Ergosterol from Yeasts Promotes Helicobacter pylori Internalization into Candida albicans

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Mycology
• Pathogen-Host Interactions

Background:

• Helicobacter pylori internalizes into Candida albicans, using yeast as a protective niche.
• Ergosterol, a fungal analog of cholesterol, may influence this interaction.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate ergosterol's role in the H. pylori-C. albicans interaction.
• Determine ergosterol's effect on bacterial viability, growth, chemotaxis, and internalization.

Main Methods:

• Ergosterol extraction and quantification from C. albicans wild-type and ergosterol-deficient mutants (Δerg4, Δerg5, Δerg6) using UHPLC-MS/MS.
• Assessing H. pylori viability, growth, chemotaxis, and internalization in response to ergosterol.

Main Results:

• Ergosterol did not inhibit H. pylori viability.
• Ergosterol from C. albicans enhanced H. pylori growth and chemotaxis, similar to cholesterol.
• Reduced ergosterol levels in mutants significantly decreased H. pylori internalization into yeast.

Conclusions:

• Ergosterol is a key factor in the H. pylori-C. albicans interaction.
• Fungal sterols, like ergosterol, facilitate bacterial chemotaxis and intracellular persistence.
• Ergosterol-mediated interactions may aid H. pylori persistence and transmission.