Attachment Of Candida Albicans Research Articles

Modification of surface topographies to inhibit candida biofilm formation.

The rise of infections associated with indwelling medical devices is a growing concern, often complicated by biofilm formation leading to persistent infections. This study investigates a novel approach to prevent Candida albicans attachment on the surface by altering surface topography. The research focuses on two distinct surface topographies: symmetry (squares) and non-symmetry (lines), created through a direct laser photolithography process on a Cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) surface. The wettability of these patterned surfaces was then examined immediately after fabrication and plasma treatment to mimic the sterilization process of indwelling devices through UV plasma. The results reveal directional wettability in the line pattern and size-dependent wettability in both square and line patterns. Candida albicans were cultured on these surfaces to assess the efficacy of the topography in preventing biofilm formation. The study demonstrates that symmetry and non-symmetry pattern topography inhibit biofilm formation, providing a promising strategy for mitigating Candida-associated infections on medical devices. The research sheds light on the potential of surface modification techniques to enhance the biocompatibility of medical devices and reduce the risk of biofilm-related infections.

Effects of aging on attachment of Candida albicans to conventional heat-polymerized, CAD-CAM milled, and CAD-CAM 3D-printed acrylic resin bases.

The aim of this study was to assess Candida albicans attachment on conventionally fabricated (polymethylmethacrylate, PMMA), CAD-CAM milled, and 3D-printed acrylic resin bases pre- and post-simulated thermal aging, along with examining material surface changes after aging. Forty-six samples (10mm×10mm×2mm) for each of four material groups (conventional heat-polymerized PMMA, CAD-CAM milled acrylic resin base, CAD-CAM 3D-printed methacrylate resin base, CAD-CAM 3D-printed urethane methacrylate resin base) were subjected to 0, 1, or 2 years of simulated thermal aging. Microscopic images were taken before and after aging, and C. albicans attachment was quantified using cell proliferation assay (XTT). Statistical analysis employed analysis of variance (α = 0.05). Two-way factorial analysis showed no significant differences based on acrylic resin type or thermal aging (p=0.344 and p=0.091 respectively). However, C. albicans attachment significantly differed between 0- and 2-year thermally aged groups (p=0.004), mainly due to elevated initial attachments on CAD-CAM milled acrylic resin base and CAD-CAM 3D-printed urethane methacrylate resin base. Regardless of the fabrication technique and material combination, no significant differences were found in C. albicans adhesion pre- or post- thermal aging. Milled and 3D-printed bases compared favorably with heat- polymerized PMMA in their affinity for C. albicans attachment and surface characteristics after aging. These findings indicate that the risk of patients developing denture stomatitis might not be linked to the type of acrylic resin or fabrication method used.

Preparation and characterization of TiO2-coated polymerization of methyl methacrylate (PMMA) for biomedical applications: In vitro study.

Low surface energy and hydrophobicity of polymethyl methactylate (PMMA) are the main disadvantages of this biomaterial. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a new coating process on the surface characteristics and properties of PMMA. A combination of temperature and pressure was used for deposition of titanium dioxide (TiO2) on the surface of PMMA. The PMMA coated with TiO2 thin films and prepared by sputtering and non-coated PMMA were considered as control groups. The surface wettability, functional group, and roughness were determined by contact angle measurement, Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and 3D laser scanning digital microscopy, respectively. The flexural strength of coated and non-coated samples was measured using three-point bending test. The cell proliferation, attachment, and viability were determined using 3-(4,5-dimethyldiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide, live and dead assay, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining. The antifungal activity of TiO2 was also determined by examining the biofilm attachment of Candida albicans. The obtained results showed that TiO2 was successfully coated on PMMA. The contact angle measurement shows a significant increase of hydrophilicity in TiO2-coated PMMA. FTIR and roughness analysis revealed no loss of TiO2 from coated specimens following sonication. The cell viability after 7 days culturing on TiO2-coated specimens was more than the cell viability on the control groups. SEM images and DAPI staining showed that the total number of the cells increased after 7 days of seeding on TiO2-coated group, whereas it decreased gradually in both control groups. C. albicans attachment also decreased by 63% to 77% on the coated PMMA surface. Overall, this research suggested a new way for developing surface energy of PMMAs for biomedical applications.

