Mechanisms of Attachment of Neutrophils to Candida albicans Pseudohyphae in the Absence of Serum, and of Subsequent Damage to Pseudohyphae by Microbicidal Processes of Neutrophils In Vitro

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Abstract

Mechanisms were studied that might explain the attachment and damage to Candida albicans pseudohyphae by neutrophils in the absence of serum. Attachment of neutrophils to pseudo hyphae was inhibited by Candida mannans (1-10 mg/ml), but not by mannose, dextran, chitin, conconavalin A, or highly charged polyamino acids. Contact was also inhibited by pretreatment of Candida before incubation with neutrophils with chymotrypsin, but not trypsin or several inhibitors of proteases. Similar results were obtained with pretreatment of neutrophils, except that trypsin was inhibitory. When pseudohyphae were killed with ultraviolet light, proteinpolysaccharide complexes of mol wt <10,000 were released which appeared to bind to the surfaces of neutrophils and inhibit contact between neutrophils and Candida, as well as other fungi.

Authors

Richard D. Diamond, Raymond Krzesicki