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Adjunctive GM-CSF therapy enhances host defense against systemic Candida auris infection in immunosuppressed mice

Eliciane Cevolani Mattos1, Kaustav Das Gupta1, Derek Quintanilla1

  • 1Division of Infectious Disease, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center, Torrance, CA, United States.

Frontiers in Immunology
|February 4, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) immunotherapy improved survival and reduced fungal burden in mice with multidrug-resistant Candida auris infection. GM-CSF shows promise as an adjunctive therapy against this serious fungal pathogen.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant fungus causing high mortality in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Existing antifungal drugs are becoming less effective, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
  • The need for alternative treatments against emerging fungal pathogens like C. auris is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as a potential immunotherapy for systemic C. auris infection.
  • To evaluate GM-CSF as a standalone treatment and in combination with micafungin.
  • To assess the efficacy of GM-CSF in an immunosuppressed mouse model.

Main Methods:

  • Immunosuppressed mice were infected with C. auris.
  • Mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of PBS, GM-CSF, micafungin, or a combination.
  • Survival, fungal burden, histopathology, and immune cell changes were analyzed.
  • Ex vivo assays assessed GM-CSF's impact on neutrophil and macrophage functions.

Main Results:

  • GM-CSF monotherapy significantly improved survival rates and extended survival time compared to controls.
  • GM-CSF treatment reduced fungal burden in multiple organs, including the kidney, heart, and brain.
  • GM-CSF enhanced immune cell populations and augmented antifungal functions of neutrophils and macrophages.

Conclusions:

  • GM-CSF demonstrates significant antifungal properties against multidrug-resistant C. auris.
  • GM-CSF acts by augmenting innate immune cell responses.
  • GM-CSF represents a promising adjunctive immunotherapy for C. auris infections.
Keywords:
Candida aurisGM-CSFImmunosuppressionantifungal immunityimmunotherapymacrophage, neutrophilsmurine systemic infection model

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