I want to break free – macrophage strategies to recognize and kill Candida albicans, and fungal counter-strategies to escape. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Austermeier, Sophie; Kasper, Lydia; Westman, Johannes; Gresnigt, Mark S
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in microbiology. Volume 58(2020)
• Page Start: 15
• Page End: 23
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Microbiology -- Periodicals; 579.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2020.05.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-5274

Abstract

Highlights: Tissue-resident macrophages are central to counteract systemic candidiasis. Macrophages engulf yeast but struggle with hypha, forming frustrated phagosomes. C. albicans evolved strategies to counteract the microbicidal phagosomal environment. C. albicans can employ four distinct mechanisms to escape from macrophages. Modulation of macrophage activity may improve the outcome of systemic candidiasis. Abstract : Candida albicans is a major cause of fungal nosocomial infections. Host defense against disseminated infections caused by this yeast strongly relies on myeloid cells of the innate immune system. Recently, several breakthroughs have been made that significantly improved our understanding of the role of macrophages during candidiasis and how C. albicans and macrophages interact. Resident tissue macrophages and macrophages derived from monocytes that infiltrate infected tissues are essential for the initiation of the antifungal immune response, as well as elimination of C. albicans from the bloodstream and infected organs. These cells engulf and try to eliminate the invading fungi through specialized mechanisms. Concurrently, C. albicans tries to survive the stresses imposed by the macrophage, acquires nutrients, and can break free from their captive environment. This review focuses on the most recent insights into the strategies of macrophages to eliminate C. albicans and the fungal counterstrategies to overcome these threats.