Detection of als proteins on the cell wall of Candida albicans in murine tissues

A murine model of disseminated candidiasis was utilized to determine whethe r Candida albicans Als proteins are produced in vivo. The kidneys, spleen, heart, liver, and lungs were collected from mice inoculated with one of thr ee C. albicans strains (SC5314, B311, or WO-1). Immunohistochemical analysi s of murine tissues by using a rabbit polyclonal anti-Als serum indicated t hat Als proteins were produced by each C. albicans cell in the tissues exam ined. Patterns of staining with the anti-Als serum were similar among the C . albicans strains tested. These data indicated that Als protein production was widespread in disseminated candidiasis and that, despite strain differ ences in ALS gene expression previously noted in vitro, Als protein product ion in vivo was similar among C. albicans strains. The extensive production of Als proteins in vivo and their presence on the C. albicans cell wall po sition these proteins well for a role in host-pathogen interaction.