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Fungal spore swelling and germination are restricted by the macrophage phagolysosome

María Fernanda Alonso1, Judith M Bain1, Lars P Erwig1

  • 1Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK.

Fungal Biology
|October 11, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Macrophages effectively halt early fungal spore germination, including swelling and initial growth, for Aspergillus fumigatus and Mucor circinelloides. This early restriction is crucial for immune defense against sporulating fungal pathogens.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Medically important fungi produce asexual spores, which germinate into filamentous forms.
  • Elongated fungal hyphae are resistant to phagocytosis by immune cells.
  • The role of early spore germination stages in host-pathogen interactions is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of macrophages on the initial stages of fungal spore germination.
  • To determine if macrophages can restrict early germination processes of key fungal species.

Main Methods:

  • Co-culture of macrophages with spores of Aspergillus fumigatus and Mucor circinelloides.
  • Microscopic observation and analysis of spore swelling, germination, and early polarized growth.
  • Assessment of macrophage-induced inhibition of fungal development.

Main Results:

  • Macrophages significantly restricted early spore germination phases for both Aspergillus fumigatus and Mucor circinelloides.
  • Inhibition included the initial spore swelling, germination, and early polarized growth.
  • Macrophages demonstrated an ability to retard fungal development at the earliest stages.

Conclusions:

  • Macrophages play a critical role in restricting the initial phases of fungal spore germination.
  • This early restriction of germination is vital for effective immune surveillance against sporulating fungi.
  • Macrophages are adept at controlling fungal pathogens from the earliest stages of their life cycle.
Keywords:
AspergillusFungal sporeMacrophageMedical mycologyMucor

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