Candida pathogens induce protective mitochondria-associated type I interferon signalling and a damage-driven response in vaginal epithelial cells.

Vaginal candidiasis is an extremely common disease predominantly caused by four phylogenetically diverse species: Candida albicans; Candida glabrata; Candida parapsilosis; and Candida tropicalis. Using a time course infection model of vaginal epithelial cells and dual RNA sequencing, we show that these species exhibit distinct pathogenicity patterns, which are defined by highly species-specific transcriptional profiles during infection of vaginal epithelial cells. In contrast, host cells exhibit a homogeneous response to all species at the early stages of infection, which is characterized by sublethal mitochondrial signalling inducing a protective type I interferon response. At the later stages, the transcriptional response of the host diverges in a species-dependent manner. This divergence is primarily driven by the extent of epithelial damage elicited by species-specific mechanisms, such as secretion of the toxin candidalysin by C. albicans. Our results uncover a dynamic, biphasic response of vaginal epithelial cells to Candida species, which is characterized by protective mitochondria-associated type I interferon signalling and a species-specific damage-driven response.

Differential Expression of Local Immune Response Genes in the Vagina: Implication for the Diagnosis of Vaginal Infections.

Transcription profiles of genes of local immune response were determined in the vagina of women with bacterial vaginosis, aerobic vaginitis, and vulvovaginal candidosis for detection of the most specific immune markers for these vaginal infections. Laboratory diagnosis of the vaginal infections was performed microscopically; the inflammatory reaction in the vagina (leukorrhea) was defined as the presence of >10 white blood cells per field of view. Transcription profiles of IL1b, IL10, IL18, TNFα, TLR4, GATA3, and CD68 were determined using reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR. The strongest predictors of aerobic vaginitis were increased levels of IL1b and IL10 mRNA. Bacterial vaginosis was strongly associated with reduced levels of IL18 and GATA3 mRNA. Increased levels of IL1b and TLR4 transcripts showed significant discriminatory power for vulvovaginal candidosis and leukorrhea. The results of this study suggest differential expression of local immune response genes in the vagina of women with different vaginal infections. Detection of specific immune markers in the vagina using reverse-transcriptase PCR could supplement PCR detection of abnormal vaginal microflora for the diagnosis of vaginal infections.

A Combination of Polybacterial MV140 and Candida albicans V132 as a Potential Novel Trained Immunity-Based Vaccine for Genitourinary Tract Infections.

Recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTIs) and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVCs) represent major healthcare problems with high socio-economic impact worldwide. Antibiotic and antifungal prophylaxis remain the gold standard treatments for RUTIs and RVVCs, contributing to the massive rise of antimicrobial resistance, microbiota alterations and co-infections. Therefore, the development of novel vaccine strategies for these infections are sorely needed. The sublingual heat-inactivated polyvalent bacterial vaccine MV140 shows clinical efficacy for the prevention of RUTIs and promotes Th1/Th17 and IL-10 immune responses. V132 is a sublingual preparation of heat-inactivated Candida albicans developed against RVVCs. A vaccine formulation combining both MV140 and V132 might well represent a suitable approach for concomitant genitourinary tract infections (GUTIs), but detailed mechanistic preclinical studies are still needed. Herein, we showed that the combination of MV140 and V132 imprints human dendritic cells (DCs) with the capacity to polarize potent IFN-γ- and IL-17A-producing T cells and FOXP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells. MV140/V132 activates mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK)-, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)- and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-mediated signaling pathways in human DCs. MV140/V132 also promotes metabolic and epigenetic reprogramming in human DCs, which are key molecular mechanisms involved in the induction of innate trained immunity. Splenocytes from mice sublingually immunized with MV140/V132 display enhanced proliferative responses of CD4+ T cells not only upon in vitro stimulation with the related antigens contained in the vaccine formulation but also upon stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin. Additionally, in vivo sublingual immunization with MV140/V132 induces the generation of IgG and IgA antibodies against all the components contained in the vaccine formulation. We uncover immunological mechanisms underlying the potential mode of action of a combination of MV140 and V132 as a novel promising trained immunity-based vaccine (TIbV) for GUTIs.

The Interleukin (IL) 17R/IL-22R Signaling Axis Is Dispensable for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Regardless of Estrogen Status.

Candida albicans, a ubiquitous commensal fungus that colonizes human mucosal tissues and skin, can become pathogenic, clinically manifesting most commonly as oropharyngeal candidiasis and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Studies in mice and humans convincingly show that T-helper 17 (Th17)/interleukin 17 (IL-17)-driven immunity is essential to control oral and dermal candidiasis. However, the role of the IL-17 pathway during VVC remains controversial, with conflicting reports from human data and mouse models. Like others, we observed induction of a strong IL-17-related gene signature in the vagina during estrogen-dependent murine VVC. As estrogen increases susceptibility to vaginal colonization and resulting immunopathology, we asked whether estrogen use in the standard VVC model masks a role for the Th17/IL-17 axis. We demonstrate that mice lacking IL-17RA, Act1, or interleukin 22 showed no evidence for altered VVC susceptibility or immunopathology, regardless of estrogen administration. Hence, these data support the emerging consensus that Th17/IL-17 axis signaling is dispensable for the immunopathogenesis of VVC.

Targeting the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor With Indole-3-Aldehyde Protects From Vulvovaginal Candidiasis via the IL-22-IL-18 Cross-Talk.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common mucosal infection caused by Candida spp., most frequently by Candida albicans, which may become recurrent and severely impacting the quality of life of susceptible women. Although it is increasingly being recognized that mucosal damage is mediated by an exaggerated inflammatory response, current therapeutic approaches are only based on antifungals that may relieve the symptomatology, but fail to definitely prevent recurrences. The unrestrained activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome with continuous production of IL-1ß and recruitment of neutrophils is recognized as a pathogenic factor in VVC. We have previously shown that IL-22 is required to dampen pathogenic inflammasome activation in VVC via the NLRC4/IL-1Ra axis. However, IL-22 also regulates IL-18, a product of the inflammasome activity that regulates IL-22 expression. Here we describe a cross-regulatory circuit between IL-18 and IL-22 in murine VVC that is therapeutically druggable. We found that IL-18 production was dependent on IL-22 and NLRC4, and that IL-18, in turn, contributes to IL-22 activity. Like in IL-22 deficiency, IL-18 deficiency was associated with an increased susceptibility to VVC and unbalanced Th17/Treg response, suggesting that IL-18 can regulate both the innate and the adaptive responses to the fungus. Administration of the microbial metabolite indole-3-aldehyde, known to stimulate the production of IL-22 via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), promoted IL-18 expression and protection against Candida infection. Should low levels of IL-18 be demonstrated in the vaginal fluids of women with recurrent VVC, targeting the AhR/IL-22/IL-18 pathway could be exploited for future therapeutic approaches in VVC. This study suggests that a deeper understanding of the mechanisms regulating inflammasome activity may lead to the identification of novel targets for intervention in VVC.

Celiac disease in the context of airborne allergen-associated chronic vulvo-vaginitis.

We present a woman with a three-year history of severe chronic urticaria and recurrent vulvo-vaginal Candidiasis in the setting of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Her past medical history was significant only for Bell's palsy in her childhood. Her review of systems was otherwise negative (specifically: no history of diarrhea, weight loss, malabsorption, anemia, nor eczema). Extensive testing revealed seasonal sensitivities to outdoor allergens and celiac disease. Repeating the evaluation six months after initiating a wheat-free diet, her vulvo-vaginal symptoms resolved.

[Changes of local vaginal immune regulation in rats infected with vulvovaginal candidiasis].

