Identification of superficial Candida albicans germ tube antigens in a rabbit model of disseminated candidiasis. A proteomic approach

The diagnosis of invasive candidiasis remains a clinical challenge. The detection by indirect immunofluorescence of Candida albicans germ-tube-specific antibodies (CAGTA), directed against germ-tube surface antigens, is a useful diagnostic tool that discriminates between colonization and invasion. H...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International microbiology 2014-03, Vol.17 (1), p.21-29
Main Authors: Sáez-Rosón, Aranzazu, Sevilla, María-Jesús, Moragues, María-Dolores
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Antigens, Fungal - chemistry
Antigens, Fungal - immunology
Candida albicans - chemistry
Candida albicans - growth & development
Candida albicans - immunology
Candidiasis - microbiology
Disease Models, Animal
Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional
Female
Fungal Proteins - chemistry
Fungal Proteins - immunology
Humans
Proteomics - methods
Rabbits
Spores, Fungal - chemistry
Spores, Fungal - growth & development
Spores, Fungal - immunology
Tandem Mass Spectrometry
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Summary:The diagnosis of invasive candidiasis remains a clinical challenge. The detection by indirect immunofluorescence of Candida albicans germ-tube-specific antibodies (CAGTA), directed against germ-tube surface antigens, is a useful diagnostic tool that discriminates between colonization and invasion. However, the standardization of this technique is complicated by its reliance on subjective interpretation. In this study, the antigenic recognition pattern of CAGTA throughout experimental invasive candidiasis in a rabbit animal model was determined by means of 2D-PAGE, Western blotting, and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Seven proteins detected by CAGTA were identified as methionine synthase, inositol-3-phosphate synthase, enolase 1, alcohol dehydrogenase 1,3-phosphoglycerate kinase, 14-3-3 (Bmhl), and Egd2. To our knowledge, this is the first report of antibodies reacting with Bmhl and Egd2 proteins in an animal model of invasive candidiasis. Although all of the antigens were recognized by CAGTA in cell-wall dithiothreitol extracts of both germ tubes and blastospores of C. albicans, immunoelectron microscopy study revealed their differential location, as the antigens were exposed on the germ-tube cell-wall surface but hidden in the inner layers of the blastospore cell wall. These findings will contribute to developing more sensitive diagnostic methods that enable the earlier detection of invasive candidiasis.
ISSN:1139-6709
DOI:10.2436/20.1501.01.204