https://phys.org/news/2025-03-rna-nanomedicine-dangerous-fungal-infections.html Phys.org Topics * Week's top * Latest news * Unread news * Subscribe [ ] Science X Account [ ] [ ] [*] Remember me Sign In Click here to sign in with or Forget Password? Not a member? Sign up Learn more * Nanotechnology * Physics * Earth * Astronomy & Space * Chemistry * Biology * Other Sciences * Medical Xpress Medicine * Tech Xplore Technology [INS::INS] * * share this! * 1 * Tweet * Share * Email 1. Home 2. Nanotechnology 3. Bio & Medicine * * * --------------------------------------------------------------------- March 26, 2025 The GIST Editors' notes This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication proofread RNA interference and nanomedicine join forces to fight dangerous fungal infections by Kirstin Linkamp, Universitatsklinikum Wurzburg Major progress in the development of new medications against dangerous fungal infections A digital cover illustration for the journal Nanoscale (2025, Volume 17, Page 7002). Credit: Andreas Beilhack, created with Procreate Fungal infections are on the rise globally. According to a study by the Manchester Fungal Infection Group, in 2022, approximately 6.5 million people were infected by a pathogenic fungus, and about 3.8 million died as a result--nearly twice as many as in 2012. Even with medications, known as antifungals, the mortality rate for invasive infections caused by the mold Aspergillus fumigatus is as high as 85%. As resistant fungal strains increase, treatment becomes more difficult, and new therapies are urgently needed. A research team from Wurzburg has succeeded for the first time in packaging small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) with Amphotericin B (AmB) in anionic liposomes to specifically target the dangerous mold fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. The study, published in the journal Nanoscale and highlighted on the back cover, demonstrates that this RNAi approach shuts down vital fungal genes, thereby inhibiting pathogen growth--a groundbreaking step in the development of new antifungal therapies. RNAi combined with optimized delivery technology To specifically target the mold Aspergillus fumigatus, the researchers combined an RNAi approach with optimized delivery technology from nanomedicine. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) plays a central role in the implementation of genetic information. RNA interference (RNAi) acts like a "gene switch," selectively silencing specific genes. It uses specialized RNA molecules, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA) or microRNA (miRNA), to block genetic instructions needed for protein production. "Our study builds on the discovery of RNA interference, for which the Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded in 2006. While siRNA therapies have already been used for genetic diseases, our work is the first successful application of this technology against a human pathogenic fungus in infection models. The genetic differences between fungi and humans offer unique therapeutic opportunities," explains first author Dr. Yidong Yu from the Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine (ZEMM) and the Department of Medicine II of the University Hospital Wurzburg (UKW). Major progress in the development of new medications against dangerous fungal infections A graphical summary illustrating how anionic liposomes loaded with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and low doses of Amphotericin B enter the fungal cell and specifically inhibit three key genes necessary for the fungus's growth. Credit: Nanoscale (2024). DOI: 10.1039/D4NR03225J [INS::INS] Technological breakthrough in fungal control One of the biggest challenges was packaging the siRNA in a way that it could penetrate the thick cell wall of the fungus. "The trick was to combine anionic liposomes with small amounts of the antifungal drug Amphotericin B," reports co-first author Theresa Vogel. Anionic liposomes are tiny fat vesicles with a negative charge. Amphotericin is a proven antifungal medication that makes the fungal cell walls more permeable, allowing the siRNA to penetrate the fungal cells and specifically inhibit three crucial genes necessary for fungal growth. The concept was developed by the researchers in close collaboration with Dr. Krystyna Albrecht and Prof. Jurgen Groll from the Institute of Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry (FMZ) at UKW, who tested various nanoparticle strategies until the breakthrough was achieved. Another innovative aspect of the study is the use of insect larvae instead of mice as an infection model to reduce animal testing in mammals. "This work shows how interdisciplinary collaboration enables innovative approaches in nanomedicine," emphasizes co-senior author Albrecht. "The results of our study show that this method significantly reduces fungal growth in infection models and, as a proof-of-concept, demonstrates the effectiveness of siRNA as a promising tool against fungal infections in humans," summarizes senior author Prof. Andreas Beilhack from the Department of Medicine II of UKW. "The study is particularly significant because infections with Aspergillus fumigatus are increasing globally, and resistance to common antifungals is becoming more common. The siRNA strategy could not only be used against Aspergillus fumigatus but also against other dangerous fungal pathogens." More information: Yidong Yu et al, Enhanced antifungal activity of siRNA-loaded anionic liposomes against the human pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, Nanoscale (2024). DOI: 10.1039/D4NR03225J Journal information: Nanoscale Provided by Universitatsklinikum Wurzburg Citation: RNA interference and nanomedicine join forces to fight dangerous fungal infections (2025, March 26) retrieved 13 April 2025 from https://phys.org/news/ 2025-03-rna-nanomedicine-dangerous-fungal-infections.