β2 Integrin-Mediated Susceptibility to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Experimental Infection in Mice

Common virulence factors between Histoplasma and Paracoccidioides: Recognition of Hsp60 and Enolase by CR3 and plasmin receptors in host cells

Over the last two decades, the incidence of Invasive Fungal Infections (IFIs) globally has risen, posing a considerable challenge despite available antifungal therapies. Addressing this, the World Health Organization (WHO) prioritized research on specific fungi, notably Histoplasma spp. and Paracoccidioides spp. These dimorphic fungi have a mycelial life cycle in soil and a yeast phase associated with tissues of mammalian hosts. Inhalation of conidia and mycelial fragments initiates the infection, crucially transforming into the yeast form within the host, influenced by factors like temperature, host immunity, and hormonal status. Survival and multiplication within alveolar macrophages are crucial for disease progression, where innate immune responses play a pivotal role in overcoming physical barriers. The transition to pathogenic yeast, triggered by increased temperature, involves yeast phase-specific gene expression, closely linked to infection establishment and pathogenicity. Cell adhesion mechanisms during host-pathogen interactions are intricately linked to fungal virulence, which is critical for tissue colonization and disease development. Yeast replication within macrophages leads to their rupture, aiding pathogen dissemination. Immune cells, especially macrophages, dendritic cells, and neutrophils, are key players during infection control, with macrophages crucial for defense, tissue integrity, and pathogen elimination. Recognition of common virulence molecules such as heat- shock protein-60 (Hsp60) and enolase by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), mainly via the complement receptor 3 (CR3) and plasmin receptor pathways, respectively, could be pivotal in host-pathogen interactions for Histoplasma spp. and Paracoccidioides spp., influencing adhesion, phagocytosis, and inflammatory regulation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the dynamic of these two IFIs between host and pathogen. Further research into these fungi's virulence factors promises insights into pathogenic mechanisms, potentially guiding the development of effective treatment strategies.

Activation of leukotriene B4 receptor 1 is a prerequisite for complement receptor 3-mediated antifungal responses of neutrophils

Invasive fungal infections are life-threatening, and neutrophils are vital cells of the innate immune system that defend against them. The role of LTA4H-LTB4-BLT1 axis in regulation of neutrophil responses to fungal infection remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrated that the LTA4H-LTB4-BLT1 axis protects the host against Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus, but not Cryptococcus neoformans infection, by regulating the antifungal activity of neutrophils. Our results show that deleting Lta4h or Blt1 substantially impairs the fungal-specific phagocytic capacity of neutrophils. Moreover, defective activation of the spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) and extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK1/2) pathways in neutrophils accompanies this impairment. Mechanistically, BLT1 regulates CR3-mediated, β-1,3-glucan-induced neutrophil phagocytosis, while a physical interaction with CR3 with slight influence on its dynamics is observed. Our findings thus demonstrate that the LTA4H-LTB4-BLT1 axis is essential for the phagocytic function of neutrophils in host antifungal immune response against Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus.

Integrins are double-edged swords in pulmonary infectious diseases

Integrins are an important family of adhesion molecules that are widely distributed on immune cells in the lungs. Of note, accumulating evidences have shown that integrins are double-edged swords in pulmonary infectious diseases. On one hand, integrins promote the migration of immune cells to remove the invaded pathogens in the infected lungs. However, on the other hand, integrins also act as the targets for pathogens to escape from host immune system, which is a potential factor leading to further tissue damage. Thus, the innovative therapeutic strategies based on integrins has inspired well-founded hopes to treat pulmonary infectious diseases. In this review, we illustrate the involvement of integrins in pulmonary infectious diseases, and further discuss the innovative therapeutic targets based on integrins.