Objective: To study the disease process of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) infection in rat model of VVC, and to study the immuno-repairing effect of different treatments on vaginal epithelium and the ultra-structural changes of vaginal epithelial cells. Methods: The VVC model of female rats were established. After successful modeling, the rats were treated with no treatment (model control group), nystatin and Kangfu Xiaoyan suppository. The vaginal epithelium was observed by transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemical staining. The ultra-structural changes of epithelial cells and the expression of cytokines interferon γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL) 4, IL-17 and IgG in epithelial cells were observed and analyzed statistically. Results: The negative conversion rate of model control group was 0, and that of nystatin group was 6/6, and that of Kangfu Xiaoyan suppository group was 5/6; significant difference existed between nystatin, Kangfu Xiaoyan suppository group and model control group (P<0.05). The ultrastructures of vaginal epithelial cells were damaged obviously after VVC infection, and the ultrastructures were repaired by nystatin and Kangfu Xiaoyan suppository under transmission electron microscope. Immunohistochemical staining showed, the expressions of IFN-γ and IgG in the four cytokines which played a protective role increased after Kangfu Xiaoyan suppository treatment, significantly different from that of model control group (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences of the IFN-γ and IgG expression between Kangfu Xiaoyan suppository group and those of nystatin group (P>0.05); the expression of IL-17 was increased after nystatin treatment, but decreased after Kangfu Xiaoyan suppository treatment, and the difference between the two groups had statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusions: The ultrastructure of vaginal epithelial cells after VVC infection could be damaged obviously, the local immune state is disordered, and the antifungal drug nystatin has a good therapeutic effect on VVC, it could significantly repair the damaged vaginal epithelium structure after VVC infection and strengthen the protective immune function of vaginal epithelium. Kangfu Xiaoyan suppository, one of Chinese medicine, has similar therapeutic effect with nystatin.

Therapeutic effectiveness of type I interferon in vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) affects approximately 75% of all women of during their reproductive years. Previously, we reported that recombinant human IFN α-2b (rhIFNα-2b) protects vaginal epithelial cells from candidal injury in vitro. In the current study, we examined the effects of rhIFNα-2b (1.25 mg/mL, 10% inhibition concentration) on fungal clearance, immunocompetent cytokine responses, non-B IgG production, and tissue repair in a rat model of VVC. Following rhIFNα-2b treatment, the negative pathogen conversion rate reached 50.0% (3/6). Although rhIFNα-2b exhibited a limited ability to decrease inflammation and injury progression (P > 0.05), the Flameng mitochondrial injury scores were significantly reduced (P < 0.001) compared with those of the Model rats. After rhIFNα-2b treatment, the levels of IFN-γ and epithelial-derived IgG (tested by RP215) in vaginal tissues were significantly increased with those in the Control and Model groups (both P < 0.001), while there were no significant differences in the levels of IL-4 and IL-17 (P > 0.05). This is the first study to address the efficacy of rhIFNα-2b in treating VVC in a rat model, providing a theoretical basis for development of this promising treatment for clinical use.

Impaired Th17 cell proliferation and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine production in CXCR3/CXCR4 double-deficient mice of vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common observed infection, affecting approximately 75% of women of reproductive age. Drug resistance represents a troublesome stumbling block associated with VVC therapy. Thus the aim of the present study was to provide information regarding the selection of potential drug targets for VVC. CXCR3-, CXCR4-, or CXCR/CXCR4 double-deficient mouse models of VVC were subsequently established, with changes to the load of Candida Albicans evaluated accordingly. The biological behaviors of the vaginal epithelial cells were characterized in response to the CXCR3-, CXCR4-, or CXCR3/CXCR4 double-knockout in vivo. Our initial observations revealed that in mice with VVC, CXCR3-, CXCR4-, or CXCR3 - CXCR4 double-knockout resulted in a decreased load of C. Albicans as well as reduced levels and proportion of Th17 cells. Proinflammatory cytokine production was found to be inhibited by CXCR3-, CXCR4-, or CXCR3/CXCR4 double-knockout whereby the mRNA and protein expressions CXCR3, CXCR4, IL-17, IL-6, and TNF-α exhibited decreased levels. CXCR3-, CXCR4-, or CXCR3/CXCR4 double-knockout appeared to function as positive proliferation factors, while playing a negative role in the processes of apoptosis and the cell cycle of vaginal epithelial cells. Taken together, the key findings of the study suggested that CXCR3/CXCR4 double-knockout could act to hinder the progression of VVC, highlighting its promise as a novel therapeutic target in the treatment of VVC. CXCR3 and CXCR4 genes may regulate Th17/IL-17 immune inflammatory pathways to participate in antifungal immunity.

