Figure 1.

Cellular Innate Immune Control of Fungal Infections. Various mechanisms exist for the control of fungal infections by the innate immune system. Macrophages phagocytose fungi, undergo macrophage clustering or fold phagocytosed hyphae. Recognition of fungal ligands, such as candidalysin, stimulates production of IL-1β, triggering neutrophil recruitment [70]. Increased expression of IL-33 in C. albicans infection triggers neutrophil recruitment and phagocytosis [71]. Neutrophils may also release reactive oxygen species (ROS) or neutrophil extracellular traps, degranulate, phagocytose fungi or undergo swarming. Eosinophils have antifungal effects through degranulation [72] and production of IL-17, which stimulates pro-inflammatory signalling, production of antimicrobial peptides and Th17 cell differentiation [73,74].