The effect of antifungal agents on the cytokine release from peripheral blood mononuclear cells that are stimulated by candida species

Factors like more common use of the wide-spectrum antibiotics and the more frequent application of organ transplantation lead to an increase in the number of patients with immunsupression and the presence of candidiasis in such patients. There are various factors, including cytokines, that play a role in the immunization against Candida infection. Antifugal agents could interact with immune cells. In this study, the aim is to determine the changes in the cytokine release from human peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) caused by antifungal agents like voriconazole, kaspofungin and itroconazole. Human PBMC isolation has been performed with Ficoll-hypaque density gradient centrifugation method. The level of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IL-22, IL-23, IFN-? ve TGF-ß cytokine levels in the human PBMC supernatant liquid is determined by using ELISA method.According to the results of our study, in the presence of voriconazole, itraconazole and kaspofungin; a statistically significant increase in the IL-2, IL-6, IL-22, IL-23 and IFN-? levels and a decrease in the TGF-ß level has been observed, whereas there has not been any statistically significant change observed in the IL-10 and IL-17 levels.The results of our study asserts that antifungal agents may have immunomodulator effects on human PBMCs stimulated by Candida species. PBMC interaction with antifungal agents has led to Th1 type cytokine response. Cytokine release from immune cells is also important in the elimination of fungal pathogens. Therefore, cytokines have an importance as a new treatment approach to be used with antifungal agents particularly in the treatment of Candida infections.