Therapeutic use of a cationic antimicrobial peptide from the spider Acanthoscurria gomesiana in the control of experimental candidiasis
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BMC Microbiology
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Background: Antimicrobial peptides are present in animals, plants and microorganisms and play a fundamental
role in the innate immune response. Gomesin is a cationic antimicrobial peptide purified from haemocytes of the
spider Acanthoscurria gomesiana. It has a broad-spectrum of activity against bacteria, fungi, protozoa and tumour
cells. Candida albicans is a commensal yeast that is part of the human microbiota. However, in
immunocompromised patients, this fungus may cause skin, mucosal or systemic infections. The typical treatment
for this mycosis comprises three major categories of antifungal drugs: polyenes, azoles and echinocandins;
however cases of resistance to these drugs are frequently reported. With the emergence of microorganisms that
are resistant to conventional antibiotics, the development of alternative treatments for candidiasis is important. In
this study, we evaluate the efficacy of gomesin treatment on disseminated and vaginal candidiasis as well as its
toxicity and biodistribution.
Results: Treatment with gomesin effectively reduced Candida albicans in the kidneys, spleen, liver and vagina of
infected mice. The biodistribution of gomesin labelled with technetium-99 m showed that the peptide is captured
in the kidneys, spleen and liver. Enhanced production of TNF-a, IFN-g and IL-6 was detected in infected mice
treated with gomesin, suggesting an immunomodulatory activity. Moreover, immunosuppressed and C. albicansinfected
mice showed an increase in survival after treatment with gomesin and fluconazole. Systemic
administration of gomesin was also not toxic to the mice
Conclusions: Gomesin proved to be effective against experimental Candida albicans infection. It can be used as an
alternative therapy for candidiasis, either alone or in combination with fluconazole. Gomesin’s mechanism is not
fully understood, but we hypothesise that the peptide acts through the permeabilisation of the yeast membrane
leading to death and/or releasing the yeast antigens that trigger the host immune response against infection.
Therefore, data presented in this study reinforces the potential of gomesin as a therapeutic antifungal agent in
both humans and animals.
Como referenciar
ROSSI, DIEGO C.; MUNOZ, JULIAN E.; CARVALHO, DANIELLE D.; BELMONTE, RODRIGO; FAINTUCH, BLUMA; BORELLI, PRIMAVERA; MIRANDA, ANTONIO; TABORDA, CARLOS P.; DAFFRE, SIRLEI. Therapeutic use of a cationic antimicrobial peptide from the spider Acanthoscurria gomesiana in the control of experimental candidiasis. BMC Microbiology, v. 12, 2012. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-12-28. Disponível em: http://repositorio.ipen.br/handle/123456789/27704. Acesso em: 30 Dec 2025.
Esta referência é gerada automaticamente de acordo com as normas do estilo IPEN/SP (ABNT NBR 6023) e recomenda-se uma verificação final e ajustes caso necessário.