Immune escape of shape-shifting fungus
Usually, it doesn’t cause disease in its host, but under certain conditions, it can switch to a harmful form. Candida albicans remains a common cause of life-threatening disease in ICU, post- surgery and cancer patients.
The immune system has a particular cell type, called the macrophage, which is responsible for gobbling up invaders (bacteria, fungi, cancer cells) and triggering immune responses. Candida albicans escape macrophages by morphing into long, filament-like cells. This escape leads to spreading of the fungus. In the process is triggers immune responses that can be harmful if not kept in check.
According to Professor Traven, targeting the fungus as it is escaping “presents a promising therapeutic avenue, preventing both the spread of the infection and having the potential to dampen inflammation”. Until now, the mechanisms behind this escape have remained unclear as researchers have not been able to study this escape manoeuvre in detail. Now they can.
The research team developed a live-cell imaging platform that, in real time, maps Candida’s escape from macrophages, revealing several escape mechanisms. (U/Newswise)