Protective Effects of cis-2-Dodecenoic Acid in an Experimental Mouse Model of Vaginal Candidiasis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of cis-2-dodecenoic acid (BDSF) in the treatment and prevention of vaginal candidiasis in vivo. METHODS: The activities of different concentrations of BDSF against the virulence factors of Candida albicans (C. albicans) were determined in vitro. An experimental mouse model of Candida vaginitis was treated with 250 µmol/L BDSF. Treatment efficiency was evaluated in accordance with vaginal fungal burden and inflammation symptoms. RESULTS: In vitro experiments indicated that BDSF attenuated the adhesion and damage of C. albicans to epithelial cells by decreasing phospholipase secretion and blocking filament formation. Treatment with 30 µmol/L BDSF reduced the adhesion and damage of C. albicans to epithelial cells by 36.9% and 42.3%, respectively. Treatment with 200 µmol/L BDSF completely inhibited phospholipase activity. In vivo mouse experiments demonstrated that BDSF could effectively eliminate vaginal infection and relieve inflammatory symptoms. Four days of treatment with 250 µmol/L BDSF reduced vaginal fungal loads by 6-fold and depressed inflammation. Moreover, BDSF treatment decreased the expression levels of the inflammatory chemokine-associated genes MCP-1 and IGFBP3 by 2.5- and 2-fold, respectively. CONCLUSION: BDSF is a novel alternative drug that can efficiently control vaginal candidiasis by inhibiting the virulence factors of C. albicans.

IL-9 Integrates the Host-Candida Cross-Talk in Vulvovaginal Candidiasis to Balance Inflammation and Tolerance.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common fungal infection caused by Candida albicans. The antifungal therapy represents the standard of care but due to the high costs of treatment and to the inability to prevent recurrences, the development of alternative therapeutic approaches is much-awaited. Recently, we have shown that the pathogenesis of C. albicans in the gut is modulated by IL-9, a pleiotropic cytokine able to promote both inflammation and tolerance during C. albicans infection. Herein, by using a mouse model of VVC, we similarly demonstrated that IL-9 might exert a dual role in VVC by contributing to inflammation during the initial immune activation and promoting resolution thereafter. Specifically, IL-9 has a pro-inflammatory activity at the onset of VVC by promoting NLRP3 inflammasome activity and mucosal mast cells expansion but a tolerogenic role in the resolution phase by promoting IL-1Ra production and connective tissue mast cells activation. We further show that a timely IL-9 neutralization at the onset of the inflammatory response ameliorated symptoms and vaginal pathology. Given that vaginal fluids from patients with recurrent VVC had higher levels of IL-9, these findings, by providing novel insights into the pathogenesis of VVC, may pave the way for alternative therapeutic strategies based on IL-9 neutralization.

Inhibition of CXCR4 by MicroRNA-1192 Reduces the Activation of Th17 Cells and Expression of Inflammation Factors in a Mouse Model of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a disease commonly occurring in sexually active women. The involvement of microRNAs in several kinds of infectious diseases has been highlighted in a number of researches. Therefore, we conducted the present study in order to investigate whether microRNA-1192 (miR-1192) would significantly target CXCR4 in Th17 cells as well as inflammatory factors in mouse models suffering from VVC. METHODS: Seventy-five mice were selected as test subjects for this study, of which twenty-five were used as the normal control, while the rest were treated with estradiol or oil-treated in order to establish VVC mouse models (each n = 25). Protein expressions of CXCR4, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23 were all measured using both an immunohistochemistry and ELISA. The Th17 cell percentage in peripheral blood and the expression of RORγt in Th17 cells were detected using a flow cytometry. Mouse vaginal epithelial cells were isolated from normal mice, after which the mice were treated with estradiol to regulate their estrogen, followed by treatments involving the miR-1192 mimic, miR-1192 inhibitor, siRNA-CXCR4, and miR-1192 inhibitor + si-CXCR4. The cell cycle, apoptosis, and proliferation were all examined by using an additional flow cytometry as well as the employment of the MTT assay. The miR-1192, CXCR4, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23 expressions in tissues and cells were both measured using both RT-qPCR and western blot assay techniques. RESULTS: The mice treated with either estradiol or oil had presented to us lowered levels in miR-1192 expression as well as higher levels in both Th17 cell percentage and expression of RORγt in Th17 cells, along with mRNA and protein expressions of CXCR4, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23. In cell experiments, the mouse vaginal epithelial cells that had been treated with miR-1192 inhibitor had shown us a decreased cell proliferation rate and contrarily increased expressions of CXCR4, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23 mRNA, protein, and cell apoptosis rate; these results were opposite to the ones found in the mice treated with miR-1192 mimic. CONCLUSION: Our results provided significant evidence that miR-1192 could directly development and progression of VVC by restraining the CXCR4 gene in the VVC mice.

