The Candida albicans Biofilm Matrix: Composition, Structure and Function.

Daniel Montelongo-Jauregui,Jose Lopez-Ribot,Gina Wall,Christopher Pierce,Anand Ramasubramanian,Jesus Romo,Taissa Vila

doi:10.3390/jof3010014

Abstract

A majority of infections caused by Candida albicans—the most frequent fungal pathogen—are associated with biofilm formation. A salient feature of C. albicans biofilms is the presence of the biofilm matrix. This matrix is composed of exopolymeric materials secreted by sessile cells within the biofilm, in which all classes of macromolecules are represented, and provides protection against environmental challenges. In this review, we summarize the knowledge accumulated during the last two decades on the composition, structure, and function of the C. albicans biofilm matrix. Knowledge of the matrix components, its structure, and function will help pave the way to novel strategies to combat C. albicans biofilm infections.

Highlights

The ability to form biofilms represents one of the major virulence factors in C. albicans, the main etiological agent of candidiasis and the third-to-fourth most frequent infection in US hospitals [1,2,3]
More in-depth albicans biofilm matrix, with unique components representing each of the four major macromolecular analyses leading to the identification of the biopolymers in the matrix have been facilitated by the classes, including polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids [5]
The same is true for C. albicans, where the presence of Extracellular DNA (eDNA) has been described in the biofilm matrix under a variety of growing conditions [21], constituting around 5% of the weight of the matrix [10]

Summary

Introduction

The ability to form biofilms represents one of the major virulence factors in C. albicans, the main etiological agent of candidiasis and the third-to-fourth most frequent infection in US hospitals [1,2,3]. 2000s described a basic extraction procedure using sonication, and provided some elementary chemical analyses of matrix components [6,7]. The use of this methodology ensuresand renders a matrix material of sufficient purity to allow for subsequent biochemical, structural, the lack of cell leakage or cell damage, andofusing electron microscopy waslack demonstrated thatoritcell functional analyses [9]. The use this methodology ensuresitthe of cell leakage matrix and does notitextract cell wall components [9,10]. Damage, andremoves using electron microscopy was demonstrated that it removes matrix and does not extract cell wall components [9,10]

Compositional

Carbohydrates

Lipids

Nucleic Acids

Antifungal Drug Resistance

Protection from the Host Immune System

Findings

Conclusions and Future Outlook