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Updated: Feb 27, 2026
An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract
Published on: July 1, 2020
In vitro Detection of Neutrophil Traps and Post-attack Cell Wall Changes in Candida Hyphae
Alex Hopke1, Robert T Wheeler1,2
1Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA.
Abstract:
In this protocol we describe how to visualize neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and fungal cell wall changes in the context of the coculture of mouse neutrophils with fungal hyphae of Candida albicans. These protocols are easily adjusted to test a wide array of hypotheses related to the impact of immune cells on fungi and the cell wall, making them promising tools for exploring host-pathogen interactions during fungal infection.
Insights
This protocol details visualizing neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and fungal cell wall changes during mouse neutrophil and Candida albicans coculture. These methods aid in studying immune cell impacts on fungi for host-pathogen interaction research.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Mycology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Host-pathogen interactions are crucial in fungal infections.
- Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play a role in immunity against fungi.
- Candida albicans is a common fungal pathogen with a complex cell wall.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a protocol for visualizing neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs).
- To detail the visualization of fungal cell wall changes.
- To facilitate the study of host-pathogen interactions in a mouse neutrophil-Candida albicans coculture model.
Main Methods:
- Coculture of mouse neutrophils with fungal hyphae of Candida albicans.
- Visualization techniques for neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs).
- Methods for observing fungal cell wall alterations.
Main Results:
- Successful visualization of NETs in coculture.
- Observation of changes in the Candida albicans cell wall.
- Demonstration of a feasible model for studying immune cell-fungi interactions.
Conclusions:
- The described protocols enable visualization of NETs and fungal cell wall changes.
- This method is adaptable for diverse hypotheses in host-pathogen research.
- These techniques are valuable tools for investigating fungal infections.
