scholarly journals Host Defence to Pulmonary Mycosis

1999 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher H Mody ◽  
Peter W Warren
Keyword(s):  
Host Defense ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Fungal Disease ◽  
Medline Search ◽  
Pulmonary Mycosis ◽  
Immune Defects

OBJECTIVE: To provide a basic understanding of the mechanisms of host defense to pathogenic fungi. This will help physicians understand why some patients are predisposed to fungal infections and update basic scientists on how microbial immunology applies to fungal disease.DATA SOURCES: English articles from 1966 to present were identified from a MEDLINE search.STUDY SELECTION: Articles were identified by a MEDLINE search of ‘exp lung/’ or ‘exp lung diseases/’ and ‘exp fungi/’. The titles and abstracts were screened to identify articles that contained salient information pertaining to host defense of respiratory mycoses.DATA EXTRACTION: Information was summarized from the articles pertaining to host defense of pulmonary mycosis that had been identified by the MEDLINE search.DATA SYNTHESIS: Fungi represent a unique and highly diverse group of pathogenic organisms that have become an increasingly prevalent cause of life-threatening illness. A worldwide increase in persons with immunodeficiency has been a major contributing factor to the increase in fungal disease. As a result, clinicians are faced with an expanding array of fungal infections that pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. The respiratory tract is the route of acquisition for many important fungal infections; thus, understanding the host defense in the lung is an essential component of understanding host defense to fungal disease. With this understanding, fungi may be divided on the basis of the predilection of certain mycosis for specific immune defects.CONCLUSIONS: By separating fungi based on the host immune defects that predispose to disease, in conjunction with traditional divisions based on the geographic distribution of fungi, clinicians are able to focus their diagnostic efforts and to identify fungal pathogens better. In addition, an understanding of the normal host defense mechanisms that serve to control fungal infections is essential to the development of novel antifungal therapies.

scholarly journals Do Mast Cells Contribute to the Antifungal Host Defense?

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2510
Author(s):  
Paulina Żelechowska ◽  
Joanna Pastwińska ◽  
Ewa Brzezińska-Błaszczyk ◽  
Justyna Agier
Keyword(s):  
Mast Cells ◽  
Host Defense ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Extracellular Dna ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogens ◽  
Strategic Location ◽  
Fungal Kingdom

The fungal kingdom includes a group of microorganisms that are widely distributed in the environment, and therefore the exposure to them is almost constant. Furthermore, fungal components of the microbiome, i.e., mycobiome, could serve as a reservoir of potentially opportunistic pathogens. Despite close encounters with fungi, defense mechanisms that develop during fungal infections remain unexplored. The strategic location of mast cells (MCs) close to the external environment places them among the first cells to encounter pathogens along with the other innate immune cells. MCs are directly involved in the host defense through the ability to destroy pathogens or indirectly by activating other immune cells. Most available data present MCs’ involvement in antibacterial, antiviral, or antiparasitic defense mechanisms. However, less is known about their contribution in defense mechanisms against fungi. MCs may support immune responses to fungi or their specific molecules through initiated degranulation, synthesis and release of cytokines, chemokines, mediators, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as immune cells’ recruitment, phagocytosis, or provision of extracellular DNA traps. This review summarizes current knowledge on host defense mechanisms against fungi and MCs’ involvement in those processes. It also describes the effects of fungi or fungus-derived constituents on MCs’ activity.

Host Defense Mechanisms and the Superficial Fungal Infections

1984 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry W. Marsh ◽  
William M. Artis
Keyword(s):  
Host Defense ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Fungal Infections

scholarly journals The Mechanisms of Mating in Pathogenic Fungi—A Plastic Trait

Genes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 831
Author(s):  
Jane Usher
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Closely Related Species ◽  
Sexual And Asexual Reproduction ◽  
Target Dna ◽  
High Degree ◽  
The Impact

The impact of fungi on human and plant health is an ever-increasing issue. Recent studies have estimated that human fungal infections result in an excess of one million deaths per year and plant fungal infections resulting in the loss of crop yields worth approximately 200 million per annum. Sexual reproduction in these economically important fungi has evolved in response to the environmental stresses encountered by the pathogens as a method to target DNA damage. Meiosis is integral to this process, through increasing diversity through recombination. Mating and meiosis have been extensively studied in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, highlighting that these mechanisms have diverged even between apparently closely related species. To further examine this, this review will inspect these mechanisms in emerging important fungal pathogens, such as Candida, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcus. It shows that both sexual and asexual reproduction in these fungi demonstrate a high degree of plasticity.

scholarly journals The Role of IL-33 in Host Response toCandida albicans

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Rodríguez-Cerdeira ◽  
A. Lopez-Bárcenas ◽  
B. Sánchez-Blanco ◽  
R. Arenas
Keyword(s):  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Immune Defense ◽  
Beneficial Role

