Zinc prevents vaginal candidiasis by inhibiting expression of an inflammatory fungal protein

• DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adi3363
• Publication Date: 2023-12-06T18:59:15Z
• Authors: Elena Roselletti; Eva Pericolini; Alexandre Nore; Peter Takacs; Bence Kozma; Arianna Sala; Francesco De Seta; Manola Comar; Jane Usher; Gordon D. Brown; Duncan Wilson
• Keywords: Proinflammatory cytokine; Vaginal disease

Candida causes an estimated half-billion cases of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) every year. VVC is most commonly caused by albicans , which, in this setting, triggers nonprotective neutrophil infiltration, aggressive local inflammation, and symptomatic disease. Despite its prevalence, little known about the molecular mechanisms underpinning immunopathology fungal infection. In study, we describe determinant a potentially straightforward way to prevent response zinc limitation, C. releases trace mineral binding molecule called Pra1 (pH-regulated antigen). Here, show that PRA1 gene strongly up-regulated during vaginal infections expression positively correlated with proinflammatory cytokine concentrations women. Genetic deletion prevented inflammation mice, application solution down-regulated also blocked immunopathology. We treatment women suffering from recurrent gel reinfections. have therefore identified key mediator VVC, giving us opportunity develop range preventative measures for combatting