title: Differential susceptibility of yeast and hyphal forms of Candida albicans to proteolytic activity of macrophages.
abstract: The dimorphic transition of Candida albicans from the yeast (Y-Candida) to the hyphal (H-Candida) form is a complex event whose relevance in fungal pathogenicity is still poorly understood. Using a cloned macrophage (M phi) cell line (ANA-1), we have previously shown that a M phi can discriminate between the two fungal forms, eliciting different secretory responses. In the present study, we investigated the susceptibility of Y-Candida and H-Candida to M phi proteolytic activity. In particular, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot (immunoblot) techniques were employed to analyze the patterns of lyticase proteinaceous extracts from cell walls of Y-Candida and H-Candida which had been unexposed or exposed to ANA-1 M phis for 3 h. Silver staining allowed detection of a complex protein pattern in both forms of C. albicans, qualitatively and quantitatively differing from each other, mainly at molecular masses below 106 kDa. Western blot staining with anti-C. albicans mannan antibodies and convalescent-phase sera of mice previously infected systemically or intracerebrally with C. albicans showed that, after contact with M phis, Y-Candida but not H-Candida proteinaceous cell wall components are profoundly modified, with substantial reduction and/or disappearance of many bands. Our experimental approach provides initial insights into the differential susceptibility of Y-Candida and H-Candida to the proteolytic activity of M phis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Blasi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pitzurra
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Chimienti
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mazzolla
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Puliti
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barluzzi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bistoni
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000737:chemistry; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000276:immunology; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000737:chemistry; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008970:Molecular Weight
chemical_list: D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; C025363:mannoproteins