Candidalysin is a cytolytic peptide toxin secreted by the fungus Candida albicans. Candidalysin drives epithelial immune responses by activating the EGFR-MAPK signaling pathway, inducing MMP expression and calcium influx, and regulating the c-Fos transcription factor and MKP1 via p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 respectively. Candidalysin is essential for mucosal and systemic infections, activating NLRP3 to promote inflammatory responses, neutrophil recruitment, and Th17 immunity. Candidalysin activates LDH causing membrane damage and exhibiting cytotoxicity[1][2][3][4]