Combatting fungal biofilm formation by diffusive release of fluconazole from heptylamine plasma polymer coating.

A drug-eluting coating applied onto biomedical devices and implants is an appropriate way to ensure that an inhibitory concentration of antimicrobial drugs is present at the device surface, thus preventing surface colonization and subsequent biofilm formation. In this study, a thin polymer coating was applied to materials, and it acted as a drug-delivery reservoir capable of surface delivery of the antifungal drug fluconazole to amounts up to 21 μg/cm2. The release kinetics into aqueous solution were quantified by UV spectroscopy and conformed to the Ritger-Peppas and Korsmeyer-Peppas model. Complementary microbiological assays were used to determine effectiveness against Candida albicans attachment and biofilm formation, and against the control heptylamine plasma polymer coating without drug loading, on which substantial fungal growth occurred. Fluconazole release led to marked antifungal activity in all assays, with log 1.6 reduction in CFUs/cm2. Cell viability assays and microscopy revealed that fungal cells attached to the fluconazole-loaded coating remained rounded and did not form hyphae and biofilm. Thus, in vitro screening results for fluconazole-releasing surface coatings showed efficacy in the prevention of the formation of Candida albicans biofilm.

Design of an Antifungal Surface Embedding Liposomal Amphotericin B Through a Mussel Adhesive-Inspired Coating Strategy.

Microbial colonization of urinary catheters remains a serious problem for medicine as it often leads to biofilm formation and infection. Among the approaches reported to deal with this problem, surfaces functionalization to render them with antimicrobial characteristics, comprises the most promising one. Most of these strategies, however, are designed to target bacterial biofilms, while fungal biofilms are much less taken into account. In real-life settings, fungi will be inevitably found in consortium with bacteria, especially in the field of biomaterials. The development of antifungal coating strategies to be combined with antibacterial approaches will be pivotal for the fight of biomaterial-associated infections. The main goal of the present study was, therefore, to engineer an effective strategy for the immobilization of liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB) on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surfaces to prevent Candida albicans colonization. Immobilization was performed using a two-step mussel-inspired coating strategy, in which PDMS is first immersed in dopamine solution. Its polymerization results in the deposition of a thin adherent film, called polydopamine (pDA), which allowed the incorporation of LAmB, afterwards. Different concentrations of LAmB were screened in order to obtain a contact-killing surface with no release of LAmB. Surface characterization confirmed the polymerization of dopamine and further functionalization with LAmB yielded surfaces with less roughness and more hydrophilic features. The proposed coating strategy rendered the surfaces of PDMS with the ability to prevent the attachment of C. albicans and kill the adherent cells, without toxicity toward mammalian cells. Overall results showed that LAmB immobilization on a surface retained its antifungal activity and reduced toxicity, holding therefore a great potential to be applied for the design of urinary catheters. Since the sessile communities commonly found associated to these devices exhibit a polymicrobial nature, the next challenge will be to co-immobilize LAmB with antibacterial agents to prevent the establishment of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI).

A pre-therapeutic coating for medical devices that prevents the attachment of Candida albicans

