Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 27, 2025

Microfluidic Tools for Probing Fungal-Microbial Interactions at the Cellular Level
08:19

Microfluidic Tools for Probing Fungal-Microbial Interactions at the Cellular Level

Published on: June 23, 2022

3.8K

Fungus packs a punch in the gut

Daniel H Cho1, Gloria B Choi1

  • 1Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.

Immunity
|April 13, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Intestinal fungi influence host physiology by activating specific immune cells. These fungi trigger T helper 17 (Th17) cells to release cytokines that maintain gut barrier function and modulate social behavior.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • The role of the gut microbiome, including fungi, in host health is an emerging area of research.
  • Mechanisms by which intestinal fungi interact with the host immune system are not fully elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of mucosal fungi on host physiology.
  • To understand the specific immune pathways involved in fungal-host interactions within the intestine.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of immune cell responses to mucosal fungi.
  • Measurement of cytokine production by T helper 17 (Th17) cells.
  • Assessment of the effects of specific cytokines on gut epithelium and neuronal function.

Main Results:

  • Mucosal fungi were shown to induce intestinal Th17 cells to produce interleukin-22 (IL-22) and interleukin-17A (IL-17A).
  • IL-22 was found to act on the gut epithelium, promoting barrier integrity.
  • IL-17A was observed to act on IL-17RA-positive neurons, enhancing sociability.

Conclusions:

  • Intestinal fungi play a significant role in modulating host immunity and physiology.
  • The study identifies specific cytokine-mediated pathways linking gut fungi to barrier function and behavior.
  • These findings open new avenues for understanding the complex interplay between the gut mycobiome and host health.

More Related Videos

Bio-energetics Investigation of Candida albicans Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis08:48

Bio-energetics Investigation of Candida albicans Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis

Published on: March 19, 2019

7.1K
An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract07:42

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Published on: July 1, 2020

5.5K

Related Concept Videos

Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
168
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
144
Overview of Fungi01:29

Overview of Fungi

Fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotes more closely related to animals than other eukaryotes. Fungal cell walls comprise chitin, a polysaccharide that provides structural strength, and glucans, which contribute to flexibility and integrity. Other polysaccharides, such as mannans and galactosans, may supplement or replace chitin in some fungi. These adaptations, along with their preference for acidic environments and tolerance for high osmotic pressure, enable fungi to thrive in various...
232
Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota01:26

Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota

Basidiomycota is a diverse phylum of fungi that includes ecologically significant decomposers such as white rot fungi, symbionts like mycorrhizal fungi, plant pathogens such as rusts and smuts, and edible species like Agaricus bisporus (the common button mushroom). These fungi play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, symbiotic relationships, and even human health. Their defining feature is the basidium, a microscopic club-shaped structure responsible for producing basidiospores.Fruiting Bodies...
270
The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition02:11

The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition

Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.
42.4K
Fungal Phylum Ascomycota01:28

Fungal Phylum Ascomycota

Phylum Ascomycota, a major division within the subkingdom Dikarya, comprises a diverse range of fungal species, including both unicellular yeasts and filamentous molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi thrive in a variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial environments, playing crucial ecological and economic roles.Morphology and ReproductionThe defining characteristic of Ascomycetes, commonly referred to as sac fungi, is the ascus—a sac-like structure that...
200