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Updated: Mar 15, 2026

Live Imaging of Antifungal Activity by Human Primary Neutrophils and Monocytes in Response to A. fumigatus
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Live Imaging of Antifungal Activity by Human Primary Neutrophils and Monocytes in Response to A. fumigatus

Published on: April 19, 2017

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How neutrophils kill fungi

Roel P Gazendam1,2, Annemarie van de Geer1, Dirk Roos1

  • 1Sanquin Research, and Landsteiner Laboratory, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Immunological Reviews
|August 26, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Human neutrophils combat invasive fungal infections using distinct mechanisms. Studies of patients with primary immunodeficiencies reveal how neutrophil pathogen recognition receptors and signaling pathways are crucial for fungal killing, particularly against Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Neutrophils are essential for preventing invasive fungal infections.
  • While murine models offer insights, human neutrophil antifungal mechanisms remain less understood.
  • Primary immunodeficiencies in patients provide unique models to study human neutrophil function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the distinct mechanisms employed by human neutrophils in combating fungal pathogens.
  • To investigate the role of neutrophil pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) and signaling pathways in human antifungal immunity.
  • To compare the fungal killing strategies against Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of neutrophils from patients with primary immunodeficiencies affecting fungal susceptibility.
  • Investigation of neutrophil pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) and intracellular signaling pathways.
  • Comparative studies on the killing of Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus by human neutrophils.

Main Results:

  • Human neutrophils utilize fundamentally different mechanisms to kill Candida albicans versus Aspergillus fumigatus.
  • Studies of primary immunodeficiencies highlight the critical roles of specific PRRs and signaling pathways in human antifungal responses.
  • Insights gained from these patient cohorts significantly advance understanding of human neutrophil-mediated fungal clearance.

Conclusions:

  • Human neutrophils exhibit pathogen-specific strategies for fungal killing, differing from murine models.
  • Understanding these distinct mechanisms is vital for developing targeted therapies against invasive fungal infections.
  • Primary immunodeficiencies offer invaluable models for dissecting complex human immune responses to fungi.
Keywords:
CARD9CR3NADPH oxidaseNET formationdectin-1neutrophil

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