Fungi are really interesting living things. They have important roles in nature and also interact a lot with our body's immune system. When fungi invade, our bodies work hard to fight them off using two main parts of the immune system: the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system.
The first way our body defends itself is through the innate immune response. This includes:
Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs): These special receptors, like Toll-like receptors, spot pieces of fungi that are unusual. For instance, certain sugars found in fungi's outer layers, called β-glucans, are recognized by a receptor called Dectin-1. This kicks off the immune response.
Phagocytosis: Some immune cells, like macrophages and neutrophils, eat and destroy fungal invaders. This process gets a boost from something called opsonization, where antibodies or proteins stick to the fungi, making them easier for the immune cells to grab and eat.
If the innate response isn’t enough, the adaptive immune system jumps in. Here’s how it works:
T Cells: Special helper T cells can change into two types: Th1 or Th17. They produce chemicals called cytokines, like IL-17, that help recruit other immune cells to the area of infection. This is really important when fighting fungal infections because these T cells play a big role.
B Cells and Antibodies: When B cells are activated, they create antibodies, like IgG and IgA. These antibodies help to fight off the pathogens and stop them from sticking to our body's tissues.
Let’s look at Candida albicans, a common type of fungus. In a healthy person, the immune system quickly recognizes it through the PRRs. Macrophages gobble up the yeast, while another type of immune cell, called dendritic cells, show pieces of the fungus to T cells. This teamwork helps get rid of the infection.
Understanding these processes is important. It helps scientists create better treatments and vaccines, which can lead to healthier outcomes for those fighting fungal infections.
Fungi are really interesting living things. They have important roles in nature and also interact a lot with our body's immune system. When fungi invade, our bodies work hard to fight them off using two main parts of the immune system: the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system.
The first way our body defends itself is through the innate immune response. This includes:
Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs): These special receptors, like Toll-like receptors, spot pieces of fungi that are unusual. For instance, certain sugars found in fungi's outer layers, called β-glucans, are recognized by a receptor called Dectin-1. This kicks off the immune response.
Phagocytosis: Some immune cells, like macrophages and neutrophils, eat and destroy fungal invaders. This process gets a boost from something called opsonization, where antibodies or proteins stick to the fungi, making them easier for the immune cells to grab and eat.
If the innate response isn’t enough, the adaptive immune system jumps in. Here’s how it works:
T Cells: Special helper T cells can change into two types: Th1 or Th17. They produce chemicals called cytokines, like IL-17, that help recruit other immune cells to the area of infection. This is really important when fighting fungal infections because these T cells play a big role.
B Cells and Antibodies: When B cells are activated, they create antibodies, like IgG and IgA. These antibodies help to fight off the pathogens and stop them from sticking to our body's tissues.
Let’s look at Candida albicans, a common type of fungus. In a healthy person, the immune system quickly recognizes it through the PRRs. Macrophages gobble up the yeast, while another type of immune cell, called dendritic cells, show pieces of the fungus to T cells. This teamwork helps get rid of the infection.
Understanding these processes is important. It helps scientists create better treatments and vaccines, which can lead to healthier outcomes for those fighting fungal infections.