The fungal pathogen Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes oral and vaginal mucosal infections as well as systemic disease. The ability of C. albicans to adhere to host surfaces is positively correlated with its pathogenicity. We prepared a polyclonal anti-Candida albicans antibody in chicken egg yolk (anti-C. albicans IgY) and investigated its in vitro effectiveness in preventing C. albicans adherence and biofilm formation. Anti-C. albicans IgY significantly reduced the adherence of C. albicans SC5314 to human oral epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. The same effect was also observed in other Candida spp. including C. albicans serotype A and B. Further, the IgY inhibited biofilm formation of C. albicans in medium without serum, but the inhibition was slightly restored in medium conditioned with 10% serum. The data indicate that anti-C. albicans IgY cross-reacted with various Candida spp. and may have a protective effect against oral candidiasis and reduce the dissemination of Candida spp. This effect may be due to the blocking of the binding of Candida spp. to the host cells. However, the blocking did not play a role when Candida formed a germ tube in the presence of serum. Therefore, anti-C. albicans IgY may be considered as a prophylactic immunotherapy or possibly an adjunctive antifungal therapy under limited conditions.
(2-24-16 Nakamachi, Koganei, Tokyo, 184 Japan)We have investigated the application of bacterial magnetite particles as DNA carriers for microprojectile based gene transfer. The magnetic bacterium, Aquaspirillum sp. AMB-1, can grow aerobically to high cell densities, allowing high yields of bacterial magnetite particles to be sonicated. The optimum sonication conditions were determined and found to be dependent on culture age. Excessive sonication damaged the magnetosome membrane surrounding magnetite particles. This decreased dispersion resulted in a reduced surface area available for DNA adsorption. When compared with gold, tungsten and non membrane coated magnetite, membrane coated magnetite was a better material for DNA magnetite with glutaraldehyde-triamine prior to incubation with DNA.
KEY WORDS Magnetic Bacterium/Aquaspirillum/BacterialMagnetite/DNA Carrier/DNA Adsorption/
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