Albumin Neutralizes Hydrophobic Toxins and Modulates <i>Candida albicans</i> Pathogenicity
Sophie Austermeier, Marina Pekmezović, Pauline Porschitz, Sejeong Lee, Nessim Kichik, David L. Moyes, Jemima Ho, Natalia K. Kotowicz, Julian R. Naglik, Bernhard Hube, Mark S. Gresnigt
Abstract
Albumin is the most abundant serum protein in humans. During inflammation, serum albumin levels decrease drastically, and low albumin levels are associated with poor patient outcome. Thus, albumin may have specific functions during infection. Here, we describe the ability of albumin to neutralize hydrophobic microbial toxins. We show that albumin can protect against damage induced by the pathogenic yeast C. albicans by neutralizing its cytolytic toxin candidalysin. These findings suggest that albumin is a toxin-neutralizing protein that may play a role during infections with toxin-producing microorganisms.