title: Fungal invasion of epithelial cells.
abstract: Interaction between host cells and invasive Candida plays a large role in the pathogenicity of Candida species. Fungal-induced endocytosis and active penetration are the two distinct, yet complementary invasion mechanisms of invasive candidiasis. Induced endocytosis is a microorganism-triggered, epithelial-driven, clathrin-mediated and actin-dependent process. During the fundamental pathological process of induced endocytosis, invasins (Als3 and Ssa1), which mediate the binding of host epithelial surface proteins, are expressed by Candida species on the hyphal surface. Sequentially, the interaction between invasins and host epithelial surface proteins stimulates the recruitment of clathrin, dynamin and cortactin to the sites where Candida enters epithelial cells, which in turn induce the actin cytoskeleton reorganization. Actin cytoskeleton provides the force required for fungal internalization. Parallely, active penetration of Candida can directly pass through epithelial cells possibly due to progressive elongation of hyphae and physical forces. Several molecules, such as secreted hydrolases and Als3, can affect the protective barrier of the epithelium and make Candida actively penetrate into epithelial cells through intercellular gaps of epithelial layers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma-Emergency & Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, PR China.
authors.forename: Weiming
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma-Emergency & Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, PR China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma-Emergency & Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, PR China.
authors.forename: Chunrong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma-Emergency & Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiangwang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma-Emergency & Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, PR China. Electronic address: tangjianguo@5thhospital.com.
authors.forename: Jianguo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000382:microbiology*; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D005656:Fungal Proteins
keywords: Active penetration; Candida; Induced endocytosis; Invasins; Secreted hydrolases