Adaptation of Candida albicans to environmental pH induces cell wall remodelling and enhances innate immune recognition
Fig 6
pH-dependent cell wall remodeling occurs in response to physiologically relevant acids and is not restricted to yeast cells.
a) C. albicans cells (NGY152) were grown in YPD, or YPD buffered to pH4 by the addition of HCl or lactic acid to mid-log phase, fixed with 4% PFA, stained for β-glucan and chitin exposure and fluorescence intensity quantified by FACS. Data represent the mean ± SEM from three independent repeats (**** p < 0.0001). b) C. albicans cells (NGY152) were grown in vaginal secretion medium (VSM) buffered at pH4, pH6 or pH7 for 4 h, fixed, stained for β-glucan and fluorescence intensity quantified by FACS. Data represent the mean ± SEM from six independent repeats (**** p < 0.01). c) C. albicans cells (NGY152) were grow in 24-well plates in either YPD buffered at pH4 and pH6, DMEM buffered at pH4 and pH6 at 37C, 150 rpm, or grown in DMEM buffered at pH4 or pH6 with 5% CO2 in the presence or absence of A431 vaginal epithelial cells for 4 h. Cells were fixed in 4% PFA and stained for β-glucan and d) chitin exposure. Results are fold increase relative to pH6. Data represent the mean ± SEM from three independent repeats.