In Vitro Effects of Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus on Dendritic Cells and the Role of Beta Glucan in this Effect

Background. Dendritic cells (DCs) are able to initiate and regulate the immune response to fungal infections. beta-glucan stimulates the immune system, modulating cellular and humoral immunity. It has a beneficial effect in fighting fungal infections. Objectives. We investigated the in vitro effect of C. albicans and A. fumigatus infection on human DCs. The cytokine levels were determined by ELISA. Material and Methods. Human PBMCs isolation was performed by Ficoll-hypaque density gradient centrifugation method. DCs maturation was analysed by using flow cytometry. The cytokine levels were determined by ELISA. Results. DCs stimulated by C. albicans and A. fumigatus induced DC maturation by increasing CD80 and CD86 co-stimulatory molecules. DCs stimulated by fungi produced IL-8 and IL-12p70. Whereas IL-10 production from the stimulated DCs did not differ from uninfected DCs. Also, the addition of beta-glucan to the DCs stimulated by fungi promoted the activation and maturation of DCs. Conclusions. Our results suggest that DCs are capable of initiating an innate and adaptive immune response against fungal infections. In addition, beta-glucan can be used as a novel stimulator to DC-based vaccination against fungal infections.