with RT-qPCR and IF conducted at 24 hpi. Despite the cultivation technique used, similar levels of PEDV RNA were detected in both the cells and the SN, with positive results observed for PEDV IF. Overall, while PAMs, 3D4 cells and nasal epithelium can capture and internalize PEDV, they do not support viral replication or trigger an antiviral or anti-inflammatory responses.</p>","PeriodicalId":18497,"journal":{"name":"Microbes and Infection","volume":" ","pages":"105500"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143780473","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BiXia Liu, YaRu Gu, YangXue Ou, LuXuan Liu, WenHao Wang, JinRui Zhou, Ying Wang, YeXiang Du, Jing Xie, Yuan Liu, Rui Zhang, QianFei Zuo, Bin Wang
{"title":"Protection conferred by mucosal novel bivalent Klebsiella pneumoniae vaccine immunization associates with presence of lung CD4<sup>+</sup> T<sub>RM</sub>.","authors":"BiXia Liu, YaRu Gu, YangXue Ou, LuXuan Liu, WenHao Wang, JinRui Zhou, Ying Wang, YeXiang Du, Jing Xie, Yuan Liu, Rui Zhang, QianFei Zuo, Bin Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.micinf.2025.105483","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.micinf.2025.105483","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Klebsiella pneumoniae is the principal cause of hospital-acquired infection with a high morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals, yet no vaccine is approved. Here, we developed a novel bivalent subunit vaccine for the prevention of K. pneumoniae infection based on the outer membrane protein GlnH and the fimbriae protein FimA. The survival rate of immunized mice was significantly increased compared to that of unimmunized mice, while the bacterial burden, weight loss, and lung pathology were drastically reduced. Furthermore, vaccine-elicited CD4<sup>+</sup> T<sub>RM</sub> cells were observed in lung tissues and appeared to play a critical role in vaccine efficacy. Transcriptomic analysis of total lung tissues from mice treated by FTY720 (S1PR1 inhibitor that blocks lymphocyte egress from secondary lymphoid structures) showed that cell activation, cytokine secretion and enhancement of the killing ability of neutrophils were related to the mechanism of protection against K. pneumoniae infection. These findings indicate that GlnH and FimA are effective candidate bivalent vaccine to fight K. pneumoniae infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":18497,"journal":{"name":"Microbes and Infection","volume":" ","pages":"105483"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143625409","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"TRIM32 positively regulates c-di-GMP-Induced type I interferon signaling pathway in Listeria monocytogenes infection.","authors":"Yaya Pian, Xuan OuYang","doi":"10.1016/j.micinf.2025.105499","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.micinf.2025.105499","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) poses a significant threat to human health. TRIM32, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, plays a critical role in regulating immune responses to pathogen infections. Previous studies have shown that TRIM32 deficiency significantly impairs IFN-β production. In this study, we demonstrate that TRIM32 enhances IFN-β release upon activation by cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP). Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses revealed that TRIM32 deficiency upregulates genes associated with metabolic pathways while downregulating those involved in cytokine signaling and inflammatory responses. Western blot analysis further indicated a significant reduction in ERK and JNK phosphorylation in splenocytes and peritoneal macrophages, suggesting that TRIM32 modulates the MAPK signaling pathway. Additionally, the duration of p38, STAT, and TBK1 phosphorylation was shortened in bone marrow-derived macrophages. Collectively, these findings highlight the role of TRIM32 in enhancing the host immune response against Lm infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":18497,"journal":{"name":"Microbes and Infection","volume":" ","pages":"105499"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143573463","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Natália Cristina Gomes-da-Silva , Álefe Roger Silva França , Clenilton Costa dos Santos , Luciana Magalhães Rebelo Alencar , Elaine Cruz Rosas , Luana Barbosa Corrêa , Carolline M.A. Lorentino , André L.S. Santos , Eduardo Ricci-Junior , Ralph Santos-Oliveira
{"title":"Nano-enhanced benzylpenicillin: Bridging antibacterial action with anti-inflammatory potential against antibiotic-resistant bacteria","authors":"Natália Cristina Gomes-da-Silva , Álefe Roger Silva França , Clenilton Costa dos Santos , Luciana Magalhães Rebelo Alencar , Elaine Cruz Rosas , Luana Barbosa Corrêa , Carolline M.A. Lorentino , André L.S. Santos , Eduardo Ricci-Junior , Ralph Santos-Oliveira","doi":"10.1016/j.micinf.2024.105436","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.micinf.2024.105436","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the enhancement of benzylpenicillin's antibacterial properties using nanomedicine, specifically by developing benzylpenicillin nanoemulsions. To address the escalating issue of bacterial resistance, we employed the advanced techniques Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy to analyze the nanoemulsions' molecular structure and characteristics. We then evaluated the impact of these nanoemulsions on nitric oxide production by macrophages to deternine their potential to modulate inflammatory responses. We further assessed the antibacterial effectiveness of the nanoparticles against the pathogens <em>Streptococcus pyogenes</em> (Group A <em>Streptococcus</em>) and <em>Streptococcus agalactiae</em> (Group B <em>Streptococcus</em>). The results of antibiograms showed significant efficacy against Gram-positive bacteria, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values, confirming their bactericidal potential. The investigation into the mechanism of action suggested substantial disruption to bacterial membrane integrity, underscoring a possible mode of antibacterial activity. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the synergistic relationship between antibiotics and nanoparticles. In particular, it demonstrates the potential of benzylpenicillin nanoparticles to enhance the antimicrobial efficacy and influence inflammatory responses obtained by evaluating nitrite, IL-6 and TNF-α, offering promising avenues for future clinical applications and strategies to combat bacterial resistance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18497,"journal":{"name":"Microbes and Infection","volume":"27 3","pages":"Article 105436"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142624009","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mariana Lucy Mesquita Ramos , Azuil Barrinha , Glauber Ribeiro de Sousa Araújo , Vinicius Alves , Iara Bastos de Andrade , Dario Corrêa-Junior , Maria Cristina Machado Motta , Rodrigo Almeida-Paes , Susana Frases
{"title":"Photodynamic therapy reduces viability, enhances itraconazole activity, and impairs mitochondrial physiology of Sporothrix brasiliensis","authors":"Mariana Lucy Mesquita Ramos , Azuil Barrinha , Glauber Ribeiro de Sousa Araújo , Vinicius Alves , Iara Bastos de Andrade , Dario Corrêa-Junior , Maria Cristina Machado Motta , Rodrigo Almeida-Paes , Susana Frases","doi":"10.1016/j.micinf.2024.105440","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.micinf.2024.105440","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Sporothrix brasiliensis</em> is the main agent of sporotrichosis in Brazil, with few therapeutic options. This study aimed to investigate the <em>in vitro</em> efficacy of photodynamic therapy using a diode laser (InGaAIP) in combination with the photosensitizer methylene blue against <em>S. brasiliensis</em> yeasts. Additionally, we evaluated the underexplored mitochondrial activity of <em>S. brasiliensis</em> and the impact of laser treatment on the fungal mitochondrial aspects post-treatment. Three strains of <em>S. brasiliensis</em> were used, including a non-wild-type strain to itraconazole. Yeast viability was determined by counting colony-forming units. For a comprehensive analysis of irradiated versus non-irradiated cells, we assessed combined therapy with itraconazole, scanning electron microscopy of cells, and mitochondrial activity. The latter included high-resolution respirometry, membrane potential analysis, and reactive oxygen species production. Methylene blue combined with photodynamic therapy inhibited the growth of the isolates, including the non-wild-type strain to itraconazole. Photodynamic therapy induced the production of reactive oxygen species, which negatively affected mitochondrial function, resulting in decreased membrane potential and cell death. Photodynamic therapy altered the ultrastructure and mitochondrial physiology of <em>S. brasiliensis</em>, suggesting a new therapeutic approach for sporotrichosis caused by this species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18497,"journal":{"name":"Microbes and Infection","volume":"27 3","pages":"Article 105440"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142668089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}