Effects of Candida albicans infection on defense effector secretion by human oral mucosal epithelial cells

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Candida albicans on the production of defense effector molecules by human oral mucosal epithelial cells in vitro.

Design: Immortalized human oral mucosal epithelial (Leuk-1) cells and C. albicans strain 5314 were cocultured at different cell-to-C. albicans ratios. The viability of Leuk-1 cells was determined by MTT and RTCA measurements. The secretory levels of multiple defense effector molecules were determined by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: Our results indicated that C. albicans significantly decreased the secretion of IgG, cystatin C, lactoferrin, and TGF-β1 in a dose-dependent manner and remarkably reduced the production of IgA independent of the cell-to-C. albicans ratio. However, C. albicans clearly enhanced the secretion of IgM, galectin-3, P-selectin, granzyme B and perforin.

Conclusion: These results suggest that C. albicans may exert a regulatory role in the defense response of oral mucosal epithelial cells by altering secretory levels of defense effector molecules.

Keywords: Candida albicans; Defense; Effector molecule; Oral mucosal epithelial cells; Secretion.