• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.1031-1040
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• 2013

Candida albicans is a dimorphic fungus that commensally colonizes human mucosal surfaces. The aim of this study was to assess the role of different C. albicans morphologies in inducing pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and cytokines in macrophages. Macrophages may respond to pathogen-associated molecular patterns via TLR2 and TLR4 by expressing cytokines. The hyphal transition of C. albicans was induced by 20% serum (S), RPMI-1640 (R), or $39^{\circ}C$ culture (H). Macrophages were then challenged with either yeast (Y) or different hyphae cultures of C. albicans, followed by RT-PCR and FACS analysis of PRRs expression. In addition, macrophages were stimulated with either yeast or different hyphae cultures of C. albicans used by RT-PCR and Bio-Plex analysis of cytokines production. Macrophages expressed high levels of TLR4 and dectin-1 after stimulation with Y cells. In contrast, stimulation with H or R cells strongly increased the expression of TLR2 and dectin-2. Stimulation with Y cells significantly enhanced the expression of IL-$1{\beta}$ and weakly increased the expression of IL-6 and IL-12. Stimulation with hyphal cells (S, R, and H) strongly increased IL-10 expression, but weakly reduced IL-$1{\beta}$ expression. The phagocytosis activity and NO production of macrophages were decreased upon treatment with hyphal cells compared with yeast, and depended on the length of hyphae. In summary, the yeast and hyphae forms of C. albicans resulted in an induction of different PRRs, with accompanying differences in immune cell cytokine profiles.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.443-449
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• 2016

In the present study, whether squalene treatment relives inflammatory reactions induced by Candida albicans was checked. The experiment was conducted in vivo using seven experimental animals (ICR mice) per experimental group. Among C. albicans-induced inflammatory factors, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, and NO were observed using the ELISA kits method. Through the experiment, the following conclusions were obtained. 1. In the group infected with C. albicans, it could be identified that squalene treatment was inducing NO generation in renal tissues both on the 1st and 3rd days (p < 0.05). 2. In the group pre-treated(intraperitoneal administration) with SQ (80ml/kg) once per day for seven days and infected with C. albicans, it could be identified that squalene treatment was inducing TNF-${\alpha}$ generation in renal tissues only on the 3rd day(p < 0.05). 3. In the group pre-treated(intraperitoneal administration) with SQ (80ml/kg) once per day for seven days and infected with C. albicans, it could be identified that squalene treatment was inducing IL-6 generation in renal tissues only on the 3rd day(p < 0.05). In conclusion, it could be seen that for squalene to suppress C. albicans-induced inflammatory factors, preemptively supplying SQ should be effective. Therefore, effects for recovery from C. albicans-induced immunodepression can be expected from SQ treatment.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.215-225
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to figure out how the characteristics of soft contact lens materials and pigmentation affect the adherence of C. albicans on soft contact lenses pre-deposited with tear constituents. Methods: The adherent number of C. albicans on clear soft contact lenses (hereinafter clear lenses) and circle soft contact lenses (hereinafter circle lenses) made of etafilcon A, hilaiflcon B and nelfilcon A, respectively, was measured before and after the deposition of artificial tear. Also, bacteria adherence on lenses were observed by a scanning electron microscope. Results: Adherence of C. albicans was significantly different according to lens materials. The amount of adsorption was not different between clear lenses and circle lenses made of etafilcon A however, the number of bacteria absorption was bigger in hilafilcon B and nelfilcon A lenses. More absorption of C. albicans was found in the non-pigmented central area compared the pigmented area, and non-pigmented peripheral area has more bacterial absorption than non-pigmented central area. The number of C. albicans decreased in the case that tear protein was pre-deposited. The maintenance of antibacterial activity against C. albicans was different according to lens materials thus, etafilcon A has the longest period of its maintenance. Conclusions: It was revealed that the number of C. albicans was different according to the characteristics of lens materials, pigmentation or non-pigmentation, the pigmented area of soft contact lenses. Thus, it is suggested that the management method should be different according to the adsorption characteristics of C. albicans.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2000

