The Human Gut Microbial Metabolome Modulates Fungal Growth via the TOR Signaling Pathway

Abstract

Candida albicans is a natural component of the human microbiota but also an opportunistic pathogen that causes life-threatening infections. The human gastrointestinal tract is the main reservoir of C. albicans , from where systemic infections originate as a consequence of the disruption of the intestinal mucosal barrier. Recent studies provided convincing evidence that overgrowth of C. albicans and other related species in the gut is predominantly associated with chronic intestinal inflammatory bowel diseases. Here, we showed, for the first time, the antagonistic interkingdom interactions between C. albicans and common intestinal commensal bacteria. From a therapeutic perspective, administering a defined bacterial community, such as the one described here with anti- Candida activity, could provide potential therapeutic protection against gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases.