Hyphae and Yeasts of Candida albicans Differentially Regulate Interleukin-12 Production by Human Blood Monocytes: Inhibitory Role of C. albicans Germination

The role of Candida albicans yeast-to-hypha transition in interleukin-12 (IL-12) production by monocytes was investigated. Germinating C. albicans not only failed to induce IL-12 p70 but also suppressed IL-12 production induced by heat-killed C. albicans. Comparison of the abilities of germinating C. albicans and agerminating mutants to inhibit IL-12 production showed that germination of C. albicans plays a critical role in the inhibition of IL-12 production.