BackgroundHospital acquired fungal infections are defined as “never events”—medical errors that should never have happened. Systemic Candida albicans infections results in 30–50% mortality rates. Typically, adhesion to abiotic medical devices and implants initiates such infections. Efficient adhesion initiates formation of aggressive biofilms that are difficult to treat. Therefore, inhibitors of adhesion are important for drug development and likely to have a broad spectrum efficacy against many fungal pathogens. In this study we further the development of a small molecule, Filastatin, capable of preventing C. albicans adhesion. We explored the potential of Filastatin as a pre-therapeutic coating of a diverse range of biomaterials.MethodsFilastatin was applied on various biomaterials, specifically bioactive glass (cochlear implants, subcutaneous drug delivery devices and prosthetics); silicone (catheters and other implanted devices) and dental resin (dentures and dental implants). Adhesion to biomaterials was evaluated by direct visualization of wild type C. albicans or a non-adherent mutant edt1−/− that were stained or fluorescently tagged. Strains grown overnight at 30 °C were harvested, allowed to attach to surfaces for 4 h and washed prior to visualization. The adhesion force of C. albicans cells attached to surfaces treated with Filastatin was measured using Atomic Force Microscopy. Effectiveness of Filastatin was also demonstrated under dynamic conditions using a flow cell bioreactor. The effect of Filastatin under microfluidic flow conditions was quantified using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Experiments were typically performed in triplicate.ResultsTreatment with Filastatin significantly inhibited the ability of C. albicans to adhere to bioactive glass (by 99.06%), silicone (by 77.27%), and dental resin (by 60.43%). Atomic force microcopy indicated that treatment with Filastatin decreased the adhesion force of C. albicans from 0.23 to 0.017 nN. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy in a microfluidic device that mimic physiological flow conditions in vivo showed lower impedance for C. albicans when treated with Filastatin as compared to untreated control cells, suggesting decreased attachment. The anti-adhesive properties were maintained when Filastatin was included in the preparation of silicone materials.ConclusionWe demonstrate that Filastatin treated medical devices prevented adhesion of Candida, thereby reducing nosocomial infections.

Evaluation of Candida Albicans Attachment with Two Types of Denture Base (Heat Cured Acrylic & Flexible Resin) Polished By Different Polishing Materials

Evaluation of Candida Albicans Attachment with Two Types of Denture Base (Heat Cured Acrylic & Flexible Resin) Polished By Different Polishing Materials

An investigation of DNA fragmentation and morphological changes caused by bacteria and fungi in human spermatozoa

