Host defense pathways against fungi : the basis for vaccines and immunotherapy

Abstract

Fungal vaccines have long been a goal in the fields of immunology and microbiology to counter the high mortality and morbidity rates owing to fungal diseases, particularly in immunocompromised patients. However, the design of effective vaccination formulations for durable protection to the different fungi has lagged behind due to the important differences among fungi and their biology and our limited understanding of the complex host–pathogen interactions and immune responses. Overcoming these challenges is expected to contribute to improved vaccination strategies aimed at personalized efficacy across distinct target patient populations. This likely requires the integration of multifaceted approaches encompassing advanced immunology, systems biology, immunogenetics, and bioinformatics in the fields of fungal and host biology and their reciprocal interactions.The studies were supported by the Specific Targeted Research Project “ALLFUN” (FP7-HEALTH-2009-260338) and the Fondazione per la Ricerca sulla Fibrosi Cistica (FFC#21/2010, with the contribution of Francesca Guadagnin, Coca Cola Light® Tribute to Fashion and Delegazione FFC di Belluno). Agostinho Carvalho and Cristina Cunha were financially supported by fellowships from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Portugal (contracts SFRH/BPD/46292/2008 and SFRH/BD/65962/2009, respectively)