# HOST RESPONSES IN EXPERIMENTAL CANDIDIASIS

> **NIH NIH R01** · TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA · 1988 · $114,658

## Abstract

Candida albicans is a major pathogen in the immunocompromised
individual.  Since acquired immune mechanisms in the normal
individual are poorly understood, management of the
immunocompromised individual is often empirical.  Further,
individuals with serious candidal disease often have circulating
antigen; its effect on the immune system is poorly understood.
The major objectives of this research, therefore, are to define the
lymphocyte classes involved 1) in acquired immunity to C.
albicans, and 2) in immunomodulation induced by circulating
Candida antigen.  All experiments will be done in a murine model
of experimental candidiasis.

Two approaches will be taken to investigate the first objective, 1)
transfer of lymphoid cells from immunized donors to naive
recipients, and 2) anti-mu suppression of mice.  Populations of T,
B or T-subset lymphocytes, isolated by panning or prepared by
cytotoxic antibody depletion, will be obtained from animals
immunized by cutaneous inoculation of viable C. albicans.
Following transfer, recipients will be challenged intravenously
with viable C. albicans and organs will be cultured after a suitable
interval to assess protection.  To assess the role of antibody in a
protective response, animals will be suppressed by inoculation of
anti-mu from birth, then as adults, they will be immunized and
immune responses measured, including resistance to systemic
challenge.  Transfers of Candida-specific antibody into anti-mu
treated mice may be done also.

Since mannan extracted from C. albicans can be separated by ion-
exchange chromatography into components which have either
enhancing or suppressing effects on antibody responses to type III
pneumococcal polysaccharide (SSS-III), a T helper cell-
independent antigen, and sheep erythrocytes (SRBC), a T helper
cell-dependent antigen, the cellular targets for the regulatory
phenomena will be studied.  Splenic antibody-forming cells will be
quantitated by plaque assay, following transfers of lymphoid
populations from immunized and mannan-treated donors into
naive recipients.  Studies to determine possible immunoregulation
by mannan on delayed hypersensitivity (DTH) will involve giving
mannan to mice at various times with respect to immunization
with SRBC followed by assessment of DTH in vivo by footpad
testing.  If time permits, investigations of interleukins and gamma
interferon as potential mediators of the regulatory phenomena
observed will be begun.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3125301
- **Project number:** 5R01AI012806-11
- **Recipient organization:** TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
- **SAM.gov UEI:** XNY5ULPU8EN6
- **Principal Investigator:** JUDITH E DOMER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $114,658
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1978-07-01 → 1989-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3125301

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3125301, HOST RESPONSES IN EXPERIMENTAL CANDIDIASIS (5R01AI012806-11). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3125301. Licensed CC0.

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