Frontiers in fungal biology最新文献

{"title":"Metagenomic next-generation sequencing in diagnosing rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis presenting as cerebral Infarction: a case series and diagnostic analysis of seven patients.","authors":"Fei Yang, Chenglin Yang, Hongqiang Li, Xiaojuan Zhang, Xianfei Ding, Shuguang Zhang","doi":"10.3389/ffunb.2026.1751546","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ffunb.2026.1751546","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is a rare, rapidly progressive, and fatal invasive fungal infection. This case series is the first to systematically characterize ROCM presenting primarily as cerebral infarction on imaging and highlights the value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in the early diagnosis of such critical and atypical cases.</p><p><strong>Main symptoms and important clinical findings: </strong>All seven patients had diabetes mellitus, with six concurrently presenting with ketoacidosis. Universal clinical features included fever and a fixed, dilated pupil. Most patients exhibited facial swelling (6/7, 85.7%) and visual impairment (5/7, 71.4%). Cerebral infarction was confirmed by head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in all individuals.</p><p><strong>The main diagnoses therapeutic interventions and outcomes: </strong>The diagnosis was confirmed in all cases by the detection of Rhizopus species sequences via mNGS of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Six patients received treatment with amphotericin B cholesteryl sulfate complex, and two of these also underwent surgical debridement. Ultimately, only one patient survived, yielding a mortality rate of 85.7% (6/7).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>ROCM should be highly suspected in diabetic patients presenting with acute cerebral infarction accompanied by fever and facial or ocular symptoms. mNGS enables rapid and early etiological diagnosis of ROCM, which is crucial for improving outcomes. Earlier diagnosis, combined antifungal therapy, and surgical intervention may be associated with better prognosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":73084,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in fungal biology","volume":"7 ","pages":"1751546"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12873710/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146144812","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Iron modulation drives biofilm formation and virulence enzyme production in emerging clinical <i>Candida</i> species: implications for diagnostics and therapeutics.","authors":"Shabnam Kumari, Zinnu Rain, Pradyot Prakash, Deepak Kumar, Munesh Kumar Gupta, Ashish Kumar Singh, Ragini Tilak","doi":"10.3389/ffunb.2025.1746357","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ffunb.2025.1746357","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The changing epidemiology of candidemia indicates a rise in non-albicans <i>Candida</i> species, especially resistant <i>Candida auris</i> and emerging <i>Candida utilis</i>. Although iron impacts fungal virulence, its role in these species remains poorly understood. This study investigates how manipulating iron levels influences biofilm formation, virulence enzymes, and antifungal susceptibility in clinical isolates.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 216 isolates of <i>Candida utilis</i>, <i>Candida albicans</i>, and <i>Candida auris</i> from bloodstream infections over two years were identified via phenotypic methods, MALDI-TOF MS, VITEK 2, and 18S rRNA PCR. Susceptibility was tested using disc diffusion and broth microdilution with ferrous sulphate (FeSO₄). Virulence enzyme activities and biofilm formation were assessed under iron-rich and control conditions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong><i>Candida auris</i> showed multidrug resistance, especially to fluconazole and caspofungin, with iron increasing caspofungin MICs up to 16-fold. <i>Candida utilis</i> exhibited strong biofilm formation and increased phospholipase and proteinase activities in the presence of FeSO₄, and also showed 4- to 32-fold increases in fluconazole resistance. Biofilm biomass was unaffected by iron, but enzyme activities varied by species and enzyme. <i>Candida albicans</i> had high proteinase and haemolysin activity but responded minimally to iron.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Iron differentially influences virulence-associated traits (biofilm-related enzyme activities) and antifungal resistance across these <i>Candida</i> species. <i>C. utilis</i> exhibits iron-responsive increases in phospholipase and proteinase activities together with amplified azole resistance, while <i>C. auris</i> shows iron-linked enhancement of echinocandin resistance and sustained expression of key virulence-associated enzymes. These results underscore the importance of accounting for host iron levels and species-specific responses when managing candidemia and indicate the potential for therapies targeting iron.</p>","PeriodicalId":73084,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in fungal biology","volume":"6 ","pages":"1746357"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12868186/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146127743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Volatiles emitted by the entomopathogenic fungus <i>Beauveria bassiana</i> elicit growth and defense in sorghum plants.","authors":"Sandra Goretti Adame-Garnica, Arturo Ramírez-Ordorica, Vicente Montejano-Ramírez, Elda Castro-Mercado, Patricia Ríos-Chávez, Ernesto García-Pineda, Eduardo Valencia-Cantero, Lourdes Macías-Rodríguez","doi":"10.3389/ffunb.2025.1725103","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ffunb.2025.1725103","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>Beauveria bassiana</i> is an entomopathogenic fungus that can establish an intimate endophytic relationship with plants. Otherwise, microbial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are important chemicals for plant recognition and interactions. Therefore, this study provides novel evidence of the biochemical and physiological responses of plants to VOCs emitted by <i>B. bassiana</i> and 3-methylbutanol (3MB) as the most abundant compound emitted by the fungus.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Sorghum plants were exposed to the standard 3MB and VOCs emitted by the fungal strains AS5 and AI2 of <i>B. bassiana</i> isolated from soil and a mycosed insect cadaver, respectively. The accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide anion (O₂ ^•¯) and H₂O₂; quantification of phytohormones such as salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and phenolic compounds in leaves (4-coumaric acid and flavonoids); and the expression of genes <i>SbPR-1</i> and <i>SbCOI1</i> related to the activation of SA- and JA-signaling defense pathways, respectively, were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results and discussion: </strong>VOCs emitted by <i>B. bassiana</i> and 3MB stimulate plant growth, likely by triggering the production of ROS and IAA. Furthermore, these fungal compounds increased the expression levels of <i>SbPR-1</i> and <i>SbCOI1</i> at 2 d and <i>SbCOI1</i> at 7 d. Consistently, an increase in the content of SA, JA, and phenolic compounds was observed in the inoculated plants.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>VOCs emitted by <i>B. bassiana</i> and 3-MB promote sorghum growth and activate adaptive defense traits. Moreover, VOCs from AS5 triggered a stronger biochemical response in plants than VOCs emitted by AI2. These results suggested that the response of the plant was strain-specific. Finally, 3MB is a fungal compound that may stimulate plant growth and defense.</p>","PeriodicalId":73084,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in fungal biology","volume":"6 ","pages":"1725103"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12862943/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146114860","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bioelectricity harvesting from microorganism: review of recent advancements in utilizing the bioelectric properties of fungi for powering small-scale robotic systems.","authors":"Rice Ul Islam, Ayite Ayele Kossiwa Chantal, Ariful Islam, Okpalanwabude Stanley Somtochukwu, Ritu Raj Poudyal, Cashline Bless Wesseh, Omar Ibnul Faiyaz, Xiangzeng Kong, Xuan Wei","doi":"10.3389/ffunb.2025.1739847","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ffunb.2025.1739847","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The growing need for sustainable energy sources has led to the exploration of bioelectricity generation from microorganisms, with fungi showing considerable potential for powering small-scale robotic systems. Fungal bioelectricity stems from the ability of fungal mycelium to facilitate extracellular electron transfer, a process that can be exploited in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for clean energy production. This field is gaining traction as fungi, with their extensive mycelial networks, offer unique conductive properties. These networks, providing a large surface area and excellent conductivity, make fungi well-suited for incorporation into fungal-based microbial fuel cells (FMFCs). Successful FMFC design and optimization require attention to critical factors such as electrode material, microbial interactions, and environmental conditions to enhance performance. Moreover, the use of fungi in small-scale robotic systems, forming biohybrid robots, holds significant promise for autonomous operations in applications like environmental monitoring and bio-inspired robotics. While fungal bioelectricity presents exciting opportunities, challenges such as energy efficiency, scalability, and integration persist. Nevertheless, ongoing research continues to advance the development of self-sustaining, environmentally friendly robotic systems powered by fungal bioelectricity, providing new avenues in renewable energy and robotics.</p>","PeriodicalId":73084,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in fungal biology","volume":"6 ","pages":"1739847"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12853654/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146108770","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Marine macroalgae-associated fungi from Yacila and Los Cangrejos beaches (Northern Peru) and previously selected marine bacteria evaluated as plant growth promoters in maize under saline stress.","authors":"Liset Milagros Arcela-Castro, Danay Betsabe Morales-Medina, Miriam Marleni Rosales-Cuentas, Carlos Augusto Salazar-Sandoval, Heber Peleg Cornelio-Santiago, Jube Ciro Portalatino-Zevallos, Edwin Jorge Vega-Portalatino","doi":"10.3389/ffunb.2025.1726850","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ffunb.2025.1726850","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The diversity of marine fungi associated with macroalgae in Peru remains largely unknown, and no studies have provided holistic data on their biodiversity or their role as plant growth promoters in maize under salinity stress conditions. Endophytic and epiphytic fungi were isolated from the macroalgae <i>Caulerpa</i> sp., <i>Ulva</i> sp., <i>Ahnfeltiopsis</i> sp., and <i>Chondracanthus chamissoi</i>, collected from Yacila and Cangrejos beaches (Piura, Peru), while marine bacteria were provided by the Microbial Biotechnology Research Laboratory of the National University of Frontera. The growth-promoting properties of these marine microorganisms were evaluated prior to their inoculation in maize. Fungal isolates were phylogenetically characterized by ITS sequencing