ObjectiveThe main aim of this study verifies the prevalence of semen Bacterial contamination and whether the contamination could cause the DNA fragmentation towards decreased sperm quality.Materials and MethodsRequirements -Glass wares, Toludine blue staining, Papanicolaus staining. Culture media, Semen.Results30 semen specimens to assess the sperm DNA fragmentation. Out of 30 samples, 20 samples were found to have defective DNA. Out of 30 semen samples, 17 samples were found to have defective sperm morphology (Head, mid piece, cytoplasmic droplet and tail) .All the 30 semen specimens were plated on culture media like blood agar. Nutrient agar, macconkey agar and sabourauds dextrose agar. It showed bacterial growth on 20 out of 30 semen samples.An in-vitro study of isolated Candida albicans from the semen, the resultsshowed the attachment of Candida albicans to spermatozoa through head.ConclusionIn conclusion, Candida albicans did not affect sperm parameters, but increased sperm chromatin packaging damage and apoptosis that might have caused fertilization failure after assisted reproduction treatment in this coulples. The DNA fragmentation and morphological changes of the spermatozoa might adversely affect the reproductive outcomes.Burrello,N., A.E.Calogero, A.Perdichizzi, M.D.Salmeri, R.Agata and Vicari,E. 2004. Inhibitation of Oocyte fertilization by assisted reproductive techniques and increased sperm DNA fragmentation in the presence of Candida albicans, a case report, Reprod. Biomed. online.8(5):569-73. ObjectiveThe main aim of this study verifies the prevalence of semen Bacterial contamination and whether the contamination could cause the DNA fragmentation towards decreased sperm quality. The main aim of this study verifies the prevalence of semen Bacterial contamination and whether the contamination could cause the DNA fragmentation towards decreased sperm quality. Materials and MethodsRequirements -Glass wares, Toludine blue staining, Papanicolaus staining. Culture media, Semen. Requirements -Glass wares, Toludine blue staining, Papanicolaus staining. Culture media, Semen. Results30 semen specimens to assess the sperm DNA fragmentation. Out of 30 samples, 20 samples were found to have defective DNA. Out of 30 semen samples, 17 samples were found to have defective sperm morphology (Head, mid piece, cytoplasmic droplet and tail) .All the 30 semen specimens were plated on culture media like blood agar. Nutrient agar, macconkey agar and sabourauds dextrose agar. It showed bacterial growth on 20 out of 30 semen samples.An in-vitro study of isolated Candida albicans from the semen, the resultsshowed the attachment of Candida albicans to spermatozoa through head. 30 semen specimens to assess the sperm DNA fragmentation. Out of 30 samples, 20 samples were found to have defective DNA. Out of 30 semen samples, 17 samples were found to have defective sperm morphology (Head, mid piece, cytoplasmic droplet and tail) .All the 30 semen specimens were plated on culture media like blood agar. Nutrient agar, macconkey agar and sabourauds dextrose agar. It showed bacterial growth on 20 out of 30 semen samples.An in-vitro study of isolated Candida albicans from the semen, the resultsshowed the attachment of Candida albicans to spermatozoa through head. ConclusionIn conclusion, Candida albicans did not affect sperm parameters, but increased sperm chromatin packaging damage and apoptosis that might have caused fertilization failure after assisted reproduction treatment in this coulples. The DNA fragmentation and morphological changes of the spermatozoa might adversely affect the reproductive outcomes.Burrello,N., A.E.Calogero, A.Perdichizzi, M.D.Salmeri, R.Agata and Vicari,E. 2004. Inhibitation of Oocyte fertilization by assisted reproductive techniques and increased sperm DNA fragmentation in the presence of Candida albicans, a case report, Reprod. Biomed. online.8(5):569-73. In conclusion, Candida albicans did not affect sperm parameters, but increased sperm chromatin packaging damage and apoptosis that might have caused fertilization failure after assisted reproduction treatment in this coulples. The DNA fragmentation and morphological changes of the spermatozoa might adversely affect the reproductive outcomes.

Evaluation of denture base resin after disinfection method using reactive oxygen species (ROS)

The effects of certain disinfectants on the stability of a polymethyl methacrylate denture base resin were investigated, including those of a novel disinfection method using reactive oxygen species (ROS). The surface roughness and flexural strength were analyzed to assess the effects of the disinfectants on material properties. The following disinfectants were tested: 5% sodium hypochlorite, 70% alcohol, and ROS. Furthermore, the attachment of Candida albicans to the resin surface was investigated. The disinfection method using sodium hypochlorite significantly increased the surface roughness and decreased flexural strength. The surface roughness and flexural strength of the ROS-treated specimens did not significantly differ from those of the control specimens, and the ROS-treated specimens exhibited diminished Candida attachment. These results demonstrate that the ROS disinfection method preserves acceptable material stability levels in polymethyl methacrylate resins.

Effects of a nanoparticulate silica substrate on cell attachment of Candida albicans

To investigate the influence of silica nanoparticles on the attachment and growth of Candida albicans cells. Spherical silica nanoparticles with diameters of 4, 7, 14 or 21 nm were attached to tissue culture polystyrene by a polycationic binding layer using a simple deposition procedure. The modified surfaces were shown to reduce the attachment and growth of C. albicans cells by a range of different measurements including microscopy, staining cells and measuring the amount of dye taken up and total cell activity measured using a dye reduction assay. For those cells that did attach and grow, the nanoparticle-coated surface inhibited the yeast to hyphal transition that is induced in the presence of serum. The greatest effect was observed for 7 and 14 nm diameter silica particles and we propose that the mechanism for these effects are related to either the topography of the surface or the slow dissolution of the bound silica. The attachment and growth of C. albicans is reduced by surface modification with silica nanoparticles. The modification of surfaces by nanoparticulate coatings is a simple process that may have applications in reducing the prevalence of Candida sp. cells on medical devices thus, limiting the incidence of this pathogenic yeast in clinical environments.

