[Candida species produce IgA proteases--an important biological property]

IgA-specific microbial proteases possess the ability to reduce the protective effects of secretory IgA antibodies. The fact that fungi such as Candida produce both IgA1-and IgA2-specific proteases has not been acknowledged in articles and discussions concerning the chronic Candida syndrome. Therefore a short survey of these interesting proteases is presented, along with hypotheses concerning alterations IgA fragments may induce in immunoregulation and uptake of antigens from the gut.