Despite extensive investigation, the mechanisms of immune responses to Candida albicans infection remain poorly understood. Using RT-PCR and Northern blot analysis, this study demonstrates the pattern of IL-6 mRNA expression in thioglycollate-elicited mouse peritoneal macrophages and NIH3T3 fibroblasts (NIH3T3) in response to C. albicans. The expression of IL-6 mRNA was detectable in both cell types. However, IL-10 mRNA was only expressed in the macrophages, and IL-4 mRNA was not expressed in neither of the two cell types. Although the phagocytic function of the macrophages was inhibited by Cytochalasin D, these macrophages could still induce the expression of IL-6mRNA. These findings indicated that the phagocytosis of C. albicans is not pivotal in the induction of IL-6 mRNA expression. A Northern blot analysis was used to investigate the dose effects of C. albicans and time-course kinetics of IL-6 mRNA expression at various time points. IL-6 mRNA was expressed in a dose-independent manner, and was detectable as early as 30min after C. albicans stimulation. It was evenly sustained up to 4h. These results can contribute to understanding the mechanism of IL-6 mRNA expression in macrophages and NIH3T3 cells in response to C, albicans.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.407-415
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• 1986

This study investigated whether a correlation exists between environmental physical and biochemical factors and adherence of Candida albicans to human buccal epithelial cells by using normal and UV-irradiated strains. The results were as follows: 1. The percentage of germ tube forming activities of normal Candida albicans was 91.5% and UV-irradiated Candida albicans was 15.0%. The $LD_{50}$ of normal strains in mice were $1.0{\times}10\;cells/ml$, but could not be observed in the UV-irradiated strains even with $1.0{\times}10\;cells/ml$. It demonstrated that the virulence is decreased in the UV-irradiated strain. 2. The adherence of normal Candida albicans to human buccal epithelial cells($166{\pm}29{\sim}207{\pm}17\;cells$/100 epithelial cells) was significantly greater than UV-irradiated Candida albicans($99{\pm}21{\sim}131{\pm}25\;cells$/100 epithelial cells). 3. Candida albicans cultured at $37^{\circ}C$ adhered to buccal epithelial cells($166{\pm}16{\sim}207{\pm}17\;cells$/100 epithelial cells) in greater numbers than cultured at $25^{\circ}C$($80{\pm}15{\sim}143{\pm}22\;cells$/100 epithelial cells). 4. On comparison of the adherence of viable and nonviable(heat-killed) Candida albicans to human buccal epithelial cells, the nonviable Candida albicans demonstrated poorer adherence than viable Candida albicans. 5. Adherence in vitro of Candida albicans to human epithelial cells appeared to be effected by the pH. The adherence ability was maximum increased at pH 7.0($187{\pm}22\;cells$/100 epithelial cells) other than experimental pH. 6. The adherence was proportional to the incubation time and the Candida cell concentration in the suspension. 7. A strong correlation was shown between germ tube forming activity and increased adherence of Candida albicans to human epithelial cells, indicating that germ tube forming activity were responsible for candidal virulence.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.139-147
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• 1982

A total of 133 isolates of yeast-like fungi was tested for sensitivity to seven different antifungal agents. The yeast-like fungi tested were isolated from the milk from normal or mastitic bovine quaters or from bovine feces. They were 5 Candida albicans (C. albicans) isolates, 63 C. krusei, 27 C. tropicalis, 5 C. parapsilosis, 10 Torulopsis glabrata, 6 Rhodotorula sp., 6 Hansenula sp. and 1 Pichia sp. isolate. The antifungal agents tested were nystatin, griseofulvin, cycloheximide, 5-fluorocytosine, miconazol, clotrimazole and tolnaftate. In general, clotrimazole, miconazol and 5-fluorocytosine were more effective in antifungal activity in vitro against the test organisms than the rest of the agents tested. However, some of the isolates showed higher resistance to certain antifungal agents compared to the other isolates of the some species. They were: 1 C. albicans isolate to 5-fluorocytosine; 1 C. albicans to 5-fluorocytosine, miconazol and clotrimazole; 1 C. krusei to 5-fluorocytosine and cycloheximide; and 11 C. tropicalis isolates to cycloheximide. The minimum inhibitory concentrations(MIC) of clotrimazole were $12.5{\mu}g/ml$ or lower for all isolates tested except one C. albicans isolate, for which MIC of the drug was $100{\mu}g/ml$. On the other hand, the MIC's of cycloheximide were $6.5{\mu}g/ml$ or lower for all isolates except the following; all isolates of C. albicans ($100{\mu}g/ml$), C. pseudotropicalis ($200{\mu}g/ml$) and Rhodotorula sp. ($25-50{\mu}g/ml$), 11 C. tropicalis isolates ($100{\mu}g/ml$) and 1 C. krusei isolate ($200{\mu}g/ml$).