Candida albicans adherence to resin-composite restorative dental material: influence of whole human saliva.

Attachment of Candida albicans to oral surfaces is believed to be a critical event in the colonization of the oral cavity and in the development of oral diseases such as Candida-associated denture stomatitis. Although there is considerable information about the adhesion of C albicans to buccal epithelial cells and prosthetic materials, there is very little information about the adhesion of C albicans to composite restorative materials. The purpose of this study was to investigate the degree of adhesion of C albicans to a resin-composite restorative material (Herculite). The adhesion of 2 strains of C albicans, a germinative and a germ tube-deficient mutant, was studied by a visual method after incubating the fungus and the resin with and without human whole saliva. In absence of saliva, the adhesion of the C albicans germinative isolate to the resin showed an increase in parallel with the germination, reaching a maximum at the end of the experiment (120 minutes). However, no significant differences were observed in the adhesion of the agerminative mutant during the period of time studied. In the presence of saliva, the adhesion of both isolates to the resin was significantly lowered. Germination and the presence of human whole saliva are important factors in the adhesion of C albicans to the resin-composite restorative material Herculite.

Effect of salivary secretory IgA on the adhesion of Candida albicans to polystyrene.

Attachment of Candida albicans to plastic materials of dental prostheses or to salivary macromolecules adsorbed on their surface is believed to be a critical event in the development of denture stomatitis. In an earlier study, it was shown that adhesion of C. albicans to polystyrene, a model system to study the adhesion of C. albicans to plastic materials, can be partially inhibited with an mAb directed against cell wall polysaccharides of C. albicans. In the present study, the role of whole saliva in the adhesion of C. albicans to polystyrene has been investigated, and three mAbs directed against epitopes of cell wall mannoproteins have been used to mimic the inhibitory effect observed with salivary secretory IgA (sIgA) on the adhesion of C. albicans to polystyrene. In the absence of whole saliva, adherence of C. albicans 3153 increased with germination. However, the presence of whole saliva enhanced the adhesion to polystyrene of C. albicans 3153 yeast cells but decreased the adhesion of germinated cells. The enhancement of adhesion of yeast cells to polystyrene mediated by saliva was confirmed with an agerminative mutant of C. albicans 3153. The inhibition of the adhesion of C. albicans 3153 germ tubes to polystyrene was due to the salivary sIgA since sIgA-depleted saliva enhanced the adhesion of C. albicans 3153 to polystyrene. The inhibitory effect mediated by sIgA was not related to the inhibition of germination but to the blockage of adhesins expressed on the cell wall surface of the germ tubes. The three mAbs studied reduced the adhesion of C. albicans 3153 to polystyrene at levels equivalent to those for purified sIgA. The highest reduction in the adhesion was obtained with the IgA mAb N3B. The best results were obtained when the three mAbs were combined. The results suggest that whole saliva plays a different role in the adhesion of C. albicans to polystyrene depending on the morphological phase of C. albicans. These results may give new insights into the conflicting role of saliva in the adhesion of C. albicans to plastic materials of dental prostheses.

Cellular actin is affected by interaction with Candida albicans

Attachment of Candida albicans, an important opportunistic pathogen, to host tissues is an initial step in the development of the infection. The events occurring in the fungal and in the host cells after interaction are poorly understood. In this study we concentrated on the events occurring in the mammalian cells after the interaction with Candida, with emphasis on the cytoskeleton actin. Human cell line cells (HEp2) were exposed to C. albicans or C. albicans-secreted material (culture filtrate) (actin-rearranging Candida-secreted factor, arcsf). The HEp2 cells were examined for cellular changes using confocal laser microscopy (CLSM), transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM). The CLSM studies, using fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled C. albicans and rhodamine phalloidin actin staining, revealed yeasts adhering to the HEp2 cells or internalized into the cells, with actin surrounding the fungi. Furthermore, actin rearrangement from filamentous network to actin aggregates was noticed. Interaction between the HEp2 cells and C. albicans could be demonstrated also by SEM and TEM after a 2–4-h exposure of the cells to the fungus. Yeasts and hyphae were found attaching to the surface and within the cells. CLSM studies revealed that exposure of HEp2 cells to arcsf was also followed by cellular actin rearrangement, reduced membrane ruffling and decreased cellular motility. The effect was dose- and time-dependent. All these data indicate that the interaction of Candida with HEp2 cells involves signaling events and affects the cellular actin.

