Candida albicans HWP1 gene expression and host antibody responses in colonization and disease.
In vivo expression of the developmentally regulated Candida albicans hyphal wall protein 1 (HWP1) gene was analysed in human subjects who were culture positive for C. albicans and had oral symptoms (n=40) or were asymptomatic (n=29), or had vaginal symptoms (n=40) or were asymptomatic (n=29). HWP1 mRNA was present regardless of symptoms, implicating hyphal and possibly pseudohyphal forms in mucosal carriage as well as disease. As expected, in control subjects without oral symptoms (n=10) and without vaginal symptoms (n=10) who were culture negative in oral and vaginal samples, HWP1 mRNA was not detected. However, exposure to Hwp1 in healthy culture-negative controls, as well as in oral candidiasis and asymptomatic mucosal infections, was shown by the existence of local salivary and systemic adaptive antibody responses to Hwp1. The results are consistent with a role for Hwp1 in gastrointestinal colonization as well as in mucosal symptomatic and asymptomatic infections. Overall, Hwp1 and hyphal growth forms appear to be important factors in benign and invasive interactions of C. albicans with human hosts.
Naglik
Julian R
JR
Department of Oral Medicine and Immunology, King's College London Dental Institute at Guy's, King's College and St Thomas' Hospitals, King's College London, London, UK.
Fostira
Florentia
F
Department of Oral Medicine and Immunology, King's College London Dental Institute at Guy's, King's College and St Thomas' Hospitals, King's College London, London, UK.
Ruprai
Jasmeet
J
Department of Oral Medicine and Immunology, King's College London Dental Institute at Guy's, King's College and St Thomas' Hospitals, King's College London, London, UK.
Staab
Janet F
JF
Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, D3-100, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
Challacombe
Stephen J
SJ
Department of Oral Medicine and Immunology, King's College London Dental Institute at Guy's, King's College and St Thomas' Hospitals, King's College London, London, UK.
Sundstrom
Paula
P
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH 03755, USA.
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D025301:Hyphae / Q000472:pathogenicity; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D005656:Fungal Proteins; C118102:HWP1 protein, Candida albicans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D037521:Virulence Factors