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Fungal Immunology and Vaccinology
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Fungal Immunology and Vaccinology

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X). This special issue belongs to the section "Fungal Pathogenesis and Disease Control".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 September 2024) | Viewed by 6263

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Stuart M. Levitz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
Interests: fungal immunology; fungal vaccines; host defenses against fungi; cryptococcosis; aspergillosis; candidiasis; mucormycosis; dimorphic fungi
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Immunosuppression is a major risk factor for invasive fungal infections, which claim the lives of nearly 4 million people annually. Yet, despite this high mortality, there are no approved human fungal vaccines. The spectrum of immunosuppressants in clinical use continues to broaden, bringing new and often unpredictable risks of mycoses. Fungal pathogens are increasingly endangering non-human animal populations and creating food insecurity by attacking plants. The host uses innate, adaptive, and trained immune pathways to protect itself against fungal invasion, while fungi have strategies to evade antifungal defenses. Improving our understanding of fungal immunology and developing vaccines and immunotherapeutic agents offer the promise of reducing the direct and indirect global burden of fungal infections.

The aim of this Special Issue is to highlight advances in the immunology and vaccinology of fungal diseases through comprehensive reviews, original studies, and novel perspectives.

Prof. Dr. Stuart M. Levitz
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Fungi is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • fungal immunology
  • fungal vaccines
  • host defenses against fungi
  • cryptococcosis
  • aspergillosis
  • candidiasis
  • mucormycosis
  • dimorphic fungi

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 2833 KiB  
Article
Protective Effect of Indole-3-Aldehyde in Murine COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis
by Marilena Pariano, Anna Gidari, Claudia Stincardini, Sara Pierucci, Sabrina Bastianelli, Matteo Puccetti, Stefano Giovagnoli, Marina M. Bellet, Consuelo Fabi, Roberto Castronari, Cinzia Antognelli, Claudio Costantini, Maurizio Ricci, Daniela Francisci and Luigina Romani
J. Fungi 2024, 10(7), 510; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10070510 - 22 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1429
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is an environmental fungus recently included in the fungal high-priority pathogens by the World Health Organization. While immunodeficiency and/or pre-existing lung damage represent a well-recognized fertile ground for fungal growth, it is increasingly being recognized that severe viral infections may similarly [...] Read more.
Aspergillus fumigatus is an environmental fungus recently included in the fungal high-priority pathogens by the World Health Organization. While immunodeficiency and/or pre-existing lung damage represent a well-recognized fertile ground for fungal growth, it is increasingly being recognized that severe viral infections may similarly favor A. fumigatus colonization and infection, as recently experienced in the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Herein, in a murine model of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA), obtained by the concomitant exposure to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Spike protein and A. fumigatus conidia, we found that the microbial compound indole-3-aldehyde (3-IAld) was able to ameliorate CAPA by working at multiple levels during viral infection and fungal superinfection, including epithelial barrier protection, promotion of antiviral responses, and limiting viral replication. As a consequence, 3-IAld limited the pathogenic sequelae of fungal superinfection as revealed by the controlled fungal burden and restrained inflammatory pathology. These results point to indole compounds as potential agents to prevent CAPA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Immunology and Vaccinology)
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16 pages, 2458 KiB  
Article
Catalase Deactivation Increases Dermatophyte Sensitivity to ROS Sources
by Sebastian Jusuf and Michael K. Mansour
J. Fungi 2024, 10(7), 476; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10070476 - 11 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1471
Abstract
As the leading cause of fungal skin infections around the globe, dermatophytes are responsible for a multitude of skin ailments, ranging from athlete’s foot to ringworm. Due to the combination of its growing prevalence and antifungal misuse, antifungal-resistant dermatophyte strains like Trichophyton indotineae [...] Read more.
As the leading cause of fungal skin infections around the globe, dermatophytes are responsible for a multitude of skin ailments, ranging from athlete’s foot to ringworm. Due to the combination of its growing prevalence and antifungal misuse, antifungal-resistant dermatophyte strains like Trichophyton indotineae have begun to emerge, posing a significant global health risk. The emergence of these resistant dermatophytes highlights a critical need to identify alternative methods of treating dermatophyte infections. In our study, we utilized a 405 nm LED to establish that blue light can effectively inactivate catalase within a variety of both susceptible and resistant dermatophytes. Through this catalase inactivation process, light-treated dermatophytes were found to exhibit increased sensitivity to reactive oxygen species (ROS)-producing agents, improving the performance of antimicrobial agents such as H2O2 and amphotericin B. Our findings further demonstrate that light-induced catalase inactivation can inhibit the formation and polarized growth of hyphae from dermatophytes, suppressing biomass formation. Thus, by increasing ROS sensitization and inhibiting hyphal development, catalase-deactivating blue light offers a potential non-invasive and non-drug-reliant method of managing dermatophyte infections, opening new avenues for the potential treatment of these common infections in conjunction with existing treatments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Immunology and Vaccinology)
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Review

