Oestrogen promotes innate immune invasion of Candida albicans through inactivation of complement
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ABSTRACT: Candida albicans is a commensal of the urogenital tract and the predominant cause of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Roughly, 70% of otherwise healthy women succumb to VVC at least once in their life time. Elevated oestrogen levels are associated with C. albicans colonisation of the vagina and symptomatic infection. However, little is known about how C. albicans adapts to oestrogen. Here, we investigate how adaptation of C. albicans to elevated concentrations of oestrogen on the C. albicans host-pathogen interaction. Growth of C. albicans in physiological relevant concentrations of oestrogen promoted fungal innate immune evasion through reduction of both macrophage and neutrophil phagocytosis. Oestrogen-induced innate immune evasion was mediated via inhibition of opsonophagocytosis through enhanced Gpd2 dependent acquisition of Factor H on the fungal cell surface. The zebrafish larval model of infection confirmed that in vivo oestrogen and Gpd2 promote pathogenicity. Understanding the impact of oestrogen on C. albicans host-pathogen interaction will help improve our knowledge on how oestrogen promotes VVC.
ORGANISM(S): Candida albicans
PROVIDER: GSE145240 | GEO | 2022/01/04
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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