Immune Reaction of Candida albicans Soluble Polysaccharide Fraction CAWS Developing Coronary Arteritis in Mice

Abstract

Potassium hydroxide extract of Candida albicans (CADS) isolated from Kawasaki disease (KD) patient has been known to induce coronary arteritis in mice resembles to KD. Incidence of the coronary arteritis is strain dependent: C3H/HeN; susceptible, DBA/2; resistant. In addition, a water-soluble polysaccharide fraction (CAWS) released from C. albicans into synthetic medium induced coronary arteritis by i.p. administration and showed lethality resembled to the anaphylactic shock by i.v.. Lethality was strain dependent: ICR, C3H/HeN; susceptible, DBA/2; resistant. CAWS is mainly composed of a complex of mannoprotein and β-glucan and reacts with limulus factor G test, specific for 1,3-β-D-glucan. Half clearance time of CAWS in DBA/2 mice was 19 min after i.v. administration. Lethality was partially inhibited by pretreatment with yeast mannan and salbutamol. Incidence rate of coronary arteritis by CAWS was significantly higher than that of CADS. Then, various activities of CAWS were examined by i.p. administration to clarify underlying mechanisms for the development of coronary arteritis, i) CAWS induced cell infiltration into peritoneal cavity and spleen in both C3H/HeN and DBA/2. Ratio of macrophages and granulocytes in the spleen was significantly increased, ii) IL-6 and IL-10 production of the spleen cells was increased in both strains of mice, iii) INF-γ production of the spleen cells was enhanced only in DBA/2 mice, iv) myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity of the spleen cells were increased in both strains of mice, v) Anti-MPO autoantibody in sera was induced more significantly in DBA/2 mice, vi) IL-6 and MIP-2 activity of PEC were significantly reduced in both strains of mice. These results suggested that CAWS showed inflammatory activity and immuno-toxicity and IFN-γ production might be related to the susceptibility to arteritis.