Effects of interferon-γ and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on antifungal activity of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils against Candida albicans grown as biofilms or planktonic cells

Cytokine. 2011 Sep;55(3):330-4. doi: 10.1016/j.cyto.2011.05.007.

Authors

Alphaspasia Katragkou¹, Maria Simitsopoulou, Athanasios Chatzimoschou, Elpiniki Georgiadou, Thomas J Walsh, Emmanuel Roilides

Affiliation

¹ Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, 3rd Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Hippokration Hospital, 546 42 Thessaloniki, Greece.

PMID: 21641233
DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2011.05.007

Abstract

Candida albicans is a leading cause of biofilm-related infections. As Candida biofilms are recalcitrant to host defenses, we sought to determine the effects of interferon-γ and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, two pro-inflammatory cytokines, on the antifungal activities of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) against C. albicans biofilms, using an in vitro biofilm model. Priming of PMNs by these cytokines augmented fungal damage of planktonic cells; however, priming of PMNs did not have the same effect against Candida biofilms. Biofilm phenotype appears to play an important role in protecting C. albicans from the innate immune system.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Antifungal Agents / immunology
Antifungal Agents / metabolism
Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
Biofilms*
Candida albicans / physiology*
Candidiasis / immunology
Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / immunology
Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / metabolism
Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / pharmacology*
Humans
Immunity, Innate
Interferon-gamma / immunology
Interferon-gamma / metabolism
Interferon-gamma / pharmacology*
Neutrophils / drug effects*
Neutrophils / immunology
Neutrophils / metabolism
Plankton / growth & development
Plankton / microbiology*

Substances

Antifungal Agents
Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
Interferon-gamma