Immunomodulatory function of chitosan is dependent on complement receptor 3
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Chitosan, the deacetylated product of chitin, is a significant component of the cell walls of nearly all fungi. In contrast with the high level of attention paid to plant immune recognition of chitin and chitosan of plant pathogenic fungi we know much less about the mammalian immune system immune recognition of chitosan during infections by human pathogenic fungal species. Here we show that the mammalian β-integrin CR3 complement scavenger receptor, that is expressed on monocytes and macrophages, recognises chitosan from a range of fungal sources and that this leads to the secretion of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF. The secretion of these pro-inflammatory cytokines was dependent on the phagocytosis of chitosan. The co-provision of chitosan along with a peptide (Aspf2 from Aspergillus fumigatus ) presented by the MHCII complex potentiated a Th response leading to IL-22 production. Fungal cell wall chitosan therefore activates both the innate and adaptive arms of the human immune system.
Source: The Cell Surface
Institutions: Leibniz-Institut für Naturstoff-Forschung und Infektionsbiologie e. V. - Hans-Knöll-Institut (HKI), Radboud University Nijmegen, Radboud University Medical Center, Peking University First Hospital, Institut Pasteur, University of Aberdeen, University of Bonn, MRC Centre for Medical Mycology
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,530
Funders: Wellcome Trust, National Institute for Health and Care Research, Department of Health and Social Care, ZonMw, Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, Medical Research Council, Horizon 2020, NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre
Awards: G1276714150, G1620553015, G1666550810, MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, Targeting a new kingdom: the nature and significance of Type VI secretion system-mediated anti-fungal activity, G3364962118, Making and breaking the cell walls of fungal pathogens., From ‘molecular pattern’ to ligand structure and function – the origins of antifungal immunity, IMPACT OF FUNGAL ADAPTATION UPON HOST RECOGNITION AND PATHOGENESIS, Genetic and chemical validation of sugar nucleotide biosynthesis as a target against Candida albicans
OpenAlex ID: W4410615618