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Ricchi F, Caramaschi S, Sala A, Franceschini L, Fabbiani L, Ardizzoni A, Blasi E, Cermelli C. Candida albicans as a Trailblazer for Herpes Simplex Virus-2 Infection Against an In Vitro Reconstituted Human Vaginal Epithelium. Microorganisms 2025; 13:905. [PMID: 40284741 PMCID: PMC12029243 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms13040905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2025] [Revised: 04/09/2025] [Accepted: 04/11/2025] [Indexed: 04/29/2025] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the complex events driving host-pathogen and pathogen-pathogen interplay in polymicrobial infections. Using an in vitro model of a reconstituted vaginal epithelium (RVE) employing the A-431 cell line supplemented with synthetic vaginal fluid (SVF), we studied the consequences of single versus dual infections with Candida albicans and/or Herpes Simplex Virus-2 (HSV-2). Our data show (a) a relevant, SVF-enhanced expression of the differentiation marker cytokeratin 5/6 in the RVE; (b) the ability of Candida albicans to enhance HSV-2 in the dual infection model, with the virus titer almost doubling in the presence of SVF; (c) RVE damage (>20%), mostly attributable to Candida albicans and related to oxidative stress whether SVF is present; (d) the dysregulation of mucin-1, the production of which is enhanced (from 13 to 21 ng/mL) or impaired (from 21 to 10 ng/mL) in response to either SVF or infection, respectively; and (e) a partial-to-negligible cytokine response from the RVE, depending upon SVF presence. In conclusion, using an in vitro RVE model upgraded through the addition of synthetic vaginal fluid, we provide details on epithelial cell-pathogen-pathogen interaction, contributing to a better comprehension of the pathogenesis of polymicrobial infections at a mucosal level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Ricchi
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (F.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Stefania Caramaschi
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (F.R.); (S.C.)
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy;
| | - Arianna Sala
- Molecular Microbiology and Virology Unit, University Hospital Policlinico, 41124 Modena, Italy;
| | - Laura Franceschini
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy;
| | - Luca Fabbiani
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy;
| | - Andrea Ardizzoni
- Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Morphological Sciences Related to Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (A.A.); (E.B.)
| | - Elisabetta Blasi
- Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Morphological Sciences Related to Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (A.A.); (E.B.)
| | - Claudio Cermelli
- Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Morphological Sciences Related to Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (A.A.); (E.B.)
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Hau CS, Tada Y, Shibata S, Uratsuji H, Asano Y, Sugaya M, Kadono T, Kanda N, Watanabe S, Tamaki K, Sato S. High calcium, ATP, and poly(I:C) augment the immune response to β-glucan in normal human epidermal keratinocytes. J Invest Dermatol 2011; 131:2255-62. [PMID: 21796149 DOI: 10.1038/jid.2011.201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
β-Glucans are pathogen-associated molecular patterns of fungi such as Candida albicans. Here, we studied their effects on normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) from neonatal foreskin, and with high calcium to induce keratinocyte differentiation, danger signals, and pathogen-associated compounds such as adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), poly(I:C), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). β-Glucan stimulation significantly increased IL-8, IL-6, and IL-1α production by NHEKs. Well-differentiated NHEKs produced elevated IL-8 levels, whereas ATP, a danger signal, significantly increased IL-8 and IL-6 production, and the pathogen-associated compound, poly(I:C), augmented IL-1α production by β-glucan-stimulated NHEKs. No response to LPS from Escherichia coli was seen. Dectin-1 is known as the major receptor for β-glucans on phagocytes and dendritic cells. Dectin-1 mRNA was detected in NHEKs by reverse transcription-PCR. Flow-cytometric analyses confirmed the NHEK cell surface expression of dectin-1. Immunoblotting showed that β-glucan induced dual phosphorylation of p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2), and p38 MAPK in NHEKs; these signaling pathways are known to be associated with dectin-1. Treatment with the ERK inhibitor PD98059 and with the p38 kinase inhibitor SB203580 effectively suppressed β-glucan-induced IL-8 production by NHEKs. Thus, high calcium, ATP, and poly(I:C) augment the cytokine and chemokine production by β-glucan-stimulated NHEKs. Dectin-1 is present on NHEKs and may have an important role in cell response to β-glucan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carren Sy Hau
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Maharaj R, Parboosing R, Moodley M, Naicker S, Ramdial PK. An unusual hypertrophic genital mass lesion—A diagnostic and treatment dilemma. J Clin Virol 2009; 46:303-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2009.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2009] [Revised: 08/31/2009] [Accepted: 09/09/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Arena A, Arena N, Ciurleo R, de Gregorio A, Maccari R, Ottana' R, Pavone B, Tramice A, Trincone A, Vigorita MG. 2/4-Substituted-9-fluorenones and their O-glucosides as potential immunomodulators and anti-herpes simplex virus-2 agents. Part 5. Eur J Med Chem 2008; 43:2656-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2008.01.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2007] [Revised: 11/14/2007] [Accepted: 01/24/2008] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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