Heparin interacts with candidalysin and neutralizes its cytotoxicity to oral epithelial cells

Candidalysin is a peptide toxin produced by Candida albicans that causes damage to epithelial cells by destabilizing the plasma membrane. This study aimed to evaluate heparin's ability to neutralize candidalysin and protect epithelial cells from lysis.

The study was conducted using a human oral epithelial cell line and synthetic candidalysin. Cell damage was assessed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase release. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting were used to determine cytokine concentrations and assess activation of intracellular signaling molecules and transcription factors, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to measure cell-bound candidalysin.

Heparin diminished the cell-lytic activity of candidalysin and subsequent epithelial responses. Additionally, heparin inhibited the interaction between candidalysin and epithelial cells. Furthermore, polyacrylic acid, a synthetic polymer, mimicked the neutralizing effects of candidalysin.

Our findings suggest that negatively charged polymers could be a potential therapeutic option for preventing the damage caused by candidalysin. Further research is needed to explore the effectiveness of other anionic polymers and their potential clinical applications.