RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Regulation of Candida albicans Morphogenesis by Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha and Potential for Treatment of Oral Candidiasis JF In Vivo JO In Vivo FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 25 OP 32 VO 21 IS 1 A1 HITOMI OHTA A1 TADAO TANIMOTO A1 MADOKA TANIAI A1 MUTSUKO TANIGUCHI A1 TOSHIO ARIYASU A1 SHIGEYUKI ARAI A1 TSUNETAKA OHTA A1 SHIGEHARU FUKUDA YR 2007 UL http://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/21/1/25.abstract AB Background: Endogenous tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) has a beneficial effect as an activation mediator of host defense against infection by the fungus Candida albicans (C. albicans). However, it is unclear whether exogenous TNF-α has a beneficial or detrimental effect against Candida. Materials and Methods: The direct effect of TNF-α on CO2-induced morphological transformation of C. albicans blastoconidia was examined in vitro and the effect of TNF-α was determined in a mouse model of oral candidiasis. Results: TNF-α suppressed hyphal formation from C. albicans blastoconidia directly and dose-dependently, whereas it did not affect the fungal budding rate at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 10 μg/ml. In vivo, the oral administration of TNF-α significantly reduced the C. albicans CFU in tongue tissues of treated mice. Histopathologically, there was a decrease in the number and size of C. albicans fungi in the tongue tissues. Conclusion: Since orally administered TNF-α suppressed fungal burden in the tongue tissue without significant detrimental effects, TNF-α has potential as a therapeutic agent against Candida. Copyright © 2007 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved