Monoclonal antibodies specific for Candida albicans Als3 that immunolabel fungal cells in vitro and in vivo and block adhesion to host surfaces

J Microbiol Methods. 2009 Jul;78(1):71-8. doi: 10.1016/j.mimet.2009.05.002. Epub 2009 May 7.

Abstract

Two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were raised against the Candida albicans cell-surface glycoprotein Als3 using the N-terminal domain of the protein as the immunogen. ELISA was used to demonstrate the specificity of the MAbs for the Als3 fragment, but not for the corresponding N-terminal domain fragments from other proteins in the Als family. The anti-Als3 MAbs immunolabeled the surface of germ tubes from a diverse collection of wild-type C. albicans isolates, but did not label yeast cells, an als3Delta/als3Delta deletion mutant strain, nor isolates of other Candida species associated with human disease. Als3 was visualized readily in fresh and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded kidney tissue from a murine model of candidiasis. The anti-Als3 MAbs were also useful for immunogold electron microscopy and Western blotting. Both MAbs blocked C. albicans adhesion to vascular endothelial cells and buccal epithelial cells. These versatile MAbs are a valuable addition to the reagents available to study C. albicans cell surface dynamics and interaction of the fungus with host cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Fungal / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology*
  • Candida albicans / genetics
  • Candida albicans / immunology
  • Candida albicans / physiology*
  • Candidiasis / immunology
  • Candidiasis / microbiology*
  • Epithelial Cells / immunology
  • Epithelial Cells / microbiology
  • Fungal Proteins / immunology*
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C

Substances

  • ALS3 protein, Candida albicans
  • Antibodies, Fungal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Fungal Proteins