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Establishment of an In vitro System to Study Intracellular Behavior of Candida glabrata in Human THP-1 Macrophages
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Establishment of an In vitro System to Study Intracellular Behavior of Candida glabrata in Human THP-1 Macrophages

Published on: December 10, 2013

Attachment and entry of Candida famata in monocytes and epithelial cells

María Pacheco1, Diana Pisa, Patricia García-Gómez

  • 1Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain.

Microscopy Research and Technique
|July 31, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Candida famata, an emerging fungal pathogen, rapidly adheres to and is internalized by human monocytes and epithelial cells. While some internalized yeast is degraded, others remain viable, indicating potential for persistent infection.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Cell Biology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Candida albicans is a primary cause of yeast infections.
  • Emerging fungal pathogens like Candida famata pose increasing threats to human and animal health.
  • Understanding yeast-host cell interactions is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the adhesion and internalization mechanisms of Candida famata in human monocytes and epithelial cells.
  • To compare the interaction of Candida famata with host cells against other Candida species and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
  • To analyze the impact of Candida famata infection on host cell actin cytoskeleton.

Main Methods:

  • Co-incubation of Candida famata with THP-1 (monocytes), HeLa (carcinoma), HaCaT, and Pam-212 (keratinocytes) cell lines.
  • Time-course analysis of yeast-cell interaction (first 15 minutes).
  • Heat inactivation and nystatin treatment to assess adhesion factors.
  • Immunofluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy (scanning and transmission) for internalization studies.
  • Viability assessment of intracellular yeast at 48 hours post-infection.
  • Comparison of adhesion and internalization with Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
  • Analysis of actin microfilament rearrangement using microscopy.

Main Results:

  • Candida famata exhibits rapid adhesion to host cells within 15 minutes.
  • Adhesion affinity varies, with highest affinity for THP-1 cells, followed by HeLa, HaCaT, and Pam-212.
  • Heat inactivation and nystatin significantly reduce yeast adhesion.
  • Cell lines internalize Candida famata, observed via microscopy.
  • Intracellular yeast are mostly degraded by 48 hours, but some remain viable.
  • Candida famata adhesion and internalization are lower than Candida albicans and Candida glabrata but higher than Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
  • Infection induces actin microfilament rearrangement in host cells.

Conclusions:

  • Candida famata actively interacts with and invades mammalian cells, including monocytes and epithelial cells.
  • The yeast's ability to survive intracellularly suggests a potential for persistent infections.
  • Candida famata represents a significant emerging pathogen with distinct interaction dynamics compared to other yeasts.

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