Abstract
Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is one of the key players in the innate immune system. It has the ability to identify a broad range of pathogens based on recognition of carbohydrate repeats displayed on microbial surfaces. Since mannans make about 40% of the total polysaccharide content of cell wall of
Candida
species (spp.) and MBL is capable of high-affinity binding to the mannan fraction of their cell wall component, this study has investigated the direct influence of MBL on
Candida in vitro. Candida (C.) albicans
and
C. glabrata
were
in vitro
exposed to different doses of recombinant human MBL for various time points to assess MBL influence on the production of hyphae and on the yeast forms. Moreover, the direct effect of MBL on the growth of
C. albicans
was measured by a cell proliferation assay. MBL induced agglutination of yeast forms as well as hyphal forms of
Candida
spp. and significantly reduced proliferation of
C. albicans in vitro
. MBL can be used as a potential antifungal candidate against
Candida
infection
.