Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal infectious pathogen in immunocompromised patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and hematological malignancies. Recently, innate immune cells, such as NK, NKT and γδ T cells, have been found critical for determining the quality of acquired immunity by affecting the direction of Th1-Th2 balance. Th1-type immune response is important for the host defense against C. neoformans, and innate immunity may involve this process. In the present review, the accumulated knowledge including our own data on the role of innate immune lymphocytes in the host defense to this fungal pathogen are summarized, focusing on NKT and γδ T cells.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 201-207 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Japanese Journal of Medical Mycology |
Volume | 47 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2006 |
Keywords
- Antifungal immunity
- Cryptococcus neoformans
- Innate immunity
- NKT (NKT cells)
- γδ T cells
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases