Trans-cellular tunnels induced by the fungal pathogen Candida albicans facilitate invasion through successive...

Area of Science:

• Medical Mycology
• Cell Biology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen.
• It normally resides as a commensal in the human mucosa.
• In susceptible individuals, it can cause superficial or systemic infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the in vitro invasion mechanisms of Candida albicans.
• To analyze host cell damage and interaction during early fungal invasion.
• To elucidate the pathways of epithelial tissue invasion by C. albicans.

Main Methods:

• Live-cell imaging techniques were employed.
• A damage-sensitive reporter, galectin-3, was utilized.
• Quantitative single-cell analysis and 3D volume electron microscopy were performed.

Main Results:

• C. albicans invasion can lead to host cell membrane breaching and cell death.
• Alternatively, hyphae can traverse host cells without breaching, forming trans-cellular tunnels.
• These tunnels are remodeled and can inflate, potentially utilizing host glycogen stores.

Conclusions:

• Early invasion of epithelial tissues by Candida albicans follows distinct pathways.
• These pathways include direct membrane breaching or trans-cellular tunneling.
• Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted antifungal therapies.