Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40181464›Full record

ArticleFluids and barriers of the CNS2025

Hyphal penetration is the major pathway of translocation of Candida albicans across the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier.

S Schmidt, C Schwerk, H Schroten, H Ishikawa, R Schubert, T Lehrnbecher, H Rudolph

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Article in Fluids and barriers of the CNS, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

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0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

S SchmidtDepartment of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Hemostaseology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
C SchwerkPediatric Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Children's Hospital Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
H SchrotenPediatric Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Children's Hospital Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
H IshikawaLaboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.
R SchubertDepartment of Pediatrics, Division of Pneumology, Allergology, Infectious Diseases and Gastroenterology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
T LehrnbecherDepartment of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Hemostaseology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
H RudolphDepartment of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Hemostaseology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt/Main, Germany. rudolph@med.uni-frankfurt.de.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDespite the availability of potent antifungal compounds, invasive fungal disease poses significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Candida albicans is one of the leading pathogens in this setting, and may affect the central nervous system (CNS), which is an extremely severe form of the infection. As the exact pathogenesis of Candida CNS infection is not clear, we investigated the mechanisms and effects of C. albicans transmigration into the CNS, which will be helpful for diagnosis, prevention and treatment.

methodsWe used a human in vitro model of the Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier (BCSFB), and we investigated the mechanisms of Candida albicans translocation into the CNS. Translocation was evaluated using immunofluorescence analysis focusing on tight and adherens junctions and the actin cytoskeleton. Barrier integrity was monitored via measurement of transepithelial resistance and the paracellular permeability of dextran. LIVE/DEAD assays were applied for viability controls and a cytometric bead array was performed to detect cytokine secretion of plexus epithelial cells.

resultsTranslocation at low doses occurs transcellularly in the absence of cytotoxicity or secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. This is accomplished by the formation of a tunnel-like structure exploiting the actin cytoskeleton. With higher infection doses of Candida albicans, a reduction in barrier integrity due to disruption of tight and adherens junctions was observed and cytotoxicity also increased.

conclusionOur findings reveal that Candida albicans can use transcellular translocation to invade into the CNS and is able to circumvent major host immune response, which may impact on diagnostic and preventive strategies.

Indexed as

Blood-Brain BarrierCandida albicansCandidiasisHyphaeEpithelial CellsHumansBlood cerebrospinal fluid barrierC. albicansChoroid plexusHyphal penetrationTight junctions

Identifiers

PMID40181464
PMCPMC11969880

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.