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Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans or Aspergillus fumigatus induces an antifungal activity in mouse serum,
Ken-Ichi OKAZAKI1, Masahiro ASAKURA, Norihiko SUGIMOTO
1Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Izumisano, Osaka, Japan.
Abstract:
It has been reported that administration of Candida albicans into mouse induces an antifungal activity in serum, which has been identified as transferrin. In the present study, we show that not only C. albicans, but also other fungus such as Cryptococcus neoformans or Aspergillus fumigatus similarly can induce an antifungal activity in mouse serum. This antifungal activity was inhibited by the addition of ferrous ion, indicating that the growth inhibition of C. albicans was due to deficiency of ferrous ion, which may be caused by transferrin. Indeed, addition of transferrin in an in vitro assay system using RPMI1640 culture medium inhibited the growth of C. albicans, C. neoformans or A. fumigatus. However, when C. albicans was grown in RPMI1640 medium with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), transferrin was unable to inhibit the growth of C. albicans, in sharp contrast, when C. albicans treated mouse serum was added instead of FBS, the growth of the organism was inhibited. Similar results were obtained when C. neoformans or A. fumigatus was used. Taken together, the results suggest that antifungal activity induced by C. albicans, C. neoformans or A. fumigatus was not due to transferrin but likely due to other unknown serum proteins, which may cut off the source of iron for the growth of these fungi.
Insights
Mouse serum exhibits antifungal activity against fungi like Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigatus. This activity is not due to transferrin but likely other serum proteins limiting iron availability for fungal growth.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Mycology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Antifungal activity in mouse serum following Candida albicans administration was previously attributed to transferrin.
- The role of serum proteins in inhibiting fungal growth requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antifungal activity induced by various fungi in mouse serum.
- To determine the specific serum component responsible for this observed antifungal effect.
Main Methods:
- Induction of antifungal activity in mouse serum by Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigatus.
- In vitro growth inhibition assays using RPMI1640 medium with and without transferrin, fetal bovine serum (FBS), or treated mouse serum.
- Assessment of ferrous ion's effect on antifungal activity.
Main Results:
- Fungal challenge with C. albicans, C. neoformans, or A. fumigatus induced antifungal activity in mouse serum.
- Antifungal activity was inhibited by ferrous ion, suggesting iron limitation.
- Transferrin inhibited fungal growth in vitro, but this effect was abolished by FBS.
- Treated mouse serum, but not FBS, inhibited fungal growth, indicating the presence of other active components.
Conclusions:
- The antifungal activity induced by C. albicans, C. neoformans, and A. fumigatus in mouse serum is likely mediated by unknown serum proteins, not transferrin.
- These unknown proteins appear to restrict iron availability, thereby inhibiting fungal growth.
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