Candida albicans double-stranded DNA can participate in the host defense against disseminated candidiasis

Intracellular PRRs Activation in Targeting the Immune Response Against Fungal Infections

The immune response against fungal infections is complex and exhibits several factors involving innate elements that participate in the interaction with the fungus. The innate immune system developed pattern recognition receptors that recognize different pathogen-associated molecular patterns present both on the surface of the fungi cell wall and on their genetic material. These receptors have the function of activating the innate immune response and regulating a subsequent adaptive immune response. Among pattern recognition receptors, the family of Toll-like receptors and C-type lectin receptors are the best described and characterized, they act directly in the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns expressed on the wall of the fungus and consequently in directing the immune response. In recent years, the role of intracellular pattern recognition receptors (TLR3, TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9) has become increasingly important in the pathophysiology of some mycoses, as paracoccidioidomycosis, cryptococcosis, aspergillosis, and candidiasis. The recognition of nucleic acids performed by these receptors can be essential for the control of some fungal infections, as they can be harmful to others. Therefore, this review focuses on highlighting the role played by intracellular pattern recognition receptors both in controlling the infection and in the host's susceptibility against the main fungi of medical relevance.

Pro-inflammatory action of Candida albicans DNA in zymosan-induced arthritis

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to examine the potential ability of Candida albicans DNA to influence joint inflammation in a mouse model of zymosan-induced arthritis (ZIA) relating to Toll-like receptor-9 (TLR9) expression and cytokine production in different compartments.

METHODS

To induce ZIA, mice were injected in the ankle joint with 180 μg zymosan. TLR9 expression in synovial extracts, peritoneal macrophages, splenocytes and popliteal lymph node cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. The levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 in synovial fluid and sera were measured by ELISA. The expression of TLR9 in the joints was determined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

A single intraperitoneal injection of C. albicans DNA did not elevate TLR9 expression and cytokine levels in the joints. It increased TLR9 expression by peritoneal macrophages isolated from healthy and arthritic mice and elevated the IFN-γ level in circulation. In-vitro stimulation with DNA enhanced IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 production by different cells isolated from mice with ZIA.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that small quantities of C. albicans DNA can provoke a pro-inflammatory systemic response rather than locally in the joint.

Conventional dendritic cells mount a type I IFN response against Candida spp. requiring novel phagosomal TLR7-mediated IFN-β signaling

Human fungal pathogens such as the dimorphic Candida albicans or the yeast-like Candida glabrata can cause systemic candidiasis of high mortality in immunocompromised individuals. Innate immune cells such as dendritic cells and macrophages establish the first line of defense against microbial pathogens and largely determine the outcome of infections. Among other cytokines, they produce type I IFNs (IFNs-I), which are important modulators of the host immune response. Whereas an IFN-I response is a hallmark immune response to bacteria and viruses, a function in fungal pathogenesis has remained unknown. In this study, we demonstrate a novel mechanism mediating a strong IFN-β response in mouse conventional dendritic cells challenged by Candida spp., subsequently orchestrating IFN-α/β receptor 1-dependent intracellular STAT1 activation and IFN regulatory factor (IRF) 7 expression. Interestingly, the initial IFN-β release bypasses the TLR 4 and TLR2, the TLR adaptor Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adapter-inducing IFN-β and the β-glucan/phagocytic receptors dectin-1 and CD11b. Notably, Candida-induced IFN-β release is strongly impaired by Src and Syk family kinase inhibitors and strictly requires completion of phagocytosis as well as phagosomal maturation. Strikingly, TLR7, MyD88, and IRF1 are essential for IFN-β signaling. Furthermore, in a mouse model of disseminated candidiasis we show that IFN-I signaling promotes persistence of C. glabrata in the host. Our data uncover for the first time a pivotal role for endosomal TLR7 signaling in fungal pathogen recognition and highlight the importance of IFNs-I in modulating the host immune response to C. glabrata.

A beta-glucan-conjugate vaccine and anti-beta-glucan antibodies are effective against murine vaginal candidiasis as assessed by a novel in vivo imaging technique

The protective capacity of a parenterally administered beta-glucan-conjugate vaccine formulated with the human-compatible MF59 adjuvant was assessed in a murine model of vaginal candidiasis. To monitor infection, an in vivo imaging technique exploiting genetically engineered, luminescent Candida albicans was adopted, and compared with measurements of colony forming units. The vaccine conferred significant protection, and this was associated with production of serum and vaginal anti-beta-glucan IgG antibodies. Vaginal IgG molecules were the likely mediators of protection as inferred by the efficacy of passive transfer of immune vaginal fluid and passive protection by an anti-beta-1,3-glucan mAb. Overall, the in vivo imaging technique was more reliable than vaginal CFU counts in assessing the extent and duration of the vaginal infection, and the consequent protection level.

Presence of extracellular DNA in the Candida albicans biofilm matrix and its contribution to biofilms

DNA has been described as a structural component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in bacterial biofilms. In Candida albicans, there is a scarce knowledge concerning the contribution of extracellular DNA (eDNA) to biofilm matrix and overall structure. This work examined the presence and quantified the amount of eDNA in C. albicans biofilm ECM and the effect of DNase treatment and the addition of exogenous DNA on C. albicans biofilm development as indicators of a role for eDNA in biofilm development. We were able to detect the accumulation of eDNA in biofilm ECM extracted from C. albicans biofilms formed under conditions of flow, although the quantity of eDNA detected differed according to growth conditions, in particular with regards to the medium used to grow the biofilms. Experiments with C. albicans biofilms formed statically using a microtiter plate model indicated that the addition of exogenous DNA (>160 ng/ml) increases biofilm biomass and, conversely, DNase treatment (>0.03 mg/ml) decreases biofilm biomass at later time points of biofilm development. We present evidence for the role of eDNA in C. albicans biofilm structure and formation, consistent with eDNA being a key element of the ECM in mature C. albicans biofilms and playing a predominant role in biofilm structural integrity and maintenance.

Toll-like receptor 9-dependent activation of myeloid dendritic cells by Deoxynucleic acids from Candida albicans

The innate immune system of humans recognizes the human pathogenic fungus Candida albicans via sugar polymers present in the cell wall, such as mannan and beta-glucan. Here, we examined whether nucleic acids from C. albicans activate dendritic cells. C. albicans DNA induced interleukin-12p40 (IL-12p40) production and CD40 expression by murine bone marrow-derived myeloid dendritic cells (BM-DCs) in a dose-dependent manner. BM-DCs that lacked Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), TLR2, and dectin-1, which are pattern recognition receptors for fungal cell wall components, produced IL-12p40 at levels comparable to the levels produced by BM-DCs from wild-type mice, and DNA from a C. albicans pmr1Delta null mutant, which has a gross defect in mannosylation, retained the ability to activate BM-DCs. This stimulatory effect disappeared completely after DNase treatment. In contrast, RNase treatment increased production of the cytokine. A similar reduction in cytokine production was observed when BM-DCs from TLR9(-/-) and MyD88(-/-) mice were used. In a luciferase reporter assay, NF-kappaB activation was detected in TLR9-expressing HEK293T cells stimulated with C. albicans DNA. Confocal microscopic analysis showed similar localization of C. albicans DNA and CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG-ODN) in BM-DCs. Treatment of C. albicans DNA with methylase did not affect its ability to induce IL-12p40 synthesis, whereas the same treatment completely eliminated the ability of CpG-ODN to induce IL-12p40 synthesis. Finally, impaired clearance of this fungal pathogen was not found in the kidneys of TLR9(-/-) mice. These results suggested that C. albicans DNA activated BM-DCs through a TLR9-mediated signaling pathway using a mechanism independent of the unmethylated CpG motif.

Effect of Candida albicans dsDNA in gastrointestinal Candida infection

Neonates are highly sensitive to infections because they are biased to develop Th2 immune responses. When exposed to certain agents, such as DNA vaccines or CpG DNA motifs, neonates are capable to mount adult-like Th1 protective responses. This study investigates the capacity of Candida albicans (C. albicans) dsDNA to induce host resistance in newborn mice against gastrointestinal C. albicans infection. The protective properties of dsDNA are related to an increased number of spleen CD4+ T cells secreting IFN-gamma. In infected DNA-treated mice, an enhanced production of IFN-gamma by Peyer's patch cells was observed together with reduced colonization and histopathological changes in the stomach. Our results indicated that C. albicans dsDNA administration in neonates elicited the protective immune response against gastrointestinal Candida infection.