Caspofungin‐Mediated β‐Glucan Unmasking and Enhancement of Human Polymorphonuclear Neutrophil Activity againstAspergillusand Non‐AspergillusHyphae

Abstract

The results of the present study suggest inducement of beta-glucan unmasking by echinocandins and enhancement of PMN activity against mold hyphae, thereby supporting the immunopharmacologic mode of action of echinocandins.

Bioengineering T cells to target carbohydrate to treat opportunistic fungal infection

“…Preincubation of a rabbit polyclonal antibody raised against the soluble extract of A. fumigatus did prevent the ability of D-CAR + T cells to damage fungal growth, suggesting that the redirected specificity is achieved by a specific interaction with the fungal cell wall. Next, we investigated the capacity of genetically modified T cells to kill germinating conidia using a colorimetric assay to reveal the viability of Aspergillus based on the ability to reduce a tetrazolium dye (31). Coculture of D-CAR + T cells led to an ∼75-80% loss of viability in germinating spores compared with a 15-30% loss of viability when cocultured with CD19-specific CAR + T cells (P < 0.01; Fig.…”

“…For example, Aspergillus preexposed to caspofungin can unmask β-glucan residues in the cell wall of fungi and enhance antifungal activity mediated by neutrophils (31). Engineering a T-cell response to Aspergillus hyphae also may overcome congenital impairment of the innate immune system, as with the Dectin-1 Y238X polymorphism (48).…”

“…The targeting of Aspergillus was assessed using a 2,3-bis (2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino) carbonyl]-sH-tetrazolium hydroxide (XTT)-based colorimetric assay (31). Germinating conidia were incubated for 2-3 h with 10 6 T cells (effector:target ratio, 10:1) in RPMI 1640 with 10% FBS.…”

Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis in a Patient with Diabetes Type 1 Presenting as Ptosis and Facial Palsy Report from Alborz Hospital of Karaj from Iran

“…In some animal studies, results from treatment of (ROCM) by (LAMB), (AMB) were significantly better than that with (ABLC) [14]. In these recent days there is emphasizes on combination of antifungal therapy instead of single therapy [15]. As a matter of fact the combination of (caspofungin) with (ABLC) has markedly improved survival of infected mice, compared with monotherapy.…”

Fungal Infections in Transplant and Oncology Patients

“…Most recently, echinocandins have been shown in vitro to exhibit immunomodulatory activity as well as synergistic activity in combination with amphotericin B against the Zygomycetes [110,111]. Clinical data supporting the addition of an echinocandin to an amphotericin B based regimen is limited to a retrospective review of 34 diabetic patients with rhino-orbital-cerebral zygomycosis [112].…”