Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026

Whole Blood Assay with Dual Co-Stimulation for Antigen-Specific Analysis of Host Immunity to Fungal and Viral Pathogens
Published on: September 20, 2024
Characterization of the immune response in human paracoccidioidomycosis
Lívia Furquim de Castro1, Maria Carolina Ferreira, Rosiane Maria da Silva
1Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Objectives:
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis that presents two main clinical forms: the adult form (AF) and the juvenile form (JF); and an asymptomatic form denominated PCM-infection (PI). These forms of PCM are related to the immune response developed after infection, which has been associated with Th1 and Th2 responses. However, some PCM characteristics cannot be explained by this balance. In this study we aimed to complement the characterization of the immune response in PCM, including the newly described T cells subpopulations (Th17, Th9 and Th22).
Methods:
We analyzed the expression of cytokines and transcription factors characteristics of these different subpopulations of CD4(+) T cells in PBMCs from PCM patients and a PI group.
Results:
The results showed that the PI group presented a predominant Th1 response; that JF patients were characterized by a mixed Th2/Th9 response; and AF patients were characterized by a predominant Th17/Th22 response, as well as substantial participation of Th1 cells.
Conclusions:
These results contribute to the existing knowledge on the immune responses associated with resistance or susceptibility to the P. brasiliensis infection, and thus could lead to the development of new strategies for patient management.
Related Concept Videos
Humoral Immune Responses
Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
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...
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
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...
Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...