E-Cigarettes Increase <i>Candida albicans</i> Growth and Modulate its Interaction with Gingival Epithelial Cells

• Main Authors: Humidah Alanazi, Abdelhabib Semlali, Witold Chmielewski, Mahmoud Rouabhia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-01-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: e-cigarettes; <i>C. albicans</i>; growth; <i>SAP</i> genes; epithelial cells; LDH
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/2/294

Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) vapor comes in contact with the different constituents of the oral cavity, including such microorganisms as <i>Candida albicans</i>. We examined the impact of e-cigarettes on <i>C. albicans</i> growth and expression of different virulent genes, such as secreted aspartic proteases (<i>SAPs</i>), and the effect of e-cigarette vapor-exposed <i>C. albicans</i> on gingival epithelial cell morphology, growth, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. An increase in <i>C. albicans</i> growth was observed with nicotine-rich e-cigarettes compared with non-exposed cultures. Following exposure to e-cigarette vapor, <i>C. albicans</i> produced high levels of chitin. E-cigarettes also increased <i>C. albicans</i> hyphal length and the expression of <i>SAP2</i>, <i>SAP3</i>, and <i>SAP9</i> genes. When in contact with gingival epithelial cells, e-cigarette-exposed <i>C. albicans</i> adhered better to epithelial cells than the control. Indirect contact between e-cigarette-exposed <i>C. albicans</i> and gingival epithelial cells led to epithelial cell differentiation, reduced cell growth, and increased LDH activity. Overall, results indicate that e-cigarettes may interact with <i>C. albicans</i> to promote their pathogenesis, which may increase the risk of oral candidiasis in e-cigarette users.