Open AccessInhibitory effect of verapamil on C andida albicans hyphal development, adhesion and gastrointestinal colonization
Author(s) -
Yu Qilin,
Ding Xiaohui,
Zhang Bing,
Xu Ning,
Jia Chang,
Mao Jiwei,
Zhang Biao,
Xing Laijun,
Li Mingchun
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
fems yeast research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.991
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1567-1364
pISSN - 1567-1356
DOI - 10.1111/1567-1364.12150
Subject(s) - verapamil , candida albicans , biology , morphogenesis , microbiology and biotechnology , corpus albicans , hypha , in vivo , adhesion , pharmacology , calcium , biochemistry , medicine , chemistry , gene , organic chemistry
C andida albicans morphogenesis and gastrointestinal colonization are closely associated with the pathogenicity of this pathogen. This study investigated the in vitro and in vivo effect of verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, on these processes. Exposure to ≥ 10 μg mL −1 verapamil led to a significant decrease of C . albicans hyphal cells. The ability to adhere to a polystyrene surface and buccal epithelial cells was inhibited by exposure to ≥ 20 μg mL −1 verapamil. Detection of the Hwp1–green fluorescent protein fusion protein showed that verapamil inhibited expression and transport of Hwp1, indicating its activity against both the regulation network of morphogenesis‐associated proteins and the secretory pathway in C . albicans . Moreover, treatment with verapamil at 10 mg (kg day) −1 led to a remarkable decrease in gastrointestinal‐colonizing fungal cells. This study revealed the inhibitory effect of verapamil on C . albicans hyphal development, adhesion and gastrointestinal colonization, which is relevant to decreased expression and abnormal transport of the proteins required for morphogenesis. Therefore, verapamil may be taken into account when choosing an antifungal therapy against C . albicans colonization and infection.