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Bio-energetics Investigation of Candida albicans Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis
Published on: March 19, 2019
Oxidative stress responses in the human fungal pathogen, Candida albicans
Alessandra da Silva Dantas1, Alison Day2, Mélanie Ikeh3
1Departamento de Biologia Celular e Genética, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil. alesdantas@gmail.com.
Abstract:
Candida albicans is a major fungal pathogen of humans, causing approximately 400,000 life-threatening systemic infections world-wide each year in severely immunocompromised patients. An important fungicidal mechanism employed by innate immune cells involves the generation of toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. Consequently, there is much interest in the strategies employed by C. albicans to evade the oxidative killing by macrophages and neutrophils. Our understanding of how C. albicans senses and responds to ROS has significantly increased in recent years. Key findings include the observations that hydrogen peroxide triggers the filamentation of this polymorphic fungus and that a superoxide dismutase enzyme with a novel mode of action is expressed at the cell surface of C. albicans. Furthermore, recent studies have indicated that combinations of the chemical stresses generated by phagocytes can actively prevent C. albicans oxidative stress responses through a mechanism termed the stress pathway interference. In this review, we present an up-date of our current understanding of the role and regulation of oxidative stress responses in this important human fungal pathogen.
Insights
Candida albicans evades immune cells by sensing and responding to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Understanding these oxidative stress responses is crucial for combating fungal infections in immunocompromised individuals.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Immunology
- Microbial Pathogenesis
Background:
- Candida albicans causes severe systemic infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients.
- Innate immune cells use reactive oxygen species (ROS) like superoxide and hydrogen peroxide to kill fungi.
- C. albicans employs strategies to evade ROS-mediated killing by immune cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of how Candida albicans senses and responds to oxidative stress.
- To highlight key findings in C. albicans' evasion mechanisms against host-generated ROS.
- To update knowledge on the regulation of oxidative stress responses in this fungal pathogen.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on Candida albicans and oxidative stress.
- Analysis of findings related to ROS sensing and response pathways.
- Examination of fungal evasion strategies, including stress pathway interference.
Main Results:
- Hydrogen peroxide induces filamentation in C. albicans.
- A novel cell surface superoxide dismutase is expressed by C. albicans.
- Combinations of chemical stresses can interfere with C. albicans oxidative stress responses.
Conclusions:
- Significant progress has been made in understanding C. albicans' oxidative stress responses.
- C. albicans utilizes sophisticated mechanisms to survive host-derived ROS.
- Further research into these pathways is vital for developing new antifungal therapies.
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