Antifungal immunity – mycolab.ai

Dectin-1 and dectin-2 drive protection against Sporothrix brasiliensis in experimental sporotrichosis

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Scientists studied how the immune system fights a dangerous fungal infection called sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis. They found that two immune receptors called dectin-1 and dectin-2 are crucial for fighting this infection by activating specific killer T cells and preventing immune suppression. Unlike what was previously thought, these receptors don’t work mainly by triggering inflammation, but rather by fine-tuning the balance of different immune cell types. This discovery could help develop new treatments for this emerging fungal disease.

Dectin-1 and dectin-2 drive protection against Sporothrix brasiliensis in experimental sporotrichosis

mycolabadmin

Researchers studied how the body fights a dangerous fungus called Sporothrix brasiliensis that causes sporotrichosis. They found that two immune receptors called dectin-1 and dectin-2 are crucial for protecting against this infection in mice. Surprisingly, these receptors work by activating killer immune cells and controlling regulatory immune cells, rather than through the typical immune response pathway scientists expected.

Protein kinase A signaling regulates immune evasion by shaving and concealing fungal β-1,3-glucan

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Candida albicans, a common fungal pathogen, uses a clever strategy to hide from the immune system by masking a molecule on its surface that would normally trigger an immune response. Researchers used both computer modeling and laboratory experiments to show that this hiding strategy involves two main processes: the fungus grows and exposes the molecule, while simultaneously using enzymes to shave it away. They found that a cellular signaling pathway called PKA is essential for activating these shaving enzymes in response to lactate, a signal from the host environment.

Aspergillus in Children and Young People with Cystic Fibrosis: A Narrative Review

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Cystic fibrosis is a serious genetic disease affecting children that damages the lungs through chronic infections. Aspergillus, a common mold in the environment, colonizes the airways of CF patients and can cause additional lung damage. While new CFTR modulator medications have improved outcomes and reduced Aspergillus infections, more research is needed to better diagnose and treat fungal infections in children with CF.

Dendritic Cell-Based Therapeutic Immunization Induces Th1/Th17 Responses and Reduces Fungal Burden in Experimental Sporotrichosis

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Researchers developed a vaccine using special immune cells called dendritic cells loaded with proteins from the fungus that causes sporotrichosis. When vaccinated mice were later infected with the fungus, they showed stronger immune responses and had lower levels of the fungus in their bodies. This suggests that dendritic cell-based vaccines could be a promising new treatment approach for sporotrichosis, a serious fungal infection that is difficult to treat with current medicines, especially in people with weakened immune systems.

Glycan microarray analysis of Candida-related antibodies in human and mice sera guides biomarker discovery and vaccine development

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Researchers developed a test using synthetic sugar molecules found on Candida yeast to detect antibodies in blood from infected patients and mice. They discovered that the immune system produces different antibodies at different stages of infection, starting with antibodies against certain sugars and later focusing on others. The study identified three specific sugar structures that could be used to create simple blood tests to diagnose Candida infections and potentially develop vaccines to prevent these serious fungal infections.

Unmasking Tinea Incognito: Case Study, Insights Into the Pathogenesis, and Recommendations

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A 29-year-old woman was incorrectly treated for psoriasis with steroids, which made her fungal infection worse instead of better. When doctors finally diagnosed her with a fungal infection (tinea incognito), they found it was caused by a common dermatophyte fungus. This case highlights how steroid creams can hide fungal infections and make them spread, and shows why recognizing this condition is important for proper treatment.

Dectin-1 and dectin-2 drive protection against Sporothrix brasiliensis in experimental sporotrichosis

mycolabadmin

Scientists studied how the body’s immune system defends against Sporothrix brasiliensis, a dangerous fungus spreading through Latin America. They found that two immune receptors called dectin-1 and dectin-2 are crucial for fighting this infection by activating killer T cells and controlling regulatory T cells. Surprisingly, a cytokine called IL-17, commonly associated with fungal defense, actually helps maintain tissue integrity rather than directly killing the fungus.

Protein kinase A signaling regulates immune evasion by shaving and concealing fungal β-1,3-glucan

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Candida albicans is a fungus that causes infections in humans. The fungus has developed a clever way to hide from our immune system by covering up a molecule on its surface called β-1,3-glucan that normally triggers immune responses. This study shows that the fungus masks this molecule through a combination of growing and dividing to create new surfaces, and then using enzymes to trim away exposed molecules. The research reveals that a specific cell signaling pathway controlled by lactate (a chemical found in our bodies) activates this masking behavior, helping the fungus evade immune recognition.

Role of Candida species in pathogenesis, immune regulation, and prognostic tools for managing ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease

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This article explores how fungi, particularly Candida species, contribute to inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The fungal microbiota becomes imbalanced in IBD patients, triggering harmful immune responses and worsening inflammation. The researchers propose that measuring specific Candida levels could help doctors diagnose disease severity and predict treatment response, opening new possibilities for personalized IBD management.

Research Keyword: Antifungal immunity