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Differences in Candida albicans adhesion to intact and denatured type I collagen in vitro
S Makihira1, H Nikawa, M Tamagami
1Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Hiroshima University School of Dentistry, 1-2-3 Kasumi Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan.
Insights
The arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptide inhibited Candida albicans yeast adhesion to gelatin but not to collagen. This suggests RGD sequences in gelatin and yeast integrin-like proteins mediate adherence.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen.
- Adhesion to host tissues is a critical step in C. albicans infections.
- Extracellular matrix proteins like collagen and gelatin can mediate microbial adhesion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) sequence in Candida albicans adhesion to immobilized gelatin and collagen.
- To compare the adherence mechanisms of C. albicans to gelatin versus collagen.
Main Methods:
- An inhibition assay was performed using C. albicans.
- Membranes were immobilized with gelatin or type I collagen.
- Arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) and arginine-glycine-glutamic acid (RGE) peptides were used as inhibitors.
Main Results:
- Both gelatin and collagen significantly enhanced C. albicans adhesion compared to protein-free membranes.
- RGD peptides significantly inhibited yeast adhesion to gelatin.
- RGE peptides did not inhibit adhesion to gelatin.
- RGD peptides did not inhibit yeast adhesion to collagen.
Conclusions:
- The RGD sequence in gelatin appears to play a role in C. albicans adhesion.
- Integrin-like proteins on the yeast surface may mediate binding to the RGD sequence.
- The mechanism of C. albicans adhesion to collagen may differ from that to gelatin.
Abstract:
An inhibition assay of Candida albicans adhesion to gelatin-immobilized membranes was compared with that to intact type I collagen-immobilized membranes using an arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) containing peptide. As compared with a protein-free membrane, gelatin and collagen significantly enhanced the adherence of C. albicans. The adhesion of the yeast to gelatin was significantly inhibited by the RGD peptides, but not by arginine-glycine-glutamic acid (RGE) peptides. In contrast, attachment to collagen was not inhibited by RGD peptides. These results suggest that the RGD sequence of gelatin and the integrin-like proteins of yeasts may be involved in adherence.