(2022)
Type I interferons during host-fungus interactions: Is antifungal immunity going viral?
PLOS Pathog 18(8),
e1010740.
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
(2021)
Uncoupling of IL-6 signaling and LC3-associated phagocytosis drives immunoparalysis during sepsis.
Cell Host Microbe 29(8),
1277-1293.
(2021)
Candida albicans colonization of the gastrointestinal tract: A double-edged sword.
PLOS Pathog 17(7),
e1009710.
(2021)
Albumin neutralizes hydrophobic toxins and modulates Candida albicans pathogenicity.
mBio 12(3),
e0053121.
(2021)
Comparative host transcriptome in response to pathogenic fungi identifies common and species-specific transcriptional antifungal host response pathways.
Comput Struct Biotechnol J 19,
647-663.
(2021)
Data of common and species-specific transcriptional host responses to pathogenic fungi.
Data Brief 35,
106928.
(2021)
The anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-37 is an inhibitor of trained immunity.
Cell Rep 35(1),
108955.
(2021)
Neuraminidase and SIGLEC15 modulate the host defense against pulmonary aspergillosis.
Cell Rep Med 2(5),
100289.
(2021)
Candida albicans-induced leukotriene biosynthesis in neutrophils is restricted to the hyphal morphology.
FASEB J 35(10),
e21820.
(2021)
In vitro infection models to study fungal-host interactions.
FEMS Microbiol Rev 45(5),
fuab005.
(Review)
