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Published on: April 19, 2017
A Fun-Guide to Innate Immune Responses to Fungal Infections
Thomas B Burgess1,2, Alison M Condliffe2, Philip M Elks1,2
1The Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK.
Abstract:
Immunocompromised individuals are at high risk of developing severe fungal infections with high mortality rates, while fungal pathogens pose little risk to most healthy people. Poor therapeutic outcomes and growing antifungal resistance pose further challenges for treatments. Identifying specific immunomodulatory mechanisms exploited by fungal pathogens is critical for our understanding of fungal diseases and development of new therapies. A gap currently exists between the large body of literature concerning the innate immune response to fungal infections and the potential manipulation of host immune responses to aid clearance of infection. This review considers the innate immune mechanisms the host deploys to prevent fungal infection and how these mechanisms fail in immunocompromised hosts. Three clinically relevant fungal pathogens (Candida albicans, Cryptococcus spp. and Aspergillus spp.) will be explored. This review will also examine potential mechanisms of targeting the host therapeutically to improve outcomes of fungal infection.
Insights
Fungal infections are dangerous for immunocompromised people. Understanding how fungi exploit the immune system can lead to new therapies for these severe infections.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Immunocompromised individuals face high mortality from fungal infections like those caused by Candida albicans, Cryptococcus spp., and Aspergillus spp.
- Antifungal resistance and poor treatment outcomes necessitate novel therapeutic strategies.
- There is a need to bridge the gap between understanding innate immunity to fungi and manipulating host responses for better infection clearance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review innate immune mechanisms against fungal pathogens.
- To explore how these mechanisms fail in immunocompromised hosts.
- To examine therapeutic strategies targeting host immune responses for fungal infections.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on innate immunity and fungal pathogenesis.
- Analysis of immune evasion strategies employed by Candida albicans, Cryptococcus spp., and Aspergillus spp.
- Exploration of host-directed therapies for fungal diseases.
Main Results:
- Fungal pathogens exploit specific immunomodulatory mechanisms.
- Innate immune defenses are insufficient or compromised in immunocompromised individuals.
- Targeting host immune responses presents a promising therapeutic avenue.
Conclusions:
- Understanding fungal immune evasion is crucial for developing new treatments.
- Host-directed therapies offer potential to improve outcomes for severe fungal infections.
- Further research into immunomodulation can combat antifungal resistance and reduce mortality.
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