Nystatin enhances the immune response against Candida albicans and protects the ultrastructure of the vaginal epithelium in a rat model of vulvovaginal candidiasis.

BACKGROUND: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common infectious disease of the lower genital tract. Nystatin, a polyene fungicidal antibiotic, is used as a topical antifungal agent for VVC treatment. The aim of the current study was to investigate the possible immunomodulatory effects of nystatin on the vaginal mucosal immune response during Candida albicans infection and examine its role in protection of vaginal epithelial cell (VEC) ultrastructure. RESULTS: Following infection with C. albicans, IFN-γ and IL-17 levels in VECs were significantly elevated, while the presence of IgG was markedly decreased as compared to uninfected controls (P <  0.05). No significant differences in IL4 expression were observed. After treatment with nystatin, the level of IFN-γ, IL-17 and IgG was dramatically increased in comparison to the untreated group (P <  0.05). Transmission electron microscopy revealed that C. albicans invades the vaginal epithelium by both induced endocytosis and active penetration. Nystatin treatment protects the ultrastructure of the vaginal epithelium. Compared with the untreated C. albicans-infected group, Flameng scores which measure mitochondrial damage of VECs were markedly decreased (P <  0.001) and the number of adhesive and invasive C. albicans was significantly reduced (P <  0.01) after treatment with nystatin. CONCLUSIONS: Nystatin plays a protective role in the host defense against C. albicans by up-regulating the IFN-γ-related cellular response, the IL-17 signaling pathway and possibly through enhancing VEC-derived IgG-mediated immunity. Furthermore, nystatin notably improves the ultramorphology of the vaginal mucosa, partially through the protection of mitochondria ultrastructure in VECs and inhibition of adhesion and invasion by C. albicans. Together, these effects enhance the immune response of the vaginal mucosa against C. albicans and protect the ultrastructure of vaginal epithelium in VVC rats.

Comparative Analysis of the Capacity of the Candida Species To Elicit Vaginal Immunopathology.

The human fungal pathogen Candida albicans is the major etiological agent of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Despite this fact, other non-albicans Candida (NAC) species have frequently been reported, as well. Despite their presence in the vaginal environment, little is known about their capacities to elicit immune responses classically associated with C. albicans-mediated immunopathology, including neutrophil recruitment and proinflammatory cytokine signaling. Therefore, using a combination of in vitro and in vivo approaches, we undertook a comparative analysis to determine whether a representative panel of NAC species could colonize, induce immunopathological markers, or cause damage at the vaginal mucosa. Using a murine model of VVC, C. albicans was found to induce robust immunopathology (neutrophils and interleukin 1ß [IL-1ß]) and elicit mucosal damage. However, all the NAC species tested (including C. dubliniensis, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei, C. glabrata, and C. auris) induced significantly less damage and neutrophil recruitment than C. albicans, despite achieving similar early colonization levels. These results largely correlated with a notable lack of ability by the NAC species (including C. dubliniensis and C. tropicalis) to form hyphae both in vitro and in vivo Furthermore, both C. dubliniensis and C. tropicalis induced significantly less expression of the ECE1 gene encoding candidalysin, a key fungal virulence determinant driving VVC immunopathology. In order to determine the relative capacities of these species to elicit inflammasome-dependent IL-1ß release, both wild-type and NLRP3-/- THP-1 cells were challenged in vitro While most species tested elicited only modest amounts of IL-1ß, challenge with C. albicans led to significantly elevated levels that were largely NLRP3 dependent. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that although NAC species are increasingly reported as causative agents of VVC, C. albicans appears to be exceedingly vaginopathogenic, exhibiting robust immunopathology, hypha formation, and candidalysin expression. Thus, this study provides mechanistic insight into why C. albicans is overwhelmingly the major pathogen reported during VVC.

Epitope unmasking in vulvovaginal candidiasis is associated with hyphal growth and neutrophilic infiltration.

Vaginal candidiasis is a common disorder in women of childbearing age, caused primarily by the dimorphic fungus Candida albicans. Since C. albicans is a normal commensal of the vaginal mucosa, a long-standing question is how the fungus switches from being a harmless commensal to a virulent pathogen. Work with human subjects and in mouse disease models suggests that host inflammatory processes drive the onset of symptomatic infection. Fungal cell wall molecules can induce inflammation through activation of epithelial and immune receptors that trigger pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, but pathogenic fungi can evade recognition by masking these molecules. Knowledge about which cell wall epitopes are available for immune recognition during human infection could implicate specific ligands and receptors in the symptoms of vaginal candidiasis. To address this important gap, we directly probed the surface of fungi present in fresh vaginal samples obtained both from women with symptomatic Candida vaginitis and from women that are colonized but asymptomatic. We find that the pro-inflammatory cell wall polysaccharide ß-glucan is largely masked from immune recognition, especially on yeast. It is only exposed on a small percentage of hyphal cells, where it tends to co-localize with enhanced levels of chitin. Enhanced ß-glucan availability is only found in symptomatic patients with strong neutrophil infiltration, implicating neutrophils as a possible driver of these cell wall changes. This is especially interesting because neutrophils were recently shown to be necessary and sufficient to provoke enhanced ß-glucan exposure in C. albicans, accompanied by elevated immune responses. Taken together, our data suggest that the architecture of C. albicans cell wall can be altered by environmental stress during vaginal candidiasis.

Estrogen Receptor-Alpha (ESR1) Governs the Lower Female Reproductive Tract Vulnerability to Candida albicans.

Estradiol-based therapies predispose women to vaginal infections. Moreover, it has long been known that neutrophils are absent from the vaginal lumen during the ovulatory phase (high estradiol). However, the mechanisms that regulate neutrophil influx to the vagina remain unknown. We investigated the neutrophil transepithelial migration (TEM) into the vaginal lumen. We revealed that estradiol reduces the CD44 and CD47 epithelial expression in the vaginal ectocervix and fornix, which retain neutrophils at the apical epithelium through the estradiol receptor-alpha. In contrast, luteal progesterone increases epithelial expression of CD44 and CD47 to promote neutrophil migration into the vaginal lumen and Candida albicans destruction. Distinctive to vaginal mucosa, neutrophil infiltration is contingent to sex hormones to prevent sperm from neutrophil attack; although it may compromise immunity during ovulation. Thus, sex hormones orchestrate tolerance and immunity in the vaginal lumen by regulating neutrophil TEM.

The Case for an Expanded Concept of Trained Immunity.

Trained immunity was originally proposed as a program of innate immunity memory by innate immunity cells of hematopoietic origin such as the monocytes/macrophages and the NK cells. Here I discuss some old and new data justifying this program and some specific, still unanswered, questions it raises regarding the model fungus Candida albicans and the chronic, inflammatory vulvovaginal disease it causes. Building upon this well-established program, the recent reports that epithelial cells of mammals can also acquire memory from previous stimulations, and the apparent intrinsic ability of many living cells from bacteria to mammals to learn from experience, I suggest an expansion of the concept of trained immunity to include all cells of different lineages with the potential of memorizing previous microbial encounters. This expansion would better fit the complexity of innate immunity and the role it plays in infectious and inflammatory diseases.

