Fungal pathogens have been classified as hidden killers and an estimated 1.5 million people around the world die from such systemic infections every year.
Plant Compounds Help Fight Severe Fungal Infections
Certain plant compounds could help prescription drugs fight severe fungal infections in a more effective way, thanks to unexpected findings.
Certain plant compounds could help prescription drugs fight severe fungal infections in a more effective way, thanks to unexpected findings.
‘A fundamental understanding of how molecular mechanisms either boost or damp our immune response against Candida albicans will pave the way for a drugs against deadly fungal infections.’
Knowing the enemy When fungal cells enter the body, they stand out from our own cells because they are ‘flagged' with unique patterns of molecular markers. These ‘pathogen-associated molecular patterns', or PAMPs for short, are recognised by receptor proteins on cells of the immune system. These receptors then activate signalling molecules triggering a cascade of different immune functions, such as inflammation, aimed at recruiting immune cells to the infected area. Those recruited immune cells will then, for example via the production of highly toxic reactive oxygen species, eliminate fungal pathogens.
"Unleashing" an immune response
Candida albicans is recognized by certain PAMP receptors, called Dectins, and triggers activation of the signalling molecule SYK. The first authors of the study, Gerald Wirnsberger (IMBA) and Florian Zwolanek (MFPL), now discovered that the protein CBL-B acts as a ‘brake' in this pathway: when CBL-B is present, Dectin and SYK activity are dampened and immune responses are eventually ‘switched off', but when CBL-B is absent, Dectin/SYK get over-activated and a protective anti-fungal immune responses occur.
Using this knowledge, the two research groups around Josef Penninger (IMBA) and Karl Kuchler (MFPL) - designed an inhibitory peptide to block CBL-B activity and thereby unleash defence mechanisms against invading fungal pathogens. After successfully testing this peptide with lab-grown cells, the peptide was used to treat Candida albicans infected mice. While untreated mice succumbed to the lethal infection, peptide treatment provided complete protection from fungal disease.
Combination Therapy Targets Fungal Infections
A new therapy has been developed by researchers to detect deadly type of infection common in catheters, artificial joints and in-dwelling medical devices. Findings published in PLoS Pathogens.
A new therapy has been developed by researchers to detect deadly type of infection common in catheters, artificial joints and in-dwelling medical devices. Findings published in PLoS Pathogens.
Source-Newswise
Fungal Infections Claim More Than One Million Lives Every Year
Fungal infections are a threat to human health as it claims more lives every year. This increases the pressing need for scientists to develop an effective vaccine.
Fungal infections are a threat to human health as it claims more lives every year. This increases the pressing need for scientists to develop an effective vaccine.
Fungal Infections Associated With Contaminated Steroid Injections
Researchers from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)linked the pathological findings from 40 case reports of fungal infection due to contaminated injection to clinical and lab data
Researchers from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)linked the pathological findings from 40 case reports of fungal infection due to contaminated injection to clinical and lab data
