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Interactions of Extracellular Vesicles from Pathogenic Fungi with Innate Leukocytes

Mateus Silveira Freitas1, Andre Moreira Pessoni1, Carolina Coelho2

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology
|January 1, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) from fungi and infected immune cells modulate the immune response in fungal infections. These EVs play a dual role, impacting disease progression and offering potential therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Pathogenic fungi release extracellular vesicles (EVs) with immunomodulatory effects.
  • Infected host cells, specifically leukocytes, also produce EVs during fungal infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and discuss the immunomodulatory roles of both fungal and host-derived EVs in fungal infections.
  • To highlight the bidirectional communication pathways involving EVs in host-pathogen interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and data synthesis on fungal and leukocyte EVs in the context of fungal infections.
  • Analysis of existing studies on the immunomodulatory properties of these EVs.

Main Results:

  • Fungal EVs and EVs from infected leukocytes exhibit significant immunomodulatory activities.
  • A two-way communication pathway involving host and fungal EVs is proposed.
  • These EVs can influence disease progression, potentially offering protection or exacerbating the infection.

Conclusions:

  • Extracellular vesicles from both fungi and host cells are critical players in fungal infections.
  • EVs represent a significant factor in determining disease outcomes.
  • Targeting these EVs holds promise for novel therapeutic strategies against fungal diseases.

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