The Immune Interplay between the Host and the Pathogen inAspergillus fumigatusLung Infection

Abstract

The interplay between Aspergillus fumigatus and the host immune response in lung infection has been subject of studies over the last years due to its importance in immunocompromised patients. The multifactorial virulence factors of A. fumigatus are related to the fungus biological characteristics, for example, structure, ability to grow and adapt to high temperatures and stress conditions, besides capability of evading the immune system and causing damage to the host. In this context, the fungus recognition by the host innate immunity occurs when the pathogen disrupts the natural and chemical barriers followed by the activation of acquired immunity. It seems clear that a Th1 response has a protective role, whereas Th2 reactions are often associated with higher fungal burden, and Th17 response is still controversial. Furthermore, a fine regulation of the effector immunity is required to avoid excessive tissue damage associated with fungal clearance, and this role could be attributed to regulatory T cells. Finally, in this work we reviewed the aspects involved in the complex interplay between the host immune response and the pathogen virulence factors, highlighting the immunological issues and the importance of its better understanding to the development of novel therapeutic approaches for invasive lung aspergillosis.

Pulmonary solid tumor with coexisting pulmonary aspergillosis: case reports and literature review

“…More than 200 species of Aspergillus have been described, approximately 10% of which are pathogenic to humans (12). The most frequent causative agents of pulmonary aspergillosis are A. fumigatus, A. flavus and A. niger (13). Aspergillus produces a large number of small (2-5 μm), dry, hydrophobic conidia.…”

Aspergillus fumigatus and Related Species

“…3). The importance and the role of genes involved in these processes in A. fumigatus pathogenesis have been extensively reviewed (Hohl and Feldmesser 2007;Askew 2008;Abad et al 2010;Sales-Campos et al 2013). …”

Allergic Inflammation in Aspergillus fumigatus-Induced Fungal Asthma

“…Pathogenic species of Aspergillus display more conidial sialic acid than nonpathogenic aspergilla [27,29,30], supporting better adhesion to fibrinogen, laminin, and fibronectin that is partially mediated by sialic acid residues and other proteins of the conidia surface [31]. In conditions of lung injury or tissue distress when these matrix components are exposed, the risk factor for invasive aspergillosis (IA) is heightened.…”