Agglutinin-like sequence 3 protein and Hyphally regulated protein 1 (Als3p and Hyr1p)

Agglutinin-like sequence 3 protein (Als3p) and Hyphally regulated protein 1 (Hyr1p) are key cell surface proteins expressed by the fungal pathogen Candida albicans during its pathogenic hyphal growth phase. Als3p is a multifunctional adhesin and invasin that facilitates the fungus's attachment to host tissues and entry into host cells by binding to receptors like E-cadherin and N-cadherin; it also plays a vital role in iron acquisition by binding to host ferritin. Hyr1p is a critical virulence factor that enables Candida to evade the host's innate immune system by providing resistance against neutrophil-mediated killing. These antigens are the primary components of several experimental vaccines, such as NDV-3A and the dual-antigen VXV-01, which aim to prevent life-threatening systemic candidiasis and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. Targeting these proteins induces a robust Th1/Th17 immune response and produces neutralizing antibodies that block fungal virulence and enhance opsonophagocytic clearance by immune cells.

Other names

Als3Hyr1Agglutinin-like sequence 3Hyphally regulated protein 1Candida albicans hyphal surface antigensCandida adhesin/invasin Als3pCandida phagocyte evasion factor Hyr1p

Induction of protective Th1 and Th17 cellular immune responses; production of neutralizing IgG antibodies that block fungal adhesion, invasion, and biofilm formation; enhancement of opsonophagocytic killing by neutrophils and macrophages; neutralization of Hyr1p-mediated resistance to phagocytes.