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Alteration of β-glucan in the emerging fungal pathogen Candida auris leads to immune evasion and increased virulence.

Authors :
Selisana, Shiela Marie Gines
Chen, Xinyue
Mahfudhoh, Eny
Bowolaksono, Anom
Rozaliyani, Anna
Orihara, Kanami
Kajiwara, Susumu
Source :
Medical Microbiology & Immunology. 7/5/2024, Vol. 213 Issue 1, p1-13. 13p.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Candida auris is an emerging pathogenic yeast that has been categorized as a global public health threat and a critical priority among fungal pathogens. Despite this, the immune response against C. auris infection is still not well understood. Hosts fight Candida infections through the immune system that recognizes pathogen-associated molecular patterns such as β-glucan, mannan, and chitin on the fungal cell wall. In this study, levels of β-glucan and mannan exposures in C. auris grown under different physiologically relevant stimuli were quantified by flow cytometry-based analysis. Lactate, hypoxia, and sublethal concentration of fluconazole trigger a decrease in surface β-glucan while low pH triggers an increase in β-glucan. There is no inverse pattern between exposure levels of β-glucan and mannan in the cell wall architecture among the three clades. To determine the effect of cell wall remodeling on the immune response, a phagocytosis assay was performed, followed by quantification of released cytokines by ELISA. Lactate-induced decrease in β-glucan leads to reduced uptake of C. auris by PMA-differentiated THP-1 and RAW 264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, reduced production of CCL3/MIP-1⍺ but not TNF-⍺ and IL-10 were observed. An in vivo infection analysis using silkworms reveals that a reduction in β-glucan triggers an increase in the virulence of C. auris. This study demonstrates that β-glucan alteration occurs in C. auris and serves as an escape mechanism from immune cells leading to increased virulence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
03008584
Volume :
213
Issue :
1
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Medical Microbiology & Immunology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
178294944
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00430-024-00795-y