The Effect of Candida Hyphal Inhibitory Product (Chip) on Murine Peritoneal Macrophage Killing of Candida Albicans Hyphae

Date of Graduation

Summer 1993

Degree

Master of Science in Biology

Department

Biology

Committee Chair

Richard Myers

Abstract

Dimorphic conversion of Candida albicans from the yeast to the hyphal form plays a critical role in the pathogenicity of the fungus. Macrophages, phagocytic cells of the immune system, are able to recognize and kill both forms of the fungus through different mechanisms. Recent investigations have reported that C. albicans is capable of producing a natural inhibitor (CHIP) which decreases the efficiency by which PMNs phagocytize C. albicans yeast. The focus of this study was to determine the effect of candida hyphal inhibitory product (CHIP) upon contact-mediated killing of the hyphal form of C. albicans by Listeria monocytogenes activated macrophages. Results demonstrate that CHIP diminished macrophage contact-meditated killing of Candida hyphae.

Subject Categories

Biology

Copyright

© Angela L Spence

Citation-only

Dissertation/Thesis

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