Candidalysin Toxin from Candida Albicans Weakens Intestinal Barrier and Triggers Inflammation in Gut Model
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Mar 09, 2025 10 hours, 44 minutes ago
Medical News: Researchers Uncover How a Fungal Toxin Harms the Gut
A groundbreaking study by scientists from MIMETAS B.V. in the Netherlands has revealed how a toxin produced by the fungus Candida albicans weakens the intestinal barrier and triggers inflammation. The research, using a state-of-the-art "gut-on-a-chip" model, provides new insights into how this opportunistic pathogen can cause severe infections. The findings could lead to new treatments targeting fungal toxins to protect gut health.
Candidalysin Toxin from Candida Albicans Weakens Intestinal Barrier and Triggers Inflammation in Gut Model
The Role of Candida albicans and Its Deadly Toxin
Candida albicans is a common yeast found in the human digestive system. Under normal conditions, it exists harmlessly, but when the immune system is compromised, it can become invasive and cause life-threatening infections. One of the key weapons in its arsenal is candidalysin, a toxin that damages the protective lining of the gut.
This
Medical News report highlights how candidalysin breaks down the gut barrier, making it easier for Candida to spread. Previous studies had focused on the effects of candidalysin on oral cells, but its impact on intestinal cells was not well understood until now.
How the Study Was Conducted
To study the effects of candidalysin on gut cells, the researchers used an advanced "gut-on-a-chip" model. This system mimics the real environment of the human gut and allows scientists to observe how cells react to toxins in real time. The experiment exposed human gut cells, known as Caco-2 tubules, to different concentrations of candidalysin and monitored changes in cell integrity, inflammation, and toxicity.
Key methods used in the study included:
-Measuring trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) to assess the strength of the gut barrier
-Fluorescent staining to visualize how cells responded to candidalysin
-Protein analysis to detect signs of inflammation and immune response
Major Findings of the Study
The results showed that candidalysin caused significant damage to intestinal cells in multiple ways:
-Barrier Disruption - The gut lining, which normally protects the body from harmful substances, was severely weakened. TEER measurements showed a rapid decline, indicating that candidalysin compromised the cells’ ability to maintain a protective barrier.
-Increased Permeability - The study found that candidalysin made the intestinal wall more permeable, allowing harmful substances to pass through more easily. This was confirmed using fluorescent dye tests.
-Actin Remodeling - Actin, a protein that helps maintain cell structure, was signifi
cantly altered. This remodeling suggests that candidalysin interferes with the gut’s physical stability.
-Cell Death and Inflammation - The study detected high levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), a marker of cell damage, and increased production of inflammatory proteins like IL-8, IL-6, IL-1 beta, and GM-CSF. This suggests that candidalysin triggers a strong inflammatory response, which could contribute to gut diseases.
Validation with Patient-Derived Gut Models
To confirm the findings, the researchers conducted additional tests using colon organoids - miniature gut structures grown from human stem cells. These models showed similar results, reinforcing the conclusion that candidalysin weakens the gut barrier and triggers inflammation.
What These Findings Mean for Human Health
The study sheds light on how Candida albicans exploits weaknesses in the gut barrier, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems. The damage caused by candidalysin may play a role in serious infections seen in hospitalized patients and those undergoing antibiotic treatments.
The findings also highlight the potential for new treatments that target candidalysin. By blocking the effects of this toxin, scientists may be able to develop therapies to strengthen the gut barrier and prevent fungal infections from becoming life-threatening.
Conclusion
This research provides a clearer picture of how Candida albicans breaches the intestinal barrier and spreads infection. The study demonstrates that candidalysin not only damages gut cells but also triggers a powerful inflammatory response. Future research will explore how to counteract this toxin to improve treatment options for patients at risk of Candida infections.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Toxins.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/17/2/89
For the latest on Candida Albicans infections, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
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