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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.05.04.722752

A Candida glabrata adhesin-like effector drives fitness and immunogenicity in the gut

Jensen, O.·Hanson, L.·Henault, M.·Haskins, B. E.·Trujillo, E.·Brown, C.·Brunetti, T.·McCabe, M. C.·Russo, B. C.·Heasley, L. R.·Ost, K. S.
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Abstract

Candida glabrata is a leading cause of invasive candidiasis. The gut serves as its primary reservoir, yet factors governing colonization and pathogenic potential remain poorly defined. Here, we identify immunoglobulin A (IgA) as a key regulator of C. glabrata within the intestinal microbiome. We found that C. glabrata induces an IgA response in a strain-specific manner. Comparative transcriptional and proteomic analyses of IgA-inducing and non-inducing strains identified a putative adhesin, Awp11, whose expression correlated with IgA induction. Awp11 is directly targeted by IgA and is required for inducing C. glabrata-specific IgA and Th17 responses in vivo. Functionally, Awp11 promotes colonization of a complex intestinal microbiome, and intestinal IgA limits this advantage. In most strains, AWP11 transcription is dynamic and limited by IgA in the gut. This identifies Awp11 as a key determinant of strain-dependent immunogenicity and gut colonization that C. glabrata may dynamically regulate to balance colonization and immune evasion.

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Jensen, O., Hanson, L., Henault, M., Haskins, B. E., Trujillo, E., Brown, C., Brunetti, T., McCabe, M. C., Russo, B. C., Heasley, L. R., Ost, K. S.. 2026-05-07. A Candida glabrata adhesin-like effector drives fitness and immunogenicity in the gut. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.05.04.722752

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