Immunological and histopathological characterization of cutaneous candidiasis.
Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis constitutes a heterogeneous group of syndromes, characterized by non-invasive infection of the skin, nails and mucosal membranes by the fungus Candida spp. Although symptoms are heterogeneous, in all cases there is a reduction in protective cytokines, favouring the development of disease. The normal role of cytokines in skin lesions is not well understood. The present study aimed to investigate the progression of disease, understand specific cellular and molecular components involved in immunity to Candida albicans and determine the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines over the course of cutaneous infection in immunocompetent mice. BALB/c mice (five per group) were inoculated with 5 × 10(6)C. albicans pseudohyphae in the deep dermis of the paw and analysed over 1-14  days post-infection. The contralateral paws were used for negative controls. Haematoxylin and eosin staining of skin sections during C. albicans infection was performed to analyse structural modifications to the epidermis such as hyperplasia, and infiltration of neutrophils and fibroblasts in the dermis. The cytokine populations were determined by capture ELISA using popliteal lymph node tissue. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-12, IFN-γ and IL-17) were detected at significant levels during the initial phase of cutaneous infection and correlated with the rapid elimination of C. albicans. Anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-13, IL-4, IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β) were detected on day 4 post-infection, and prevented exacerbation of inflammation and participated in healing of lesions. Thus, a balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines was fundamental for the resolution of infection. Importantly, these findings broaden our understanding of the immune mechanisms involved in chronic cutaneous candidiasis.
Department of Pathological Sciences, Center for Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid km 380 - 86057-970, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Tacito Graminha
TG
Campois
Department of Pathological Sciences, Center for Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid km 380 - 86057-970, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Amanda Zaparoli
AZ
Zucoloto
Department of Histology, Center for Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid km 380 - 86057-970, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Eduardo José
EJ
de Almeida Araujo
Department of Clinical Analysis, Center for Health Sciences, State University of Maringá, Av. Colombo, 5790, Bloco111 Sala05 CEP 87020-900, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
Terezinha Inez Estivalet
TIE
Svidizinski
Department of Microbiology, Center for Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid km 380 - 86057-970, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Ricardo Sergio
RS
Almeida
Department of Pathological Sciences, Center for Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid km 380 - 86057-970, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Gustavo Fernando
GF
da Silva Quirino
Department of Pathological Sciences, Center for Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid km 380 - 86057-970, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Raquel Mitie
RM
Harano
Department of Pathological Sciences, Center for Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid km 380 - 86057-970, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Ivete
I
Conchon-Costa
Department of Pathological Sciences, Center for Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid km 380 - 86057-970, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Ionice
I
Felipe
D000818:Animals; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology*; D002179:Candidiasis, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008853:Microscopy; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*
D016207:Cytokines