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Estrogen promotes innate immune evasion of Candida albicans through inactivation of the alternative complement system.

ABSTRACT: Candida albicans is a commensal of the urogenital tract and the predominant cause of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Factors that increase circulatory estrogen levels such as pregnancy, the use of oral contraceptives, and hormone replacement therapy predispose women to VVC, but the reasons for this are largely unknown. Here, we investigate how adaptation of C. albicans to estrogen impacts the fungal host-pathogen interaction. Estrogen promotes fungal virulence by enabling C. albicans to avoid the actions of the innate immune system. Estrogen-induced innate immune evasion is mediated via inhibition of opsonophagocytosis through enhanced acquisition of the human complement regulatory protein, Factor H, on the fungal cell surface. Estrogen-induced accumulation of Factor H is dependent on the fungal cell surface protein Gpd2. The discovery of this hormone-sensing pathway might pave the way in explaining gender biases associated with fungal infections and may provide an alternative approach to improving women's health.

SUBMITTER: Kumwenda P

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8755443 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Estrogen promotes innate immune evasion of Candida albicans through inactivation of the alternative complement system.

Kumwenda Pizga P Cottier Fabien F Hendry Alexandra C AC Kneafsey Davey D Keevan Ben B Gallagher Hannah H Tsai Hung-Ji HJ Hall Rebecca A RA

Cell reports 20220101 1

Candida albicans is a commensal of the urogenital tract and the predominant cause of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Factors that increase circulatory estrogen levels such as pregnancy, the use of oral contraceptives, and hormone replacement therapy predispose women to VVC, but the reasons for this are largely unknown. Here, we investigate how adaptation of C. albicans to estrogen impacts the fungal host-pathogen interaction. Estrogen promotes fungal virulence by enabling C. albicans to avoid th ...[more]

PMID: 34986357

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Dataset Information

Estrogen promotes innate immune evasion of Candida albicans through inactivation of the alternative complement system.

Publications

Estrogen promotes innate immune evasion of Candida albicans through inactivation of the alternative complement system.

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