Anti-EFG1 2'-OMethylRNA oligomer inhibits Candida albicans filamentation and attenuates the candidiasis in Galleria mellonella.

EFG1 is a central transcriptional regulator of filamentation that is an important virulence factor of Candida albicans. This study serves to assess in vivo the applicability of the anti-EFG1 2'-OMethylRNA oligomer for inhibiting C . albicans filamentation and to attenuate candidiasis, using the Galleria mellonella model. For that, larvae infected with a lethal concentration of C. albicans cells were treated with a single dose and with a double dose of the anti-EFG1 2'OMe oligomer (at 40 and 100 nM). The anti-EFG1 2'OMe oligomer toxicity and effect on larvae survival was evaluated. No evidence of anti-EFG1 2'OMe oligomer toxicity was observed and the treatment with double dose of 2'OMe oligomer empowered larvae survival over 24 h (by 90%-100%) and prolonged its efficacy until 72 h of infection (by 30%). Undoubtedly, this work validates the in vivo therapeutic potential of anti-EFG1 2'OMe oligomer for controlling C. albicans infections.