Abstract
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a granulomatous fungal disease caused by the dimorphic fungal species of Paracoccidioides, which mainly affects the lungs. Modern strategies for the treatment and/or prevention of PCM are based on a Th1-type immune response, which is important for controlling the disease. One of the most studied candidates for a vaccine is the P10 peptide, derived from the 43 kDa glycoprotein of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. In order to improve its immune modulatory effect, the P10 peptide was associated with a chitosan-conjugated nanoparticle. The nanoparticles presented 220 nm medium size, poly dispersion index (PDI) below 0.5, zeta potential of +20 mV and encapsulation efficiency around 90%. The nanoparticles’ non-toxicity was verified by hemolytic test and cell viability using murine macrophages. The nanoparticles were stable and presented physicochemical characteristics desirable for biological applications, reducing the fungal load and the usual standard concentration of the peptide from 4 to 20 times.
Highlights
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a granulomatous disease caused by the thermo-dimorphic fungi belonging to the genus Paracoccidioides, endemic in Latin America, spreading from southern Mexico to the north of Argentina [1,2]
(nanoparticles complexed with 20 μg/10 μL of P10 peptide)
The prolonged treatment time, relapses, and continuous medical follow-up occur order to improve both, clinical conditions and the well-being of patients. Among these new reveal how crucial the development of new therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of infection, alternatives, it is worth highlighting the use of the immunotherapy, the P10 peptide, in order to improve both, clinical the well-being of patients
Summary
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a granulomatous disease caused by the thermo-dimorphic fungi belonging to the genus Paracoccidioides, endemic in Latin America, spreading from southern Mexico to the north of Argentina [1,2]. The affected organs are most frequently the lungs, PCM can be a systemic disease [3]. J. Fungi 2020, 6, 0160; doi:10.3390/jof6030160 www.mdpi.com/journal/jof. This mycosis is characterized by skin and oral mucosa lesions, and the formation of granulomas, as a result of the lung infection and tissue damage. The liver and spleen can be affected, leading to hepatosplenomegaly, which can cause organ malfunction [3,4]. Infection initiates when the host inhales fungal propagules dispersed in the atmosphere, which can reach the alveoli. At the physiological temperature 37 ◦ C, the fungus switches to a pathogenic yeast form [5,6]
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