Adhesins and ligands involved in the interaction of Candida spp. with epithelial and endothelial surfaces

Abstract

Adhesion of candidal species to the epithelium of the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract stands as a critical first step in the pathogenesis of candidal infection. After colonization and replication at mucosal surfaces, Candida albicans and other pathogenic species may penetrate the mucosal barrier, enter the vascular tree, and disseminate hematogenously. The consequences of this pathogenic cascade evoke considerable morbidity and mortality, especially among immunocompromised patients. Thus, interactions of C. albicans and other candidal species with epithelium and endothelium may lead to serious consequences for the human host. This review evaluates candidate candidal adhesions for epithelial and endothelial surfaces, with emphasis on the specificity of the interaction, the inhibitors that have been employed, and the ligands that have been identified on mammalian cells or matrices. Three types of interactions are described: protein-protein interactions, lectin-like interactions, and incompletely defined interactions in which the adhesive ligand is as yet unidentified. Special attention is given to the roles of integrin-like proteins. Differences in the mechanisms of candidal attachment to epithelium and endothelium are delineated. Last, on the basis of the available literature, avenues of potentially fruitful investigation are proposed.