Immunodetection of CD45 epitopes on the surface of Candida albicans cells in culture and infected human tissues.
Candida albicans is a leading cause of disseminated fungal infection in immunocompromised patients. Candida-host cell interactions are mediated at the cell surface. Since blood-group I epitopes have been detected on the surface of C albicans cells, we investigated whether CD45, the molecule that carries the I antigen on human lymphocytes, is present on the C albicans cell surface, in culture and in human tissue specimens of human candidiasis. By using monoclonal antibodies to CD45, CD45RO, and CD45RA, we found a strong immunoreactivity at the cell surface of blastoconidia bearing germ tubes but weak or no immunostaining of the germ tubes themselves. In human tissues, immunostaining of C albicans yeast cells was detected, whereas pseudohyphae were mostly negative. CD45 epitopes on the surface of C albicans might have a role in tissue invasion and dissemination of the fungus. On the other hand, its detection may disturb quantitative non-morphology-based determinations of lymphoid cell populations in infected tissues.
Monteagudo
C
C
Departamento de Patología, Faculdad de Farmacia, Universitat de Valencia, Spain.
Lopez-Ribot
J L
JL
Murgui
A
A
Casanova
M
M
Chaffin
W L
WL
Martinez
J P
JP
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000378:metabolism*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D000939:Epitopes / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D000939:Epitopes; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens