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Aspergillus fumigatus DHN-Melanin

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The Fungal Cell Wall

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology ((CT MICROBIOLOGY,volume 425))

Abstract

Dihydroxynaphthalene melanin (DHN-melanin) is an integral component of the conidial cell wall surface, which has a central role in the pathogenicity of the major human airborne fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. Although the biosynthetic pathway for A. fumigatus DHN-melanin production has been well characterized, the molecular interactions of DHN-melanin with the immune system have been incompletely understood. Recent studies demonstrated that apart from concealing immunostimulatory cell wall polysaccharides, calcium sequestration by DHN-melanin inhibits essential host effector pathways regulating phagosome biogenesis and prevents A. fumigatus conidia killing by phagocytes. From the host perspective, DHN-melanin is specifically recognized by a C-type lectin receptor (MelLeC) present in murine endothelia and in human myeloid cells. Furthermore, DHN-melanin activates platelets and facilitates opsonophagocytosis by macrophages via binding to soluble pattern recognition receptors. Dissecting the dynamics of DHN-melanin organization on the fungal cell wall and the molecular interplay with the immune system will lead to a better understanding of A. fumigatus pathophysiology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

    Georgios Chamilos

  2. Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

    Georgios Chamilos

  3. School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal

    Agostinho Carvalho

  4. ICVS/3B’s-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal

    Agostinho Carvalho

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  1. Georgios Chamilos
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  2. Agostinho Carvalho
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Correspondence to Georgios Chamilos .

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  1. Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Institute of Molecular Biology and Technology, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

    Jean-Paul Latgé

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Chamilos, G., Carvalho, A. (2020). Aspergillus fumigatus DHN-Melanin. In: Latgé, JP. (eds) The Fungal Cell Wall . Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology, vol 425. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/82_2020_205

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