Background. Interleukin (IL) 33 is a recently identified pleiotropic cytokine that influences the activity of multiple cell types and orchestrates complex innate and adaptive immune responses.Methods. We performed an extensive review of the literature published between 2005 and 2013 on IL-33 and related cytokines, their functions, and their regulation of the immune system followingCandida albicanscolonization. Our literature review included cross-references from retrieved articles and specific data from our own studies.Results. IL-33 (IL-1F11) is a recently identified member of the IL-1 family of cytokines. Accumulating evidence suggests a pivotal role of the IL-33/ST2 axis in host immune defense against fungal pathogens, includingC. albicans. IL-33 induces a Th2-type inflammatory response and activates both innate and adaptive immunity. Studies in animal models have shown that Th2 inflammatory responses have a beneficial role in immunity against gastrointestinal and systemic infections byCandidaspp.Conclusions. This review summarizes the most important clinical studies and case reports describing the beneficial role of IL-33 in immunity and host defense mechanisms against pathogenic fungi. The finding that the IL-33/ST2 axis is involved in therapeutic target has implications for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases, including acute or chronic candidiasis.

scholarly journals Neutrophil and Eosinophil DNA Extracellular Trap Formation: Lessons From Pathogenic Fungi

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana da Costa Silva ◽  
Glaucia de Azevedo Thompson-Souza ◽  
Marina Valente Barroso ◽  
Josiane Sabbadini Neves ◽  
Rodrigo Tinoco Figueiredo
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Allergic Diseases ◽  
Extracellular Vesicle ◽  
Fungal Colonization ◽  
Polymorphonuclear Cells ◽  
Effector Cells ◽  
Inflammatory Stimuli ◽  
Extracellular Trap

Fungal infections represent a worldwide health problem. Fungal pathogens are responsible for a variety of conditions, including superficial diseases, allergic pathologies and potentially lethal invasive infections. Neutrophils and eosinophils have been implicated as effector cells in several pathologies. Neutrophils are major effector cells involved in the control of fungal infections and exhibit a plethora of antifungal mechanisms, such as phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species production, degranulation, extracellular vesicle formation, and DNA extracellular trap (ET) release. Eosinophils are polymorphonuclear cells classically implicated as effector cells in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases and helminthic infections, although their roles as immunomodulatory players in both innate and adaptive immunity are currently recognized. Eosinophils are also endowed with antifungal activities and are abundantly found in allergic conditions associated with fungal colonization and sensitization. Neutrophils and eosinophils have been demonstrated to release their nuclear and mitochondrial DNA in response to many pathogens and pro-inflammatory stimuli. ETs have been implicated in the killing and control of many pathogens, as well as in promoting inflammation and tissue damage. The formation of ETs by neutrophils and eosinophils has been described in response to pathogenic fungi. Here, we provide an overview of the mechanisms involved in the release of neutrophil and eosinophil ETs in response to fungal pathogens. General implications for understanding the formation of ETs and the roles of ETs in fungal infections are discussed.

Analyses of Immune Defense Mechanisms of Human Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils Co-Cultivated with Aspergillus fumigatus Germ Tubes.

Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 3848-3848
Author(s):  
Juergen Loeffler ◽  
Markus Mezger ◽  
Hermann Einsele
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Immune Defense ◽  
Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Human Pmns ◽  
Germ Tubes

Abstract Invasive fungal infections with the opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus show an increasing incidence due to a higher number of patients with hematological malignancies. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), as part of the innate immunity, recognize fungal pathogens at an early stage after infiltration. Besides phagocytotic mechanisms, PMNs kill pathogens by the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Human PMNs were isolated from blood of healthy donors and co-cultivated with A. fumigatus germ tubes for defined time points. Oxidative burst was determined in a kinetic measurement by the use of dichlorfluorescein. In parallel, PMNs were co-cultivated with A. fumigatus germ tubes, followed by whole genome expression analyses (Affymetrix U133 Plus 2.0 Array). We could demonstrate that A. fumigatus germlings of the clinical relevant strain ATCC 9197 represented a strong stimulus for the release of ROS. PMNs actively tracked germlings and directly attached to fungi as demonstrated by real-time microscopy. In addition, co-cultivation of PMNs with A. fumigatus germ tubes resulted in a strong upregulation of genes involved in self-protection against radicals (hämoxygenase, heat shock 70kDa protein HSPA8, thioredoxin, HSPA1B, HSP90AB1, Ferritin). After 6h of co-cultivation, 195 genes showed an at least 4fold altered gene expression. Therein, 4 genes encoding for cytokines and chemokines (IL-8, CCL3, CXCL2, IL1RN) were significantly upregulated. Luminex ELISA analyses confirmed array data and revealing IL-8 to be strongly released (5fold) by PMNs after fungal co-culturing. In conclusion, A. fumigatus had a substantial effect on the activity of human PMNs. In consequence, various defence strategies were activated, including phagocytosis, ROS release and mobilization of other immune effector cells by secretion of chemoattractant cytokines. A better understanding of innate immune defense mechanisms may provide new directions for antifungal therapies.

