Poster_MolecularMimicry_2017.pdf

Molecular mimicry is the formation of specific molecules by parasites to avoid recognition and suppression by the immune system of the host. This is analogous to uniforms misused by villains. Several pathogenic Ascomycota and Zygomycota show such a behaviour, deceiving, in particular, the innate immune system. For example,<i>Candida albicans</i> binds human regulators like complement factor H and, thus, hides from the complement system. Such a camouflage can reach a point where the immune system can no longer clearly distinguish between self and non-self. This implies that a trade-off between attacking possible pathogens and host cells has to be made, which can in turn lead to autoimmunity. Based on methods from signalling theory and protein-interaction modelling, we here present a model of molecular mimicry by <i>C. albicans</i><i> </i>involving human immune regulatory factor H