Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Infecting Mice with Malassezia spp. to Study the Fungus-Host Interaction
06:19

Infecting Mice with Malassezia spp. to Study the Fungus-Host Interaction

Published on: November 6, 2019

[Mechanism of the immune response to keratomycosis]

Na Li1, Gui-qiu Zhao

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China.

[Zhonghua Yan Ke Za Zhi] Chinese Journal of Ophthalmology
|May 27, 2011
PubMed

Insights

The immune system fights fungal eye infections, but fungi can evade immune responses. Understanding these interactions is key to treating keratomycosis.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Mycology

Context:

  • The cornea, a transparent avascular layer of the eye, is susceptible to fungal infections (keratomycosis) following injury.
  • The eye's immune privilege status influences the host-pathogen interaction in fungal keratitis.
  • Fungal pathogens pose a significant threat to ocular health, particularly after trauma.

Purpose:

  • To review the mechanisms of immune system involvement in keratomycosis.
  • To explore fungal evasion strategies against host immunity.
  • To provide insights into the complex interplay between the immune system and fungal eye infections.

Summary:

  • The immune system is crucial for recognizing and clearing fungal pathogens.
  • Host factors and fungal virulence determine disease outcomes in keratomycosis.
  • Fungal evasion tactics allow pathogens to overcome immune surveillance in the cornea.

Impact:

  • Enhanced understanding of immune responses in fungal keratitis.
  • Potential for developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting immune evasion mechanisms.
  • Improved management and treatment of fungal eye infections.

Related Concept Videos

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
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...
Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

Overview