Characterization and partial purification of Candida albicans Secretory IL-12 Inhibitory Factor

Background: We have previously shown that supernatant from Candida albicans ( CA) culture contains a Secretory Interleukin (IL)-12 Inhibitory Factor ( CA-SIIF), which inhibits IL-12 production by human monocytes. However, the effect of CA-SIIF on secretion of other cytokines by monocytes is unknown, and detailed characterization of this factor has not been performed. Results: In this study, we demonstrate that the IL-12 inhibitory activity of CA-SIIF was serum-independent, based on the reduction of IL-12 levels in monocytes stimulated under serum-independent conditions. The minimal inhibitory dose of CA-SIIF was found to be 200 mu g/ml. Investigation of CA-SIIF's effect on macrophages IL-12 production in vitro and in vivo also showed that CA-SIIF inhibited IL-12 production by murine macrophages both in vitro ( from 571 +/- 24 pg/ml to 387 +/- 87 pg/ ml; P = 0.05) and in vivo ( from 262 +/- 6 pg/ ml to 144 +/- 30 pg/ ml; P < 0.05). In addition to IL-12, cytokine array analysis revealed that CA-SIIF induced differential production of other cytokines also. In this regard, reduction in levels were observed for IL-8, IL-10, IL-13, monocyte chemoattractant protein ( MCP)-1, MCP-2, macrophage inflammatory protein ( MIP)-1, RANTES, etc. In contrast, levels of other chemokines e. g. MCP-4, MIF and MIP-3 alpha ( P < 0.05) were increased. We also found that CA-SIIF suppressed the maturation of human monocytes to dendritic cells (CD1a expression = 13 +/- 3% vs 36 +/- 2% of the control; P < 0.01). Next, to identify the biochemical nature of CA-SIIF, we separated this factor into a Concanavalin A ( ConA)-binding glycoprotein fraction (CA-SIIF-GP) and a non-ConA-binding protein fraction (CA-SIIF-NGP) using ConA affinity chromatography. Both fractions were then tested for this inhibitory effect on human monocyte IL-12 production. CA-SIIF-GP produced a higher inhibitory effect on IL-12 production compared to CA-SIIF-NGP and CA-SIIF crude ( P < 0.01), proving that CA-SIIF is a glycoprotein in nature. Conclusion: CA-SIIF is a glycoprotein which exhibits serum-independent inhibition of IL-12 production from monocytes in vitro and in vivo, and also modulates differentiation of monocytes into dendritic cells. These results suggest important role for CA-SIIF in interactions of C. albicans with the host immune system.