Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Th17 Inflammation Model of Oropharyngeal Candidiasis in Immunodeficient Mice
08:02

Th17 Inflammation Model of Oropharyngeal Candidiasis in Immunodeficient Mice

Published on: February 18, 2015

IL-23 and IL-17 have a multi-faceted largely negative role in fungal infection

Andrea M Cooper1

  • 1Trudeau Institute, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, USA. acooper@trudeauinstitute.org

European Journal of Immunology
|September 28, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Interleukin-23 (IL-23) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) appear to hinder fungal control by promoting inflammation and regulating neutrophil activity. These cytokines may be counterproductive in fighting fungal infections.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Mycology
  • Inflammation Research

Background:

  • Recent reports highlight the roles of IL-23 and IL-17 in immune responses.
  • Fungal infections pose significant challenges to host immune systems.

Discussion:

  • This study investigates the specific functions of IL-23 and IL-17 during fungal infections.
  • The research explores how these cytokines influence neutrophilic inflammation and neutrophil function.
  • Findings suggest a potentially detrimental role for IL-23 and IL-17 in controlling fungal pathogens.

Key Insights:

  • IL-23 and IL-17 were found to limit fungal control in the studied model.
  • These cytokines promote neutrophilic inflammation, a key component of the innate immune response.
  • The activity of neutrophils, crucial for pathogen clearance, is regulated by IL-23 and IL-17.

Outlook:

  • Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms by which IL-23 and IL-17 impact fungal infections.
  • Understanding this cytokine balance could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for fungal diseases.
  • Investigating alternative immune pathways for fungal clearance may be warranted.

More Related Videos

Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes12:59

Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes

Published on: September 26, 2013

Related Concept Videos

T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Antifungal Agents01:15

Antifungal Agents

Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to cholesterol contributes to...
Antimicrobial Proteins01:23

Antimicrobial Proteins

Antimicrobial proteins are important components of the immune system. They aid the body in combating pathogens by either killing them directly or hindering their replication processes. Four main types of antimicrobial substances are interferons, the complement system, iron-binding proteins, and antimicrobial proteins.
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...