title: Effects of interferon-γ and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on antifungal activity of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils against Candida albicans grown as biofilms or planktonic cells.
abstract: Candida albicans is a leading cause of biofilm-related infections. As Candida biofilms are recalcitrant to host defenses, we sought to determine the effects of interferon-γ and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, two pro-inflammatory cytokines, on the antifungal activities of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) against C. albicans biofilms, using an in vitro biofilm model. Priming of PMNs by these cytokines augmented fungal damage of planktonic cells; however, priming of PMNs did not have the same effect against Candida biofilms. Biofilm phenotype appears to play an important role in protecting C. albicans from the innate immune system.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, 3rd Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Hippokration Hospital, 546 42 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Alphaspasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katragkou
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simitsopoulou
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chatzimoschou
authors.forename: Elpiniki
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Georgiadou
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roilides
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000502:physiology*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000276:immunology; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D010933:Plankton / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D007371:Interferon-gamma