The role of Dectin-2 for host defense against systemic infection with Candida glabrata.

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2013

Infection and immunity Infect Immun. 2013 Dec 16. [Epub ahead of print]

The role of Dectin-2 for host defense against systemic infection with Candida glabrata.

Ifrim DC; Bain JM; Reid DM; Oosting M; Verschueren I; Gow NA; van Krieken JH; Brown GD; Kullberg BJ; Joosten LA; van der Meer JW; Koentgen F; Erwig LP;Quintin J; Netea MG

Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, and Nijmegen Institute for Infection, Inflammation and Immunity (N4i), Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Service type: Knockout mice

Abstract

Although Candida glabrata is an important pathogenic Candida species, relatively little is known about its innate immune recognition. Here we explore the potential role of Dectin-2 for host defense against C. glabrata. Dectin-2-deficient (Dectin-2(-/-)) mice were found to be more susceptible to C. glabrata infections, showing a defective fungal clearance in kidneys, but not in the liver. The increased susceptibility to infection was accompanied by lower production of T helper 1 (Th1) and Th17-derived cytokines by splenocytes of Dectin-2(-/-) mice, while macrophage-derived cytokines were less affected. These defects were associated with a moderate, yet significant, decreased phagocytosis of the fungus by the Dectin-2(-/-) macrophages and neutrophils. Neutrophils of Dectin-2(-/-) mice also displayed a lower production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon challenge with opsonized C. glabrata or C. albicans. This study suggests that Dectin-2 is important in host defense against C. glabrata and provides new insights in the host defense mechanisms against this important fungal pathogen.

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