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Recognition of the fungal cell wall by innate immune receptors

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Abstract

Human cells have a variety of receptors that innately recognize conserved structures on the fungal cell wall. Major receptors include dectin-1, which recognizes β1,3-glucans; mannose receptors, which recognize mannans, and Toll-like receptors 2 and 4. The fungal cell wall is a potent activator of complement, which results in deposition of fragments of the third component of complement that serve as ligands for complement receptors. The nature of the innate immune response is dictated by the relative amount each of these receptors is stimulated. Innate recognition can lead to destruction of the invading fungus and/or initiation of an adaptive immune response. Fungi have a variety of strategies to avoid innate recognition, including masking of ligands and changing their surface properties by phase transition.

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  1. Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, LRB 317, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA

    Stuart M. Levitz

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  1. Stuart M. Levitz
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  2. Charles A. Specht
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Correspondence to Stuart M. Levitz.

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Levitz, S.M., Specht, C.A. Recognition of the fungal cell wall by innate immune receptors. Curr Fungal Infect Rep 3, 179–185 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12281-009-0023-9

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