title: Dectin-1 is not required for controlling Candida albicans colonization of the gastrointestinal tract.
abstract: Candida albicans is normally found as a commensal microbe, commonly colonizing the gastrointestinal tract in humans. However, this fungus can also cause mucosal and systemic infections once immune function is compromised. Dectin-1 is an innate pattern recognition receptor essential for the control of fungal infections in both mice and humans; however, its role in the control of C. albicans colonization of the gastrointestinal tract has not been defined. Here, we demonstrate that in mice dectin-1 is essential for the control of gastrointestinal invasion during systemic infection, with dectin-1 deficiency associating with impaired fungal clearance and dysregulated cytokine production. Surprisingly, however, following oral infection, dectin-1 was not required for the control of mucosal colonization of the gastrointestinal tract, in terms of either fungal burdens or cytokine response. Thus, in mice, dectin-1 is essential for controlling systemic infection with C. albicans but appears to be redundant for the control of gastrointestinal colonization.
authors.affiliation: Aberdeen Fungal Group, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vautier
authors.forename: Rebecca A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Drummond
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Redelinghuys
authors.forename: Graeme I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: Donna M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: MacCallum
authors.forename: Gordon D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000382:microbiology*; D000099181:Dectin-1
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D000099181:Dectin-1