Candida albicans and candidalysin in inflammatory disorders and cancer

Summary

As our understanding of mycology progresses, the impact of fungal microbes on human health has become increasingly evident. Candida albicans is a common commensal fungus that gives rise to local and systemic infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients where it can result in mortality. However, C. albicans has also been quietly linked with a variety of inflammatory disorders, to which it has traditionally been considered incidental; recent studies may now provide new aspects of these relationships for further consideration. This review provides a novel perspective on the impact of C. albicans and its peptide toxin, candidalysin, on human health, exploring their contributions to pathology within a variety of diseases.

Candida albicans infections have been linked with a variety of inflammatory diseases. The ability for C. albicans to potentiate pathology in these instances is explored in this review.

Abbreviations

AD

atopic dermatitis

AMPs

antimicrobial peptides

CNS

central nervous system

ECM

extracellular matrix

EGFR

epidermal growth factor receptor

EMT

epithelial–mesenchymal transition

IBD

inflammatory bowel disease

IL‐17

Interleukin

MMPs

matrix metalloproteinases

MS

multiple sclerosis

SAFS

severe asthma with fungal sensitization

VVC

vulvovaginal candidiasis

Introduction

Candida albicans is a prevalent fungus that comprises part of the healthy human microbiota. Within such microbial communities, C. albicans often exists as a harmless commensal yeast in low‐to‐moderate numbers, likely kept in check by competing microbes and host immunity. Its ability to shift from commensal to infectious pathogen is of particular interest to the clinical understanding of Candida infections and remains incompletely understood. Current evidence suggests that pathogenic switching is primarily a consequence of immune compromise brought about by a variety of factors including microbial environment, ¹ immune‐suppressive drug treatment and pre‐existing infection or disease. ² , ³ , ⁴ Indeed, immunocompromised patients are particularly susceptible and exhibit mucosal candidiasis of enhanced severity and frequency, with potential to progress to systemic candidaemia. This represents a significant clinical burden, with ~ 2 000 000 infections in HIV + patients and 700 000 total systemic infections recorded in 2017. ⁵

In addition to conditions that occur as a result of persistent or severe Candida infection, such as oral and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) or systemic candidaemia, an increasing number of seemingly unrelated diseases have also been reported to show association with Candida infection. Elevated incidence of candidiasis has been linked with periodontitis, ⁶ , ⁷ , ⁸ , ⁹ inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ¹⁰ , ¹¹ and skin ¹² , ¹³ , ¹⁴ and respiratory disorders, ¹⁵ , ¹⁶ , ¹⁷ , ¹⁸ among others; however, the causal relationship in such circumstances remains unclear. Whilst weakened immunity occurring as a result of disease may certainly favour growth of opportunistic fungi, a role for C. albicans in perpetuating ongoing disease and promoting acute or chronic pathology may also warrant consideration, particularly in the context of its secreted toxin, candidalysin.

Candidalysin is a recently described cytolytic peptide exclusively secreted by pathogenic hyphal forms of C. albicans. ¹⁹ Interestingly, candidalysin plays an important role in triggering innate antifungal immunity during infection, ²⁰ , ²¹ which is largely governed by neutrophil and interleukin (IL)‐17 responses. ²² , ²³ , ²⁴ , ²⁵ This review will examine the variety of diseases associated with C. albicans infections and assess the role of this fungus and its toxin, candidalysin, in disease development and associated pathology.

IL‐17‐mediated disorders

The IL‐17 signalling pathway possesses critical roles in immune regulation, and aberrant function results in a range of diseases that share a common feature of chronic inflammatory‐induced pathology. This is best defined by IL‐17A, the most studied IL‐17 family member, which has been shown to contribute to dermatitis, ²⁶ , ²⁷ psoriasis, ²⁸ IBD, ²⁹ , ³⁰ arthritis, ³¹ multiple sclerosis (MS), ³² periodontal disease ⁶ , ⁷ and systemic lupus erythematosus, ³³ among other inflammatory diseases. Though much is still unknown about the mechanisms of IL‐17‐mediated pathology, its potent induction of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), proinflammatory cytokines and downstream neutrophil recruitment ³⁴ , ³⁵ , ³⁶ , ³⁷ is thought to contribute. Of particular interest is the central role of IL‐17A in orchestration of antifungal defences. IL‐17A and associated effector molecules and cells are potently induced in response to C. albicans infection, ³⁸ , ³⁹ , ⁴⁰ , ⁴¹ with candidalysin accounting for robust induction of early and innate ‘natural’ Th17 cell‐derived IL‐17A. ²⁰

