Synergistic interactions between <i>Candida albicans</i> and <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i> promote toxin-dependent host cell damage
Abstract
The fungus Candida albicans and the Gram-positive bacterium Enterococcus faecalis share mucosal niches in the human body. As opportunistic pathogens, both are found to expand population size during dysbiosis, and can cause severe systemic infections in susceptible individuals. Here, we show that the presence of C. albicans results in increased host cell damage by E. faecalis . Furthermore, E. faecalis aggravates oropharyngeal candidiasis in mice. Increased damage is mediated by enterococcal cytolysin, and involves both physical interaction and altered glucose availability. Physical interaction promotes accumulation of bacteria on host cells, facilitating contact of cytolysin with host cells. Glucose depletion by the metabolic activity of the fungus sensitized host cells to cytolysin. This work illustrates how a complex interplay between fungi and bacteria can result in detrimental consequences for the host.
Article Details
Journal Info
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
National Academy of Sciences
Authors (19)
Mario Kapitan
Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute
Maria Joanna Niemiec
Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute
Nicolas Millet
Division of Infectious Diseases, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Philipp Brandt
Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena
Md Estiak Khan Chowdhury
Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute
Anna Czapka
Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute
Ketema Abdissa
Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute
Franziska Hoffmann
Research Group MALDI Imaging, Innovative Biophotonics, Department of Othorhynolaryngology, University Hospital Jena
Anna Lange
Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Tübingen
Mark Veleba
Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University
Sandor Nietzsche
Alexander S. Mosig
Institute of Biochemistry II, University Hospital Jena
Bettina Löffler
Center for Sepsis Control and Care, University Hospital Jena
Mike Marquet
Institute for Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Jena University Hospital
Oliwia Makarewicz
Institute for Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Jena University Hospital
Kimberly A. Kline
Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University
Slavena Vylkova
Septomics Research Center, Friedrich Schiller University and Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology–Hans Knöll Institute
Marc Swidergall
Division of Infectious Diseases, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Ilse D. Jacobsen
Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute