Fungal cell wall dynamics and infection site microenvironments: signal integration and infection outcome

Abstract

Upon entrance into the host, fungi encounter a myriad of host effector products and microenvironments that they sense and adapt to for survival. Alterations of the structure and composition of the cell wall is a major fungal adaptation mechanism to evade these environments. Here we discuss recent findings of host-microenvironmental induced fungal cell wall changes, including structure, composition, and protein content, and their effects on host immune responses. A take home message from these recent studies is an emerging understanding of how integration of multiple signals, of both fungal and host responses to dynamic infection site microenvironments, determines outcomes of infection. A challenge moving forward is to further understand these mechanisms and harness them for therapeutic benefit.

Intracellular Action of a Secreted Peptide Required for Fungal Virulence

“…Previous studies have shown that wild-type cell walls are organized into distinct layers, typical of fungi (Doering, 2009; Free, 2013). The number and width of layers is dynamic and condition dependent (Sakaguchi et al, 1993; Shepardson and Cramer, 2013). We observed distinct layers in 90% of the wild-type cell walls examined.…”

Aspergillus fumigatus Trehalose-Regulatory Subunit Homolog Moonlights To Mediate Cell Wall Homeostasis through Modulation of Chitin Synthase Activity

“…The balance between the host immune response and virulence of the fungi is an important factor that determines the fate of both fungal pathogens and hosts (57). Chitin plays an important role in the immune response to fungi.…”

“…Importantly, the fungal cell wall is not only important for fungal survival but also essential for interactions with the host immune system ( 57 ). The balance between the host immune response and virulence of the fungi is an important factor that determines the fate of both fungal pathogens and hosts ( 57 ). Chitin plays an important role in the immune response to fungi.…”

Evolution of the Pathogenicity in Virulent Yeasts

“…gibi konakta farklı mikroçevre koşulları ile karşı karşıya kalabilir. Mantar, adı geçen mikroçevrelerdeki değişik koşullara uyum sağlayabilmek için, önemli bir savunma organelindeki değişimlerden yararlanır (33) ve bu organel hücre duvarıdır (Tablo 2). Hücre duvarının yapı-sındaki ve bileşimindeki değişmeler, mantar için önemli bir adaptasyon mekanizmasıdır ve bu şekilde mantar kendini konağa karşı korur (33) .…”