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Published on: February 4, 2022
Fungal cell wall components modulate our immune system
Benoit Briard1, Thierry Fontaine2, Thirumala-Devi Kanneganti3
1INSERM, Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires (CEPR), UMR 1100, Université de Tours, Faculté de Médecine de Tours, Tours, France.
Abstract:
Invasive fungal infections remain highly problematic for human health. Collectively, they account for more than 1 million deaths a year in addition to more than 100 million mucosal infections and 1 billion skin infections. To be able to make progress it is important to understand the pathobiology of fungal interactions with the immune system. Here, we highlight new advancements pointing out the pivotal role of fungal cell wall components (β-glucan, mannan, galactosaminogalactan and melanin) in modulating host immunity and discuss how these open new opportunities for the development of immunomodulatory strategies to combat deadly fungal infectious diseases.
Insights
Invasive fungal infections cause over 1 million deaths annually. Understanding how fungal cell wall components interact with the immune system offers new strategies to combat these deadly diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Invasive fungal infections pose a significant global health burden, causing over 1 million deaths yearly.
- Understanding fungal pathobiology and host immune interactions is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight advancements in understanding fungal cell wall components and their role in modulating host immunity.
- To explore new immunomodulatory strategies for combating invasive fungal infections.
Main Methods:
- Review of current research on fungal cell wall components (β-glucan, mannan, galactosaminogalactan, melanin).
- Analysis of their impact on host immune responses.
- Discussion of potential therapeutic applications.
Main Results:
- Fungal cell wall components critically influence host immune responses.
- Specific components like β-glucan, mannan, galactosaminogalactan, and melanin play pivotal roles.
- These interactions present novel targets for immunomodulation.
Conclusions:
- Targeting fungal cell wall-immune system interactions can lead to innovative therapies.
- Further research into these components can combat deadly fungal infectious diseases.
- Developing immunomodulatory strategies is key to reducing mortality and morbidity from fungal infections.
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