Candida albicans stimulates endothelial cell eicosanoid production

The response of human umbilical vein endothelial cells to invasion by Candida species was examined in vitro. Live Candida albicans caused significant endothelial release of eicosanoids, mainly prostaglandins. Since prostaglandin I₂ (PGI₂) is an important prostaglandin produced by endothelial cells, factors influencing its release were studied. The ability of different strains and species of Candida to induce endothelial PGI₂ release was closely related to their capacity to injure the endothelium (r = .99). C. albicans was the only species tested that either stimulated PGI₂ release or damaged the endothelial cells; only this organism possessed detectable phospholipase activity. Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis had no phospholipase activity and neither increased PGI₂ release nor caused significant endothelial damage. Close proximity with germinated C. albicans was required for endothelial injury and PGI₂ release. The ability of C. albicans to stimulate endothelial cells may have important implications in regulating neutrophil activities against organisms that interact with endothelial cells.