PUBLICATION

Candidalysin activates innate epithelial immune responses via epidermal growth factor receptor

Authors
Ho, J., Yang, X., Nikou, S.A., Kichik, N., Donkin, A., Ponde, N.O., Richardson, J.P., Gratacap, R.L., Archambault, L.S., Zwirner, C.P., Murciano, C., Henley-Smith, R., Thavaraj, S., Tynan, C.J., Gaffen, S.L., Hube, B., Wheeler, R.T., Moyes, D.L., Naglik, J.R.
ID
ZDB-PUB-190528-11
Date
2019
Source
Nature communications   10: 2297 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Wheeler, Robert
Keywords
none
MeSH Terms
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Humans
  • Candidiasis/immunology
  • Candidiasis/microbiology
  • Epithelial Cells/immunology
  • Epithelial Cells/metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells/microbiology
  • Pharyngitis/immunology
  • Pharyngitis/microbiology
  • Zebrafish
  • Fungal Proteins/genetics
  • Fungal Proteins/immunology*
  • Fungal Proteins/metabolism
  • Animals
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System/immunology
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions/immunology*
  • Female
  • Mucous Membrane/immunology
  • Mucous Membrane/microbiology
  • Air Sacs/microbiology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • ErbB Receptors/genetics
  • ErbB Receptors/immunology
  • ErbB Receptors/metabolism
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases/immunology
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases/metabolism
  • Mice
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Phosphorylation
  • Candida albicans/genetics
  • Candida albicans/immunology*
  • Candida albicans/metabolism
PubMed
31127085 Full text @ Nat. Commun.
Abstract
Candida albicans is a fungal pathobiont, able to cause epithelial cell damage and immune activation. These functions have been attributed to its secreted toxin, candidalysin, though the molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we identify epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as a critical component of candidalysin-triggered immune responses. We find that both C. albicans and candidalysin activate human epithelial EGFR receptors and candidalysin-deficient fungal mutants poorly induce EGFR phosphorylation during murine oropharyngeal candidiasis. Furthermore, inhibition of EGFR impairs candidalysin-triggered MAPK signalling and release of neutrophil activating chemokines in vitro, and diminishes neutrophil recruitment, causing significant mortality in an EGFR-inhibited zebrafish swimbladder model of infection. Investigation into the mechanism of EGFR activation revealed the requirement of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), EGFR ligands and calcium. We thus identify a PAMP-independent mechanism of immune stimulation and highlight candidalysin and EGFR signalling components as potential targets for prophylactic and therapeutic intervention of mucosal candidiasis.
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Human Disease / Model
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