Exploring Sertoli Cells’ Innate Bulwark Role Against Infections: In Vitro Performances on Candida tropicalis Biofilms

This study aimed to evaluate the intrinsic <i>in vitro</i> performance of naïve porcine prepubertal Sertoli cells (SCs) and SCs loaded with blank poly(lactic acid) microparticles (MP) or amphotericin B poly(lactic acid) microparticles (AmB-MP) against <i>Candida tropicalis</i>, a prevalent pathogenic non-<i>albicans</i> species. The objective was to assess their impact on biofilm formation and the cellular response mechanisms involved, building on previous findings that highlight SCs' potential as anti-infective agents and drug carriers. Our results demonstrated that SCs successfully internalized <i>Candida tropicalis</i> while maintaining viability and exhibited a strong anti-infective effect, inhibiting biofilm formation by 70%. This inhibition increased to 80-90% when SCs were combined with AmB-MP. The interaction between SCs (both naïve and MP-loaded) and <i>Candida tropicalis</i> triggered the activation of MAPK, AKT, and NF-kB signaling pathways, leading to the upregulated expression of innate immune factors such as MHC-II, TLR-4, TGF-β, IDO, and β-defensin 123. These findings reinforce the role of SCs in infection control and drug delivery. Furthermore, their anti-infective and scavenging activity is linked to a tolerogenic phenotype, suggesting a potential dual therapeutic role at the host-pathogen interface.