Recognition of Candida albicans by Dectin-1 induces mast cell activation

Mast cells are crucial elements of the innate immune response. They reside in tissues that are commonly exposed to the external environment, such as the skin and mucosae, where they can rapidly detect the presence of pathogens and mount a potent inflammatory response that recruits other cellular effectors of the immune response. The contribution of mast cells to the immune response to viruses, bacteria, protozoa and multicellular parasites is well established, but there is scarce information about the role of these cells in fungal infections. In this study, we analyzed if mast cells are activated by Candida albicans and if the C-type lectin receptor Dectin-1 is involved in its recognition. We found that both yeasts and hyphae of C. albicans-induced mast cell degranulation and production of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, CCL3 and CCL4, while only yeasts were able to induce IL-1β. Mast cells also produced ROS after stimulation with both dimorphic phases of C. albicans. When mast cells were activated with yeasts and hyphae, they showed decreased expression of IκBα and increased presence of phosphorylated Syk. Blockade of the receptor Dectin-1, but not Toll-like receptor 2, decreased TNF-α production by mast cell in response to C. albicans. These results indicate that mast cells are capable of sensing the two phases of C. albicans, and suggest that mast cells participate as an early inductor of inflammation during the early innate immune response to this fungus.