Immunity against Candida albicans skin infection

Abstract

Candida albicans is a dimorphic commensal fungus that colonizes the healthy human skin, mucosa and reproductive tract. C. albicans is also a predominant opportunistic fungal pathogen, leading to disease manifestations such as disseminated candidiasis and chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC). The differing host susceptibilities to the sites of C. albicans infection have revealed tissue compartmentalization with tailoring of immune responses based on site of infection. Furthermore, extensive studies of host genetics in rare cases of CMC have identified conserved genetic pathways involved in the immune recognition and response to the extracellular pathogens. In this dissertation, we focus on mouse skin as a site of C. albicans infection and define the mechanisms behind innate and adaptive resistance to C. albicans skin infection. iii