Fig 4. Contribution of C. albicans invasins to internalization of the fungus by Caco-2 cells pre-treated or not with patulin 100μM.

Caco-2 cells pre-treated or not with patulin 100μM were infected with C. albicans for 2 h after which the number of Candida cells partially internalized in enterocytes was determined. The relative contribution of active penetration and endocytosis in the internalization of the fungus was evaluated using Cytochalasin D treatment and C. albicans mutants (hgc1Δ/Δ and als3Δ/Δ). Invasiveness corresponded to the percentage of hyphae partially internalized amongst adherent hyphae. Results show mean ± SD of at least three independent experiments counting 300 yeasts for each (*p < 0.05, Kruskal and Wallis’ test) (*** p < 0.001, Anova test). ND: not detected. A. (no CytD treatment) The invasiveness of C. albicans invasins mutants (hgc1Δ/Δ, als3Δ/Δ) by enterocytes pre-treated or not with patulin 100μM was compared to that measured in the wild-type strain SC-5314 (WT). B. (CytD treatment) The invasiveness was compared with that measured in the same conditions but in the absence of treatment with cytochalasin D.