Biomaterial Database

Activation of the alternative (properdin) pathway of complement by Candida albicans and related species. 1976

T L Ray, and K D Wuepper

Accumulations of neutrophilic granulocytes within the epidermis and beneath the stratum corneum of the skin are a prominent histologic feature of experimental and clinical candidiasis. The mechanism of cell accumulation was studied by standard chemotactic methods. Suspensions of viable or heat-killed Candida sp caused marked chemotaxis of human neutrophils in fresh serum. Culture supernatants of Candida sp were not chemotactic. Chemotaxis was dependent upon fresh serum, and could be abolished by heating the serum to 56 degress C for 30 min, suggesting that interaction of these organisms with a heat-labile serum factor generated a chemoattractant. Incubation of Candida sp with fresh human serum resulted in the conversion of the third component of complement and properdin factor B, as measured by immunoelectrophoresis. Conversion did not occur in serum chelated with EDTA, or heated to 50 degress C for 30 min (to destroy factor B). Conversion was present in serum chelated with EGTA (to deplete calcium), or genetically deficient in the fourth component of complement. By contrast, the three components of the kinin-forming system (Hageman factor, prekallikrein, high-molecular-weight kininogen) were not activated by Candida sp. We suggest that Candida sp do not release a chemotactic substance but, in the presence of serum, activate the alternative pathway of complement, generating chemotactic factors.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007122	Immunoelectrophoresis	A technique that combines protein electrophoresis and double immunodiffusion. In this procedure proteins are first separated by gel electrophoresis (usually agarose), then made visible by immunodiffusion of specific antibodies. A distinct elliptical precipitin arc results for each protein detectable by the antisera.
D009504	Neutrophils	Granular leukocytes having a nucleus with three to five lobes connected by slender threads of chromatin, and cytoplasm containing fine inconspicuous granules and stainable by neutral dyes.	LE Cells,Leukocytes, Polymorphonuclear,Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes,Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils,Neutrophil Band Cells,Band Cell, Neutrophil,Cell, LE,LE Cell,Leukocyte, Polymorphonuclear,Neutrophil,Neutrophil Band Cell,Neutrophil, Polymorphonuclear,Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte,Polymorphonuclear Neutrophil
D011414	Properdin	A 53-kDa protein that is a positive regulator of the alternate pathway of complement activation (COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION PATHWAY, ALTERNATIVE). It stabilizes the ALTERNATIVE PATHWAY C3 CONVERTASE (C3bBb) and protects it from rapid inactivation, thus facilitating the cascade of COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION and the formation of MEMBRANE ATTACK COMPLEX. Individuals with mutation in the PFC gene exhibit properdin deficiency and have a high susceptibility to infections.	Complement Factor P,Factor P, Complement
D002175	Candida	A genus of yeast-like mitosporic Saccharomycetales fungi characterized by producing yeast cells, mycelia, pseudomycelia, and blastophores. It is commonly part of the normal flora of the skin, mouth, intestinal tract, and vagina, but can cause a variety of infections, including CANDIDIASIS; ONYCHOMYCOSIS; VULVOVAGINAL CANDIDIASIS; and CANDIDIASIS, ORAL (THRUSH).	Candida guilliermondii var. nitratophila,Candida utilis,Cyberlindnera jadinii,Hansenula jadinii,Lindnera jadinii,Monilia,Pichia jadinii,Saccharomyces jadinii,Torula utilis,Torulopsis utilis,Monilias
D002176	Candida albicans	A unicellular budding fungus which is the principal pathogenic species causing CANDIDIASIS (moniliasis).	Candida albicans var. stellatoidea,Candida stellatoidea,Dematium albicans,Monilia albicans,Myceloblastanon albicans,Mycotorula albicans,Parasaccharomyces albicans,Procandida albicans,Procandida stellatoidea,Saccharomyces albicans,Syringospora albicans
D002634	Chemotaxis, Leukocyte	The movement of leukocytes in response to a chemical concentration gradient or to products formed in an immunologic reaction.	Leukotaxis,Leukocyte Chemotaxis
D003165	Complement System Proteins	Serum glycoproteins participating in the host defense mechanism of COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION that creates the COMPLEMENT MEMBRANE ATTACK COMPLEX. Included are glycoproteins in the various pathways of complement activation (CLASSICAL COMPLEMENT PATHWAY; ALTERNATIVE COMPLEMENT PATHWAY; and LECTIN COMPLEMENT PATHWAY).	Complement Proteins,Complement,Complement Protein,Hemolytic Complement,Complement, Hemolytic,Protein, Complement,Proteins, Complement,Proteins, Complement System
D013696	Temperature	The property of objects that determines the direction of heat flow when they are placed in direct thermal contact. The temperature is the energy of microscopic motions (vibrational and translational) of the particles of atoms.	Temperatures
D013997	Time Factors	Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations.	Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor
D066298	In Vitro Techniques	Methods to study reactions or processes taking place in an artificial environment outside the living organism.	In Vitro Test,In Vitro Testing,In Vitro Tests,In Vitro as Topic,In Vitro,In Vitro Technique,In Vitro Testings,Technique, In Vitro,Techniques, In Vitro,Test, In Vitro,Testing, In Vitro,Testings, In Vitro,Tests, In Vitro,Vitro Testing, In