Fungal extracellular vesicles: modulating host-pathogen interactions by both the fungus and the host

Microbes Infect. 2018 Oct-Nov;20(9-10):501-504. doi: 10.1016/j.micinf.2018.01.011. Epub 2018 Feb 19.

Abstract

The secretion of biomolecules by fungal cells occurs via the conventional export of signal peptide-coupled soluble molecules, but it also results from transport within extracellular vesicles (EV). During the last ten years since the description of this non-conventional secretion pathway, varied, interesting biological roles have been associated with EV release by fungi. The various organic molecules carried by these structures are involved in pathogenesis and immune evasion, and may be associated with cell-cell communication. In regards to host-pathogen interactions, EV roles are diverse and organism-specific, although some features seem to be conserved among the pathogenic fungal organisms studied to date. This review aims to highlight our current understanding of the biologically relevant findings regarding EV released by the pathogenic fungal organisms and describes our knowledge of the roles of EV in host-pathogen interactions.

Keywords: Candida; Cryptococcus; Extracellular vesicles; Fungus; Histoplasma; Paracoccidioides.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biological Transport
  • Cell Communication
  • Extracellular Vesicles / metabolism*
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Fungi / cytology
  • Fungi / metabolism*
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions* / immunology
  • Immune Evasion
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins