A theranostic scaffold-derived protein that neutralizes candidalysin toxin.
Candida albicans is the most common human fungal pathogen, responsible for illnesses ranging from mild mucosal infections to severe systemic diseases with high mortality. Its virulence is driven in large part by the continuous release of the candidalysin toxin, which causes significant host cell damage. As rates of Candida infections continue to rise — reflected in the high lifetime incidence of candidiasis among women and increasing clinical demand for effective antifungals — current treatments remain limited and often lack the specificity needed to target fungal toxins directly. This underscores an unmet need for antifungal treatments that specifically target Candida infections rather than using broad-spectrum drugs, offering a more effective mechanism of action with low immunogenicity. Additionally, the lack of rapid, low-cost diagnostic tests for Candida infections remains a significant challenge.
Emory researchers have demonstrated that candidalysin binder (CLB) proteins significantly reduce the cytotoxic effects of the candidalysin toxin in human cells, as shown through in vitro cytotoxicity assays. This invention represents the first protein molecule capable of specifically recognizing and neutralizing candidalysin, thereby reducing host cell damage and suppressing infection-related symptoms caused by Candida albicans. In addition to their ability to block candidalysin activity, CLBs may also enable real-team candidiasis diagnostics and serve as molecular probes to better define the mechanisms of candidalysin toxicity. These scaffold-derived proteins offer broad utility, with potential applications in treating systemic and localized Candida infections, integrating into hydrogel formulations, supporting research workflows such as ELISA, and facilitating diagnostic detection of candidiasis.