The effects of Candida albicans cell wall protein fraction on dendritic cell maturation.
BACKGROUND
Candida albicans is a member of the normal human microflora. C. albicans cell wall is composed of several protein and carbohydrate components which have been shown to play a crucial role in C. albicans interaction with the host immune system. Major components of C. albican cell wall are carbohydrates such as mannans, beta glucans and chitins, and proteins that partially modulate the host immune responses. Dendritic cells (DC), as the most important antigen-presenting cells of the immune system, play a critical role in inducing immune responses against different pathogens.


OBJECTIVE
We investigated the effect of the cell wall protein fraction (CPF) of C. albicans on DC maturation.


METHODS
The CPF of C. albicans cells was extracted by a lysis buffer containing sodium dodecyl sulphate, 2-mercaptoethanol and phosphate-buffered saline. The extract was dialyzed and its protein pattern was evaluated by electrophoresis. Dendritic cells were purified from Balb/c mice spleens through a three-step method including mononuclear cell separation, as well as 2-h and overnight cultures. The purified CPF was added at different concentrations to DC. The purity and maturation status of DC were determined by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies against CD11c, MHC-II, CD40 and CD86.


RESULTS
Treatment of DC with 10 microg/ml of CPF increased the expression of maturation markers including MHC-II, CD86 and CD40 on DC compared to the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study we used C. albicans CPF with the molecular weight of 40-45 kDa for pulsing and maturation of dendritic cells. Since according to our results CPF significantly increased the expression of maturation markers on DC, we suggest that CPF may act as an efficient immunomodulator, or may be used as a potential adjuvant to boost the host immune system against infections.
Roudbary
Maryam
M
Department of Mycology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
Roudbar Mohammadi
Shahla
S
Bozorgmehr
Mahmood
M
Moazzeni
Seyed Mohammad
SM
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000378:metabolism; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D002469:Cell Separation; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II