. Innate receptors and IL-17 in the immune response against human pathogenic fungi

MIRÓ MS; VIGEZZI C; RODRÍGUEZ E; ICELY PA; CAEIRO JP; RIERA F; MASIH DT; SOTOMAYOR CE

Revista de la Facultad de Ciencias Medicas de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba

Facultad de Ciencias Medicas UNC

Lugar: Córdoba, Argentina; Año: 2016 vol. 73 p. 188 - 196

In recent years, the rise of human fungal infections has been associated to lack of early diagnosis, uneffective antifungal therapies and vaccines. Disturbance in immune homeostasis, which can be caused by medical interventions and immunosuppression induced by disease, are well known as risk factors for these pathologies. Cells of the innate immune system are equipped with surface and cytoplasmic receptors for recognition of microorganisms called pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). PRRs recognize specific pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that are crucial for the activation and killing of pathogenic fungi by immune system. This review will outline the PRRs and cells required for effective antifungal immunity, with a special focus on the major antifungal cytokine IL-17. Finally, naturally occurring human mutations involved in the increased susceptibility to fungal infections are also discussed.