Human Epithelial Cells Discriminate between Commensal and Pathogenic Interactions with Candida albicans

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Candida albicans is a commensal fungus colonizing mucosal surfaces.
• C. albicans can cause severe infections in immunocompromised individuals.
• Epithelial cells interact with C. albicans at mucosal surfaces.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the dose-dependent host cell response to Candida albicans.
• To determine if quantitative differences in C. albicans concentration lead to qualitative changes in epithelial cell response.
• To elucidate the role of epithelial cells in immune defense against C. albicans.

Main Methods:

• Transcriptional profiling of epithelial cells exposed to C. albicans.
• Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to assess gene expression.
• Western blot analysis to evaluate protein levels and host cell damage.

Main Results:

• Wild-type C. albicans induced dose-dependent transcriptional responses in FaDu epithelial cells.
• High concentrations of C. albicans were associated with increased host cell damage.
• Dose-dependent responses correlated with the fungus's ability to promote epithelial cell damage.

Conclusions:

• Epithelial cells exhibit distinct responses to varying concentrations of C. albicans.
• C. albicans at high concentrations can directly damage epithelial cells.
• Epithelial cells are crucial in monitoring mucosal microbial communities and initiating defense against dysbiosis.