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Th17 Inflammation Model of Oropharyngeal Candidiasis in Immunodeficient Mice
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Published on: February 18, 2015

Severe Candida spp. infections: new insights into natural immunity

Jos W M van der Meer1, Frank L van de Veerdonk, Leo A B Joosten

  • 1Department Internal Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. J.vandermeer@aig.umcn.nl

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
|December 7, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Candida infections are deadly. Host immune cells, like those recognizing dectin-1, are crucial for fighting Candida, offering potential for new immunotherapies.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Invasive Candida infections cause high mortality.
  • Host recognition of Candida as a pathogen is key.
  • Candida virulence factors include proteases, toxins, hyphae, and biofilms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the host immune response to Candida.
  • To investigate the role of C-type lectin receptors in Candida recognition.
  • To understand the implications of immunodeficiencies for Candida defense.

Main Methods:

  • Review of studies on rare immunodeficiencies (e.g., dectin-1 deficiency, CARD9 deficiency).
  • Analysis of the dectin-1 signaling pathway involving IL-17, IL-22, defensins, and phagocytes.
  • Examination of how acquired risk factors influence fungal infections.

Main Results:

  • Studies highlight the critical role of dectin-1 and its signaling pathway in combating Candida.
  • Deficiencies in dectin-1, CARD9, and other immune pathways impair Candida defense.
  • Understanding these pathways provides insights into fungal pathogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • The dectin-1 pathway is essential for host defense against Candida.
  • Insights from immunodeficient patients can inform immunotherapy strategies.
  • Further research may lead to novel treatments for invasive fungal infections.

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