Pathogenic microbial amyloids: Their function and the host response

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Pathogenesis

Background:

• Functional microbial amyloids are widespread and implicated in infectious disease pathogenesis.
• Understanding these structures is crucial for developing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare three pathogenic microbial amyloids and explain their disease contribution.
• To discuss the recent visualization of fungal amyloid in invasive candidiasis.
• To present findings on host serum amyloid P component binding to fungal amyloid.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of three pathogenic microbial amyloids.
• Review of recent studies demonstrating fungal amyloid visualization.
• Investigation of host serum amyloid P component interactions with fungal amyloid.

Main Results:

• Detailed comparison of three pathogenic microbial amyloids and their roles in disease.
• Successful demonstration and visualization of fungal amyloid in human invasive candidiasis.
• Evidence of host serum amyloid P component binding to *Candida* functional amyloid.

Conclusions:

• Functional microbial amyloids play significant roles in pathogenesis.
• Fungal amyloids are present in invasive candidiasis and may be masked by host components.
• Serum amyloid P component binding could represent a mechanism for immune evasion by fungi.