Contribution of <i>C</i>. <i>albicans</i> invasins to internalization of the fungus by Caco-2 cells pre-treated or not with patulin 100μM.

<p>Caco-2 cells pre-treated or not with patulin 100μM were infected with <i>C</i>. <i>albicans</i> for 2 h after which the number of <i>Candida</i> cells partially internalized in enterocytes was determined. The relative contribution of active penetration and endocytosis in the internalization of the fungus was evaluated using Cytochalasin D treatment and <i>C</i>. <i>albicans</i> mutants (<i>hgc1Δ/Δ</i> and <i>als3Δ/Δ</i>). Invasiveness corresponded to the percentage of hyphae partially internalized amongst adherent hyphae. Results show mean ± SD of at least three independent experiments counting 300 yeasts for each (*p < 0.05, Kruskal and Wallis’ test) (*** p < 0.001, Anova test). ND: not detected. A. (no CytD treatment) The invasiveness of <i>C</i>. <i>albicans</i> invasins mutants (<i>hgc1Δ/Δ</i>, <i>als3Δ/Δ)</i> by enterocytes pre-treated or not with patulin 100μM was compared to that measured in the wild-type strain SC-5314 (WT). B. (CytD treatment) The invasiveness was compared with that measured in the same conditions but in the absence of treatment with cytochalasin D.