Engineered Keratinized Oral Mucosa Decreased C. albicans Transition Through the Production of Keratins 10, 14, 16, and 19 by Oral Epithelial Cells

Abstract

Abstract:The aim of this study was to evaluate the link between Candida albicans growth and dimorphism and the production of keratins by oral epithelial cells. Various culture models (monolayer and non-keratinized and keratinized engineered human oral mucosa) were produced and used for this purpose. Cell morphology, tissue structure, and the transition of C. albicans were assessed following cell and tissue infections. Keratin production by epithelial cells exposed to C. albicans was evaluated by Western blotting. Following contact with C. albicans, epithelial cells in the monolayer cultures showed differentiating phenotypes. Compared to the keratinized tissue, the non-keratinized mucosa displayed visible disorganization. The transition of C. albicans from blastospore to hyphal form was significantly lower in the keratinized oral mucosa model. This was correlated with the high levels of differentiating (K10) and proliferating (K14, K16, and K19) keratins in the keratinized tissue, suggesting that tissue stratification contributes to controlling C. albicans pathogenicity via keratin production. Thus, the transition of C. albicans from blastospore to hyphal form may be linked to keratin production. This may ultimately have implications in the control of oral candidiasis as well as in denture design to prevent denture stomatitis.

The Susceptibility of Candida albicans to Gamma-Radiations and Ketoconazole Depends on Transitional Filamentation

“…The effects of this quorum sensing molecule are indeed associated with the inhibition of filamentation and the promotion of planktonic yeasts [ 25 ]. While Candida-enhanced secretion of farnesol and tyrosol may have partially contributed to the observed effects, another input was probably provided directly by HSCO and HECV cells, a possibility that would fit a number of reports dealing with the interaction of C. albicans with epithelial and endothelial cells [ 26 , 27 ]. Although many uncertainties remain on the cellular components and pathways involved in this interaction, in fact, there is a general consensus that the encounter with Candida species stimulates epithelial and endothelial cells to internalize the organism by endocytosis, a process widely regarded as an important step in the defense system mounted by the host [ 28 ].…”

Three-DimensionalIn VitroOral Mucosa Models of Fungal and Bacterial Infections

“…Also, this method is not useful for viable but nonculturable organisms. 24,30,36,54 Alternative methods like crystal violet staining and resazurin staining can be used for biofilm research. 88 Five studies used confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to investigate various aspects of microbial biofilm formation.…”

“…30 Yeast transition is reduced in keratinized form of oral mucosa in comparison to nonkeratinized form. 36 Although Samaranayake et al reported no penetration of C. albicans into the connective tissue layer at 48 h, 35 Whiley et al and Dongari-Bagtzoglou and Kashleva showed that penetration into the submucosa was dependent on the strain used for infection. 7,34 Association of C. albicans with other microorganisms, like Staphylococcus aureus or S. oralis, could result in deeper invasion into subepithelial collagen matrix.…”

“…54,56 One other option is treating tissue with lysis buffer and strictly mixing it. 36 Scraping, or using the cycle of sonication and vortexing, was also suggested by Heersink. 86 Hamilton et al, in their study of different methods of collecting biofilm cells from surfaces, emphasized the importance of using similar methods of harvesting biofilm for acceptable result of comparison.…”