Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Interactions between Candida species and platelets

M D Willcox1, B C Webb, A Thakur

  • 1Cornea and Contact Lens Research Unit, School of Optometry and Cooperative Research Centre for Eye Research and Technology, University of New South Wales, Australia.

Journal of Medical Microbiology
|January 8, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Candida species interact with immune cells, with most aggregating platelets and releasing antimicrobial substances. Candida albicans evades platelet aggregation and complement killing, potentially aiding its survival in disseminated infections.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Autism and Dementia: A Summative Report from the 2nd International Summit on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia.

Journal of autism and developmental disorders·2025
Same author

IL13RA2-integrated genetically engineered mouse model allows for CAR T cells targeting pediatric high-grade gliomas.

Acta neuropathologica communications·2025
Same author

The UHRF1 protein is a key regulator of retrotransposable elements and innate immune response to viral RNA in human cells.

Epigenetics·2023
Same author

The relationship between physical activity, structural deformity, and spinal mobility in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.

Spine deformity·2023
Same author

Mental health and COVID-19: The impact of a virtual course for family caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR·2022
Same author

157 Mesenchymal stem cells as a regenerative therapy for the prevention of subclinical mastitis in cattle.

Reproduction, fertility, and development·2022

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Candida species are opportunistic fungal pathogens capable of causing severe disseminated infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Understanding the interactions between Candida and host immune components is crucial for explaining pathogenesis and developing therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interactions of various Candida species with human platelets, complement system, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs).
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which Candida species may evade host immune responses during disseminated infections.

Main Methods:

  • Yeast-human platelet aggregation assays were performed at a 1:80 ratio.
  • Complement resistance and activation were assessed using 50% serum, with C3 fragment deposition analyzed.

Related Experiment Videos

  • The release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-8, IL-1beta) and leukotriene B4 from platelets and PMNLs upon Candida stimulation was measured.

    • Main Results:

    • Most Candida species, excluding Candida albicans, aggregated human platelets, leading to yeast killing or growth inhibition.
    • All tested Candida species were resistant to complement-mediated lysis but activated the complement system, evidenced by C3 fragment deposition (C3c, iC3b, C3d).
    • Candida strains primarily stimulated PMNLs to release interleukin-8 (IL-8), but not IL-1beta or leukotriene B4.

    Conclusions:

    • Candida albicans's inability to aggregate platelets and its resistance to complement-mediated killing may contribute to its increased virulence and survival in the bloodstream during invasive infections.
    • Platelet aggregation by other Candida species appears to be an important host defense mechanism, releasing antimicrobial factors.
    • Differential interactions with immune cells highlight the complex host-pathogen dynamics in Candida infections.