Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis biofilm frenemies: when the relationship sours

Alshanta, O. A., Albashaireh, K., McKloud, E., Delaney, C., Kean, R., McLean, W. and Ramage, G. (2022) Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis biofilm frenemies: when the relationship sours. Biofilm, 4, 100072. (doi: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2022.100072) (PMID:35313556) (PMCID:PMC8933684)

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Abstract

The opportunistic yeast Candida albicans and lactic acid bacteria Enterococcus faecalis are frequently co-isolated from various infection sites on the human body, suggesting a common interkingdom interaction. While some reports suggest an antagonism, the reason for their co-isolation therefore remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to undertake a detailed characterisation of this dual-species interaction. We used standard biofilm characterisation methodologies alongside an RNASeq analysis to assess the response of C. albicans to E. faecalis. We evaluated the relevance of pH to dual-species biofilm interactions and demonstrated that E. faecalis rapidly and significantly impacted C. albicans morphogenesis and biofilm formation, which was mirrored by levels of gene expression. These transcripts were enriched in amino acids biosynthesis and metabolism pathways in co-cultures, a finding that guided our investigation into pH related mechanism. We were able to demonstrate the direct role of E. faecalis induced low pH, which inhibited C. albicans hyphal morphogenesis and biofilm formation. The results suggest that the anti-candidal effect of E. faecalis is not based solely on a single mechanism, instead it may involve various mechanisms, which collectively reflects the complexity of interaction between C. albicans and E. faecalis and impacts treatment outcomes.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Alshanta, Ms Om Alkhir and Ramage, Professor Gordon and McKloud, Emily and Mclean, Professor William and Kean, Mr Ryan and Delaney, Mr Christopher and Albashaireh, Khawlah
Authors: Alshanta, O. A., Albashaireh, K., McKloud, E., Delaney, C., Kean, R., McLean, W., and Ramage, G.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Dental School
Journal Name:Biofilm
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:2590-2075
ISSN (Online):2590-2075
Published Online:14 March 2022
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2022 The Authors
First Published:First published in Biofilm 4: 100072
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
173112Understanding processes and mechanisms affecting the oral microbiome using OMICs approachesGordon RamageBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)BB/P504567/1Med - Dental School