Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Passive Administration of Monoclonal Antibodies Against H. capsulatum and Others Fungal Pathogens
09:57

Passive Administration of Monoclonal Antibodies Against H. capsulatum and Others Fungal Pathogens

Published on: February 14, 2011

Modulation of infection with Histoplasma capsulatum by inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha activity

George S Deepe1

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Veterans Affairs Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0560, USA. george.deepe@uc.edu

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|June 29, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is vital for fighting Histoplasma capsulatum. Inhibiting TNF-alpha in humans may worsen histoplasmosis infections.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) plays a crucial role in host defense against pathogenic microbes.
  • TNF-alpha is essential for mounting an effective immune response to Histoplasma capsulatum infections in mice.
  • Clinical observations link TNF-alpha inhibitor treatments to disseminated histoplasmosis in humans.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms by which TNF-alpha inhibition can exacerbate Histoplasma capsulatum infections.
  • To explore the role of TNF-alpha in protective immunity against histoplasmosis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on TNF-alpha, Histoplasma capsulatum, and histoplasmosis.
  • Analysis of experimental data from mouse models of infection.
  • Synthesis of clinical reports on disseminated histoplasmosis in patients treated with TNF-alpha inhibitors.

Main Results:

  • TNF-alpha is necessary for controlling both primary and secondary Histoplasma capsulatum infections.
  • Inhibition of TNF-alpha compromises the host's ability to contain H. capsulatum.
  • Evidence suggests a direct link between TNF-alpha blockade and severe, disseminated forms of histoplasmosis.

Conclusions:

  • Maintaining adequate TNF-alpha levels is critical for effective host defense against Histoplasma capsulatum.
  • Targeting TNF-alpha in patients susceptible to histoplasmosis may increase the risk of disseminated disease.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex interplay between TNF-alpha and H. capsulatum pathogenesis.

More Related Videos

Transfer of Manipulated Tumor-associated Neutrophils into Tumor-Bearing Mice to Study their Angiogenic Potential In Vivo08:19

Transfer of Manipulated Tumor-associated Neutrophils into Tumor-Bearing Mice to Study their Angiogenic Potential In Vivo

Published on: July 20, 2019

Studying the Effects of Tumor-Secreted Paracrine Ligands on Macrophage Activation using Co-Culture with Permeable Membrane Supports07:44

Studying the Effects of Tumor-Secreted Paracrine Ligands on Macrophage Activation using Co-Culture with Permeable Membrane Supports

Published on: November 28, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...