Gamma interferon protects endothelial cells from damage by Candida albicans by inhibiting endothelial cell phagocytosis

Rutilio A. Fratti, Mahmoud A. Ghannoum, John E. Edwards, Scott G. Filler

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Once Candida albicans comes in contact with endothelial cells, it induces cellular injury. This endothelial cell injury may be a mechanism by which blood-borne organisms escape from the intravascular compartment and invade the tissue parenchyma during hematogenous infection. We have been investigating the ability of cytokines to modulate endothelial cell injury caused by C. albicans. Previously we reported that pretreatment of endothelial cells with gamma interferon (IFN-γ) protects these cells from candidal injury in vitro. In the current study, we examined potential mechanisms of the cytoprotective effects of IFN-γ. Time course experiments demonstrated that maximal reduction in candidal injury of endothelial cells occurred after the endothelial cells had been exposed to IFN-γ for at least 72 h. In other studies, we determined that IFN-γ reduced endothelial cell phagocytosis of C. albicans by 41.3% compared with that of untreated endothelial cells (P < 0.01). Since endothelial cell phagocytosis of C. albicans is required for damage to occur, inhibition of phagocytosis is likely a mechanism by which IFN-γ protects endothelial cells from candidal injury. We also found that the cytoprotective effect of IFN-γ is not mediated by reducing access of the organisms to intracellular endothelial cell iron or by upregulating the synthesis of reactive oxygen intermediates (which could potentially reduce the ability of C. albicans to injure endothelial cells). Thus, inhibiting endothelial cell phagocytosis of C. albicans may be a mechanism by which IFN-γ augments the host defense against hematogenously disseminated candidal infections.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4714-4718
Number of pages5
JournalInfection and immunity
Volume64
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - 1996
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Gamma interferon protects endothelial cells from damage by Candida albicans by inhibiting endothelial cell phagocytosis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this