MOUSE SIALOADHESIN IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR CANDIDA-ALBICANS YEAST-CELLBINDING TO SPLENIC MARGINAL ZONE MACROPHAGES

Candida albicans hydrophilic yeast cells specifically adhere to mouse macrophages in the splenic marginal zone and in lymph node subcapsular and medullary sinuses. These macrophages express sialoadhesin that bi nds erythrocytes, but binding of yeast cells is not mediated by sialoa dhesin because (i) erythrocytes did not block yeast cell binding, (ii) yeast cell adherence was unaffected by sialoadhesin-specific monoclon al antibodies, (iii) the purified sialoadhesin did not bind to yeast c ells, and (iv) an Fc-sialoadhesin chimera immobilized on plastic did n ot bind yeast cells. These data give further support for a unique macr ophage adhesion system that binds C. albicans.