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A second Candida albicans resistance gene (Carg2) regulates tissue damage, but not fungal clearance, in sub-lethal
R B Ashman1, A Fulurija, J M Papadimitriou
1School of Dentistry, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld., Australia.
Abstract:
The severity of systemic infection with the yeast Candida albicans has been shown to be under complex genetic control. C57/L mice carry an allele that is associated with an increase in tissue destruction when compared with C57Bl/6 mice; however, the gene affects only the severity of tissue lesions, and does not influence the magnitude of the fungal burden in either kidney or brain. Studies in [C57/LxC57Bl/6]F1 hybrid mice, and [C57/LxC57Bl/6]F1xC57/L backcross mice, demonstrated that the gene behaves as a simple Mendelian co-dominant.
Insights
Genetic factors influence Candida albicans infection severity. A specific gene in C57/L mice increases tissue damage without altering fungal load, behaving in a Mendelian co-dominant manner.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Mycology
- Host-pathogen interactions
Background:
- Systemic infection with Candida albicans exhibits complex genetic control.
- C57/L mice possess an allele linked to increased tissue destruction compared to C57Bl/6 mice.
- This genetic influence is specific to lesion severity, not fungal burden in organs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic basis of Candida albicans infection severity.
- To characterize the inheritance pattern of the gene influencing tissue destruction.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of C57/L and C57Bl/6 mouse strains.
- Genetic studies using F1 hybrid and backcross mouse models ([C57/LxC57Bl/6]F1 and [C57/LxC57Bl/6]F1xC57/L).
Main Results:
- A single gene in C57/L mice significantly increases tissue destruction during systemic Candida albicans infection.
- This gene does not affect the fungal burden in the kidneys or brain.
- The gene demonstrates Mendelian co-dominant inheritance in hybrid and backcross mouse populations.
Conclusions:
- A co-dominant gene controls the severity of tissue lesions in Candida albicans infections.
- Understanding this genetic component can inform strategies for managing invasive fungal infections.