Serum-independent neutrophil chemotaxins in the yeast phase of Candida albicans

Abstract

Cell extracts from 6 strains of Candida albicans grown under different conditions were partially purified and tested for inherent chemotactic activity for human polymorphonuclear granulocytes. Chemotactic activity was demonstrated in the absence of serum using the Boyden chamber technique. No chemokinetic effects of the extracts examined were found using the same method. Cross desensitization experiments of PMN with C. albicans extracts and known leukotaxins (PAF, LTB4, and FMLP) revealed that C. albicans-derived chemotaxins differed from the known chemoattractants. Their possible role in Candida infections is discussed.