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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
Modeling Mucosal Candidiasis in Larval Zebrafish by Swimbladder Injection
Published on: November 27, 2014
Modeling of intravenous caspofungin administration using an intestine-on-chip reveals altered Candida albicans
Tim Kaden1, Raquel Alonso-Roman2, Parastoo Akbarimoghaddam3
1Dynamic42 GmbH, Jena, Germany; Institute of Biochemistry II, Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
Abstract:
Candida albicans is a commensal yeast of the human intestinal microbiota that, under predisposing conditions, can become pathogenic and cause life-threatening systemic infections (candidiasis). Fungal-host interactions during candidiasis are commonly studied using conventional 2D in vitro models, which have provided critical insights into the pathogenicity. However, microphysiological models with a higher biological complexity may be more suitable to mimic in vivo-like infection processes and antifungal drug efficacy. Therefore, a 3D intestine-on-chip model was used to investigate fungal-host interactions during the onset of invasive candidiasis and evaluate antifungal treatment under clinically relevant conditions. By combining microbiological and image-based analyses we quantified infection processes such as invasiveness and fungal translocation across the epithelial barrier. Additionally, we obtained novel insights into fungal microcolony morphology and association with the tissue. Our results demonstrate that C. albicans microcolonies induce injury to the epithelial tissue by disrupting apical cell-cell contacts and causing inflammation. Caspofungin treatment effectively reduced the fungal biomass and induced substantial alterations in microcolony morphology during infection with a wild-type strain. However, caspofungin showed limited effects after infection with an echinocandin-resistant clinical isolate. Collectively, this organ-on-chip model can be leveraged for in-depth characterization of pathogen-host interactions and alterations due to antimicrobial treatment.
Insights
A 3D intestine-on-chip model revealed how Candida albicans causes invasive candidiasis. This advanced model also evaluated antifungal drug efficacy against fungal-host interactions and microcolony development.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Pathogen-Host Interactions
Background:
- Candida albicans is a common gut microbe that can cause severe infections.
- Traditional 2D cell models offer limited insight into complex fungal-host dynamics.
- Advanced microphysiological systems are needed to better model in vivo infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate fungal-host interactions during invasive candidiasis using a 3D intestine-on-chip model.
- To evaluate the efficacy of antifungal treatment in a clinically relevant context.
- To characterize fungal microcolony formation and tissue association.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 3D intestine-on-chip model to simulate human intestinal environment.
- Employed microbiological and image-based analyses to quantify infection.
- Assessed fungal invasiveness, translocation, and microcolony morphology.
- Evaluated the impact of caspofungin treatment on wild-type and resistant strains.
Main Results:
- C. albicans microcolonies induced epithelial injury, disrupted cell junctions, and triggered inflammation.
- Caspofungin effectively reduced fungal load and altered microcolony morphology in wild-type infections.
- Antifungal treatment showed limited efficacy against an echinocandin-resistant clinical isolate.
- The model provided novel insights into fungal microcolony morphology and tissue association.
Conclusions:
- The 3D intestine-on-chip model effectively mimics invasive candidiasis and antifungal treatment responses.
- This model is valuable for studying pathogen-host interactions and antimicrobial efficacy.
- Organ-on-chip technology offers a more biologically relevant platform for infection research.
