Open AccessDifferential Candida albicans lipase gene expression during alimentary tract colonization and infection
Author(s) -
Schofield David A.,
Westwater Caroline,
Warner Thomas,
Balish Edward
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1016/j.femsle.2005.02.015
Subject(s) - colonization , candida albicans , microbiology and biotechnology , alimentary tract , lipase , biology , gene , gene expression , triacylglycerol lipase , enzyme , genetics , medicine , biochemistry
The human pathogenic fungus Candida albicans , which can reside as a benign commensal of the gut, possesses a large family of lipase encoding genes whose extracellular activity may be important for colonization and subsequent infection. The expression of the C. albicans lipase gene family ( LIP 1–10) was investigated using a mouse model of mucosal candidiasis during alimentary tract colonization (cecum contents) and orogastric infection. LIPs 4–8 were expressed in nearly every sample prepared from the cecum contents and infected mucosal tissues (stomach, hard palate, esophagus and tongue) suggesting a maintenance function for these gene products. In contrast, LIPs 1, 3, and 9, which were detected consistently in infected gastric tissues, were essentially undetectable in infected oral tissues. In addition, LIP 2 was expressed consistently in cecum contents but was undetectable in infected oral tissues suggesting LIP 2 may be important for alimentary tract colonization, but not oral infection. The host responded to a C. albicans infection by significantly increasing expression of the chemokines MIP‐2 and KC at the site of infection. Therefore, differential LIP gene expression was observed during colonization, infection and at different infected mucosal sites.