Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Live-cell Video Microscopy of Fungal Pathogen Phagocytosis
08:52

Live-cell Video Microscopy of Fungal Pathogen Phagocytosis

Published on: January 9, 2013

39.9K

Effect of Antifungal-Treated Host Macrophages on Candida glabrata

Hong-Bin Li1, Na Li1, Shu-Ran Wen1

  • 1Department of Dermatology and Venereology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China.

The Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases & Medical Microbiology = Journal Canadien Des Maladies Infectieuses Et De La Microbiologie Medicale
|March 8, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Micafungin (MCF) alters macrophage immune responses and reduces Candida glabrata antioxidants, potentially enhancing antifungal efficacy. Itraconazole (ICZ) and amphotericin B (AmB) showed no significant effects on these parameters.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Mycology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Candida glabrata infections are linked to severe sepsis and high mortality.
  • Understanding host-pathogen interactions and antifungal drug effects on immune cells is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of micafungin (MCF), itraconazole (ICZ), and amphotericin B (AmB) on macrophage function during Candida glabrata infection.

Main Methods:

  • RAW264.1 macrophages were treated with MCF, ICZ, or AmB, then challenged with C. glabrata.
  • Cytokine secretion and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured post-phagocytosis.

Main Results:

  • SOD activity increased in C. glabrata-infected macrophages, peaking at 6 hours.
  • MCF downregulated TNF-α secretion and reduced C. glabrata's SOD activity.
  • ICZ and AmB did not significantly alter SOD activity or cytokine secretion.

Conclusions:

  • Echinocandins like MCF may enhance antifungal activity by modulating macrophage innate immunity.
  • MCF's effect on macrophage response and fungal antioxidants suggests a novel therapeutic mechanism.

More Related Videos

Establishment of an In vitro System to Study Intracellular Behavior of Candida glabrata in Human THP-1 Macrophages13:47

Establishment of an In vitro System to Study Intracellular Behavior of Candida glabrata in Human THP-1 Macrophages

Published on: December 10, 2013

11.9K
Assessing Anti-fungal Activity of Isolated Alveolar Macrophages by Confocal Microscopy09:04

Assessing Anti-fungal Activity of Isolated Alveolar Macrophages by Confocal Microscopy

Published on: July 9, 2014

11.7K

Related Concept Videos

Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Candidiasis01:20

Candidiasis

Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by opportunistic species of Candida. It can affect various anatomical sites, including the skin, oral cavity, nails, and genitourinary tract. Among its forms, vaginal candidiasis is the most common type of mucosal infection. It typically results from the overgrowth of Candida albicans in the vaginal mucosa. Under normal conditions, C. albicans exists as a commensal organism within the vaginal microbiota, regulated by the dominance of lactobacilli, which...
Antifungal Agents01:15

Antifungal Agents

Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to cholesterol contributes to...