Candida albicansNiche Specialization: Features That Distinguish Biofilm Cells from Commensal Cells.
The fungusCandida albicansis a frequent commensal colonizer of the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract, but is also an opportunistic pathogen. This review explores features that distinguish the colonizing and pathogenic forms ofC. albicans. Candida albicansin a biofilm is used as an example of a pathogenic form of the organism, because biofilms are a common feature of device-associatedC. albicansinfections. Biofilms (complex, sessile communities of cells) have been the subject of several large-scale gene expression studies. Biofilms and commensalC. albicanscolonizing the murine GI tract show a variety of differentially expressed genes. Cell surface proteins encoded by these differentially expressed genes are especially attractive as targets for new clinical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment tools that are specific forC. albicansin its pathogenic biofilm state.
Program in Molecular Microbiology and Medical Scientist Training Program, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences and School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.
Sanna E
SE
Herwald
Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Carol A
CA
Kumamoto
Biofilm; Candida albicans; Cell surface; Commensal; Gastrointestinal; Gene expression; Pathogenesis