The hyphal wall protein 1 (HWP1) gene of Candida albicans encodes for a fungal cell wall protein, required for hyphal development and yeast adhesion to epithelial cells; yet, its role in pathogenesis remains largely unknown. In the present study, we analyzed two C. albicans laboratory strains, the DAY286 (HWP1/HWP1) and the null mutant FJS24 (hwp1/hwp1) and six clinical isolates [3 harbouring the homozygous HWP1 gene (HWP1/HWP1) and 3 the heterologous gene (HWP1/hwp1)]. Biofilm production, fungal HWP1 mRNA levels and ultrastructural morphology were investigated; also, the susceptibility of these strains to microglial cells was evaluated, in terms of fungal damage and immune cell-mediated secretory response. When comparing the two laboratory strains, biofilm was produced to a similar extent independently on the genetic background, while the susceptibility to microglial cell-mediated damage was higher in the hwp1/hwp1 mutant than in the HWP1/HWP1 counterpart. Also, transmission electron microscopy revealed differences between the two in terms of abundance in surface adhesin-like structures, fungal cell wall shape and intracellular granules. When comparing the clinical isolates grouped according to their HWP1 genotype, reduced biofilm production and increased susceptibility to microglial cell-mediated damage occurred in the HWP1/hwp1 isolates with respect to the HWP1/HWP1 counterparts; furthermore, upon exposure to microglial cells, the HWP1/HWP1 isolates, but not the HWP1/hwp1 counterpart, showed enhanced HWP1 mRNA levels. Finally, both laboratory and clinical isolates exhibited reduced ability to stimulate TNFα and nitric oxide production by microglial cells in the case of heterozygous or null mutant HWP1 genotype. Overall, these data indicate that C. albicans HWP1 genotype influences pathogen morphological structure as well as its interaction with microglial cells, while fungal biofilm production results unaffected, thus arguing on its role as virulence factor that directly affects host mediated defences.

Impact of Candida albicans hyphal wall protein 1 (HWP1) genotype on biofilm production and fungal susceptibility to microglial cells / Orsi, Carlotta Francesca; Borghi, Elisa; Colombari, Bruna; Neglia, Rachele Giovanna; Quaglino, Daniela; Ardizzoni, Andrea; Morace, Giulia; Blasi, Elisabetta. - In: MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS. - ISSN 0882-4010. - STAMPA. - 69-70:1(2014), pp. 20-27. [10.1016/j.micpath.2014.03.003]

Impact of Candida albicans hyphal wall protein 1 (HWP1) genotype on biofilm production and fungal susceptibility to microglial cells

ORSI, Carlotta Francesca;COLOMBARI, Bruna;NEGLIA, Rachele Giovanna;QUAGLINO, Daniela;ARDIZZONI, Andrea;BLASI, Elisabetta
2014

Abstract

The hyphal wall protein 1 (HWP1) gene of Candida albicans encodes for a fungal cell wall protein, required for hyphal development and yeast adhesion to epithelial cells; yet, its role in pathogenesis remains largely unknown. In the present study, we analyzed two C. albicans laboratory strains, the DAY286 (HWP1/HWP1) and the null mutant FJS24 (hwp1/hwp1) and six clinical isolates [3 harbouring the homozygous HWP1 gene (HWP1/HWP1) and 3 the heterologous gene (HWP1/hwp1)]. Biofilm production, fungal HWP1 mRNA levels and ultrastructural morphology were investigated; also, the susceptibility of these strains to microglial cells was evaluated, in terms of fungal damage and immune cell-mediated secretory response. When comparing the two laboratory strains, biofilm was produced to a similar extent independently on the genetic background, while the susceptibility to microglial cell-mediated damage was higher in the hwp1/hwp1 mutant than in the HWP1/HWP1 counterpart. Also, transmission electron microscopy revealed differences between the two in terms of abundance in surface adhesin-like structures, fungal cell wall shape and intracellular granules. When comparing the clinical isolates grouped according to their HWP1 genotype, reduced biofilm production and increased susceptibility to microglial cell-mediated damage occurred in the HWP1/hwp1 isolates with respect to the HWP1/HWP1 counterparts; furthermore, upon exposure to microglial cells, the HWP1/HWP1 isolates, but not the HWP1/hwp1 counterpart, showed enhanced HWP1 mRNA levels. Finally, both laboratory and clinical isolates exhibited reduced ability to stimulate TNFα and nitric oxide production by microglial cells in the case of heterozygous or null mutant HWP1 genotype. Overall, these data indicate that C. albicans HWP1 genotype influences pathogen morphological structure as well as its interaction with microglial cells, while fungal biofilm production results unaffected, thus arguing on its role as virulence factor that directly affects host mediated defences.
2014
69-70
1
20
27
Impact of Candida albicans hyphal wall protein 1 (HWP1) genotype on biofilm production and fungal susceptibility to microglial cells / Orsi, Carlotta Francesca; Borghi, Elisa; Colombari, Bruna; Neglia, Rachele Giovanna; Quaglino, Daniela; Ardizzoni, Andrea; Morace, Giulia; Blasi, Elisabetta. - In: MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS. - ISSN 0882-4010. - STAMPA. - 69-70:1(2014), pp. 20-27. [10.1016/j.micpath.2014.03.003]
Orsi, Carlotta Francesca; Borghi, Elisa; Colombari, Bruna; Neglia, Rachele Giovanna; Quaglino, Daniela; Ardizzoni, Andrea; Morace, Giulia; Blasi, Elis...espandi
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
1-s2.0-S0882401014000369-main.pdf

Accesso riservato

Descrizione: articolo pdf
Tipologia: Versione pubblicata dall'editore
Dimensione 1.41 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.41 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
Pubblicazioni consigliate

Licenza Creative Commons
I metadati presenti in IRIS UNIMORE sono rilasciati con licenza Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal, mentre i file delle pubblicazioni sono rilasciati con licenza Attribuzione 4.0 Internazionale (CC BY 4.0), salvo diversa indicazione.
In caso di violazione di copyright, contattare Supporto Iris

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11380/1063138
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 28
  • Scopus 56
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 51
social impact