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DAMP signaling in fungal infections and diseases

Cristina Cunha1, Agostinho Carvalho, Antonella Esposito

  • 1Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia Perugia, Italy.

Frontiers in Immunology
|September 14, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Severe fungal diseases involve harmful inflammation. Understanding the pathways of protective versus pathogenic inflammation, particularly the role of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), is key for new treatments targeting fungal infections.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Mycology
  • Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Severe fungal diseases are linked to immune dysregulation and inflammation.
  • Inflammation is crucial for initial defense but can worsen fungal infections if uncontrolled.
  • Distinguishing protective from pathogenic inflammatory pathways is essential for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) in fungal pathogenesis.
  • To explore the interplay between DAMPs and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) in driving inflammation during fungal infections.
  • To identify novel immunomodulatory strategies for fungal diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Review of experimental and clinical evidence on fungal infections and inflammation.
  • Analysis of the DAMP/receptor for advanced glycation end-products axis in fungal pneumonia.
  • Integration of PAMP/Toll-like receptor signaling in the inflammatory response to fungi.

Main Results:

  • DAMPs significantly regulate inflammation in fungal diseases.
  • The DAMP axis, alongside the PAMP axis, contributes to inflammatory responses in fungal pneumonia.
  • High levels of inflammation are observed in various clinical settings of fungal disease.

Conclusions:

  • Emerging evidence highlights the critical role of DAMPs in fungal pathogenesis.
  • Targeting DAMPs presents a promising novel immunomodulatory strategy for managing fungal diseases.
  • Further research into DAMP-mediated pathways can lead to improved therapeutic interventions for fungal infections.
Keywords:
DAMPsPAMPsfungal diseasesimmunoregulationinflammation

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