Candida albicans fibrinogen binding mannoprotein: expression in clinical strains and immunogenicity in patients with candidiasis

Authors

  • Pilar Sepúlveda Departamento de Microbiología y Ecología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
  • José L. López-Ribot Department of Medicine/Infectious Diseases, Health Sciences Center, University of Texas-San Antonio, USA
  • Amelia Murgui Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
  • Emilia Cantón Centro de Investigaciones de la Ciudad Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
  • David Navarro Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
  • José P. Martínez Departamento de Microbiología y Ecología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain

Keywords:

Candida albicans, clinical strains, cell wall, fibrinogen-binding mannoprotein, serologic response

Abstract

A 58 kDa cell wall-associated fibrinogen binding mannoprotein (mp58), previously characterized by our group in a Candida albicans laboratory strain (ATCC 26555), was found to be also present in the cell wall of clinical isolates of this fungus. Most strains examined appear to have functional mp58 species, as detected by their ability to bind fibrinogen. Western immunoblot analysis, with a monovalent polyclonal antibody generated against the mp58 species from strain ATCC 26555, revealed differences in recognition patterns depending on the strain tested and the culture conditions used. Serum samples from normal and Candida infected individuals were examined for the presence of antibodies against mp58 by Western immunoblotting. None of the sera from control individuals and patients suffering from superficial candidiasis contained antibodies against mp58. However, positive reactivity with this antigen and other cell wall constituents was detected for all sera from patients with confirmed systemic candidiasis. Together, these results suggest that mp58 could play an active role during infection and may be useful as a specific antigenic marker for candidiasis.

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Published

2010-03-17

Issue

Section

Research Articles