IL-1 protects from fatal systemic candidiasis in mice by inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation and hypoxia

Abstract Invasive C. albicans infections result in high mortality rates. While IL-1 is important to combat C. albicans infections, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Using global and conditional Il1r1 knockouts in mice, here we show that IL-1R signaling in non-hematopoietic cells in the kidne...

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Main Authors: Sofia Horn, Mareike Schmid, Ivan Berest, Federica Piattini, Jing Zhang, Katrien de Bock, Olivier Devuyst, Stellor Nlandu Khodo, Jan Kisielow, Manfred Kopf
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57797-4
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Summary:Abstract Invasive C. albicans infections result in high mortality rates. While IL-1 is important to combat C. albicans infections, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Using global and conditional Il1r1 knockouts in mice, here we show that IL-1R signaling in non-hematopoietic cells in the kidney and brain is crucial for a protective response. In the kidney, endothelial IL-1R contributes to fungal clearance independent of neutrophil recruitment, while IL-1R in hematopoietic cells is dispensable. IL-1R signaling indirectly recruits neutrophils and monocytes in the brain by regulating chemokines and adhesion molecules. Single-nucleus-RNA-sequencing data implicates excessive metabolic activity and oxidative phosphorylation across all cell types in the kidney of Il1r1-deficient mice within a few hours upon infection, with associated, localized hypoxia at infection foci. Lastly, we find that hypoxia promotes fungal growth and pathogenicity. In summary, our results show that IL-1R-signaling in non-hematopoietic cells is required to prevent fatal candidiasis by inhibiting a metabolic shift, including excessive oxidative phosphorylation and hypoxia.
ISSN:2041-1723