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Evaluation of APR1 Gene Expression in Candida albicans Strains Isolated From Patients With Multiple Sclerosis
Shahla Amri Saroukolaei1, Mojdeh Ghabaee2, Hojjatollah Shokri3
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.
Background:
Intracellular aspartic proteinase A enzyme is expressed by the APR1 gene and is one of the important factors in the development of systemic candidiasis caused by Candida albicans.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of the APR1 gene in C. albicans isolates obtained from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and from controls.
Patients And Methods:
The samples were obtained from 135 MS patients with candidiasis and 100 matched controls of healthy individuals during 2010 - 2011. The clinical and control isolates of C. albicans obtained from individuals were cultured onto sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). The evaluation of APR1 gene expression was performed using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method.
Results:
There was a statistically significant difference in APR1 gene expression of C. albicans strains between MS patients (mean ± SD: 0.5208 ± 0.11518) and the control group (mean ± SD: 0.7603 ± 0.11405) (P = 0.000). Significant correlations were found between the APR1 gene expression of C. albicans strains from MS patients with regard to age and the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) (P = 0.000). The mean values of EDSS were 1.6074 ± 0.1081 after antifungal treatment and 2.2519 ± 0.1323 before antifungal treatment (P = 0.000). No significant correlation was observed between the APR1 gene expression with regard to sex and MS subtypes.
Conclusions:
The results suggested that APR1 gene expression in C. albicans strains isolated from MS patients may be an important factor for invasive C. albicans strains in the progression of MS disease.
Insights
Candida albicans APR1 gene expression is lower in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients compared to controls. This altered gene expression in MS patients may influence invasive candidiasis and disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Neuroimmunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The APR1 gene encodes intracellular aspartic proteinase A, crucial in Candida albicans systemic infections.
- Candida albicans is implicated in opportunistic infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression levels of the APR1 gene in Candida albicans isolates from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
- To compare APR1 gene expression between C. albicans strains from MS patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- C. albicans isolates were obtained from 135 MS patients and 100 healthy controls.
- Isolates were cultured on sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA).
- APR1 gene expression was quantified using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Main Results:
- APR1 gene expression was significantly lower in C. albicans strains from MS patients (0.5208 ± 0.11518) compared to controls (0.7603 ± 0.11405) (P = 0.000).
- A significant correlation was observed between APR1 gene expression and patient age and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores in MS patients (P = 0.000).
- EDSS scores decreased after antifungal treatment (1.6074 ± 0.1081) compared to before treatment (2.2519 ± 0.1323) (P = 0.000).
Conclusions:
- Lower APR1 gene expression in C. albicans from MS patients suggests a potential role in invasive candidiasis.
- APR1 gene expression may be linked to the progression of multiple sclerosis.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms.
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