In vitro interaction of Candida tropicalis biofilm formed on catheter with human cells

Candida tropicalis has emerged as one of the major Candida non-C. albicans species, in terms of epidemiology and virulence. Despite its virulence, C. tropicalis pathogenic mechanism has yet not been fully defined. The current study aimed to demonstrate the interaction of mature C. tropicalis ATCC 750 biofilm formed on catheter with different human cell lines. In vitro mature (72 h) C. tropicalis biofilms were produced on small catheter fragments (SCF) and were mainly composed by blastoconidia. Then, migration of yeast cells from mature biofilm to human cell surfaces (HeLa and HUVEC) was investigated. After contact with both cell lines, the surface of SCF, containing mature C. tropicalis biofilm, exhibited predominantly the filamentous form. Meanwhile, fresh biofilm formed on human cell surfaces also revealed mainly of blastoconidia involved by extracellular matrix. Total biomass and metabolic activity from the remaining biofilm on SCF surface, after direct contact with human cells, exhibited a significant reduction. Mature C. tropicalis biofilm modified its extracellular matrix components, after contact with human cells. Thus, we described for the first time an easy and simple in vitro model with catheter, which could be a powerful tool for future studies that desires to elucidate the mechanisms involved in C. tropicalis biofilm.