Elsevier

Microbes and Infection

Volume 7, Issue 2, February 2005, Pages 178-186
Microbes and Infection

Original article
Candida albicans double-stranded DNA can participate in the host defense against disseminated candidiasis

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micinf.2004.10.011Get rights and content
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Abstract

In the present work, we studied the in vitro immunomodulatory properties of double-stranded Candida albicans DNA and its protective effect in murine disseminated candidiasis. DNA induced the production of TNF-α by peritoneal macrophages and splenocytes in vitro through a chloroquine-dependent mechanism. Yeast DNA acted synergistically with IFN-γ in triggering the secretion of nitric oxide by macrophages and enabled them to stimulate the proliferation of T cells in response to soluble anti-CD3. The effect of DNA on splenocytes is associated with an enhanced synthesis of IFN-γ, IL-2 and IL-10. In vivo, DNA decreased the mortality and lowered the kidney contamination in mice intraperitoneally inoculated with C. albicans simultaneously with an increase in the specific proliferative response and cytokine production. The present results indicate that C. albicans DNA can provide protection against disseminated infection.

Keywords

Candida albicans infection
Candida albicans DNA
Macrophages
Cytokines

Abbreviations

CFU
colony-forming units
CQ
chloroquine
CT DNA
calf thymus DNA
dsDNA
double-stranded DNA
IFN
interferon
IL
interleukin
i.p.
intraperitoneally
ODN
oligodeoxynucleotides
OVA
albumin from chicken egg
PAMP
pathogen-associated molecular pattern
Th
T helper
TNF
tumor necrosis factor

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