AUTHOR=Nelson Benjamin N. , Hawkins Ashlee N. , Wozniak Karen L. 

TITLE=Pulmonary Macrophage and Dendritic Cell Responses to Cryptococcus neoformans

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2020.00037

DOI=10.3389/fcimb.2020.00037

ISSN=2235-2988

ABSTRACT=<p>The fungal pathogen <italic>Cryptococcus neoformans</italic> can cause life-threatening infections in immune compromised individuals. This pathogen is typically acquired via inhalation, and enters the respiratory tract. Innate immune cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) are the first host cells that encounter <italic>C. neoformans</italic>, and the interactions between <italic>Cryptococcus</italic> and innate immune cells play a critical role in the progression of disease. <italic>Cryptococcus</italic> possesses several virulence factors and evasion strategies to prevent its killing and destruction by pulmonary phagocytes, but these phagocytic cells can also contribute to anti-cryptococcal responses. This review will focus on the interactions between <italic>Cryptococcus</italic> and primary macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs), dealing specifically with the cryptococcal/pulmonary cell interface.</p>