Dendritic cell interactions with Histoplasma and Paracoccidioides

Sharanjeet K. Thind, Carlos P. Taborda, Joshua D. Nosanchuk

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Fungi are among the most common microbes encountered by humans. More than 100, 000 fungal species have been described in the environment to date, however only a few species cause disease in humans. Fungal infections are of particular importance to immunocompromised hosts in whom disease is often more severe, especially in those with impaired cell-mediated immunity such as individuals with HIV infection, hematologic malignancies, or those receiving TNF-α inhibitors. Nevertheless, environmental disturbances through natural processes or as a consequence of deforestation or construction can expose immunologically competent people to a large number of fungal spores resulting in asymptomatic acquisition to life-threatening disease. In recent decades, the significance of the innate immune system and more importantly the role of dendritic cells (DC) have been found to play a fundamental role in the resolution of fungal infections, such as in dimorphic fungi like Histoplasma and Paracoccidioides. In this review article the general role of DCs will be illustrated as the bridge between the innate and adaptiv.immune systems, as well as their specific interactions with these 2 dimorphic fungi.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)424-432
Number of pages9
JournalVirulence
Volume6
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2015

Keywords

  • Dendritic cell
  • Histoplasma
  • Immunoresponse
  • Paracoccidioides

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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