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Protection of mice from lethal endogenous Candida albicans infection by immunization with Candida membrane antigen
Shigeru Tansho1, Shigeru Ab, Shigetoshi Mizutani
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
The protective effects of immunization with Candida membrane antigen (CMA) on a systemic infection originating from intestinally colonized Candida albicans were examined. The colonization of orally inoculated C. albicans in the intestinal tract was established in BALB/c mice that had been concomitantly treated with oral doses of antibacterial drugs. In these animals, a systemic dissemination of C. albicans with fatal outcome was induced by a repeated dosing of prednisolone. In this endogenous infection model, the effects of immunization by CMA on the infection were examined. CMA-immunized mice showed a longer lifespan than unimmunized mice. The protective effect of CMA immunization in immunosuppressed mice was also measured by a decrease in body weight loss after treatment with prednisolone and in the number of viable Candida cells in the target organs, the kidneys and livers. However, the CFU of C. albicans in the intestinal tract was not significantly lowered. These results suggest that CMA immunization inhibited the dissemination of systemic Candida infection from the intestinal tract induced by treatment with prednisolone.
Insights
Candida membrane antigen (CMA) immunization protects against systemic Candida albicans infections in mice. CMA-immunized mice showed increased survival and reduced organ fungal burden, suggesting it prevents fungal dissemination.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Intestinal Candida albicans colonization can lead to systemic infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
- Prednisolone treatment can induce systemic dissemination of Candida albicans from the gut.
- Candida membrane antigen (CMA) is a potential target for antifungal immunotherapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the protective efficacy of immunization with Candida membrane antigen (CMA) against systemic Candida albicans infection originating from intestinal colonization.
- To assess the impact of CMA immunization on survival rates and fungal burden in target organs of immunosuppressed mice.
Main Methods:
- BALB/c mice were colonized with Candida albicans and treated with antibacterial drugs.
- Systemic infection was induced by prednisolone administration.
- Mice were immunized with CMA, and survival, body weight, and viable Candida counts in kidneys, livers, and intestines were measured.
Main Results:
- CMA-immunized mice exhibited significantly longer lifespans compared to unimmunized controls.
- Immunization with CMA reduced body weight loss and decreased the number of viable Candida cells in kidneys and livers of immunosuppressed mice.
- However, CMA immunization did not significantly reduce Candida albicans colony-forming units (CFU) in the intestinal tract.
Conclusions:
- Candida membrane antigen (CMA) immunization confers protection against systemic Candida albicans infection.
- CMA immunization appears to inhibit the dissemination of Candida from the intestinal tract to systemic organs in an endogenous infection model.
- These findings suggest CMA as a potential therapeutic or prophylactic agent for invasive candidiasis.