Pathogenitätsmechanismen an der Epithelbarriere

Candida-Spezies sind als harmlose Kommensale auf den Schleimhäuten in Mund, Vagina oder Darm von gesunden Menschen zu finden. Unter bestimmten Voraussetzungen können diese Candida-Zellen jedoch Krankheiten verursachen. Candida-Infektionen in der Mund- oder Vagina-Schleimhaut sind mit Gewebeschäden durch Pilzwachstum oder durch Entzündungsreaktionen verbunden und beeinträchtigen das Wohlbefinden.
Bei Patienten mit gestörtem Immunsystem, gestörter Mikrobenflora im Darm oder geschwächter Darmbarriere können Pilzpopulationen des Darms die natürlichen Barrieren durchbrechen (Translokation), in den Blutkreislauf eindringen, sich in weitere Organe des Körpers verteilen und so eine systemische Infektion hervorrufen. Wir wollen untersuchen, welche Faktoren des Pilzes und des Menschen die Adhäsion von Candida an Epithelzellen, die Invasion und Schädigung dieser Zellen und auch die Translokation durch die Darmbarriere und Infektion von weiteren Organen vermitteln.
Um die Wirts-Pathogen-Interaktionen an der Epithelbarriere besser zu verstehen, nutzen wir in vitro Infektionsmodelle, genomweite Transkriptionsanalysen and Gendeletionsmutanten in Experimenten mit C. albicans, C. glabrata und der neu aufkommenden multiresistenten Spezies C. auris.
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