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Updated: May 16, 2026
Bio-energetics Investigation of Candida albicans Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis
Published on: March 19, 2019
A limited role of iNKT cells in controlling systemic Candida albicans infections
Norihito Tarumoto1, Yuki Kinjo, Keigo Ueno
1Department of Chemotherapy and Mycoses, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
Candida albicans is a major cause of invasive fungal infections. Mortality attributable to candidemia is very high, even when patients are treated with adequate antifungal agents. Therefore, it is important to investigate the mechanisms of immune response to C. albicans. Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, innate lymphocytes that express an invariant T cell receptor α chain, participate in the response to various microbes, including two fungal pathogens, Aspergillus fumigatus and Cryptococcus neoformans. However, it is unknown whether iNKT cells play a role in the immune response to C. albicans. In this study, we have investigated the role of iNKT cells in the host defense against systemic C. albicans infection in mice. We compared the survival and fungal clearance between control mice and Jα18KO mice, which specifically lack iNKT cells, after intravenous C. albicans infection. There was no difference in the survival and fungal burden in the kidneys of the control and Jα18KO mice. Furthermore, production of inflammatory cytokines in several organs during C. albicans infection did not significantly differ between these two groups. These results suggest that iNKT cells play a minor role in controlling systemic C. albicans infections in mice.
Insights
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells have a minor role in fighting systemic Candida albicans infections in mice. Studies found no significant differences in survival or fungal clearance between normal and iNKT cell-deficient mice.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Candida albicans causes life-threatening invasive fungal infections, with high mortality rates from candidemia.
- Understanding host immune responses to C. albicans is crucial for developing effective treatments.
- Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are known to respond to some fungal pathogens, but their role in C. albicans infection is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of iNKT cells in host defense against systemic C. albicans infection.
- To determine if iNKT cells influence survival and fungal clearance during candidemia.
Main Methods:
- Systemic C. albicans infection was induced intravenously in control mice and Jα18 knockout (KO) mice lacking iNKT cells.
- Survival rates and fungal burden in the kidneys were compared between the two groups.
- Cytokine production in various organs was measured to assess inflammatory responses.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in survival was observed between control and Jα18KO mice.
- Fungal burden in the kidneys did not differ significantly between the groups.
- Production of inflammatory cytokines was comparable in both control and Jα18KO mice.
Conclusions:
- iNKT cells appear to play a minor role in the host defense against systemic C. albicans infection in this mouse model.
- Further research may be needed to elucidate the specific immune mechanisms involved in controlling C. albicans infections.
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