Enhanced resistance against systemic Candida albicans infection in mice treated with C. albicans DNA.

In this study, double-stranded Candida albicans DNA was administered in systemic C. albicans infection in at dose of 20 microg per mouse at 4, 5 and 6 weeks of age. The level of IL-12 in serum was elevated as a result of yeast DNA treatment and correlated with lower mortality and decreased kidney and liver injury. Macrophage activation was demonstrated by an increase of nitric oxide (NO) and IL-12 production. These effects were Janus activation kinases (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) dependent as they were inhibited by selective JAK inhibitor tyrphostin AG-490. DNA influenced adaptive immune response through elevation of anti-Candida IgG antibody production in systemic C. albicans infection. Thus, C. albicans DNA augmented innate and adaptive immune responses against the pathogen.