Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
10:08
Visualization of Candida albicans in the Murine Gastrointestinal Tract Using Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization
Published on: November 5, 2019
Candida albicans interactions with epithelial cells and mucosal immunity
Julian R Naglik1, David L Moyes, Betty Wächtler
1Department of Oral Immunology, King's College London Dental Institute, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom. julian.naglik@kcl.ac.uk
Microbes and Infection
|August 2, 2011
Summary
This review explores how Candida albicans interacts with epithelial cells, impacting its growth, pathogenicity, and host defense mechanisms. Understanding these interactions is key to developing strategies for a protective mucosal immune response.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Candida albicans is a common human commensal fungus.
- Epithelial cells form the primary barrier against microbial invasion.
- The interaction between C. albicans and epithelial cells is crucial for both host health and disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of Candida albicans-epithelial cell interactions.
- To discuss the role of these interactions in fungal pathogenicity and host defense.
- To explore how C. albicans-epithelial interactions can induce a protective mucosal immune response.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing research on C. albicans and epithelial cells.
- Analysis of studies investigating fungal-host cell dynamics.
- Synthesis of findings related to immune response induction.
Main Results:
- C. albicans engages in complex interactions with epithelial cells, influencing its lifecycle.
- These interactions modulate host immune signaling pathways.
- Specific C. albicans factors and host responses are identified as critical for commensalism and pathogenicity.
Conclusions:
- Understanding C. albicans-epithelial interactions provides insights into fungal pathogenesis.
- Targeting these interactions may offer new avenues for controlling C. albicans infections.
- Further research can elucidate mechanisms for harnessing these interactions to bolster mucosal immunity.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Candidiasis
Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by opportunistic species of Candida. It can affect various anatomical sites, including the skin, oral cavity, nails, and genitourinary tract. Among its forms, vaginal candidiasis is the most common type of mucosal infection. It typically results from the overgrowth of Candida albicans in the vaginal mucosa. Under normal conditions, C. albicans exists as a commensal organism within the vaginal microbiota, regulated by the dominance of lactobacilli, which...
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
01:40Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Overview
01:27Cryptococcal Meningitis
Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
01:26Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity
An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
01:25Colonisation of Pathogens
Pathogen colonization of host tissues is a critical step in the development of infectious diseases. Various pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, have evolved complex strategies to attach to, invade, and persist within host environments. These mechanisms enable pathogens to establish infections, evade immune responses, and resist antimicrobial treatments.Attachment to Host CellsIn bacteria, colonization typically begins with adherence to host epithelial...