Review
Immunology
Pablo Mata-Martinez, Marta Bergon-Gutierrez, Carlos del Fresno
Summary: Dectin-1, a C-type lectin receptor, plays a crucial role in antifungal responses and immune memory. It recognizes various ligands and triggers different immune reactions. However, the underlying mechanisms of its involvement in trained immunity are not fully understood.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zewei Chen, Tengshuo Luo, Fengke Huang, Fuzhen Yang, Wenting Luo, Guanfeng Chen, Mengfei Cao, Fengyun Wang, Jun Zhang
Summary: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an infectious disease caused by Candida species, and drug resistance is a growing problem. Chinese botanical medicine, such as Kangbainian lotion (KBN), has advantages in treating drug-resistant VVC and can improve patients' treatment outcomes and comfort.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yanan Zhu, Tao Shi, Xia Lu, Zhen Xu, Junxing Qu, Zhiyong Zhang, Guoping Shi, Sunan Shen, Yayi Hou, Yugen Chen, Tingting Wang
Summary: Mice lacking Dectin-3 showed increased tumorigenesis and Candida albicans burden, leading to enhanced IL-22 production in innate lymphoid cells, highlighting the significance of commensal fungi in regulating host immunity and promoting tumorigenesis.
Article
Cell Biology
Mohammed J. A. Haider, Zahraa Albaqsumi, Fahd Al-Mulla, Rasheed Ahmad, Fatema Al-Rashed
Summary: This study evaluated the expression and function of Dectin-2 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from diabetic patients and found that Dectin-2 expression was significantly increased in the monocytes of diabetic patients compared with non-diabetic controls. The activation of Dectin-2 was associated with markers of glucose homeostasis and elevated levels of inflammatory markers in PBMCs from diabetic patients.
Article
Biology
Rozlyn C. T. Boutin, Charisse Petersen, Sarah E. Woodward, Antonio Serapio-Palacios, Tahereh Bozorgmehr, Rachelle Loo, Alina Chalanuchpong, Mihai Cirstea, Bernard Lo, Kelsey E. Huus, Weronika Barcik, Meghan B. Azad, Allan B. Becker, Piush J. Mandhane, Theo J. Moraes, Malcolm R. Sears, Padmaja Subbarao, Kelly M. McNagny, Stuart E. Turvey, B. Brett Finlay
Summary: This study found that overgrowth of the fungus Pichia kudriavzevii in the infant gut increases the risk of asthma, demonstrating a causal association between early-life fungal dysbiosis and later allergic airway disease. The research also showed that the growth and adherence of P. kudriavzevii in the gut epithelial cells are altered by short-chain fatty acids, suggesting potential for microbiota-based asthma therapeutics leveraging inter-kingdom interactions.
Article
Biology
Rohan P. Choraghe, Aaron K. Neumann
Summary: Dectin-1 and DC-SIGN collaborate to enhance the capture and retention of Candida albicans, with Dectin-1 playing a crucial role in promoting the recruitment of DC-SIGN to the contact site.
Article
Immunology
Sarit Cohen-Kedar, Efrat Shaham Barda, Keren Masha Rabinowitz, Danielle Keizer, Hanan Abu-Taha, Shoshana Schwartz, Kawsar Kaboub, Liran Baram, Eran Sadot, Ian White, Nir Wasserberg, Meirav Wolff-Bar, Adva Levy-Barda, Iris Dotan
Summary: This study discovered that human intestinal epithelial cells can phagocytose fungal particles containing beta-glucan through autophagy-associated processes. This mechanism contributes to the maintenance of mucosal tolerance towards commensal fungi.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Jingyun Zhang, Jingwen Peng, Dongmei Li, Huan Mei, Yu Yu, Xiaofang Li, Xiaodong She, Weida Liu
Summary: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is characterized by inflammatory responses in the vagina caused by Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida species. This study found that different Candida strains and species induce different host immune responses and epithelial damage. The EGFR-MAPK signaling pathway plays an important role in the pathogenesis of vulvovaginal candidiasis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yuzhu Ge, Min Pan, Chuanfeng Zhang, Changzhong Wang, Kelong Ma, Guiming Yan, Tianming Wang, Daqiang Wu, Jing Shao
Summary: The study demonstrates that supplementing C. albicans exacerbates UC, while Paeonol (PAE) can relieve its adverse effects on colitis. PAE may act through the Dectin-1/NF-kappa B pathway in collaboration with TLR2 and TLR4 to treat fungal dysbiosis-associated UC.
