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Caco‐2 monolayer as a model for transepithelial migration of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans

A model for transepithelial migration of human fungal pathogens was established, in which Candida albicans was shown to migrate across a monolayer of Caco‐2 intestinal cells in a two‐chamber system. Electron microscopy revealed typical stages of epithelial penetration by C. albicans including phagocytosis at the apical side, intra‐ and intercellular migration and exit on the basolateral side of the monolayer. Hyphal growth forms appeared particularly involved in penetration of the Caco‐2 monolayer. The model was examined using defined C. albicans mutants defective in hyphal development (efg1/efg1) or growth (ura3/ura3). Transmigration of the efg1/efg1 mutant strain was reduced, while transmigration of the ura3/ura3 strain was blocked completely in the absence of uridine. Because these results parallel virulence characteristics of the mutants the Caco‐2 monolayer system appears a useful model for the study of fungal‐human host cell interactions.