Notably, elevated incidence or sensitization to C. albicans is often observed in a specific group of IL‐17‐mediated pathologies localized at mucosal and epithelial surfaces. These include periodontitis, ⁶ , ⁷ , ⁸ , ⁹ atopic dermatitis (AD), ¹⁴ , ⁴² psoriasis, ⁴³ , ⁴⁴ IBD, ¹⁰ , ¹¹ mycotic keratitis ⁴⁵ and severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS). ¹⁷ , ¹⁸ Moreover, evidence of improved disease outcomes following antifungal measures has been observed and suggests a role for C. albicans in contributing to disease pathology. Examples include tamoxifen‐induced C. albicans inhibition to reduce severity of periodontitis in women, ⁴⁶ as well as fluconazole treatment ⁴⁷ or faecal microbiota transplantation (inhibiting C. albicans burdens) ⁴⁸ to rescue ulcerative colitis symptoms in mice. There are also limited reports of improved C. albicans‐related respiratory diseases following fluconazole administration ¹⁵ , ⁴⁹ (though Aspergillus species have been better studied in airways disease ⁵⁰ , ⁵¹ ). It is likely that other examples could be found by investing more research into C. albicans in this context.

Furthermore, candidalysin can directly induce IL‐1β, ²¹ , ⁵² IL‐36 ⁵³ , ⁵⁴ and the NLRP3 inflammasome, ⁵⁵ , ⁵⁶ central proinflammatory components known to significantly contribute to IL‐17‐mediated diseases. ⁵⁷ , ⁵⁸ , ⁵⁹ , ⁶⁰ , ⁶¹ Together, these studies suggest a role and potential mechanisms for C. albicans in contributing to the elevated immune response and pathology observed in IL‐17‐mediated inflammatory diseases. However, the relationships are complex. Therapeutic blockade of IL‐17, whilst beneficial in MS, ⁶² arthritis ⁶³ and psoriasis, ⁶⁴ does not improve AD ⁶⁸ and was shown to result in exacerbation of existing ⁶⁵ , ⁶⁶ and even de novo ⁶⁷ IBD pathology, as well as increased incidence of Candida infections. ²⁹ Greater understanding is thus required to fully delineate the complex mechanisms underlying IL‐17‐mediated diseases and how Candida or indeed other fungal species may impact pathology.

A significant component of successful IL‐17‐mediated antifungal response is potent neutrophil recruitment and activation, ³⁹ , ⁶⁹ which, at an early stage in infection, can be triggered by the presence of candidalysin. ²⁰ Interestingly, whilst a robust neutrophil response functions to resolve oral ²¹ , ²² and central nervous system (CNS) ²⁵ C. albicans infections, neutrophils are found to drive pathology of VVC, ⁵² , ⁷⁰ Candida keratitis (CaK), ⁷¹ systemic candidaemia ⁷² and C. albicans‐associated cystic fibrosis, with the latter arising from neutrophil‐induced degradation of chitinase, suppressing host ability to protect against chitin containing C. albicans. ⁷³ These studies suggest a delicate balance and complexity of antifungal neutrophil responses, which are likely dependent on multiple components. Continued research may determine the underlying factors leading to pathology in this context.

Barrier integrity and disease

Another component often compromised in disease and particularly in infection is the epithelium. Its integrity and function as a selectively permeable barrier are dependent on cohesive contacts between neighbouring epithelial cells. This is largely provided by E‐cadherin, a transmembrane glycoprotein that forms binding pairs with that of neighbouring cells, which, clustering together at adherens junctions, are supported by the cytoskeleton to form a tight belt across the epithelium that fastens cells together. ⁷⁴ In addition to structural defences, a healthy epithelium provides front‐line induction of innate immune responses through release of alarmins, AMPs and immune cell chemokines, all of which are additionally compromised upon loss of barrier integrity. Notably, periodontal, ⁷⁵ , ⁷⁶ , ⁷⁷ gut ⁷⁸ , ⁷⁹ , ⁸⁰ and skin ⁸¹ , ⁸² , ⁸³ disorders are commonly associated with the loss of E‐cadherin, resulting in enhanced barrier permeability and inflammatory pathology, with restoration of E‐cadherin showing improvement in disease outcomes. ⁸⁴

Candida albicans infection has also been shown to diminish E‐cadherin expression in both in vivo and in vitro infection models, ⁸⁵ , ⁸⁶ , ⁸⁷ with candidalysin highlighted as a direct contributor to epithelial damage, loss of barrier integrity and subsequent translocation of C. albicans across the intestinal epithelia. ⁸⁸ As the gut is considered the main site of C. albicans entry into the bloodstream, ⁸⁹ where it may lead to systemic candidaemia and mortality, the pathological impact of Candida and candidalysin at this organ appears highly significant. The ability of C. albicans to diminish E‐cadherin expression and other cell adhesion proteins such as occludin and desmoglein‐2, ⁹⁰ and diminish barrier integrity, may be of particular interest in the context of IBD, oral and skin disorders.