as <i>Penicillium</i> sp. YAFL13, <i>Penicillium</i> sp. YUFE7, <i>Talaromyces stollii</i> YAFL19, <i>T. stollii</i> YAFL4, <i>T. amestolkiae</i> YCFR3, <i>Aspergillus sydowii</i> CCDF2, <i>A. sydowii</i> YFep2, and <i>A. sydowii</i> YFep3. In total, 12 marine fungi were isolated and used in the assays along with 10 marine bacteria. Based on antimicrobial activity, IAA synthesis, siderophore production, phosphate solubilization, and hydrolytic enzyme production, three fungal strains (<i>Penicillium</i> sp. YAFL13, <i>A. sydowii</i> CCDF2, and <i>A. sydowii</i> YFep2) and two bacterial strains (<i>Bacillus</i> sp. YCFR5 and <i>Pantoea agglomerans</i> YAFL6) were selected. Among them, <i>A. sydowii</i> CCDF2 significantly enhanced maize growth parameters, highlighting its promising potential as a plant inoculant. This study represents one of the few reports on marine microorganisms associated with marine macroalgae, revealing a valuable fungal diversity and its potential role in promoting maize growth under saline stress conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":73084,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in fungal biology","volume":"6 ","pages":"1726850"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12847412/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146088365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The terrein biosynthetic gene cluster of <i>Aspergillus terreus</i>: structure, function, regulation, and similar gene clusters.","authors":"Márk Z Németh, Sándor Csíkos, Gábor M Kovács","doi":"10.3389/ffunb.2025.1696451","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ffunb.2025.1696451","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fungi synthesize a wide variety of secondary metabolites (SMs). The genes of the biosynthetic pathways of many of these compounds are encoded by biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), which typically consist of a core biosynthetic enzyme, tailoring enzymes, transporters, and pathway-specific regulators. One of the well-studied fungal SMs is the polyketide terrein, which is produced by <i>Aspergillus terreus</i> and exhibits a wide range of biological activities, such as cytotoxic, phytotoxic, and antibacterial effects. The structure and function of the terrein BGC, the functions of the encoded proteins, and the processes controlling the transcriptional regulation of the BGC are summarized in this mini review. Both pathway-specific and global regulators and epigenetic regulation are presented. Furthermore, similar BGCs identified in other fungal taxa are introduced in short. Despite significant advances, key aspects of terrein biosynthesis, such as some protein functions, details of the BGC regulation, and SM ecological functions remain unresolved. Filling in these gaps will help us better understand the biology of fungal SMs and could pave the way for biotechnological applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":73084,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in fungal biology","volume":"6 ","pages":"1696451"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12848540/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146088304","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ecological dominance, functional roles, and biosafety of <i>Trichoderma</i> spp. as a biofertilizer fungus.","authors":"Thein Theint Win, Bo Bo, Sikandar Khan, Pengcheng Fu","doi":"10.3389/ffunb.2025.1641004","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ffunb.2025.1641004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Trichoderma</i> spp. are the most widely used fungal species in biofertilizers due to their capacity to enhance soil quality, suppress plant pathogens, and promote plant growth. However, due to the popularity of <i>Trichoderma</i> spp., usages in agricultural systems have raised significant environmental and safety concerns. This review mainly emphasizes the mechanisms that underlie the ecological dominance and competitive nature of <i>Trichoderma</i> spp. over native microbial communities and then explores the multifunctional role of <i>Trichoderma</i> spp. in soil ecosystems, which mainly focus on its interactions within the rhizosphere that influence dynamics plant-microbe interactions and nutrient cycling. This article also highlights potential ecological imbalances associated with prolonged or repeated applications of <i>Trichoderma</i> spp. which include changes in soil microbial biodiversity and the decline of beneficial native microbiota. Furthermore, it evaluates the safety issues of <i>Trichoderma</i>-based biofertilizers by focusing their bioactive metabolites and potential effects on humans, animals, and non-target living things. Therefore, the review addresses the importance of site-specific application strategies, monitoring protocols, and comprehensive ecotoxicological assessments to mitigate unintended environmental and health concerns. By synthesizing recent findings and identifying key knowledge gaps, this work provides a framework for the responsible and sustainable integration of <i>Trichoderma</i> spp. into modern agroecological systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":73084,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in fungal biology","volume":"6 ","pages":"1641004"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12833379/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146068925","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fluconazole resistance among <i>Candida</i> species with special emphasis on <i>ERG11</i> gene mutations among <i>Candida tropicalis</i>.","authors":"Vidyavathi B Chitharagi, Gowthami S, Mahadevaiah Neelambike Sumana, Morubagal Raghavendra Rao, Sowmya G S, Yogeesh D Maheshwarappa","doi":"10.3389/ffunb.2025.1695271","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ffunb.2025.1695271","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Candidiasis, an opportunistic fungal infection, is increasingly caused by non-<i>albicans Candida</i> species that show reduced fluconazole susceptibility, mainly due to <i>ERG11</i> overexpression. This study aimed to identify <i>Candida</i> species, determine fluconazole resistance using VITEK 2 and disc diffusion methods, and detect <i>ERG11</i> gene mutations in <i>Candida tropicalis.