Insights on the Functional Role of Beta-Glucans in Fungal Immunity Using Receptor-Deficient Mouse Models |
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| Authors: | Mark Joseph Maranan Desamero Soo-Hyun Chung Shigeru Kakuta |
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| Affiliation: | 1.Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan;2.Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines;3.Division of Experimental Animal Immunology, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2669 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-0022, Japan; |
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| Abstract: | Understanding the host anti-fungal immunity induced by beta-glucan has been one of the most challenging conundrums in the field of biomedical research. During the last couple of decades, insights on the role of beta-glucan in fungal disease progression, susceptibility, and resistance have been greatly augmented through the utility of various beta-glucan cognate receptor-deficient mouse models. Analysis of dectin-1 knockout mice has clarified the downstream signaling pathways and adaptive effector responses triggered by beta-glucan in anti-fungal immunity. On the other hand, assessment of CR3-deficient mice has elucidated the compelling action of beta-glucans in neutrophil-mediated fungal clearance, and the investigation of EphA2-deficient mice has highlighted its novel involvement in host sensing and defense to oral mucosal fungal infection. Based on these accounts, this review focuses on the recent discoveries made by these gene-targeted mice in beta-glucan research with particular emphasis on the multifaceted aspects of fungal immunity. |
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| Keywords: | beta-glucan dectin-1 gene-modified mice CR3 EphA2 PRR |
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