The Elusive Anti-Candida Vaccine: Lessons From the Past and Opportunities for the Future.

Candidemia is a bloodstream fungal infection caused by Candida species and is most commonly observed in hospitalized patients. Even with proper antifungal drug treatment, mortality rates remain high at 40-50%. Therefore, prophylactic or preemptive antifungal medications are currently recommended in order to prevent infections in high-risk patients. Moreover, the majority of women experience at least one episode of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) throughout their lifetime and many of them suffer from recurrent VVC (RVVC) with frequent relapses for the rest of their lives. While there currently exists no definitive cure, the only available treatment for RVVC is again represented by antifungal drug therapy. However, due to the limited number of existing antifungal drugs, their associated side effects and the increasing occurrence of drug resistance, other approaches are greatly needed. An obvious prevention measure for candidemia or RVVC relapse would be to immunize at-risk patients with a vaccine effective against Candida infections. In spite of the advanced and proven techniques successfully applied to the development of antibacterial or antiviral vaccines, however, no antifungal vaccine is still available on the market. In this review, we first summarize various efforts to date in the development of anti-Candida vaccines, highlighting advantages and disadvantages of each strategy. We next unfold and discuss general hurdles encountered along these efforts, such as the existence of large genomic variation and phenotypic plasticity across Candida strains and species, and the difficulty in mounting protective immune responses in immunocompromised or immunosuppressed patients. Lastly, we review the concept of "trained immunity" and discuss how induction of this rapid and nonspecific immune response may potentially open new and alternative preventive strategies against opportunistic infections by Candida species and potentially other pathogens.

A Fungal Immunotherapeutic Vaccine (NDV-3A) for Treatment of Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis-A Phase 2 Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) is a problematic form of mucosal Candida infection, characterized by repeated episodes per year. Candida albicans is the most common cause of RVVC. Currently, there are no immunotherapeutic treatments for RVVC. Methods: This exploratory randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated an immunotherapeutic vaccine (NDV-3A) containing a recombinant C. albicans adhesin/invasin protein for prevention of RVVC. Results: The study in 188 women with RVVC (n = 178 evaluable) showed that 1 intramuscular dose of NDV-3A was safe and generated rapid and robust B- and T-cell immune responses. Post hoc exploratory analyses revealed a statistically significant increase in the percentage of symptom-free patients at 12 months after vaccination (42% vaccinated vs 22% placebo; P = .03) and a doubling in median time to first symptomatic episode (210 days vaccinated vs 105 days placebo) for the subset of patients aged <40 years (n = 137). The analysis of evaluable patients, which combined patients aged <40 years (77%) and ≥40 years (23%), trended toward a positive impact of NDV-3A versus placebo (P = .099). Conclusions: In this unprecedented study of the effectiveness of a fungal vaccine in humans, NDV-3A administered to women with RVVC was safe and highly immunogenic and reduced the frequency of symptomatic episodes of vulvovaginal candidiasis for up to 12 months in women aged <40 years. These results support further development of NDV-3A vaccine and provide guidance for meaningful clinical endpoints for immunotherapeutic management of RVVC. Clinical Trials Registration: NCT01926028.

Candida vaginitis: virulence, host response and vaccine prospects.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is a common mucosal infection affecting a large proportion of women with some of them affected by recurrent often intractable forms of the disease. Thus, there is an increasing interest in understanding the pathogenesis of this disease. The aim of our work was to characterize, in animal models of vaginal candidiasis, the components of the host-fungus interaction at the mucosal level.The evidence of an immune response in the vaginal compartment was very encouraging to identify the proper targets for new strategies for vaccination or immunotherapy of vaginal candidiasis. Aspartyl-proteinase (Sap2), which is an important immunodominant antigens and virulence factors of C.albicans acting in mucosal infections, was assembled with virosomes and a vaccine PEV7 was obtained. The results obtained in the mouse model and in the clinical trial conducted by Pevion on women have evidenced that the vaccine PEV7, intravaginally administered, has an encouraging therapeutic potential for the treatment of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. This opens the way to a modality for anti-Candida protection at mucosal level.