Abstract
Considering the significance in survival and virulence, we have made an attempt to understand modulations in the membrane and cell wall properties of Candida albicans hyphae induced by temperature (37 °C) and neutral pH and yeast form cells grown under low hydrostatic pressure (LHP). Our results suggest that cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) and adhesion are dynamic properties determined largely by the microenvironment rather than morphological forms, citing the significance of variation in niche specific virulence. GC-MS analysis showed that 49 and 41 fatty acids modulated under hyphal form induced by temperature alone (37 °C) and neutral pH, respectively while that of 58 under yeast form cells under low hydrostatic pressure (LHP) (1800 Pa). Fatty acid and ergosterol data indicates that fluidity increases with increase in temperature (37 °C) and neutral pH i.e., saturated fatty acids and ergosterol decreases. Similarly, CSH and adhesion decrease in response to temperature (37 °C), pH 7, and LHP compared to controls, irrespective of morphological forms. In general, membranes were more rigid, and cell walls were more hydrophobic and adhesive in yeast form compared to hyphal form cells, except in case of yeast form cells grown under LHP. Yeast form cells grown under LHP are less hydrophobic and adhesive.
Highlights
Candida albicans is one of the most frequent opportunistic pathogens that establish difficult-to-treat invasive candidiasis, including bloodstream infections (Candidemia) and biofilms, upon the immunocompromised condition and/or imbalance in body-micro flora [1,2,3]
The percentage cell surface hydrophobicity was calculated by using the following formula and results were presented as percentage of CSH ± SD
Our results showed that physical factors, including temperature (37 ◦ C), neutral pH, and low hydrostatic pressure (LHP) (1800Pa) modulate membrane fluidity by changing fatty acid composition and ergosterol content
Summary
Candida albicans is one of the most frequent opportunistic pathogens that establish difficult-to-treat invasive candidiasis, including bloodstream infections (Candidemia) and biofilms, upon the immunocompromised condition and/or imbalance in body-micro flora [1,2,3]. Its ability to change morphology makes C. albicans one of the most successful opportunistic pathogens of humans that can infect almost all the tissue sites with different and extreme micro-environments [1,7,9]. Cells in different morphological forms often exhibit differential responses toward host defense and/or anti-fungal agents leading to the emergence of drug resistance and survival. Bloodstream infections lead colonization of medical devices in the form of drug-resistant biofilms (different morphological forms of C. albicans cells as well as cells in biofilms, are inaccessible to defense and or anti-fungal agents) [10]. The hyphalform is essential for invading host tissues, and hyphae and opaque cells evade host immune responses [11]
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