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The planarian Schmidtea mediterranea is a new model to study host-pathogen interactions during fungal infections

Eli Isael Maciel1, Cen Jiang2, Paul G Barghouth1

  • 1Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, USA; Quantitative and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California, Merced, USA.

Developmental and Comparative Immunology
|December 21, 2018
PubMed

Insights

The planarian flatworm Schmidtea mediterranea serves as a novel model for studying Candida albicans fungal infections. This model reveals conserved stem cell responses and immune pathways during host-pathogen interactions.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Candida albicans is a prevalent human fungal pathogen.
  • Existing animal models have limitations in studying C. albicans infection stages and host responses.
  • Understanding host-pathogen interactions is crucial for managing fungal infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish and validate the planarian flatworm Schmidtea mediterranea as a model organism for studying C. albicans infection.
  • To investigate the host response to different stages of C. albicans infection in planarians.
  • To identify conserved molecular pathways involved in the host innate immune response to fungal pathogens.

Main Methods:

  • Infection of planarians (Schmidtea mediterranea) with Candida albicans.
  • Observation of fungal growth, tissue invasion, and host immune responses.
  • Analysis of planarian stem cell proliferation and activation of signaling pathways (MORN2, TAK1/p38).

Main Results:

  • Candida albicans successfully infects, grows, and invades tissues in planarians.
  • Planarians mount an innate immune response to clear the infection and repair tissues.
  • Planarian stem cells exhibit increased division in response to fungal infection, suggesting conserved mechanisms.
  • The MORN2 and TAK1/p38 signaling pathways are implicated in the planarian immune response.

Conclusions:

  • The planarian Schmidtea mediterranea is a viable model for studying host-pathogen interactions in C. albicans infections.
  • Planarian stem cell response to fungal infection highlights evolutionarily conserved mechanisms in metazoans.
  • The study identifies potential molecular mediators of innate immunity against fungal pathogens.
Keywords:
Candida albicansClearanceInfectionInnate immunityInvertebratesNeoblastsPathogenic fungiPlanariansPlatyhelmithesStem cells

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