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The role of Aspergillus fumigatus polysaccharides in host-pathogen interactions

Caitlin A Zacharias1, Donald C Sheppard1

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program, Centre for Translational Biology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.

Current Opinion in Microbiology
|May 24, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Aspergillus fumigatus cell wall polysaccharides are crucial for fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. Understanding these glycans and their host interactions is key to developing new treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic fungal pathogen.
  • The fungal cell wall is a critical interface for host-pathogen interactions.
  • Polysaccharides in the cell wall are key virulence factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of Aspergillus fumigatus cell wall polysaccharides.
  • To discuss the role of these polysaccharides in fungal pathogenesis.
  • To explore the interactions between fungal glycans and host immune components.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on Aspergillus fumigatus cell wall composition.
  • Analysis of studies using purified polysaccharides and mutant strains.
  • Examination of host-pathogen interaction data.

Main Results:

  • A. fumigatus cell wall is rich in various polysaccharides, including alpha-1,3-glucan and galactomannan.
  • These glycans significantly influence the host immune response during infection.
  • Deficiencies in glycan production alter fungal pathogenicity.

Conclusions:

  • Fungal cell wall polysaccharides are essential for A. fumigatus pathogenesis.
  • Targeting these polysaccharides offers potential therapeutic strategies.
  • Further research into glycan-host interactions is needed for effective treatment development.

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