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Mast Cells Kill Candida albicans in the Extracellular Environment but Spare Ingested Fungi from Death

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Abstract

Mast cells (MCs) reside in tissues that are common targets of Candida spp. infections, and can exert bactericidal activity, but little is known about their fungicidal activity. MCs purified from rat peritoneum (RPMC) and a clinical isolate of C. albicans, were employed. Ingestion was evaluated by flow cytometry (FACS) and optical microscopy. The killing activity was assayed by FACS analysis and by colony forming unit method. RPMC degranulation was evaluated by β-hexosaminidase assay and phosphatidylserine externalization by FACS. Phagocytosing RPMC were also analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Herein, we show that the killing of C. albicans by RPMC takes place in the extracellular environment, very likely through secreted granular components. Ultrastructural analysis of the ingestion process revealed an unusual RPMC–C. albicans interaction that could allow fungal survival. Our findings indicate that MCs have a positive role in the defense mechanism against Candida infections and should be included among the cell types involved in host-defense against this pathogen.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by grants from Marie Curie Early Stage Research Training Fellowship of the European Community's Sixth Framework Programme, under contract number 504926 and the University of Trieste. The Foundation Foreman Casali (Trieste, Italy) and Consorzio per lo Sviluppo Internazionale dell’Università degli Studi di Trieste (CSIUT) awarded a fellowship to Nevenka Medic. We would like to thank Dr. Alessandra Knowles for her assistance in revising the manuscript.

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  1. Nevenka Medic

    Present address: ICGEB International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Trieste, Padriciano-99, Trieste, 34149, Italy

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  1. Department of Life Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, via Valerio n° 28, 34127, Trieste, Italy

    Elisa Trevisan, Francesca Vita, Maria Rosa Soranzo, Giuliano Zabucchi & Violetta Borelli

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  1. Elisa Trevisan
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Correspondence to Violetta Borelli.

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Trevisan, E., Vita, F., Medic, N. et al. Mast Cells Kill Candida albicans in the Extracellular Environment but Spare Ingested Fungi from Death. Inflammation 37, 2174–2189 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10753-014-9951-9

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