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Candida albicans infection inhibits macrophage cell division and proliferation

Leanne E Lewis1, Judith M Bain, Christina Lowes

  • 1Division of Applied Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.

Fungal Genetics and Biology : FG & B
|May 29, 2012
PubMed

Insights

The fungus Candida albicans prevents host macrophages from dividing by forming hyphae. This leads to multinucleated macrophages, a novel finding in immune evasion by this opportunistic pathogen.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Mycology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • * Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes infections in humans.
  • * Its pathogenicity relies on evading host immune cells like macrophages.
  • * Macrophages are crucial for clearing fungal infections through phagocytosis and destruction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To investigate the interaction between Candida albicans and host macrophages at the cellular level.
  • * To determine if C. albicans affects macrophage cell division.
  • * To understand the role of C. albicans hyphal formation in this interaction.

Main Methods:

  • * Live cell video microscopy was employed to observe real-time interactions.
  • * Phagocytosis assays were performed using live and UV-killed C. albicans, as well as morphogenesis-defective mutants.
  • * Macrophage cell division and nuclear content were analyzed post-phagocytosis.

Main Results:

  • * Candida albicans was observed to inhibit macrophage cell division during mitosis.
  • * This inhibition was dependent on the formation of C. albicans hyphae.
  • * Phagocytosis of hyphal C. albicans frequently resulted in multinucleated macrophages due to failed cell division.

Conclusions:

  • * Candida albicans actively inhibits host macrophage cell division, a previously undescribed mechanism.
  • * Hyphal formation by C. albicans is critical for this inhibition.
  • * The formation of multinucleated macrophages may represent either a virulence strategy or a host containment mechanism.

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