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Release of a potent polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemoattractant is regulated by white-opaque switching in Candida

Jeremy Geiger1, Deborah Wessels, Shawn R Lockhart

  • 1W. M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.

Infection and Immunity
|January 27, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Certain yeasts, including Candida albicans, release chemoattractants for human immune cells called polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). However, the opaque phase of C. albicans suppresses this release, potentially to aid mating.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Previous studies suggested yeast species release factors attracting human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs).
  • Transmembrane assays could not distinguish between chemokinesis (increased movement) and chemotaxis (directed movement).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To confirm yeast-derived chemoattractants for PMNs using single-cell assays.
  • To investigate the influence of mating type and white-opaque switching on chemoattractant release by Candida albicans.

Main Methods:

  • Single-cell chemotaxis assays were performed.
  • Characterization of the chemoattractant molecule from Candida albicans was conducted.

Main Results:

  • Candida albicans, C. dubliniensis, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, and C. glabrata release chemoattractants for PMNs.
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae releases a chemokinetic factor but not a chemoattractant.
  • The chemoattractant from C. albicans is a peptide of approximately 1 kDa.
  • White-phase C. albicans cells released chemoattractant, while opaque-phase cells did not.
  • Mating type did not affect chemoattractant release, but white-opaque switching did.

Conclusions:

  • Candida species, except S. cerevisiae, produce chemoattractants for human PMNs.
  • White-opaque switching in C. albicans regulates chemoattractant release.
  • Opaque-phase cells, which are mating-competent, suppress chemoattractant release, possibly to facilitate mating.

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