Cellular actin is affected by interaction with Candida albicans.

Attachment of Candida albicans, an important opportunistic pathogen, to host tissues is an initial step in the development of the infection. The events occurring in the fungal and in the host cells after interaction are poorly understood. In this study we concentrated on the events occurring in the mammalian cells after the interaction with Candida, with emphasis on the cytoskeleton actin. Human cell line cells (HEp2) were exposed to C. albicans or C. albicans-secreted material (culture filtrate) (actin-rearranging Candida-secreted factor, arcsf). The HEp2 cells were examined for cellular changes using confocal laser microscopy (CLSM), transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM). The CLSM studies, using fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled C. albicans and rhodamine phalloidin actin staining, revealed yeasts adhering to the HEp2 cells or internalized into the cells, with actin surrounding the fungi. Furthermore, actin rearrangement from filamentous network to actin aggregates was noticed. Interaction between the HEp2 cells and C. albicans could be demonstrated also by SEM and TEM after a 2-4-h exposure of the cells to the fungus. Yeasts and hyphae were found attaching to the surface and within the cells. CLSM studies revealed that exposure of HEp2 cells to arcsf was also followed by cellular actin rearrangement, reduced membrane ruffling and decreased cellular motility. The effect was dose- and time-dependent. All these data indicate that the interaction of Candida with HEp2 cells involves signaling events and affects the cellular actin.

Inhibition of Candida albicans attachment to extracellular matrix by antibodies which recognize hydrophobic cell wall proteins.

Cell surface hydrophobicity influences the adhesive properties of the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Hydrophobic proteins are present in the C. albicans cell wall. These proteins were used to generate a polyclonal antiserum and monoclonal antibodies. We characterized three of these monoclonal antibodies (designated 6C5, 5F8 and 5D8) that recognize different hydrophobic cell wall proteins. Initial characterization of the three antigens, and assessment of their distribution among various Candida species was also carried out. Further, pretreatment of germ tube initials with the mAb inhibits binding of these cells to immobilized extracellular matrix. These results suggest that these hydrophobic proteins are involved in C. albicans adhesion events.

Inhibition of Candida albicans attachment to extracellular matrix by antibodies which recognize hydrophobic cell wall proteins

Cell surface hydrophobicity influences the adhesive properties of the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Hydrophobic proteins are present in the C. albicans cell wall. These proteins were used to generate a polyclonal antiserum and monoclonal antibodies. We characterized three of these monoclonal antibodies (designated 6C5, 5F8 and 5D8) that recognize different hydrophobic cell wall proteins. Initial characterization of the three antigens, and assessment of their distribution among various Candida species was also carried out. Further, pretreatment of germ tube initials with the mAb inhibits binding of these cells to immobilized extracellular matrix. These results suggest that these hydrophobic proteins are involved in C. albicans adhesion events.

Involvement of mannose receptor in cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor responses, but not in chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein 1beta (MIP-1beta), MIP-2, and KC responses, caused by attachment of Candida albicans to macrophages.

