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Adherence mechanisms in human pathogenic fungi

Guy Tronchin1, Marc Pihet, Leila M Lopes-Bezerra

  • 1Groupe d'Etude des Interactions Hote-Pathogène, UPRES-EA 3142, Université d'Angers, Angers cedex.

Medical Mycology
|July 25, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Fungal adherence to host tissues is crucial for causing mycoses. This review details fungal adhesins and their host receptors, aiding in understanding fungal pathogenesis and developing treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Pathogen-Host Interactions
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Fungal infections (mycoses) rely on pathogenic fungi interacting with host tissues.
  • Microbial adherence is a critical initial step in disease development.
  • Understanding these interactions requires identifying fungal adhesins and host receptors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize current knowledge on the adherence mechanisms of major human fungal pathogens.
  • To review identified fungal adhesins, their ligands, and interaction motifs.
  • To categorize adherence strategies across different fungal groups.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on fungal adherence and pathogenesis.
  • Analysis of characterized fungal adhesins and their host-binding specificities.
  • Categorization of pathogenic fungi into Candida yeasts, opportunistic moulds, and dimorphic fungi.

Main Results:

  • Numerous fungal adhesins with diverse host ligands have been identified.
  • Specific amino acid and carbohydrate motifs mediating adherence interactions are known for some adhesins.
  • Adherence occurs to various host components, including extracellular matrix, biological fluids, and host cells.

Conclusions:

  • Fungal adhesin-receptor interactions are central to mycoses pathogenesis.
  • Knowledge of these interactions is essential for developing antifungal strategies.
  • This review provides a comprehensive overview of fungal adherence in key human pathogens.

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