Characterization of the recognition of Candida species by mannose-binding lectin using surface plasmon resonance

The interaction of mannose-binding lectins (MBLs) with Candida albicans has been analyzed previously by microscopy and flow cytometry. We recently demonstrated that serum MBL levels vary during infection with Candida spp. and that serum MBLs are capable of interacting with yeast cell wall components. The aim of this study was to use, for the first time, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology to characterize the interaction between living label-free yeasts and non-mutated MBL purified from human serum. Our preliminary results demonstrate the robustness of this tool, which revealed specific and differential reactivities between the principal Candida spp. of medical interest. This model offers new perspectives as a tool for the characterization of yeast strains carrying mutations in gene coding for the mannosylation of fungal cell wall glycans and will enable better characterization of the interactions between C-lectins and glycan motifs expressed on the surface of yeasts.