The production of chemotactic cytokines (chemokines) and other cytokines by macrophages in response to fungal infection is thought to be critical during the course of candidiasis. However, the mechanism of cytokine synthesis by macrophages in response to fungi is not well understood. Therefore, the response of macrophages to Candida albicans was examined in terms of receptor-mediated chemokine and other cytokine mRNA induction. Attachment of C. albicans to murine thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal macrophages induced increased mRNA levels of the cytokines interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and the chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein 1beta (MIP-1beta), MIP-2, and KC (a member of the platelet factor 4 neutrophil chemoattractant family), as determined by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. However, treatment of macrophages with alpha-methyl-D-mannoside significantly reduced the cytokine GM-CSF response to C. albicans but did not affect the chemokine MIP-2 response. Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) to mannose receptor (MR) mRNA inhibited the expression and function of MR in macrophages as determined by Western blot analysis and 125I-labeled mannose-bovine serum albumin (BSA) binding, and also inhibited the elevation of cytokine IL-1beta, IL-6, and GM-CSF mRNA levels induced by C. albicans attachment. Elevation of chemokine MIP-1beta, MIP-2, and KC mRNA levels induced by C. albicans was not affected in macrophages whose MR expression was suppressed by antisense ODN treatment. Furthermore, IL-4 treatment of macrophages, which up-regulated MR expression as determined by Western blot analysis and fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled mannose-BSA uptake, enhanced the level of cytokine GM-CSF mRNA induced by C. albicans but not the level of the chemokine MIP-2 mRNA. These results indicate that selected cytokine responses of macrophages to C. albicans are mediated by MR, while some chemokine responses may be mediated by other receptors.

Stimulation of the phagocytic function of neutrophils in sedentary men after acute moderate exercise.

All the different stages of phagocytic function in blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils of sedentary (untrained) young men before, immediately after, and 15 min after being subjected to submaximal acute moderate exercise (50% maximal oxygen uptake) on a cycle ergometer were studied. No statistically significant differences were found in adherence or microbicide capacity against Candida albicans immediately after physical exercise. However, spontaneous mobility, chemotaxis and attachment and phagocytosis of Candida albicans at 15 min of incubation were significantly stimulated. Fifteen minutes after exercise spontaneous mobility, chemotaxis, and attachment of Candida albicans had returned to basal values, while phagocytosis of Candida albicans remained higher than basal values. One can, therefore, conclude that acute moderate exercise stimulates the phagocytic capacity of neutrophils in sedentary young men. In addition, no differences were found in the plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone concentration after exercise. However, immediately after exercise there was a decrease in the serum cortisol concentration, which had returned to basal 15 min later.

In vitro effect of cefoxitin on phagocytic function and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in human neutrophils

The effects in vitro of Cefoxitin, a β-lactam antibiotic, at a concentration of 50 μg/ml (similar to a therapeutic level in plasma) on each step of the phagocytic process, in addition to antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) of blood peripheral human neutrophils have been studied. The antibiotic produced a significant stimulation of adherence capacity, chemotaxis, attachment of Candida albicans to neutrophils and phagocytosis of Candida albicans (with serum, decomplemented serum or without serum), ingestion of inert particles (latex beads), microbicidal activity, and digestion capacity of the ingested material [measured by nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction]. Moreover, cefoxitin (50 μg/ml) demonstrated chemoattractant activity for neutrophils. ADCC was also increased by this antimicrobial agent. These results therefore suggest that a therapeutic concentration of cefoxitin may enhance microbicidal and cytotoxic functions of a pivotal human phagocytic cell: the neutrophil.

Initial attachment ofCandida albicans cells to buccal epithelial cells

The rapid-freezing technique was applied in association with scanning and transmission electron microscopy to observe the initial attachment (or contact) of Candida albicans cells to exfoliated human buccal epithelial cells. Low temperature scanning electron microscopy provided detailed three-dimensional morphological features of the yeast-epithelial cell association; adhesion of C. albicans cells to host cells was primarily owing to an interaction between fibrillar layer of the yeast cell wall and the membrane interdigitations of the epithelial cells. Such a particular interconnection between the two cells was confirmed by the freeze-substitution fixation for transmission electron microscopy. These results clearly demonstrate the outermost fibrillar cell wall layer of C. albicans responsible for adhesion to host cells.