Research Keyword: pattern recognition receptors

Unraveling the Fungi–Cancer Connection

Fungi living in and around tumors play surprisingly important roles in cancer development and treatment response, yet they have been largely overlooked compared to bacteria. Different cancer types host specific fungal species that can promote tumor growth through immune suppression and toxin production. By better understanding and potentially targeting these tumor-associated fungi, researchers believe we could develop new combination treatments that enhance the effectiveness of existing cancer therapies.

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Things you wanted to know about fungal extracellular vesicles (but were afraid to ask)

Fungal extracellular vesicles (EVs) are tiny packages released by fungal cells that play important roles in fungal infections and how our immune system responds to them. Scientists have confirmed these EVs are real biological structures, not laboratory artifacts, and discovered they are produced by many different fungal species. Interestingly, these EVs can have opposite effects on the immune system depending on the fungus involved—sometimes helping our bodies fight infection and sometimes making infections worse, making them both potential vaccines and virulence factors.

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Immunomodulatory activity of Pleurotus pulmonarius crude extract to human monocyte against Cryptococcus neoformans

This research shows that an extract from the Phoenix oyster mushroom (Pleurotus pulmonarius) can boost the body’s immune cells to fight dangerous fungal infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. When immune cells are pre-exposed to this mushroom extract and then encounter the fungus, they become more effective at killing it through increased production of immune-signaling molecules and reactive oxygen species. This natural supplement approach offers a promising alternative to traditional antifungal drugs, which often have significant side effects and can lead to drug resistance.

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Cytophysiological manifestations of wheat’s defense reactions against stem rust induced by the biofungicide Novochizol

Scientists studied how a new plant-based product called Novochizol helps wheat plants defend themselves against stem rust, a destructive fungal disease. When wheat seedlings were treated with Novochizol before being exposed to the rust fungus, the plants showed strong defensive reactions including increased production of protective hydrogen peroxide and phenolic compounds. The treatment significantly reduced the number and size of rust pustules (infection spots) on susceptible wheat plants, effectively converting them to a more resistant state without harming the plants.

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Divergent Immunomodulatory Roles of Fungal DNA in Shaping Treg and Inflammatory Responses

Different types of fungal DNA trigger different immune responses in the body. DNA from the common yeast Candida albicans promotes immune tolerance and protects T cells, similar to beneficial bacterial DNA. In contrast, DNA from the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans triggers strong inflammatory immune responses. This discovery reveals that fungal DNA itself, not just fungal cell wall components, plays an important role in determining whether fungi are treated as friendly commensals or dangerous pathogens by the immune system.

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PTP1B deficiency in myeloid cells increases susceptibility to Candida albicans systemic infection by modulating antifungal immunity

This research shows that a protein called PTP1B plays an important role in protecting the body against dangerous fungal infections caused by Candida albicans. When mice lacked this protein in their immune cells, they were much more susceptible to the infection and showed severe illness. The study found that PTP1B helps immune cells like macrophages and neutrophils fight the fungus effectively, and blocking this protein could actually make fungal infections worse.

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Cytophysiological manifestations of wheat’s defense reactions against stem rust induced by the biofungicide Novochizol

Novochizol, a new type of chitosan-based treatment, helps wheat plants defend themselves against stem rust by triggering natural immune responses. When wheat seedlings are treated with Novochizol four days before rust infection, the plants accumulate protective molecules like hydrogen peroxide and phenolic compounds that kill many of the rust fungus colonies before they can spread. This reduces disease damage by 50-55% compared to untreated plants, offering a promising biological alternative to synthetic fungicides.

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