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Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Live Imaging of Antifungal Activity by Human Primary Neutrophils and Monocytes in Response to A. fumigatus
Published on: April 19, 2017
Human platelets attenuate Aspergillus species via granule-dependent mechanisms
Susanne Perkhofer1, Beate E Kehrel, Manfred P Dierich
1Department of Hygiene, Innsbruck Medical University, Austria. Susanne.Perkhofer@i-med.ac.at
Abstract:
Using laser scanning microscopy, we investigated whether platelets are capable of internalizing Aspergillus conidia and examined Aspergillus-platelet adherence. The influence of platelets on fungal growth was evaluated by assessing galactomannan (GM) release, hyphal elongation, and colony size. A secretion assay with [(3)H]-serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) was performed. Exposure to platelets resulted in significantly decreased GM release (p<.05), hyphal elongation (p<.001), colony size, pigmentation, and 5-HT release ( p<.05). A lack of antifungal effects was observed with the microfilament inhibitor cytochalasin D. Platelets attenuate the virulence of Aspergillus species in vitro on the basis of granule-dependent effects.
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