Contribution of the antibodies response induced by a low virulent Candida albicans strain in protection against systemic candidiasis

A low virulent Candida albicans mutant, CNC13, deleted in the Mitogen Activated Protein (MAP) kynase HOG1 was used to immunize BALB/c mice. Hog1p is essential for the oxidative stress and hyperosmolarity responses. Several doses and immunization procedures were employed. The protection capacity of the different sera generated was analyzed in a murine model of systemic candidiasis. Using a proteomic approach (two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by Western blotting), we were able to distinguish two categories of serum: protective and nonprotective, which showed different titres of total Immunoglobulins (Igs) and IgG2a (analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay). The levels of Igs and IgG2a in protective sera were significantly higher compared to nonprotective sera. The pattern of a “nonprotective” profile was composed of enolase (Eno1p), transketolase, heat shock protein and methionine synthase. Only antibodies against enolase are the IgG2a isotype. The pattern of a “protective” sera, on the other hand, was composed of antibodies against the following antigens: several isoforms of Eno1p, pyruvate decarboxylase, pyruvate kynase, a protein of the 40S ribosomal subunit, triosephosphate isomerase, DL‐glycerol phosphatase and fructose‐bisphosphate aldolase. All these antibodies are the IgG2a isotype. The proteins described in the protective sera might be useful for future vaccine development.

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