S7.4b Microaerobic conditions enhance fungal pathogenesis in Candida spp.

S7.4 PATHOGENESIS AND HOST DEFENSE, SEPTEMBER 23, 2022, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM: BACKGROUNDS: Fungal pathogen colonizing mucocutaneous membranes and indwelling medical devices is associated with invasive infections. Its pathogenetic mechanisms are poorly understood, although environmental oxygen levels have been recently suggested to alter pathogenic phenotypes in the human body. Our study aimed to compare the adhesion capabilities of Candida spp. depending on various oxygen levels and investigated the mechanisms contributed to pathogenic alteration. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: We observed significant differences in capabilities for cell adhesion and for biofilm formation of pathogenic yeasts in response to different oxygen levels. Under hypoxic conditions, the C. glabrata adhesion capability increased and the expression levels of several adhesion-related genes were up-regulated. Among these mutants, observed significantly lower adhesion capability for intestinal colonization than the wild-type in a murine model. Pathogenic yeasts showed different phenotypes in hypoxic conditions from ordinary aerobic circumstances, and those molecules which work on increased pathogenesis would be applied for novel therapeutic targets.