Role of Cellular Metabolism during <i>Candida</i>-Host Interactions

Microscopic fungi are widely present in the environment and, more importantly, are also an essential part of the human healthy mycobiota. However, many species can become pathogenic under certain circumstances, with <i>Candida</i> spp. being the most clinically relevant fungi. In recent...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Aize Pellon, Neelu Begum, Shervin Dokht Sadeghi Nasab, Azadeh Harzandi, Saeed Shoaie, David L. Moyes
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-01-01
Series:Pathogens
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/11/2/184
Description
Summary:Microscopic fungi are widely present in the environment and, more importantly, are also an essential part of the human healthy mycobiota. However, many species can become pathogenic under certain circumstances, with <i>Candida</i> spp. being the most clinically relevant fungi. In recent years, the importance of metabolism and nutrient availability for fungi-host interactions have been highlighted. Upon activation, immune and other host cells reshape their metabolism to fulfil the energy-demanding process of generating an immune response. This includes macrophage upregulation of glucose uptake and processing via aerobic glycolysis. On the other side, <i>Candida</i> modulates its metabolic pathways to adapt to the usually hostile environment in the host, such as the lumen of phagolysosomes. Further understanding on metabolic interactions between host and fungal cells would potentially lead to novel/enhanced antifungal therapies to fight these infections. Therefore, this review paper focuses on how cellular metabolism, of both host cells and <i>Candida</i>, and the nutritional environment impact on the interplay between host and fungal cells.
ISSN:2076-0817