Enhancement of melanoma aggressiveness via p38-MAPK, HIF-1α pathways, and metabolic reprogramming induced by Candida albicans.

ABSTRACT: Recent studies have increasingly focused on the role of fungi, including Candida albicans, in carcinogenesis. Since C. albicans is a component of the human microbiota, particularly on the skin, we investigated its effect on the phenotype and signalling pathways of melanoma cells. Assays for migration, adhesion, angiogenesis, and hepatic metastasis showed that C. albicans promotes a more malignant phenotype in melanoma cells. At the transcriptomic level, C. albicans increased the expression of VEGF (Vegfa), and genes associated with MAPK and HIF-1 signalling pathways, and with aerobic glycolysis. Further in vitro analysis revealed that TLRs and EphA2 receptors are involved in the recognition of live C. albicans, stimulating VEGF secretion and expression of the AP-1 transcription factor comp

SUBMITTER: Aparicio-Fernandez L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12623988 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature