Fungal Extracellular Vesicles as Potential Targets for Immune Interventions

Author(s)

Freitas, Mateus Silveira ^[1] ; Deperon Bonato, Vania Luiza ^[1] ; Pessoni, Andre Moreira ^[1] ; Rodrigues, Marcio L. ^{[2, 3]} ; Casadevall, Arturo ^[4] ; Almeidaa, Fausto ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Biochem & Immunol, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz FIOCRUZ, Inst Carlos Chagas, Curitiba, Parana - Brazil

^[3] Inst Microbiol Paulo de Goes UFRJ, Rio De Janeiro - Brazil

^[4] Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Sch Publ Hlth, Dept Mol Microbiol & Immunol, Baltimore, MD - USA

• Document type: Review article
• Source: MSPHERE; v. 4, n. 6 NOV-DEC 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

The release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) by fungi is a fundamental cellular process. EVs carry several biomolecules, including pigments, proteins, enzymes, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates, and are involved in physiological and pathological processes. EVs may play a pivotal role in the establishment of fungal infections, as they can interact with the host immune system to elicit multiple outcomes. It has been observed that, depending on the fungal pathogen, EVs can exacerbate or attenuate fungal infections. The study of the interaction between fungal EVs and the host immune system and understanding of the mechanisms that regulate those interactions might be useful for the development of new adjuvants as well as the improvement of protective immune responses against infectious or noninfectious diseases. In this review, we describe the immunomodulatory properties of EVs produced by pathogenic fungi and discuss their potential as adjuvants for prophylactic or therapeutic strategies. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/03322-7 - Role of galectin-3 in the Cryptococcus neoformans infection
• Grantee: Fausto Bruno dos Reis Almeida
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants