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Live-cell Video Microscopy of Fungal Pathogen Phagocytosis
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Live-cell Video Microscopy of Fungal Pathogen Phagocytosis

Published on: January 9, 2013

Thriving within the host: Candida spp. interactions with phagocytic cells

Pedro Miramón1, Lydia Kasper, Bernhard Hube

  • 1Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany.

Medical Microbiology and Immunology
|January 29, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Certain Candida species, common human commensals, can cause infections. This review details how immune phagocytes (neutrophils and macrophages) interact with these fungi and how Candida evades immune defenses.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Immunology
  • Microbial Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Candida species are common human commensals and opportunistic pathogens.
  • They can cause superficial mucosal and systemic infections.
  • Professional phagocytes, including neutrophils and macrophages, are key to the host defense against Candida.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the interactions between phagocytes (macrophages and neutrophils) and pathogenic Candida species.
  • To analyze Candida's cellular responses to phagocyte-induced stress.
  • To discuss Candida's strategies for evading and escaping phagocyte attacks.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on phagocyte-Candida interactions.
  • Analysis of fungal recognition, uptake, and killing mechanisms.
  • Examination of Candida's adaptive responses to host defenses.

Main Results:

  • Phagocytes recognize, internalize, and attempt to kill Candida species.
  • Candida exhibits metabolic flexibility and robust stress responses (oxidative and nitrosative) to survive.
  • Candida employs strategies to evade and escape phagocyte-mediated clearance.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding phagocyte-Candida interactions is crucial for combating candidiasis.
  • Candida's resilience and evasion tactics highlight its success as an opportunistic pathogen.
  • Further research into these interactions may reveal novel therapeutic targets.

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