Abstract
Fungal diseases contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in humans. Although recent research has improved our understanding of the complex and dynamic interplay that occurs between pathogenic fungi and the human host, much remains to be elucidated concerning the molecular mechanisms that drive fungal pathogenicity and host responses to fungal infections. In recent times, there has been a significant increase in studies investigating the immunological functions of microbial-induced host cell death. In addition, pathogens use many strategies to manipulate host cell death pathways to facilitate their survival and dissemination. This review will focus on the mechanisms of host programmed cell death that occur during opportunistic fungal infections, and explore how cell death pathways may affect immunity towards pathogenic fungi.
Highlights
Programmed cell death pathways play a key role in infection and immunity, and influence host disease outcome
No difference in the viability of neutrophils isolated from IL-23 pathway-sufficient and -deficient mice was observed after in vitro challenge with viable C. albicans hyphae [13]. These results suggest that a strong inflammatory environment during the course of systemic infection with virulent C. albicans is required for the IL-23-dependent protection from myeloid cell apoptosis
Concluding Remarks Pathogen-induced cell death may occur by a variety of complex mechanisms including apoptosis, necrosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ETosis
Summary
This review will focus on the mechanisms of host programmed cell death that occur during opportunistic fungal infections, and explore how cell death pathways may affect immunity towards pathogenic fungi. Host Cell Death and Opportunistic Fungal Diseases Host cell death is a fundamental defense mechanism that occurs in response to microbial infection. Programmed cell death pathways play a key role in infection and immunity, and influence host disease outcome. Deciphering the complex interplay between pathogenic fungi, host cell death mechanisms, and immune responses, will provide insight into new therapeutic approaches to control life-threatening fungal diseases. This review will describe the different forms of regulated cell death pathways employed by the host or induced by opportunistic fungi, and explore the role of programmed cell death in host responses to the three key human fungal pathogens (Candida, Cryptococcus, and Aspergillus).
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