Article
Microbiology
Suresh Ambati, Tuyetnhu Pham, Zachary A. Lewis, Xiaorong Li, Richard B. Meagher
Summary: This study found that targeting antifungal drugs to fungal glycans can improve drug efficacy and reduce drug dosage, which is of great significance for various invasive fungal infections.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Wanwei Sun, Heping Wang, Huijun Hu, Xiaojian Ma, Huazhi Zhang, Jianwen Chen, Yanyun Du, Ruirui He, Zhihui Cui, Qianwen Peng, Chenhui Wang
Summary: This study demonstrates that EPHB2 acts as a coreceptor for Dectin-1 ligand recognition and plays an essential role in antifungal immunity by phosphorylating Syk.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Sarit Cohen-Kedar, Danielle Keizer, Suzana Schwartz, Keren M. Rabinowitz, Kawsar Kaboub, Efrat Shaham Barda, Eran Sadot, Meirav Wolff-Bar, Tali Shaltiel, Iris Dotan
Summary: Intestinal epithelial cells respond differently to various fungal stimuli, with beta-glucans activating signaling pathways to induce cytokine secretion, while commensal fungi do not. Stimulation by commensal fungi may lead to activation of different signaling pathways in IECs, potentially impacting mucosal homeostasis and inflammation.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Adam L. Viens, Kyle D. Timmer, Natalie J. Alexander, Rana Barghout, Jelena Milosevic, Alex Hopke, Natalie J. Atallah, Allison K. Scherer, David B. Syke, Daniel Irimia, Michael K. Mansour
Summary: In this study, TLR signaling is found to be an alternative activation pathway that can partially restore neutrophil effector function against Candida albicans in a Syk-independent manner. The findings suggest that modulation of TLR signaling may be a potential therapeutic strategy for patients with impaired neutrophil response to fungal infections.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Valerie Amann, Ann-Kathrin Kissmann, Markus Kramer, Imke Krebs, Julio A. Perez-Erviti, Anselmo J. Otero-Gonzalez, Fidel Morales-Vicente, Armando Rodriguez, Ludger Standker, Tanja Weil, Frank Rosenau
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a potential therapeutic option for infectious diseases due to their broad range of activity against diverse pathogens. However, their unspecific pore formation in biomembranes can cause significant side effects in human cells. AMPs isolated from sea and freshwater molluscs show promising antimicrobial activities, as these organisms primarily rely on innate defense mechanisms to fight pathogens. Pomacea poeyana, a Cuban freshwater snail, is a promising candidate for AMPs isolation, with Pom-1 and Pom-2 peptides showing significant antimicrobial activities.
Article
Microbiology
Wanqian Li, Manjari Shrivastava, Hui Lu, Yuanying Jiang
Summary: Candidiasis poses a significant threat to immunocompromised patients due to limited treatment options and emerging drug resistance. Targeting the calcium-calcineurin signaling pathway may offer a promising strategy to combat C. albicans infections, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target.
MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Correction
Genetics & Heredity
Riku Takei, Murray Cadzow, David Markie, Matt Bixley, Amanda Phipps-Green, Tanya J. Major, Changgui Li, Hyon K. Choi, Zhiqiang Li, Hua Hu, Hui Guo, Meian He, Yongyong Shi, Lisa K. Stamp, Nicola Dalbeth, Tony R. Merriman, Wen-Hua Wei, A. Abhishek, M. Andres, T. Crisan, N. Dalbeth, M. Doherty, L. Jacobsson, M. Janssen, T. L. Jansen, L. A. Joosten, M. Kapetanovic, F. Liote, H. Matsuo, G. McCarthy, T. Merriman, F. Perez-Ruiz, P. L. Riches, P. Richette, P. C. Robinson, E. Roddy, B. Stiburkova, A. So, L. K. Stamp, A. K. Tausche, R. Torres-Jiminez, T. Uhlig
JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohit Kumar, Ashutosh Singh, Sonam Kumari, Praveen Kumar, Mohd Wasi, Alok K. Mondal, Shivaprakash M. Rudramurthy, Arunaloke Chakrabarti, Naseem A. Gaur, Neil A. R. Gow, Rajendra Prasad
Summary: Research indicates that sphingolipids influence the drug susceptibility of Candida auris. Analysis of drug-resistant clinical isolates of C. auris revealed that sphingolipid content may affect azole and amphotericin B susceptibilities. These findings provide insight into the dynamics of sphingolipid structures and their link to drug resistance in C. auris.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR AND CELL BIOLOGY OF LIPIDS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Shabnam Sircaik, Elvira Roman, Priyanka Bapat, Keunsook K. Lee, David R. Andes, Neil A. R. Gow, Clarissa J. Nobile, Jesus Pla, Sneh Lata Panwar
Summary: The study demonstrates the crucial role of Ire1 in perceiving ER stress and activating UPR in Candida albicans. Additionally, compromised Ire1 function affects secretory homeostasis, antifungal tolerance, cell wall regulation, and virulence-related traits. Furthermore, Ire1 can activate UPR in response to perturbations in cell wall integrity and cell membrane homeostasis.
CELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Mihai G. Netea, Jos W. M. van der Meer, Reinout van Crevel
Summary: Several COVID-19 vaccine candidates have shown promise, but uncertainty remains about their effectiveness and global distribution. Boosting innate immunity with vaccines like BCG may play a role in combating COVID-19, as evidenced by lower infection and seropositivity rates in BCG-vaccinated individuals. Further clinical trials are needed to explore the potential of BCG vaccination in COVID-19 and future pandemics.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Aiysha Thompson, Diogo M. da Fonseca, Louise Walker, James S. Griffiths, Philip R. Taylor, Neil A. R. Gow, Selinda J. Orr
Summary: Invasive Candida infections are mainly caused by four Candida species, and C-type lectin-like receptors (CLRs) are involved in the immune responses to these infections. Different Candida species have varying mannan contents in their cell walls, and Mincle and Dectin-2 play important roles in regulating cytokine production and clearance of these infections during systemic infection. Dependence on mannan-detecting CLRs varies between different Candida species during systemic infection.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
News Item
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nicolas Papon, Gordon D. Brown, Neil A. R. Gow
Summary: The study suggests that dysbiosis of mycobiota can promote colon cancer by affecting energy metabolism in subepithelial macrophages, highlighting a potential role of gut flora in intestinal carcinogenesis and opportunities for preventative strategies involving antifungal or immunotherapeutic approaches.
Meeting Abstract
Infectious Diseases
Arnab Pradhan, Qinxi Ma, Emer Hickey, Gabriela Avelar, Daniel Larcombe, Judith Bain, Delma Childers, Ivy Dambuza, Ian Leaves, Leandro Jose De Assis, Mihai Netea, Gordon Brown, Lars Erwig, Neil A. R. Gow, Alistair J. P. Brown
Meeting Abstract
Infectious Diseases
Neil A. R. Gow
Review
Microbiology
Neil A. R. Cow, Megan D. Lenardon
Summary: The fungal cell wall is crucial for the growth and survival of fungi and is targeted by antifungal drugs and the immune system. The inner wall of most fungi is made up of chitin and beta-glucans, while the outer wall is composed of a variety of polymers and glycosylated proteins. Understanding the organization of fungal cell walls can lead to the development of diagnostics and drugs for combating fungal infections.
NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Leandro Jose de Assis, Judith M. Bain, Corin Liddle, Ian Leaves, Christian Hacker, Roberta Peres da Silva, Raif Yuecel, Attila Bebes, David Stead, Delma S. Childers, Arnab Pradhan, Kevin Mackenzie, Katherine Lagree, Daniel E. Larcombe, Qinxi Ma, Gabriela Mol Avelar, Mihai G. Netea, Lars P. Erwig, Aaron P. Mitchell, Gordon D. Brown, Neil A. R. Gow, Alistair J. P. Brown
Summary: This study reveals that beta-1,3-glucan exposure on the surface of Candida albicans cells is targeted during phagocytosis, and lactate-induced masking reduces beta-1,3-glucan exposure. Downstream effectors of protein kinase A (PKA), Sin3 and Mig1/Mig2, regulate the secretion of glucanases and modulate beta-1,3-glucan exposure. Perturbing PKA, Sin3, or Mig1/Mig2 attenuates the virulence of lactate-exposed C. albicans cells.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Neil A. R. Gow, Carolyn Johnson, Judith Berman, Alix T. Coste, Christina A. Cuomo, David S. Perlin, Tihana Bicanic, Thomas S. Harrison, Nathan Wiederhold, Mike Bromley, Tom Chiller, Keegan Edgar
Summary: Prior to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, antibiotic resistance was considered a major global healthcare priority. Although fungal infections have not received enough public attention, the annual deaths caused by these infections are comparable to or even exceed the global mortalities due to malaria, tuberculosis, or HIV. The rise of antifungal drug resistant strains has worsened the impact of fungal infections on human health. This review aims to illuminate the problem of antifungal resistance and suggest possible measures to mitigate this growing threat.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Nicola T. Case, Judith Berman, David S. Blehert, Robert A. Cramer, Christina Cuomo, Cameron R. Currie, Iuliana Ene, Matthew C. Fisher, Lillian K. Fritz-Laylin, Aleeza C. Gerstein, N. Louise Glass, Neil A. R. Gow, Sarah J. Gurr, Chris Todd Hittinger, Tobias M. Hohl, Iliyan D. Iliev, Timothy Y. James, Hailing Jin, Bruce S. Klein, James W. Kronstad, Jeffrey M. Lorch, Victoria McGovern, Aaron P. Mitchell, Julia A. Segre, Rebecca S. Shapiro, Donald C. Sheppard, Anita Sil, Jason E. Stajich, Eva E. Stukenbrock, John W. Taylor, Dawn Thompson, Gerard D. Wright, Joseph Heitman, Leah E. Cowen
Summary: The fungal kingdom has diverse impacts on animal, plant, and ecosystem health, supporting life while also causing diseases. With increased climate change, antimicrobial resistance, and other global challenges, it is crucial to develop new approaches to combat fungal threats and harness their potential. This report provides recommendations and highlights major research advances and ideas discussed at a workshop to address these challenges.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Claudia Sirbe, Medeea Badii, Tania O. Crisan, Gabriel Benta, Alina Grama, Leo A. B. Joosten, Simona Rednic, Tudor Lucian Pop
Summary: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an immune-mediated liver disease that causes inflammation, liver failure, and fibrosis. This study analyzed the proteomic profiling data of pediatric AIH patients and controls and identified 16 proteins with significantly different abundance in AIH patients, which could potentially serve as biomarkers for AIH.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biology
Hadewych ter Hofstede, Jeroen Haex, Michael Belias, Marije Oosting, Leo A. B. Joosten, Foekje F. Stelma
Summary: Little is known about the dynamics of immune responses to Borrelia spp. and the development of serological markers over time after repeated exposure to tick bites. In this study, we followed 106 forestry service workers for 8 years and found that antibody levels were positively correlated with the number of tick bites, and active smoking was associated with antibody seroconversion. Overall, we rated the importance of this study as 8 out of 10.
Article
Mycology
Emily M. Stevenson, William H. Gaze, Neil A. R. Gow, Alwyn Hart, Wiebke Schmidt, Jane Usher, Adilia Warris, Helen Wilkinson, Aimee K. Murray
Summary: This scoping review examines the current understanding of selection for antifungal resistance (AFR) and compares it with selection for antibacterial resistance. AFR is an emerging global threat to human health, with high mortality rates and limited treatment options. The review highlights the need for assessment of antifungal agents in environmental risk assessment guidelines and suggests potential methods to determine antifungal selective concentrations.
FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY
(2022)