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Live-cell Video Microscopy of Fungal Pathogen Phagocytosis
08:52

Live-cell Video Microscopy of Fungal Pathogen Phagocytosis

Published on: January 9, 2013

Interaction of phagocytes with filamentous fungi

Axel A Brakhage1, Sandra Bruns, Andreas Thywissen

  • 1Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany. Axel.Brakhage@hki-jena.de

Current Opinion in Microbiology
|July 15, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Phagocytic cells like macrophages and neutrophils are crucial for fighting fungal infections. Impaired immune responses, particularly phagocytosis, increase susceptibility to Aspergillus species, highlighting the need for robust immune defenses.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Phagocytosis of fungal conidia by macrophages and destruction of hyphae by neutrophils are critical immune defenses against filamentous fungi.
  • Impaired phagocytic function elevates susceptibility to Aspergillus infections, underscoring the importance of the innate immune response.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanisms of immune response against Aspergillus species.
  • To highlight the role of phagocytosis and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in combating fungal infections.
  • To understand how Aspergillus fumigatus evades innate immunity.

Main Methods:

  • The study reviews key immune processes involved in antifungal defense.
  • It examines the recognition of fungal elements by immune cells.
  • It discusses the role of neutrophils and their extracellular traps (NETs) in containing fungal infections.

Main Results:

  • Macrophages phagocytose conidia after they shed their hydrophobic layer and begin to germinate.
  • Neutrophils are particularly effective in killing hyphae and trapping both conidia and hyphae in NETs.
  • Aspergillus fumigatus actively interferes with the complement system and phagocyte defenses to evade innate immunity.

Conclusions:

  • A robust phagocytic response, supported by Th1 immunity, is vital for improved survival against Aspergillus infections.
  • Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play a significant role in localizing and preventing the systemic spread of fungal infections.
  • Aspergillus fumigatus employs sophisticated mechanisms to evade innate immune responses, posing a significant challenge in infection control.

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