Identification and characterisation of virulence associated genes during oral infections with Candida albicans

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Oral infections with Candida albicans are very common diseases in immunocompromised patients. The aim of this project is to identify fungal factors which are associated with oral infection and to elucidate the relevance and role of these factors. C. albicans DNA microarrays will be used to identify genes that are up-regulated or exclusively expressed in an established in vitro model of oral Candida infections (RHE) and in patient samples. Using the RHE model, we will dissect the influence of several host components such as epithelial cells, saliva, antimicrobial peptides, leukocytes and pH on the fungal expression profile. The expression pattern of selected genes will be confirmed by qualitative expression analysis. Finally, we will analyse the relevance and role of selected infection-associated genes by the production of null mutant strains and a detailed analysis of the gene products. Null mutants will then be analysed in the RHE model in order to investigate the impact of the corresponding gene on pat hogenesis. In co-operation with other applicants of this priority programme, we will also analyse the host response during oral infections and compare our transcriptional profiling data with data from vaginal infections. This information will not only help to understand how C. albicans is able to cause disease, but will also identify factors of C. albicans which if suppressed, may enable us to prevent oral infections and will point to host factors crucial for prevention of oral candidosis.