In vitro infection models to study fungal-host interactions
Antonia Last1, Michelle Maurer2,3, Alexander S Mosig2,3
1Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany.
FEMS Microbiology Reviews
|February 1, 2021
Summary
Fungal infections impact over a billion people annually. This review explores in vitro models, including organ-on-chip platforms, to study fungal pathogenesis and host immunity for better diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Fungal infections (mycoses) are a significant global health concern, affecting over a billion people yearly.
- Life-threatening mycoses, often caused by opportunistic pathogens like Aspergillus, Candida, Histoplasma, and Cryptococcus, disproportionately affect immunocompromised individuals.
- Understanding fungal-host interactions and host immune responses is crucial for advancing mycoses diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current in vitro models for studying fungal infections and host immune responses.
- To highlight the potential of advanced models, such as organ-on-chip platforms, in mimicking physiological conditions and host-microbiota interactions.
- To discuss how these models can improve our understanding of fungal pathogenesis and virulence.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on in vitro models for fungal infection research.
- Categorization of models from simple cell monolayers to complex 3D organ-on-chip (OOC) systems.
- Discussion of the capabilities of OOC models in simulating near-physiological conditions and host-microbiota dynamics.
Main Results:
- A spectrum of in vitro models exists, offering varying degrees of physiological relevance for studying fungal infections.
- Organ-on-chip (OOC) platforms represent a promising advancement, enabling the investigation of fungal-host-microbiota interactions in a controlled, near-physiological environment.
- These advanced models provide enhanced tools for dissecting fungal virulence and host immunological defenses.
Conclusions:
- In vitro models are essential for investigating fungal pathogenesis and host immunity.
- Organ-on-chip (OOC) technology offers a powerful platform for future research into fungal infections, improving our ability to study complex fungal-host interactions.
- Advancements in modeling are key to optimizing the diagnosis and treatment of mycoses.
