Biofilm Formation by the Fungal PathogenCandida albicans: Development, Architecture, and Drug Resistance

J Chandra, DM Kuhn, PK Mukherjee… - Journal of …, 2001 - Am Soc Microbiol
J Chandra, DM Kuhn, PK Mukherjee, LL Hoyer, T McCormick, MA Ghannoum
Journal of bacteriology, 2001Am Soc Microbiol
Biofilms are a protected niche for microorganisms, where they are safe from antibiotic
treatment and can create a source of persistent infection. Using two clinically relevant
Candida albicans biofilm models formed on bioprosthetic materials, we demonstrated that
biofilm formation proceeds through three distinct developmental phases. These growth
phases transform adherent blastospores to well-defined cellular communities encased in a
polysaccharide matrix. Fluorescence and confocal scanning laser microscopy revealed that …
Abstract
Biofilms are a protected niche for microorganisms, where they are safe from antibiotic treatment and can create a source of persistent infection. Using two clinically relevant Candida albicans biofilm models formed on bioprosthetic materials, we demonstrated that biofilm formation proceeds through three distinct developmental phases. These growth phases transform adherent blastospores to well-defined cellular communities encased in a polysaccharide matrix. Fluorescence and confocal scanning laser microscopy revealed that C. albicans biofilms have a highly heterogeneous architecture composed of cellular and noncellular elements. In both models, antifungal resistance of biofilm-grown cells increased in conjunction with biofilm formation. The expression of agglutinin-like (ALS) genes, which encode a family of proteins implicated in adhesion to host surfaces, was differentially regulated between planktonic and biofilm-grown cells. The ability ofC. albicans to form biofilms contrasts sharply with that of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which adhered to bioprosthetic surfaces but failed to form a mature biofilm. The studies described here form the basis for investigations into the molecular mechanisms of Candida biofilm biology and antifungal resistance and provide the means to design novel therapies for biofilm-based infections.
American Society for Microbiology