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Potential Roles of Fungal Extracellular Vesicles during Infection

Luna S Joffe1, Leonardo Nimrichter2, Marcio L Rodrigues3

  • 1Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA.

Msphere
|July 9, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Fungal extracellular vesicles (EVs) carry virulence factors and stimulate immune responses. This review explores their roles in fungal pathogenesis and potential as vaccination tools.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are increasingly recognized as key mediators of intercellular communication.
  • Fungal EVs, though less studied than mammalian counterparts, are now known to be produced by various fungi.
  • These vesicles contain diverse biomolecules, including proteins, lipids, pigments, polysaccharides, and RNA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of fungal extracellular vesicles (EVs).
  • To discuss the composition and functions of fungal EVs.
  • To explore the potential roles of fungal EVs in host-pathogen interactions and therapeutic applications.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on fungal EVs.
  • Analysis of reported components within fungal EVs.
  • Synthesis of findings regarding immune stimulation and pathogenesis.

Main Results:

  • Fungal EVs harbor known virulence factors, suggesting they concentrate pathogenic determinants.
  • Fungal EVs have been shown to modulate and stimulate the host immune system.
  • Evidence suggests fungal EVs play a role in the pathogenesis of invasive fungal diseases.

Conclusions:

  • Fungal EVs are significant players in fungal biology and host interactions.
  • Their composition highlights their potential involvement in virulence.
  • Fungal EVs present promising avenues for novel vaccination strategies and therapeutic interventions against fungal infections.
Keywords:
Fungal pathogenesisceramidefungiglycolipidssphingolipidsvesicles

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