Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of Cryptococcus neoformans on the viability of keratinocytes.Methods Strains of Cryptococcus neoformans B3501 and its acapsule mutant cap64 were cocultured with keratinocytes and the viability of the keratinocytes was measured by flow cytometry after 0.5 h,1 h and 2 h.Results were compared with those of negative control,hear-killed fungi,and the fungi indirectly contacted with keratinocytes.Results Viability of keratinocytes decreased significantly cocultured with Cryptococcus neoformans by time prolonging,while more significantly after 1 h and 2 h’s coculture with B3501.There was no difference in the viability of keratinocytes between coculture with killed B3501 and indirect coculture with B3501.Conclusions Capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans plays an important role in viability of keratinocytes.Indirect contact with Cryptococcus neoformans is necessary for viability decreasing.

Key words: Cryptococcus neoformans, keratinocytes, viability