title: Calcineurin promotes infection of the cornea by Candida albicans and can be targeted to enhance fluconazole therapy.
abstract: In an established Candida albicans murine keratitis model, combination therapy with ophthalmic preparations of fluconazole and cyclosporine A (CsA) demonstrated in vivo drug synergy and effectively resolved wild-type C. albicans infection more rapidly than monotherapy with either drug. Calcineurin, the target of CsA, was also found to contribute to pathogenicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Wadsworth Bldg., Box 3802, Erwin Road, Duke University Eye Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. afsha003@mc.duke.edu
authors.forename: Chiatogu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Onyewu
authors.forename: Natalie A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Afshari
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heitman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019703:Calcineurin / Q000502:physiology*; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D007634:Keratitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D015725:Fluconazole; D019703:Calcineurin