scholarly journals Interplay between Candida albicans and the Antimicrobial Peptide Armory

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 950-957 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Swidergall ◽  
Joachim F. Ernst
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Immune Defense ◽  
Basal Resistance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Normal Human ◽  
Molecular Patterns

ABSTRACTAntimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are key elements of innate immunity, which can directly kill multiple bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens. The medically important fungusCandida albicanscolonizes different host niches as part of the normal human microbiota. Proliferation ofC. albicansis regulated through a complex balance of host immune defense mechanisms and fungal responses. Expression of AMPs against pathogenic fungi is differentially regulated and initiated by interactions of a variety of fungal pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) with pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) on human cells. Inflammatory signaling and other environmental stimuli are also essential to control fungal proliferation and to prevent parasitism. To persist in the host,C. albicanshas developed a three-phase AMP evasion strategy, including secretion of peptide effectors, AMP efflux pumps, and regulation of signaling pathways. These mechanisms preventC. albicansfrom the antifungal activity of the major AMP classes, including cathelicidins, histatins, and defensins leading to a basal resistance. This minireview summarizes human AMP attack andC. albicansresistance mechanisms and current developments in the use of AMPs as antifungal agents.

scholarly journals Multicopper Oxidases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Human Pathogenic Fungi

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 56
Author(s):  
Tanmoy Chakraborty ◽  
Renáta Tóth ◽  
Joshua D. Nosanchuk ◽  
Attila Gácser
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Lignin Degradation ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Multicopper Oxidases ◽  
Fungal Virulence ◽  
Physiological Processes

Multicopper oxidases (MCOs) are produced by microscopic and macroscopic fungal species and are involved in various physiological processes such as morphogenesis, lignin degradation, and defense mechanisms to stress inducing environmental conditions as well as fungal virulence. This review will summarize our current understanding regarding the functions of MCOs present in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in different human fungal pathogens. Of the two main MCO groups, the first group of MCOs is involved in iron homoeostasis and the second includes laccases. This review will also discuss their role in the pathogenesis of human fungal pathogens.

scholarly journals Advances in Fungal Peptide Vaccines

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leandro B. R. Da Silva ◽  
Carlos P. Taborda ◽  
Joshua D. Nosanchuk
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Past Century ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Bioinformatic Tools ◽  
The Past ◽  
New Methodologies

Vaccination is one of the greatest public health achievements in the past century, protecting and improving the quality of life of the population worldwide. However, a safe and effective vaccine for therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of fungal infections is not yet available. The lack of a vaccine for fungi is a problem of increasing importance as the incidence of diverse species, including Paracoccidioides, Aspergillus, Candida, Sporothrix, and Coccidioides, has increased in recent decades and new drug-resistant pathogenic fungi are emerging. In fact, our antifungal armamentarium too frequently fails to effectively control or cure mycoses, leading to high rates of mortality and morbidity. With this in mind, many groups are working towards identifying effective and safe vaccines for fungal pathogens, with a particular focus of generating vaccines that will work in individuals with compromised immunity who bear the major burden of infections from these microbes. In this review, we detail advances in the development of vaccines for pathogenic fungi, and highlight new methodologies using immunoproteomic techniques and bioinformatic tools that have led to new vaccine formulations, like peptide-based vaccines.

scholarly journals Biosensors for Fungal Detection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamdi Nsairat ◽  
Areej M. Jaber ◽  
Mazen Al-Sulaibi
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Diagnosis ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Pathogen Detection ◽  
Drug Sensitivity ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Chain Reactions ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reactions ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Due to the serious threat of invasive fungal infections, there is an emergent need for improved a sensitive and more accurate diagnostic tests for detection of systemic pathogenic fungi and plant health. Traditional fungal diagnosis can only be achieved at later growing phases. The complex and difficult immunodiagnostic is also widely employed. Enzyme-based immunoassays which lead to cross-interaction with different fungi still also obeyed. A polymerase chain reactions (PCRs)- based molecular diagnosis are does not enable precise identification of fungal pathogens, or the ability to test isolates for drug sensitivity. In the future, biosensing technologies and nanotechnological tools, will improve diagnosis of pathogenic fungi through a specific and sensitive pathogen detection. This report systematically reviews the most prominent biosensor trends for fungi detection.

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