Host-pathogen interactions: lessons from phagocytic predation on fungi

"Under Pressure" - How fungi evade, exploit, and modulate cells of the innate immune system

The human immune system uses an arsenal of effector mechanisms to prevent and counteract infections. Yet, some fungal species are extremely successful as human pathogens, which can be attributed to a wide variety of strategies by which these fungi evade, exploit, and modulate the immune system. These fungal pathogens normally are either harmless commensals or environmental fungi. In this review we discuss how commensalism, but also life in an environmental niche without human contact, can drive the evolution of diverse and specialized immune evasion mechanisms. Correspondingly, we discuss the mechanisms contributing to the ability of these fungi to cause superficial to life-threatening infections.

Chain-Engineering-Based De Novo Drug Design against MPXVgp169 Virulent Protein of Monkeypox Virus: A Molecular Modification Approach

The unexpected appearance of the monkeypox virus and the extensive geographic dispersal of cases have prompted researchers to concentrate on potential therapeutic approaches. In addition to its vaccine build techniques, there should be some multiple integrated antiviral active compounds because of the MPV (monkeypox virus) outbreak in 2022. This study offers a computational engineering-based de novo drug discovery mediated by random antiviral active compounds that were screened against the virulent protein MPXVgp169, as one of the key players directing the pathogenesis of the virus. The screening of these candidates was supported by the use of 72 antiviral active compounds. The top candidate with the lowest binding affinity was selected for the engineering of chains or atoms. Literature assisted to identify toxic chains or atoms that were impeding the stability and effectiveness of antiviral compounds to modify them for enhanced efficacy. With a binding affinity of -9.4 Kcal/mol after chain, the lipophilicity of 0.41, the water solubility of 2.51 as soluble, and synthetic accessibility of 6.6, chain-engineered dolutegravir was one of the best active compounds, as proved by the computational engineering analysis. This study will revolutionize the era of drug engineering as a potential therapeutic strategy for monkeypox infection.

Immunity to Invasive Fungal Diseases

Invasive fungal diseases are rare in individuals with intact immunity. This, together with the fact that there are only a few species that account for most mycotic diseases, implies a remarkable natural resistance to pathogenic fungi. Mammalian immunity to fungi rests on two pillars, powerful immune mechanisms and elevated temperatures that create a thermal restriction zone for most fungal species. Conditions associated with increased susceptibility generally reflect major disturbances of immune function involving both the cellular and humoral innate and adaptive arms, which implies considerable redundancy in host defense mechanisms against fungi. In general, tissue fungal invasion is controlled through either neutrophil or granulomatous inflammation, depending on the fungal species. Neutrophils are critical against Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp. while macrophages are essential for controlling mycoses due to Cryptococcus spp., Histoplasma spp., and other fungi. The increasing number of immunocompromised patients together with climate change could significantly increase the prevalence of fungal diseases.

Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Immunology, Volume 40 is April 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.