Caco-2 monolayer as a model for transepithelial migration of the fungi pathogen Candida albicans

A model for transepithelial migration of human fungal pathogens was establi shed, in which Candida albicans was shown to migrate across a monolayer of Caco-2 intestinal cells in a two-chamber system. Electron microscopy reveal ed typical stages of epithelial penetration by C. albicans including phagoc ytosis at the apical side, intra- and intercellular migration and exit on t he basolateral side of the monolayer. Hyphal growth forms appeared particul arly involved in penetration of the Caco-2 monolayer. The model was examine d using defined C, albicans mutants defective in hyphal development (efg1/e fg1) or growth (ura3/ura3). Transmigration of the efg1/efg1 mutant strain w as reduced, while transmigration of the ura3/ura3 strain was blocked comple tely in the absence of uridine. Because these results parallel virulence ch aracteristics of the mutants the Caco-2 monolayer system appears a useful m odel for the study of fungal-human host cell interactions.