Open AccessEffect of gliotoxin on human polymorphonuclear neutrophils
Author(s) -
Shah D.T.,
Jackman S.,
Engle J.,
Larsen B.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
infectious diseases in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.656
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 1098-0997
pISSN - 1064-7449
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-0997(1998)6:4<168::aid-idog6>3.0.co;2-z
Subject(s) - gliotoxin , granulocyte , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , biology , aspergillus fumigatus
Objectives Candida albicans is known to produce gliotoxin, which has several prominent biological effects, including immunosuppression. Interference with host defenses may arise from the effects of this toxin on leukocyte structure and function. Methods Flow cytometric analysis revealed that polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were more sensitive to gliotoxin than were mononuclear cells. Structural and various functional aspects of PMN exposed to gliotoxin were studied. Results Gliotoxin at (1 μg/mL) did not affect the viability but did diminish PMN chemotaxis and reduced their ability to ingest particles. Other functional aberrations included decreased nitroblue tetrazolium dye reduction, decreased superoxide production, and release of lactoferrin suggesting by degranulation. Gliotoxin also affected the ability of PMN to kill Escherichia coli.Conclusions This study suggests a previously unrecognized potential virulence factor of C. albicans that could contribute to persistence of yeast colonization or recurrence of symptomatic infection through diminished host resistance. Infect. Dis. Obstet. Gynecol. 6:168–175, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.