Recognition between Candida albicans and host cells.

The cell surface of Candida albicans is a complex mosaic of polysaccharide and protein, of which mannoproteins constitute the major antigens and host cell recognition molecules. One group of mannoproteins is known as 'adhesins' and has properties similar to lectins and integrins. The adhesins recognize either host cell fucosyl glycosides or peptides containing the amino acid sequence arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD peptides).