Bioactive interleukin-1α is cytolytically released from Candida albicans-infected oral epithelial cells

Abstract

Oral epithelial cells are primary targets of Candida albicans in the oropharynx and may regulate the inflammatory host response to this pathogen. This investigation studied the mechanisms underlying interleukin-1α (IL-1α) release by oral epithelial cells and the role of IL-1α in regulating the mucosal inflammatory response to C. albicans. Infected oral epithelial cells released processed IL-1α protein in culture supernatants. The IL-1α generated was stored intracellularly and was released upon cell lysis. This was further supported by the fact that different C. albicans strains induced variable IL-1α release, depending on their cytolytic activity. IL-1α from C. albicans-infected oral epithelial cells upregulated proinflammatory cytokine secretion (IL-8 and GM-CSF) in uninfected oral epithelial or stromal cells. Our studies suggest that production of IL-1α, IL-8 and GM-CSF may take place in the oral mucosa in response to lytic infection of epithelial cells with C. albicans. This process can act as an early innate immune surveillance system and may contribute to the clinicopathologic signs of infection in the oral mucosa. © 2004 ISHAM.