Induction of signal transduction in human neutrophils by Candida albicans hyphae: the role of pertussis toxin-sensitive guanosine triphosphate-binding proteins

Nonopsonized Candida hyphae elicit from human neutrophils a transient rise in cytosolic calcium concentrations and an oxidative burst without a detectable change in membrane potential. To determine if the signal-transduction pathway used by these organisms is mediated by guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (GNPs), we examined the functional responsiveness of neutrophils pretreated with pertussis toxin (PT). In response to serum-opsonized hyphae or zymosan, the rise in cytosolic calcium, membrane depolarization, and the respiratory burst were only partially abrogated. The transient rise in calcium induced by unopsonized hyphae was, however, completely eliminated in PT-treated neutrophils. Despite total abrogation of the calcium response, PT-treated cells could still mount a respiratory burst in response to these nonopsonized hyphae. Thus, neutrophil signaling by both serum-opsonized particles and nonopsonized hyphae is only partially mediated by PT-sensitive GNPs. Furthermore, the ability of unopsonized hyphae to elicit a respiratory burst without a calcium response suggests these events are separable and confirms the versatility of these organisms as probes for investigating neutrophil activation.