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Published on: November 5, 2019
Morphological aspects of gastrointestinal tract invasion by Candida albicans in the infant mouse
G T Cole1, K R Seshan, L M Pope
1Department of Botany, University of Texas, Austin 78713-7640.
Abstract:
The infant mouse has proved to be a useful model for examination of various aspects of gastrointestinal and systemic candidosis. Oral-intragastric inoculation of 5-6-day-old mice with yeast of a virulent strain of Candida albicans (CA30) resulted in systemic spread within 30 min after challenge. Histological examinations of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract have shown that the highest frequency of invasion of the mucosa by yeast cells occurred in the region of the jejunum 1-3 h after inoculation. Results of ultrastructural examinations of sites where the fungus invaded the bowel wall suggested that C. albicans yeast cells are capable of progressive extracellular digestion of the intestinal mucus barrier and microvillus layer, followed by intracellular invasion of columnar epithelial cells. Minimal disruption of cytoplasmic contents of the host epithelial cells appears to result from invasion and transmigration of the pathogen. The infant mouse model is suggested to be well suited for localization of extracellular products of C. albicans yeast in vivo which may play pivotal roles in the invasion of host tissue during GI candidosis.
Insights
The infant mouse model effectively simulates gastrointestinal candidosis. Candida albicans rapidly invades the jejunum, digests the mucus barrier, and enters cells with minimal host damage.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Gastrointestinal candidosis is a significant clinical concern.
- Infant mice offer a viable model for studying Candida albicans infections.
- Understanding the early stages of fungal invasion is crucial for developing treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of the infant mouse model for studying gastrointestinal candidosis.
- To elucidate the early mechanisms of Candida albicans invasion in the infant gastrointestinal tract.
- To identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
Main Methods:
- Oral-intragastric inoculation of 5-6-day-old mice with Candida albicans (CA30).
- Histological and ultrastructural examinations of the gastrointestinal tract at various time points post-inoculation.
- Assessment of fungal dissemination and host cell interaction.
Main Results:
- Systemic spread of Candida albicans observed within 30 minutes post-inoculation.
- Maximal mucosal invasion frequency in the jejunum 1-3 hours after inoculation.
- Candida albicans demonstrated extracellular digestion of the mucus barrier and microvillus layer.
- Intracellular invasion of columnar epithelial cells with minimal host cell disruption.
- The infant mouse model is suitable for studying extracellular products of Candida albicans in vivo.
Conclusions:
- The infant mouse model is highly effective for studying gastrointestinal candidosis.
- Candida albicans employs a multi-step invasion strategy involving extracellular digestion and intracellular entry.
- Further research using this model can identify key virulence factors for therapeutic targeting.
