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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

Immunomodulatory properties of antifungal agents on phagocytic cells

Maria Simitsopoulou1, Emmanuel Roilides, Thomas J Walsh

  • 1Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, 3rd Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, Aristotle University, Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Immunological Investigations
|October 12, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Phagocytic cells are crucial for fighting fungal infections. Antifungal drugs can alter their function, impacting treatment effectiveness and immune responses against fungi.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Phagocytic cells, including neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages, are vital for innate immunity against fungal pathogens.
  • Antifungal therapies expose these immune cells to drugs, creating a complex interplay.
  • Understanding this interaction is key to improving treatments for fungal diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the immunomodulatory effects of antifungal agents on phagocytes.
  • To explore the underlying immunopharmacologic mechanisms of these interactions.
  • To assess the potential clinical impact of these drug-host-pathogen interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of in vitro and in vivo studies.
  • Analysis of direct drug-phagocyte interactions via pattern recognition receptors.
  • Investigation of fungal virulence modulation by antifungal agents.
  • Examination of cytokine-mediated pretreatment of phagocytes.

Main Results:

  • Antifungal agents can directly modulate phagocyte activity and gene expression.
  • Drug-induced changes in fungal virulence can alter immune responses, leading to synergism or antagonism.
  • Combined drug-cytokine therapy shows promise for enhancing treatment outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Antifungal agents exert significant immunomodulatory effects on phagocytes.
  • These effects are mediated by direct drug-receptor interactions and indirect modulation of fungal virulence.
  • Further research into these mechanisms could lead to improved therapeutic strategies for invasive fungal infections.

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