Open AccessEap1p, an Adhesin That Mediates Candida albicans Biofilm Formation In Vitro and In Vivo
Author(s) -
Fang Li,
Michael J. Svarovsky,
Amy J. Karlsson,
Joel P. Wagner,
Karen Marchillo,
Philip Oshel,
David R. Andes,
Sean P. Palecek
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
eukaryotic cell
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1535-9778
pISSN - 1535-9786
DOI - 10.1128/ec.00049-07
Subject(s) - biofilm , candida albicans , biology , in vivo , microbiology and biotechnology , bacterial adhesin , corpus albicans , in vitro , cell adhesion , adhesion , quorum sensing , fimbria , cell , virulence , chemistry , gene , bacteria , biochemistry , genetics , organic chemistry
Candida albicans is the leading cause of systemic fungal infections in immunocompromised humans. The ability to form biofilms on surfaces in the host or on implanted medical devices enhancesC. albicans virulence, leading to antimicrobial resistance and providing a reservoir for infection. Biofilm formation is a complex multicellular process consisting of cell adhesion, cell growth, morphogenic switching between yeast form and filamentous states, and quorum sensing. Here we describe the role of theC. albicans EAP1 gene, which encodes a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored, glucan-cross-linked cell wall protein, in adhesion and biofilm formation in vitro and in vivo. DeletingEAP1 reduced cell adhesion to polystyrene and epithelial cells in a gene dosage-dependent manner. Furthermore,EAP1 expression was required forC. albicans biofilm formation in an in vitro parallel plate flow chamber model and in an in vivo rat central venous catheter model.EAP1 expression was upregulated in biofilm-associated cells in vitro and in vivo. Our results illustrate an association between Eap1p-mediated adhesion and biofilm formation in vitro and in vivo.