Glycosylation status of the C. albicans cell wall affects the efficiency of neutrophil phagocytosis and killing but not cytokine signaling.

ABSTRACT: The cell wall of the opportunistic human fungal pathogen, Candida albicans is a complex, layered network of rigid structural polysaccharides composed of β-glucans and chitin that is covered with a fibrillar matrix of highly glycosylated mannoproteins. Polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs, neutrophils) are the most prevalent circulating phagocytic leukocyte in peripheral blood and they are pivotal in the clearance of invading fungal cells from tissues. The importance of cell-wall mannans for the recognition and uptake of C. albicans by human PMNs was therefore investigated. N- and O-glycosylation-deficient mutants were attenuated in binding and phagocytosis by PMNs and this was associated with reduced killing of C. albicans yeast cells. No differences were found in the production of the respirator

SUBMITTER: Sheth CC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3119872 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature