Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 20, 2025

Isolation and Analysis of Traceable and Functionalized Extracellular Vesicles from the Plasma and Solid Tissues
09:57

Isolation and Analysis of Traceable and Functionalized Extracellular Vesicles from the Plasma and Solid Tissues

Published on: October 17, 2022

2.1K

The emerging role of extracellular vesicles in fungi: a double-edged sword

Yi Lai1, Bowei Jiang1, Fangpeng Hou1

  • 1The First School of Clinical Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|August 3, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Fungal extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a dual role in infections, both promoting disease and offering protection. Understanding fungal EVs aids in developing new treatments and vaccines for invasive fungal infections.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Fungi are eukaryotic microorganisms that cause invasive infections with increasing incidence.
  • Invasive fungal infections can lead to severe tissue damage, organ dysfunction, and life-threatening conditions.
  • Fungal extracellular vesicles (EVs) are increasingly recognized for their role in fungal pathogenesis and host interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the dual role of fungal extracellular vesicles (EVs) in intercellular communication and pathogen-host interactions.
  • To explore the impact of fungal EVs on infection progression and host immune responses.
  • To discuss the potential of fungal EVs in therapeutic applications, including drug delivery and vaccine development.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review integrating recent studies on fungal EVs.
  • Analysis of the mechanisms by which fungal EVs mediate intercellular communication.
  • Evaluation of the evidence for protective and detrimental effects of fungal EVs.

Main Results:

  • Fungal EVs act as mediators of cellular communication, delivering virulence factors and promoting fungal infections.
  • Fungal EVs can also induce protective effects, influencing fungal growth and stimulating adaptive immunity.
  • Evidence supports a "double-edged sword" role for fungal EVs in the context of host-pathogen interactions.

Conclusions:

  • Fungal EVs are critical in modulating fungal-host interactions and disease outcomes.
  • Understanding the multifaceted roles of fungal EVs provides a basis for novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Fungal EVs show promise as drug carriers and in the development of vaccines against invasive fungal infections.
Keywords:
drug carrierextracellular vesiclesfungal infectionfungal-host interactionfungusimmunomodulationvaccine

More Related Videos

Direct Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy of Extracellular Vesicles in Three Dimensions09:36

Direct Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy of Extracellular Vesicles in Three Dimensions

Published on: August 26, 2021

3.9K
Characterization of Immune Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles and Studying Functional Impact on Cell Environment10:09

Characterization of Immune Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles and Studying Functional Impact on Cell Environment

Published on: June 2, 2020

6.9K

Related Concept Videos

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...
56
Overview of Exosomes01:36

Overview of Exosomes

Exosomes are stable, lipid bilayer-enclosed vesicles capable of crossing biological barriers. They can carry a wide range of molecules required for intercellular communication. Once exosomes are released from the cell where they originated, they enter a recipient cell through various pathways such as fusion, receptor-mediated endocytosis, macropinocytosis, and phagocytosis.
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...
2.8K
Exocytosis00:51

Exocytosis

Exocytosis is used to release material from cells. Like other bulk transport mechanisms, exocytosis requires energy.
66.7K
Overview of Secretory Vesicles01:33

Overview of Secretory Vesicles

Secretory vesicles, also known as dense core vesicles (DCVs), are membrane-bound vesicles that transport secretory proteins, such as hormones or neurotransmitters. Regulated secretory vesicles transport proteins from the trans-Golgi network to the exterior of the cell. Proteins present in regulated secretory vesicles are required to be rapidly exocytosed in large amounts upon a specific stimulus.
Various proteins regulate the aggregation of molecules inside the secretory vesicles. Chromogranins...
8.6K
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...
43
Yeast Signaling01:28

Yeast Signaling

Yeasts are single-celled organisms, but unlike bacteria, they are eukaryotes (cells with a nucleus). Cell signaling in yeast is similar to signaling in other eukaryotic cells. A ligand, such as a protein or a small molecule released from a yeast cell, attaches to a receptor on the cell surface. The binding stimulates second-messenger kinases to activate or inactivate transcription factors that further regulate gene expression. Many of the yeast intracellular signaling cascades have similar...
14.7K