Fungal Reactive Oxygen Species Secreted by Candida albicans Induce Barrier Disruption and Cell Death in HaCaT Keratinocytes.

ABSTRACT: Candida albicans is a pathogenic fungus that expresses a fungal NADPH oxidase known as C. albicans Cfl11, which produces reactive oxygen species (ROS). Secretion of these ROS triggers caspase 3-mediated cell death in hepatocytes, which was attenuated in a mutant with a disrupted CaCFL11 gene (designated Cacfl11Δ mutant). Here, we compared the effects of the C. albicans wild-type strain and the Cacfl11Δ mutant. Our findings revealed that C. albicans reduces the viability of HaCaT keratinocytes in a contact-independent manner. Furthermore, exposure to C. albicans increased intracellular ROS production and caspase 3 activity in HaCaT keratinocytes. These changes were attenuated when HaCaT keratinocytes were exposed to the Cacfl11Δ

SUBMITTER: Sze JLJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12842971 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature