BACKGROUND/AIMS: A monoclonal killer anti-idiotypic antibody (mAbK10) and a synthetic killer peptide, acting as internal images of a microbicidal, wide-spectrum yeast killer toxin (KT) have been recently shown to express candidacidal in vitro and an in vivo therapeutic activity against experimental mucosal and systemic candidosis models caused by a reference strain of Candida albicans (10S). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The in vitro candidacidal activity of mAbK10 and synthetic killer peptide was compared using a colony forming unit assay against a large number of isolates of different Candida spp., obtained from oral saliva of adult diabetic (type 1 and 2) and nondiabetic subjects from Parma (Italy) and London (UK). RESULTS: Both the KT-mimics exerted a strong dose-dependent candidacidal activity, probably mediated by the interaction with beta-glucan KT receptors on target yeast cells, against all the tested strains, regardless of their species and pattern of resistance to conventional antifungal agents. CONCLUSIONS: These observations open new perspectives in the design and production of candidacidal compounds whose mechanism reflects that exerted in nature by killer yeasts.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: A monoclonal killer anti-idiotypic antibody (mAbK10) and a synthetic killer peptide, acting as internal images of a microbicidal, wide-spectrum yeast killer toxin (KT) have been recently shown to express candidacidal in vitro and an in vivo therapeutic activity against experimental mucosal and systemic candidosis models caused by a reference strain of Candida albicans (10S). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The in vitro candidacidal activity of mAbK10 and synthetic killer peptide was compared using a colony forming unit assay against a large number of isolates of different Candida spp., obtained from oral saliva of adult diabetic (type 1 and 2) and nondiabetic subjects from Parma (Italy) and London (UK). RESULTS: Both the KT-mimics exerted a strong dose-dependent candidacidal activity, probably mediated by the interaction with beta-glucan KT receptors on target yeast cells, against all the tested strains, regardless of their species and pattern of resistance to conventional antifungal agents. CONCLUSIONS: These observations open new perspectives in the design and production of candidacidal compounds whose mechanism reflects that exerted in nature by killer yeasts.
Authors: Elena Gabrielli; Eva Pericolini; Elio Cenci; Federica Ortelli; Walter Magliani; Tecla Ciociola; Francesco Bistoni; Stefania Conti; Anna Vecchiarelli; Luciano Polonelli Journal: PLoS One Date: 2009-12-04 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Walter Magliani; Stefania Conti; Laura Giovati; Pier Paolo Zanello; Martina Sperindè; Tecla Ciociola; Luciano Polonelli Journal: Front Microbiol Date: 2012-06-01 Impact factor: 5.640