Candida albicans Quorum Sensing Molecules Stimulate Mouse Macrophage Migration

Authors

Jessica C. Hargarten, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Tyler C. Moore, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Thomas M. Petro, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Kenneth W. Nickerson, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Audrey L. Atkin, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2015

Document Type

Article

Citation

Hargarten JC, Moore TC, Petro TM, Nickerson KW, Atkin AL. 2015. Candida albicans quorum sensing molecules stimulate mouse macrophage migration. Infect Immun 83:3857–3864. doi:10.1128/IAI.00886-15.

Comments

Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. Used by permission.

Abstract

The polymorphic commensal fungus Candida albicans causes life-threatening disease via bloodstream and intra-abdominal infections in immunocompromised and transplant patients. Although host immune evasion is a common strategy used by successful human fungal pathogens, C. albicans provokes recognition by host immune cells less capable of destroying it. To accomplish this, C. albicans white cells secrete a low-molecular-weight chemoattractive stimulant(s) of macrophages, a phagocyte that they are able to survive within and eventually escape from. C. albicans opaque cells do not secrete this chemoattractive stimulant( s). We report here a physiological mechanism that contributes to the differences in the interaction of C. albicans white and opaque cells with macrophages. E,E-Farnesol, which is secreted by white cells only, is a potent stimulator of macrophage chemokinesis, whose activity is enhanced by yeast cell wall components and aromatic alcohols. E,E-farnesol results in up to an 8.5-fold increase in macrophage migration in vitro and promotes a 3-fold increase in the peritoneal infiltration of macrophages in vivo. Therefore, modulation of farnesol secretion to stimulate host immune recognition by macrophages may help explain why this commensal is such a successful pathogen.