Research progress on mechanisms of macrophages in innate immunity against invasive fungal infections.
- Author:
Chuhan HUANG
1
;
Guoqiang ZHU
2
;
Li HUANG
3
,
4
Author Information
1. Jining Medical University, Jining 272013, China.
2. Ophthalmology Department, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining 272029, China.
3. Ophthalmology Department, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining 272029, China. *Corresponding author, E-mail: 13562701812@
4. com.
- Publication Type:English Abstract
- MeSH:
Humans;
Immunity, Innate;
Macrophages/immunology*;
Invasive Fungal Infections/microbiology*;
Animals;
Phagocytosis/immunology*
- From:
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology
2025;41(8):756-761
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are a group of diseases caused by fungal pathogens, primarily Candida, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcus, which invade the body, proliferate in deep tissues, organs, or the bloodstream, and lead to localized or systemic severe infections. These infections impose significantclinical and economic burdens due to their high mortality rates, the high cost and limited availability of antifungal drugs, and the frequent adverse effects. Invasive fungal pathogens invade the host through hyphae, spores, and secreted adhesive proteins, primarily triggering disease via signal cascades resulting from the binding of fungal membrane ligands to host receptors, as well as through secreted substances and intrinsic toxins. Macrophages, as the first line of defense against invasive fungal pathogens, play a crucial role in combating IFIs. They combat fungal pathogens through mechanisms such as antigen recognition, phagocytosis, oxidative killing, polarization, and the regulation of various bioactive substances. This article reviews recent research progress on the mechanisms by which macrophages contribute to innate immunity against invasive fungal infections. Additionally, it discusses the immune evasion strategies employed by invasive fungal pathogens to counteract macrophages, aiming to provide new insights for the prevention and treatment of invasive fungal infections.
