Molecular characterization of extracellular vesicle cargo in Candida auris: implications for thermotolerance and pathogenicity

• Grant number: 25/19033-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: September 30, 2029
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Fausto Bruno dos Reis Almeida
• Grantee: Shaghayegh Moghadam
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/06794-5 - Fungal extracellular vesicles: immunomodulation and cellular communication, AP.JP2

Abstract

Candida auris, first identified in Japan in 2009, is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen that poses a significant threat to global public health. Unlike other Candida species, C. auris exhibits an unusual tolerance to elevated temperatures and standard disinfectants, facilitating its persistence and transmission in healthcare environments. Its intrinsic and acquired resistance to multiple classes of antifungal agents complicates treatment and highlights the urgent need for innovative therapeutic approaches and a deeper understanding of its pathogenic mechanisms. Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) produced by fungal pathogens such as C. auris have been shown to carry a diverse array of bioactive molecules, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, which are implicated in fungal physiology and host-pathogen interactions. Recent research indicates that EVs may play a critical role in intra- and interspecies communication, particularly through the transport of virulence factors and the modulation of host immune responses. Prior work by our group demonstrated that EVs contribute to thermotolerance in C. auris, suggesting their involvement in stress adaptation mechanisms. This study aims to characterize the molecular cargo of C. auris EVs and investigate their role in mediating adaptive traits such as thermotolerance. By elucidating the specific components responsible for these phenotypic changes, we seek to deepen our understanding of EV-mediated communication in C. auris. The insights gained may inform the development of novel diagnostic tools and targeted antifungal therapies aimed at disrupting EV-associated pathways. (AU)