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.1324-1329
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• 2007

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) is a naturally occurring, multi-biofunctional chemical existing in grapes and various other plants as a polyphenol type, and it is one of the best known natural anticancer and antiatherosclerosis reagents. In this study, we investigated the antifungal action by resveratrol in Candida albicans, which is a human infectious fungi as an agent of candidiasis. Resveratrol displayed potent fungicidal activity in an energy-dependent manner, without any hemolytic effects against human erythrocytes. It was found that the serum-induced mycelial forms, which playa crucial role in the pathogenesis of C. albicans during host tissue invasion, were disrupted by resveratrol. To understand the correlation between lethal effects and resveratrol action, we examined the physiological changes of C. albicans. A significant accumulation of intracellular trehalose was induced by stress responses to resveratrol action, and a remarkable arrest of cell-cycle processes at the S-phase in C. albicans occured. Therefore, the fungicidal effects of resveratrol demonstrate that this compound is a potential candidate as an antifungal agent in treating infectious diseases by candidal infections.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.476-481
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• 2007

A polymorphic fungus, Candida albicans, causes various forms of infections such as disseminated candidiasis and vaginitis. Recent reports indicate that the fungus is a main etiological agent for the arthritis. In search of new sources for treatment of the fungal arthritis, we examined $18{\beta}$-glycyrrhetinic acid ($18{\beta}$-GA) against C. albicans-caused septic arthritis. The compound is isolated from Glycyrrhizae Radix that is known to have various immunomodulating activities and is one of the most popular herbal medicines. For induction of animal model of a septic arthritis, mice were given an emulsion form of C. albicans cell wall mixed with Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) via footpad-injection. To determine prophylactic and therapeutic effects, the component was given to the animals before or after the induction of the arthritis, respectively. Data showed that intraperitoneal administration of $18{\beta}$-GA resulted in reduction of the inflammation, indicating the component had both prophylactic and therapeutic activities. For investigation of mechanism of the $18{\beta}$-GA, inhibitory effects on NO (nitiric oxide) and on T-lymphocyte proliferation were determined. Results demonstrated that $18{\beta}$-GA suppressed NO production from LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-treated macrophages and also inhibited proliferation of Con A (concanavalin A)activated T-cells. Taken together, $18{\beta}$-GA, a pentacyclic triterpene, has anti-arthritic activity against C. albicans-caused septic arthritis, possibly by blocking NO production and T-cell suppression.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.5644-5651
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• 2014

Propolis is an extremely safe natural antimicrobial substance that has been reported to have powerful antibacterial efficacy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effects of propolis against Candida albicans (C. albicans). Propolis was collected from the honey bee Apis mellifera. The strain of C. albicans was cultivated overnight in liquid media incubated at $37^{\circ}C$. The antimicrobial activity was investigated using phosphate buffered saline (PBS), 3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 0.1% chorhexidine (CHX), and propolis extracts ($5{\mu}l/ml$, $10{\mu}l/ml$). C. albicans were sensitive to 3% NaOCl, 0.1% CHX, and propolis ($5{\mu}l/ml$, $10{\mu}l/ml$) with zones of inhibition of 15, 14.5, 16, and 17 mm, respectively. The CFU of PBS, 3% NaOCl, 0.1% CHX, $5{\mu}l/ml$ and $10{\mu}l/ml$ of propolis led a 1, 7, 7, 5 and 7-log reduction. Among the groups tested, C. albicans was most sensitive to $10{\mu}l/ml$ of propolis, which showed the largest inhibition zones. Therefore, propolis can be a new antimicrobial therapy for oral mucosa disease in traditional medicine.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.1503-1508
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• 2005

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Squalene, Alkoxy Glycerol, Batyl and Chimyl solutions on the production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- $\alpha$ ) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells after treatment of C.albicans. The cytotoxic effects was evaluated by the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). All solutions did not affect on the LDH and NO production by itself. At 6th hour, the TNF- $\alpha$ and IL-6 production was not affected by each solutions. However, at 24th hour, the TNF- $\alpha$ and IL-6 production was affected by itself (p < 0.05). Each solution in the presence of C. albicans decreased the C. albicans-induced TNF- $\alpha$ and IL-6 production compared with C. albicans only (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). These results suggest that Squalene, Alkoxy Glycerol, Batyl and Chimyl solutions will increase the immune response on the C. albicans-induced damage.