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Updated: Jan 13, 2026

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract
Published on: July 1, 2020
Candida albicans Extracellular Vesicles Upregulate Nrg1 Transcription Repressor to Inhibit Self-Hyphal Development
Yu Wei1, Yujie Zhou2, Bolei Li1
1State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
High concentrations of Candida albicans extracellular vesicles (EVs) inhibit fungal hyphal growth by upregulating NRG1. These EVs also improved survival in a mouse model of candidemia, suggesting therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Pathogenesis
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Candida albicans is a major human opportunistic fungal pathogen.
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) from C. albicans influence its growth and virulence.
- The role of high concentrations of C. albicans EVs in pathogenesis is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of high concentrations of C. albicans EVs on fungal development and pathogenicity.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying EV-mediated inhibition of hyphal growth.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of C. albicans EVs in a candidemia model.
Main Methods:
- Time-dependent inhibition assays of hyphal development.
- Transcriptome and RT-qPCR analyses to assess gene expression.
- In vivo studies using a mouse model of candidemia.
Main Results:
- High concentrations of C. albicans EVs inhibited hyphal development in a time-dependent manner.
- EVs upregulated the transcription repressor NRG1 and downregulated hyphal-specific genes.
- EVs improved mouse survival and reduced fungal burden in candidemia, dependent on NRG1.
Conclusions:
- High levels of C. albicans EVs inhibit hyphal formation via NRG1 regulation.
- EV cargo proteins are crucial for inhibiting hyphal growth.
- C. albicans EVs demonstrate therapeutic potential against candidemia.
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