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Published on: April 19, 2017
Adaptive immunity to fungi
Akash Verma1, Marcel Wüthrich2, George Deepe1
1Veterans Affairs Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220 Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267.
Abstract:
Life-threatening fungal infections have risen sharply in recent years, owing to the advances and intensity of medical care that may blunt immunity in patients. This emerging crisis has created the growing need to clarify immune defense mechanisms against fungi with the ultimate goal of therapeutic intervention. We describe recent insights in understanding the mammalian immune defenses that are deployed against pathogenic fungi. We focus on adaptive immunity to the major medically important fungi and emphasize three elements that coordinate the response: (1) dendritic cells and subsets that are mobilized against fungi in various anatomical compartments; (2) fungal molecular patterns and their corresponding receptors that signal responses and shape the differentiation of T-cell subsets and B cells; and, ultimately (3) the effector and regulatory mechanisms that eliminate these invaders while constraining collateral damage to vital tissue. These insights create a foundation for the development of new, immune-based strategies for prevention or enhanced clearance of systemic fungal diseases.
Insights
Recent advances in medical care increase life-threatening fungal infections. Understanding mammalian immune defenses against fungi is crucial for developing new therapies to combat these infections.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Life-threatening fungal infections are increasing due to intensive medical care that can weaken patient immunity.
- There is a growing need to understand immune responses to fungi for therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate mammalian immune defense mechanisms against pathogenic fungi.
- To focus on adaptive immunity and key coordinating elements in antifungal responses.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent insights into mammalian immune defenses against fungi.
- Emphasis on adaptive immunity, dendritic cells, fungal molecular patterns, and T/B cell differentiation.
- Analysis of effector and regulatory mechanisms for fungal clearance and tissue protection.
Main Results:
- Dendritic cell subsets are mobilized in various anatomical sites against fungi.
- Fungal molecular patterns and their receptors signal responses and influence T and B cell differentiation.
- Effector mechanisms eliminate fungi while regulatory mechanisms prevent tissue damage.
Conclusions:
- Understanding these immune components provides a foundation for novel immune-based strategies.
- New strategies can be developed for the prevention and enhanced clearance of systemic fungal diseases.
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