B. Hube

Competitive fungal commensalism mitigates candidiasis pathology

This study identifies a fungal commensal that competes with Candida albicans to reduce its burden and mitigate candidiasis in mice.

Candida albicans promotes neutrophil extracellular trap formation and leukotoxic hypercitrullination via the peptide toxin candidalysin.

This study shows candidalysin from C. albicans hyphae promotes both NETs and NLS, which together inhibit fungal growth and explain conflicting findings on ROS dependence in neutrophil responses.

Transkingdom mechanism of MAMP generation by chitotriosidase (CHIT1) feeds oligomeric chitin from fungal pathogens and allergens into TLR2-mediated innate immune sensing

This study identifies CHIT1 as an enzyme that converts fungal chitin into oligomers sensed by TLR2, revealing a mammalian MAMP generation system similar to plants.

Transient mitochondria dysfunction confers fungal cross-resistance between macrophages and fluconazole

This study shows that C. glabrata's mitochondrial dysfunction confers cross-resistance to antifungals and macrophages, suggesting a bet-hedging strategy.

Extracellular ATP released from Candida albicans activates non-peptidergic neurons to augment host defense

This study shows that ATP released by Candida albicans activates non-peptidergic neurons to enhance anti-Candida immune responses.

Candida albicans hyphal expansion causes phagosomal membrane damage and luminal alkalinization

This study shows that Candida albicans hyphal expansion causes phagosomal membrane damage and alkalinization, challenging the previous hypothesis that ammonia production drives phagosomal alkalinization.