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Explore further Deadly mold strains highly likely to acquire resistance to new drugs --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 shares * Facebook * Twitter * Email Feedback to editors * Featured * Last Comments * Popular Saturday Citations: Huge eruptions from a black hole; the largest-ever functional brain map; origins of human musicality Apr 12, 2025 0 The obstetrical dilemma: Large-scale study explores evolutionary trade-offs of wide vs. narrow hips Apr 11, 2025 0 Pt nano-catalyst with graphene pockets enhances fuel cell durability and efficiency Apr 11, 2025 0 Industrial carbon producers contribute significantly to sea level rise, modeling study finds Apr 11, 2025 0 Scientists find evidence of universal conformal invariance in diverse cellular movement Apr 11, 2025 1 --------------------------------------------------------------------- [gif] Do Inuit languages really have many words for snow? The most interesting finds from our study of 616 languages 4 hours ago [gif] Saturday Citations: Huge eruptions from a black hole; the largest-ever functional brain map; origins of human musicality Apr 12, 2025 [gif] Light that spirals like a nautilus shell Apr 11, 2025 [gif] Researchers develop full-color-emitting upconversion nanoparticle technology for ultra-high RGB display quality Apr 11, 2025 [gif] High school student uses AI to reveal 1.5 million previously unknown objects in space Apr 11, 2025 [gif] Reshaping quantum dots production through continuous flow and sustainable technologies Apr 11, 2025 [gif] Deeper understanding of plant cell transformation could pave way for controlling fruit growth Apr 11, 2025 [gif] Researchers identify simple rules for folding the genome Apr 11, 2025 [gif] CRISPR screen identifies EIF3D as critical regulator of stem cell pluripotency maintenance Apr 11, 2025 [gif] O'ahu's shores could see heavy erosion by 2030, study finds Apr 11, 2025 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Relevant PhysicsForums posts Does anaesthetic unconsciousness = restorative sleep? Apr 10, 2025 Antonine Plague - small pox measles, or hemorrhagic virus/bacterium? Apr 3, 2025 Anyone know what is specific activity? (enzymes) Apr 1, 2025 Are you concerned about toxic chemicals in plastic food packaging? Mar 27, 2025 Woolite Contamination Recalls 2023 and 2025 Mar 27, 2025 Here comes COVID-19 version BA.2, BA.4, BA.5,... Feb 23, 2025 More from Biology and Medical --------------------------------------------------------------------- [INS::INS] * Related Stories [gif] Deadly mold strains highly likely to acquire resistance to new drugs Mar 8, 2025 [gif] Importance of RNA modifications in fungal infection resistance could lead to better treatments Jan 13, 2025 [gif] Novel ferritin-based siRNA delivery system shows promise for targeted glioblastoma therapy Feb 28, 2025 [gif] Experimental antifungal compound kills multidrug-resistant fungi Mar 19, 2025 [gif] Citizen science shows widespread exposure to drug-resistant fungal spores Jul 24, 2023 [gif] New imaging method detects fungal infections caused by Aspergillus fumigatus faster than before Aug 14, 2024 * Recommended for you [gif] 3D Raman imaging reveals CO2 reduction inside living cells Apr 10, 2025 [gif] High-speed imaging uncovers nanoscopic world of intercellular communication Apr 10, 2025 [gif] Freeze-dried exosomes could transform drug delivery and storage Apr 9, 2025 [gif] Dual-action nanoparticle therapy targets obesity by converting white fat and reducing inflammation Apr 9, 2025 [gif] Nanocarriers breach blood-brain barrier to deliver anti-inflammatory medicine Apr 9, 2025 [gif] Creating tiny biomedical factories: Engineered bacteria secrete powerful nanoparticles to aid in drug delivery Apr 9, 2025 Load comments (0) Get Instant Summarized Text (Gist) Fungal infections are increasing globally, with high mortality rates, particularly from Aspergillus fumigatus. A novel approach combines RNA interference (RNAi) with nanomedicine, using siRNAs packaged with Amphotericin B in anionic liposomes to target and inhibit fungal growth. This method effectively silences vital fungal genes, offering a promising new antifungal therapy and demonstrating potential against other resistant fungal pathogens. This summary was automatically generated using LLM. Full disclaimer Let us know if there is a problem with our content Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form. For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines). Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request [-- please select one -- ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Your message to the editors [ ] Your email (optional, only if you'd like a response) [ ] Send Feedback Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors. Your feedback is important to us. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages. E-mail the story RNA interference and nanomedicine join forces to fight dangerous fungal infections Your friend's email [ ] Your email [ ] [ ] I would like to subscribe to Science X Newsletter. Learn more Your name [ ] Note Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Phys.org in any form. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Your message [ ] Send Newsletter sign up Get weekly and/or daily updates delivered to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details to third parties. [ ] Subscribe More information Privacy policy Donate and enjoy an ad-free experience We keep our content available to everyone. Consider supporting Science X's mission by getting a premium account. Remove ads Maybe later Medical Xpress Medical Xpress Medical research advances and health news Tech Xplore Tech Xplore The latest engineering, electronics and technology advances Science X Science X The most comprehensive sci-tech news coverage on the web Newsletters [ ] Subscribe Science X Daily and the Weekly Email Newsletter are free features that allow you to receive your favorite sci-tech news updates in your email inbox Follow us * * * * * * * * Top * Home * Search * Mobile version * Help * FAQ * About * Contact * Science X Account * Premium Account * Archive * News wire * Android app * iOS app * RSS feeds * Push notification (c) Phys.org 2003 - 2025 powered by Science X Network Privacy policy Terms of use E-mail newsletter [ ] Subscribe Follow us * * * * It appears that you are currently using Ad Blocking software. What are the consequences? x Quantcast