</i></p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>A total of 410 clinical samples were included in this laboratory-based prospective study conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Mysuru. Fluconazole-resistant <i>Candida</i> species were identified using the Vitek-2 system and disc diffusion methods. The <i>ERG11</i> gene of fluconazole-resistant strains of <i>Candida tropicalis</i> was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subjected to high-resolution melt (HRM) analysis to detect A395T and C461T mutations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 410 <i>Candida</i> species were isolated from 410 clinical isolates during the study period, with 61% (250/410) from males and 39% (160/410) from females. Among the 410 isolates tested by Vitek-2, 29 (7.07%) were resistant to fluconazole, with the majority being <i>C. tropicalis</i> (51.7%). Of the 15 C<i>. tropicalis</i> isolates tested, A395T and C461T mutations in the <i>ERG11</i> gene were detected in 6 isolates. These isolates showed high minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to azoles. Discrepancies between Vitek-2 and PCR findings likely reflect the multifactorial nature of fluconazole resistance and the presence of resistance mechanisms beyond the targeted <i>ERG11</i> mutations.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study concludes that antifungal susceptibility testing (AST) using Vitek-2 is a preferred method in the laboratory for identifying <i>Candida</i> species and performing susceptibility testing due to its ease of use and cost-effectiveness. Disc diffusion can be utilized in resource-limited settings to guide treatment, while PCR and newer molecular methods offer valuable opportunities for researching different mechanisms and mutations responsible for fluconazole resistance, a widely used antifungal for treatment and prevention.</p>","PeriodicalId":73084,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in fungal biology","volume":"6 ","pages":"1695271"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12833035/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146068917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Edible mushrooms as emerging biofactories for natural therapeutics and oral biopharmaceutical delivery.","authors":"Kevin Wang, Annie Wang, Byron Meade","doi":"10.3389/ffunb.2025.1742455","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ffunb.2025.1742455","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mushrooms have long served as both food and medicine, providing polysaccharides, terpenoids, phenolics, and peptides with diverse health benefits. Extensive studies have begun to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying these therapeutic effects, which include anti-aging, immunomodulatory, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. Translational research is progressing from preclinical models to clinical trials, reinforcing the biomedical potential of mushroom-derived compounds. Advances in fungal genetic modification and gene editing have further positioned edible mushrooms as promising platforms for recombinant biopharmaceutical production. Their eukaryotic protein-processing capacity, natural bioencapsulation, and GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status make them well-suited for sustainable and orally deliverable therapeutics. Engineered mushrooms show strong potential as platforms for oral vaccines and recombinant protein production, bridging traditional medicinal use with modern molecular farming.</p>","PeriodicalId":73084,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in fungal biology","volume":"6 ","pages":"1742455"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12756031/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145901833","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mucosal immune response modulated by secreted and membrane-bound hydrolases of <i>Candida albicans</i> in vulvovaginal candidiasis.","authors":"Guocheng Qian, Li Ding, Chao Tan, Lidan Wang, Cong Long","doi":"10.3389/ffunb.2025.1692795","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ffunb.2025.1692795","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) affects the physical and mental health of millions of women worldwide. The leading cause of VVC, <i>Candida albicans</i>, can induce a strong mucosal inflammatory reaction during the VVC infection, where secreted and membrane-bound adhesion and hydrolases seem to be the key virulent factors to promote the mucosal antifungal immunity and immunopathology. Several hydrolases, such as Saps, Als, candidalysin, lipases, and phospholipases, have been identified in vaginal secretions isolated from VVC patients; however, the immune impacts of some hydrolases have not been well documented. In this review, we focus on the literature that addresses the immunopathogenic roles of the Als adhesin family or proteinase, such as Sap and candidalysin, in VVC. Our goal is to expand our knowledge of VVC pathogenesis in order to provide new strategies for VVC treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":73084,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in fungal biology","volume":"6 ","pages":"1692795"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12738864/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145851830","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}