Immunity to Fungi

Ben Killingley, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
Chris Kibbler, Royal Free Hospital and University College, London, UK

Published online: September 2008

DOI: 10.1002/9780470015902.a0000494.pub2

The medically important fungi are a diverse group of pathogens that employ a variety of virulence strategies to establish themselves in the host. Successful host defence against fungi requires collaboration between the innate and acquired immune systems. Knowledge of the mechanisms involved is leading to advances in therapeutics.

Keywords: immune system; fungus; humoral immunity; cellular immunity; immunotherapy

Figure 1. The interplay of innate and adaptive immunity in response to fungal invasion. Orange boxes show potential therapeutic interventions. Key: , fungal cell death; Th, T helper cell; TReg, T regulatory cell; IL, interleukin; TNF, tumour necrosis factor; IFN, Interferon; TGF, transforming growth factor; PRR, pattern-recognition receptor; MBL, mannan-binding lectin; GM-CSF, granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor; G-CSF, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (with thanks to Jessica Killingley).
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Related Sub-Topics:

Infection | Acquired (Adaptive) Immunity | Innate Immunity | Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Methods | Medical Microbiology | Fungi
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Article Title: Immunity to Fungi
 
How to Cite close
Killingley, Ben, and Kibbler, Chris(Sep 2008) Immunity to Fungi. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester. http://www.els.net [doi: 10.1002/9780470015902.a0000494.pub2]