Recently, alcoholic hepatitis was found to be another potential example of the pathological impact of C. albicans in breaching gut barriers. ⁹¹ , ⁹² The gut–liver axis describes the relationship and role of the gut microbiome in shaping healthy liver metabolism. This connection is supported by the close anatomical proximity between the gut and liver, as well as a specialized portal circulation, which permits enhanced permeability and interaction between gut‐derived substances and liver‐resident cells. Gut‐derived bacterial components and endotoxins in particular have long been implicated in driving alcoholic liver disease. ⁹³ , ⁹⁴ Recent studies now show a similarly significant role for C. albicans. Upon infection, ligation of C. albicans β‐glucans to host dectin‐1 receptors on liver‐resident macrophages (kupffer cells), results in inflammatory IL‐1β release and enhanced ethanol‐induced liver disease in mice. ⁹¹ A second, non‐dectin‐1‐mediated but candidalysin‐induced mechanism also drives elevated hepatic damage, steatosis and mortality in ethanol‐fed C. albicans‐infected mice. ⁹² The authors additionally observe that alcoholic hepatitis patients carry elevated levels of the candidalysin‐encoding gene, ECE1, when compared to healthy controls. These data identify two distinct C. albicans mechanisms, each independently promoting alcoholic hepatitis and highlights this pathogen as a new and considerable factor for the development of alcoholic liver disease.

Dysregulated growth signalling

The ability of C. albicans to activate the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) may also contribute to C. albicans‐associated comorbidities. The EGFR is a transmembrane protein with a broad range of functions controlling various cell proliferative and maintenance roles, in addition to immune induction. It is often found highly dysregulated, via overexpression or constitutive activation, in a select group of cancers including head and neck, breast, lung, colon and vulvovaginal cancers. ⁹⁵ Interestingly, the majority of these EGFR‐associated cancers are located at sites where C. albicans commonly infects, with reports providing contrasting evidence both for and against elevated incidences of candidiasis in these patients. Whilst immune suppression resulting from anticancer therapy may indeed play a role, a long‐standing debate on the ability of C. albicans to potentiate oncogenic disease exists, primarily in oral cancer. Recent studies may now provide additional aspects for consideration. ⁹⁶

C. albicans infection potently activates the EGFR. Upon cell adhesion, EGFR is bound and activated by the fungal cell wall protein Als3p, which initiates endocytosis of the fungus, providing an entry mechanism into host cells. ⁹⁷ Additionally, candidalysin can indirectly activate EGFR through a complex mechanism involving matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and EGFR ligands, resulting in downstream immune activation. ²¹ Notably, MMPs ⁹⁸ and EGFR ligands ⁹⁵ are each independently implicated in a number of cancers. Other observations suggesting contribution to cancer development include the ability for C. albicans to activate epithelial MAPK ⁹⁹ and ERK signalling pathways, which are associated with growth and proliferation; loss of E‐cadherin and occludin, ⁹⁰ observed in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT); activation of angiogenesis ¹⁰⁰ and pro‐angiogenic factors; ¹⁰¹ , ¹⁰² and the ability of Candida to enhance production of known carcinogenic molecules such as nitrosamines ¹⁰³ , ¹⁰⁴ and acetaldehyde. ¹⁰⁵ , ¹⁰⁶ However, clinical and in vivo evidence substantiating a direct causal or potentiating role for C. albicans in cancer is particularly limited. As such, the association here remains ambiguous.

Activation of MMPs is also observed in oral disease, ¹⁰⁷ resulting in breakdown of gingival and periodontal ligament collagens, tissue remodelling, inflammation and uncontrolled extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover, also associated with cancer. ¹⁰⁸ , ¹⁰⁹ Investigation into potential links with C. albicans would be of great interest given the known associations of this fungus with oral disease, its ability to signal through ²¹ and induce MMPs, ¹¹⁰ and MMP activation being a demonstrated mechanism for disease utilized by other oral pathogens. ¹¹¹ , ¹¹²

Conclusions

As we increase our understanding of C. albicans induced pathophysiology, the potential for infection to contribute to several comorbidities becomes increasingly apparent. Its natural distribution throughout the body and ability to activate events highly linked with disease may be of significant consequence. Induction of IL‐17‐mediated signalling, breach of epithelial barriers and activation of cancer‐associated factors provide the most convincing examples of its ability to contribute to disease (summarized in Fig. 1), though greater understanding is required to fully delineate its role in these instances, as well as others, yet unknown. Further research into the association of C. albicans with these diseases shall undoubtedly shed light on new mechanisms of disease development, which may shift perceptions of this under‐investigated microbe and its influence on human health.

Figure 1.

Candida albicans potential contribution to disease. Potential C. albicans mechanisms of contributing to disease include potent induction of IL‐17 signalling, breach of gut epithelial barriers and activation of multiple cancer‐associated factors.

Disclosures

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data availability statement

Not applicable. No data were generated in the making of this article.