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. 1995 May;63(5):1806–1809. doi: 10.1128/iai.63.5.1806-1809.1995

Differential susceptibility of yeast and hyphal forms of Candida albicans to macrophage-derived nitrogen-containing compounds.

E Blasi 1, L Pitzurra 1, M Puliti 1, A R Chimienti 1, R Mazzolla 1, R Barluzzi 1, F Bistoni 1
PMCID: PMC173228  PMID: 7729889

Abstract

Candida albicans is a dimorphic fungus capable of transition from the yeast form (Y-Candida) to the hyphal form (H-Candida). Both Y-Candida and H-Candida are known to be growth inhibited by murine macrophages (M phi) in vitro. In the present report, we demonstrate that M phi exposed to interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS) show enhanced anti-Y-Candida and anti-H-Candida activities. To further investigate the phenomenon, Y-Candida and H-Candida were assessed for susceptibilities to M phi-derived supernatants. Only the growth of H-Candida, and not that of Y-Candida, is impaired by cell-free supernatants from M phi treated with IFN-gamma plus LPS. In contrast, no H-Candida growth inhibition occurs when supernatants from M phi exposed to IFN-gamma plus LPS in the presence of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, are employed. Finally, supernatants from M phi incubated with sodium nitroprusside, an NO-generating agent, also show anti-H-Candida activity. In conclusion, these results indicate that H-Candida but not Y-Candida is susceptible to extracellular antifungal mechanisms employed by M phi, which likely involve stable nitrogen-containing compounds.

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Selected References

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