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19 pages, 1892 KiB  
Review
Will the Real Immunogens Please Stand Up: Exploiting the Immunogenic Potential of Cryptococcal Cell Antigens in Fungal Vaccine Development
by Samantha L. Avina, Siddhi Pawar, Amariliz Rivera and Chaoyang Xue
J. Fungi 2024, 10(12), 840; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10120840 - 4 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1307
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that is a continuous global health concern, especially for immunocompromised populations. The World Health Organization recognized C. neoformans as one of four critical fungal pathogens, thus emphasizing the need for increased research efforts and clinical resource [...] Read more.
Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that is a continuous global health concern, especially for immunocompromised populations. The World Health Organization recognized C. neoformans as one of four critical fungal pathogens, thus emphasizing the need for increased research efforts and clinical resource expansion. Currently, there are no fungal vaccines available for clinical use. Exciting new findings in cryptococcal vaccine development have identified whole cell-based and subunit-based vaccinations to help mitigate health risks and make commercialization attainable. Importantly, recent work has focused on how different cryptococcal cell-wall antigens modified in these vaccine candidates allow us to manipulate their immunogenicity to produce a desired long-term protective anti-fungal immune response. In this review, we discuss the different cryptococcal cell immunogens, namely the polysaccharide capsule, glucans, chitin/chitosan, mannoproteins, and extracellular vesicles, and their role in novel cryptococcal vaccination approaches. Additionally, we examine the immunological mechanisms responsible for protection in these vaccine candidates and the similar host response-stimulation pathways induced through different immunogen exposure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Immunology and Vaccinology)
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16 pages, 1299 KiB  
Review
State of the Field: Cytotoxic Immune Cell Responses in C. neoformans and C. deneoformans Infection
by Elizabeth C. Okafor and Kirsten Nielsen
J. Fungi 2024, 10(10), 712; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10100712 - 12 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1341
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an environmental pathogen that causes life-threatening disease in immunocompromised persons. The majority of immunological studies have centered on CD4+ T-cell dysfunction and associated cytokine signaling pathways, optimization of phagocytic cell function against fungal cells, and identification of robust antigens [...] Read more.
Cryptococcus neoformans is an environmental pathogen that causes life-threatening disease in immunocompromised persons. The majority of immunological studies have centered on CD4+ T-cell dysfunction and associated cytokine signaling pathways, optimization of phagocytic cell function against fungal cells, and identification of robust antigens for vaccine development. However, a growing body of literature exists regarding cytotoxic cells, specifically CD8+ T-cells, Natural Killer cells, gamma/delta T-cells, NK T-cells, and Cytotoxic CD4+ T-cells, and their role in the innate and adaptive immune response during C. neoformans and C. deneoformans infection. In this review, we (1) provide a comprehensive report of data gathered from mouse and human studies on cytotoxic cell function and phenotype, (2) discuss harmonious and conflicting results on cellular responses in mice models and human infection, (3) identify gaps of knowledge in the field ripe for exploration, and (4) highlight how innovative immunological tools could enhance the study of cytotoxic cells and their potential immunomodulation during cryptococcosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Immunology and Vaccinology)
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