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Updated: Sep 7, 2025

Efficient Method for Imaging Murine Lungs that Preserves Spatial Dynamics of Fungal Spores in the Airways
10:06

Efficient Method for Imaging Murine Lungs that Preserves Spatial Dynamics of Fungal Spores in the Airways

Published on: December 13, 2024

478

Respiratory Epithelial Cells: More Than Just a Physical Barrier to Fungal Infections

Bianca C S C Barros1, Bruna R Almeida2, Debora T L Barros2

  • 1Laboratory of Applied Toxinology, Center of Toxins, Immune-Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, SP, Brazil.

Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 23, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Respiratory epithelial cells interact with fungal pathogens like Aspergillus and Paracoccidioides. This review explores how these cells respond to fungal adhesion, invasion, and immune signaling.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • The respiratory epithelium forms a critical barrier against inhaled pathogens.
  • Epithelial cells play a key role in lung homeostasis and gas exchange.
  • Pathogens can manipulate epithelial cell signaling, promoting adhesion and invasion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the response of respiratory epithelial cells to fungal pathogens.
  • To focus on Aspergillus and Paracoccidioides, which cause systemic mycoses.
  • To discuss host-pathogen interactions at the cellular level.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of host-pathogen interactions.
  • Analysis of cell signaling pathways involved in fungal infections.
  • Identification of fungal molecules mediating adhesion and invasion.

Main Results:

  • Fungal pathogens manipulate respiratory epithelial cell signaling pathways.
  • Epithelial cells secrete chemokines and cytokines in response to fungal presence.
  • Specific host receptors and fungal adhesins are involved in these interactions.

Conclusions:

  • Respiratory epithelial cells are active participants in antifungal immunity.
  • Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing treatments for systemic mycoses.
  • This review highlights key molecular mechanisms in host-pathogen communication.
Keywords:
AspergillusParacoccidioidesadhesionairwaycytokineepithelial cellinvasionlungrespiratory

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