Extracellular vesicles of human pathogenic fungi

Ewa Bielska; Robin C May

doi:10.1016/j.mib.2019.05.007

Extracellular vesicles of human pathogenic fungi

Curr Opin Microbiol. 2019 Dec:52:90-99. doi: 10.1016/j.mib.2019.05.007. Epub 2019 Jul 4.

Authors

Ewa Bielska¹, Robin C May²

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 31280026
DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2019.05.007

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles play a significant role in many aspects of cellular life including cell-to-cell communication, pathogenesis and cancer progression. However very little is known about their role in fungi and we are just at the beginning of understanding their influence on fungal pathophysiology and host-pathogen interactions. Recent findings have revealed a role for fungal vesicles in triggering anti-microbial activities as well as in modulating virulence strategies, suggesting potential new avenues for antifungal therapies. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of fungal extracellular vesicles, including their biogenesis, secretion and size variation, and discuss how they may influence the human immune response and some key questions that remain unanswered.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Cell Communication
Extracellular Vesicles*
Fungal Proteins / metabolism
Fungi / pathogenicity*
Host-Pathogen Interactions / immunology*
Humans
Organelle Biogenesis
Virulence

Substances

Fungal Proteins

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding