Fungal killing by mammalian phagocytic cells

Curr Opin Microbiol. 2008 Aug;11(4):313-7. doi: 10.1016/j.mib.2008.05.011. Epub 2008 Jun 21.

Abstract

Phagocytes are considered the most important effector cells in the immune response against fungal infections. To exert their role, they must recognize the invading fungi, internalise, and kill them within the phagosome. Major advances in the field have elucidated the roles of pattern-recognition receptors in the innate immunity sensing and the importance of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in intracellular killing of fungi. Surprising exit mechanisms for intracellular pathogens and extracellular traps have also been discovered. These and several other recent breakthroughs in our understanding of the mechanisms used by phagocytes to kill fungal pathogens are reviewed in this work.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Fungi / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Mammals
  • Microbial Viability*
  • Phagocytes / immunology*
  • Phagocytes / microbiology*
  • Phagocytosis*
  • Phagosomes / immunology
  • Reactive Nitrogen Species / immunology
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / immunology

Substances

  • Reactive Nitrogen Species
  • Reactive Oxygen Species