(2025)
A functional polymorphism in IL-36β modulates macrophage antifungal effector functions and increases susceptibility to invasive pulmonary Aspergillosis.
J Infect Dis
[Accepted]
Immunology of Fungal Infections
Invasive fungal infections rarely occur in healthy hosts, and a compromised immune system is one of the major predisposing factors for invasive fungal disease. Although a wide range of antifungal drugs are available to treat such infections, therapies that aim at improving the immune system are increasingly recognized as essential in improving the outcome of fungal infections. Specifically, modification of immune-cell metabolism and phagocytosis are promising strategies to augment immune cell function.
Interferon-ɣ is a promising candidate due to its capacity to improve macrophage microbicidal activity, and clinical trials are ongoing to explore its potential to improve the outcome of candidemia. In close collaboration with the Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, we investigate how Candida albicans interacts with macrophages that were augmented by immunotherapy. We specifically focus on inflammasome activation and fungal escape from macrophages, which is in part mediated by the fungal toxin candidalysin.
Macrophage engulfing multiple Candida albicans yeast
Publications
(2025)
Lactic acid in the vaginal milieu modulates the Candida-host interaction.
Virulence 16(1),
2451165.
(2025)
Probiotic Lactobacillus species modulate immune responses during vaginal epithelial cell colonization.
J Infect Dis ,
jiaf221.
(2025)
Vaginal Candida albicans infections: host-pathogen-microbiome interactions.
FEMS Microbiol Rev 49,
fuaf013.
(2024)
Inflammatory cytokine signalling in vulvovaginal candidiasis: a hot mess driving immunopathology.
Oxf Open Immunol 5(1),
iqae010.
(Review)
(2024)
Alpha1-antitrypsin impacts innate host-pathogen interactions with Candida albicans by stimulating fungal filamentation.
Virulence 15(1),
2333367.
(2024)
Pathogenicity strategies of Candida species during interactions with epithelial cells.
In: Brakhage AA, Kniemeyer O, Zipfel PF (eds.) The Mycota - Human and Animal Relationships 3. 6, pp. 35-49. Springer, Cham.
ISBN: 978-3-031-64852. (Review)
(2024)
A synthetic peptide mimic kills Candida albicans and synergistically prevents infection.
Nat Commun 15(1),
6818.
(2024)
Hyphal-associated protein expression is crucial for Candida albicans-induced eicosanoid biosynthesis in immune cells.
Eur J Immunol 54(3),
e2350743.
(2024)
Nanobody-mediated neutralization of candidalysin prevents epithelial damage and inflammatory responses that drive vulvovaginal candidiasis pathogenesis.
mBio 15(3),
e0340923.
