Figure 7.

The expression of CgHAA1 increases C. glabrata adhesion and colonization of reconstituted human vaginal epithelium. Wild-type KUE100 and KUE100_ΔCghaa1 cells were cultivated in RPMI growth medium (at pH 4), either or not supplemented with 30 mM acetic acid, in the presence of reconstituted human vaginal epithelium. After 24 hr of incubation in the presence of the tissue, yeast cells were stained using a specific PNA FISH. Scale bars correspond to 20 µm. Quantification of the number of yeast cells of the two strains that were able to colonize the tissue was performed based on quantification of C. glabrata genomic DNA. Viability of wild-type or ΔCghaa1 plakntonic cells during cultivation in the RPMI growth medium under the experimental conditions used is shown. Statistical significance of the data shown was assessed using ANOVA and taking into account the different replicas performed. ** p < 0.01. MM, minimal medium; PNA FISH, Peptide nucleic acid probe fluorescence in situ hybridization; RHVE, reconstituted human vaginal epithelium; RPMI, Roswell Park Memorial Institute; wt, wild-type.