Immunity to fungal infections

L Romani - Nature Reviews Immunology, 2011 - nature.com
Nature Reviews Immunology, 2011nature.com
Fungal diseases represent an important paradigm in immunology, as they can result from
either a lack of recognition by the immune system or overactivation of the inflammatory
response. Research in this field is entering an exciting period of transition from studying the
molecular and cellular bases of fungal virulence to determining the cellular and molecular
mechanisms that maintain immune homeostasis with fungi. The fine line between these two
research areas is central to our understanding of tissue homeostasis and its possible …
Abstract
Fungal diseases represent an important paradigm in immunology, as they can result from either a lack of recognition by the immune system or overactivation of the inflammatory response. Research in this field is entering an exciting period of transition from studying the molecular and cellular bases of fungal virulence to determining the cellular and molecular mechanisms that maintain immune homeostasis with fungi. The fine line between these two research areas is central to our understanding of tissue homeostasis and its possible breakdown in fungal infections and diseases. Recent insights into immune responses to fungi suggest that functionally distinct mechanisms have evolved to achieve optimal host−fungus interactions in mammals.
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