Work

Hyphal swelling induced in the phagosome of macrophages

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Macrophages play critical protective roles as sentinels of the innate immune system against fungal infection. It is therefore important to understand the dynamics of the interaction between these phagocytes and their fungal prey. We show here that many of the hyphal apices formed by Candida albicans within the macrophage ceased elongating, and apical and sub-apical hyphal compartments became swollen. Swollen hyphal cell compartments assimilated less Lysotracker-Red than non-swollen compartments, suggesting they had enhanced viability. Staining with florescent dyes suggested that there were higher levels of β-glucan and chitin in internalized fungal filaments compared to non-internalized hyphae, suggesting active cell wall remodelling within macrophages. These observations suggest that the stresses imposed by macrophages upon the fungus lead to changes in cell wall composition, inhibition of polarised growth and the induction of swelling in hyphal compartments, and that this can prevent or delay loss of viability of hyphal cells within the phagocyte.

Source: Fungal Biology

DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2024.08.011

Authors: María Fernanda Alonso, Judith M. Bain, Lars P. Erwig, Alistair J.P. Brown, Neil A.R. Gow

Institutions: University of Aberdeen, University of Exeter, MRC Centre for Medical Mycology

Language: English

Topic: Fungal and yeast genetics research

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,000