Antigenicity of Fractions from Extracts of Candida albicans : II. The Bronchial Responses in Guinea Pigs

Abstract

It has been shown in our previous report that polysaccharide fraction (PS) from extracts of Candida albicans elicited immediate reaction, and protein fraction (Prot.) provoked immediate, delayed or both reactions on human skin sensitive to the organism. When fractions of the extracts were inhaled to the patients with bronchial asthma, their bronchus also reacted like their skin. The aim of this study was to confirm the antigenicity of the fractions on respiratory tract of guinea pigs immunized with the organism. Extracts were made from organisms of Candida albicans, fractionated and purified with zone electrophoresis, DEAE-cellulose chromatography or Sephadex gel filtration to obtain purified PS and prot. as reported elsewhere. Twelve guinea pigs were immunized with intraperitoneal injections of Candida albicans and exposed to the aerosol of PS, Prot. or crude extracts of the organism. the oscillation method was used to measure respiratory resistance and respiratory nates of the animals. A definite decrease in respiratory conductance was seen immediately after the inhalation of 10 to 30 mg PS and this lasted for approximately 30 minutes. When the pigs were exposed to 7 to 15 mg of Prot. or crude extracts, two types of reactions in the respiratory tract were observed in each The first wasan immediate reaction with a decrease in conductance following inhalation, as was seen with exposure to PS, and the second was a delayed response with marked tachypnea occurring at 24 hours after exposure. This delayed response was not accompanied with any remarkable change in conductance. Little change in conductance or respiratory frequency was noted following exposure to these antigens s to three control animals. It has been shown in our previous study on guinea pigs immunized with egg albumin or tuberclie bacilli and exposed to the antigens, that allergic reactions in respiratory tract of immediate type and of Arthus type provoked a decrease in respiratory conductance and that reactions of delayed type caused an increase in respiratory frequence. Histologically the former reactions corresponded to the broncho-spasm and the latter represented exudation, edema and cell infiltration in the interstitium as well as in the alveolar space and peripheral airways. Taking the above results into consideration, it is likely that polysaccharide fraction from extracts of Candida albicans has an antigenic activity to provoke immediate type reaction, and the protein fraction has the activity to elicit immediate and delayed type allergic reactions in the respiratory tract as well as in the skin of guinea pigs immunized with the prganism. Histological studies support this view.