AUTHOR=Tóth Eszter Judit , Boros Éva , Hoffmann Alexandra , Szebenyi Csilla , Homa Mónika , Nagy Gábor , Vágvölgyi Csaba , Nagy István , Papp Tamás 

TITLE=Interaction of THP-1 Monocytes with Conidia and Hyphae of Different Curvularia Strains

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2017

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2017.01369

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2017.01369

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<p>Interaction of the human monocytic cell line, THP-1 with clinical isolates of three <italic>Curvularia</italic> species were examined. Members of this filamentous fungal genus can cause deep mycoses emerging in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. It was found that monocytes reacted only to the hyphal form of <italic>Curvularia lunata</italic>. Cells attached to the germ tubes and hyphae and production of elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-10 and a low level of TNF-α were measured. At the same time, monocytes failed to produce IL-6. This monocytic response, especially with the induction of the anti-inflammatory IL-10, correlates well to the observation that <italic>C. lunata</italic> frequently cause chronic infections even in immunocompetent persons. Despite the attachment to the hyphae, monocytes could not reduce the viability of the fungus and the significant decrease in the relative transcript level of HLA-DRA assumes the lack of antigen presentation of the fungus by this cell type. <italic>C. spicifera</italic> and <italic>C. hawaiiensis</italic> failed to induce the gathering of the cells or the production of any analyzed cytokines. Monocytes did not recognize conidia of <italic>Curvularia</italic> species, even when melanin was lacking in their cell wall.</p>