Immunoregulation in Fungal Infections: A Review and Update on the Critical Role of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous group of immune cells that play a central role in regulating host immune responses during fungal infections. Their recruitment is mediated by pathogen recognition receptors, particularly Dectin-1 and CARD9 signaling, which promote the prod...

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Main Authors: Valéria de Lima Kaminski, Ana Luiza Oliveira Menezes, Kauan Gonçalves de Lima, Stephani Leonelo de Almeida, Diego Vinícius Alves da Silva, Filipe Nogueira Franco, Nycolas Willian Preite, Flávio Vieira Loures
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Fungi
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/7/496
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author Valéria de Lima Kaminski
Ana Luiza Oliveira Menezes
Kauan Gonçalves de Lima
Stephani Leonelo de Almeida
Diego Vinícius Alves da Silva
Filipe Nogueira Franco
Nycolas Willian Preite
Flávio Vieira Loures
author_facet Valéria de Lima Kaminski
Ana Luiza Oliveira Menezes
Kauan Gonçalves de Lima
Stephani Leonelo de Almeida
Diego Vinícius Alves da Silva
Filipe Nogueira Franco
Nycolas Willian Preite
Flávio Vieira Loures
author_sort Valéria de Lima Kaminski
collection DOAJ
description Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous group of immune cells that play a central role in regulating host immune responses during fungal infections. Their recruitment is mediated by pathogen recognition receptors, particularly Dectin-1 and CARD9 signaling, which promote the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and IL-1β. Once activated, MDSCs suppress T-cell and natural killer cell functions through immunosuppressive cytokines like IL-10 and TGF-β, as well as enzymes such as arginase-1 and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO-1). This review explores the role of MDSCs in fungal infections caused by <i>Candida</i> spp., <i>Paracoccidioides brasiliensis</i>, <i>Aspergillus</i> spp., and <i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i>, emphasizing their impact on immune modulation and disease progression. The emerging evidence suggests that fungal bioactive compounds, such as polysaccharides, can influence MDSC activity and restore immune balance. Notably, therapies targeting MDSCs have demonstrated promise in both fungal infections. In particular, infections with <i>P. brasiliensis</i> and <i>C. neoformans</i> show improved T-cell responses following MDSC-targeted interventions. Additionally, polysaccharides from <i>Grifola frondosa</i> and exposure to <i>Aspergillus sydowii</i> affect MDSC behavior, supporting the potential of modulating these cells therapeutically. Together, these findings highlight the relevance of MDSCs in fungal pathogenesis and underscore their potential as targets for immunotherapeutic strategies in infectious diseases.
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spelling doaj-art-baf111f00b2e4556a158aa2391c8037e2025-08-20T03:58:30ZengMDPI AGJournal of Fungi2309-608X2025-06-0111749610.3390/jof11070496Immunoregulation in Fungal Infections: A Review and Update on the Critical Role of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor CellsValéria de Lima Kaminski0Ana Luiza Oliveira Menezes1Kauan Gonçalves de Lima2Stephani Leonelo de Almeida3Diego Vinícius Alves da Silva4Filipe Nogueira Franco5Nycolas Willian Preite6Flávio Vieira Loures7School of Medicine, Universidade Anhembi Morumbi, Benedito Matarazzo Avenue, 6070, São José dos Campos 12230-002, SP, BrazilSchool of Medicine, Universidade Anhembi Morumbi, Benedito Matarazzo Avenue, 6070, São José dos Campos 12230-002, SP, BrazilSchool of Medicine, Universidade Anhembi Morumbi, Benedito Matarazzo Avenue, 6070, São José dos Campos 12230-002, SP, BrazilSchool of Medicine, Universidade Anhembi Morumbi, Benedito Matarazzo Avenue, 6070, São José dos Campos 12230-002, SP, BrazilSchool of Medicine, Universidade Anhembi Morumbi, Benedito Matarazzo Avenue, 6070, São José dos Campos 12230-002, SP, BrazilInstitute of Science and Technology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Talim Street, 330, São José dos Campos 12231-280, SP, BrazilInstitute of Science and Technology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Talim Street, 330, São José dos Campos 12231-280, SP, BrazilInstitute of Science and Technology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Talim Street, 330, São José dos Campos 12231-280, SP, BrazilMyeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous group of immune cells that play a central role in regulating host immune responses during fungal infections. Their recruitment is mediated by pathogen recognition receptors, particularly Dectin-1 and CARD9 signaling, which promote the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and IL-1β. Once activated, MDSCs suppress T-cell and natural killer cell functions through immunosuppressive cytokines like IL-10 and TGF-β, as well as enzymes such as arginase-1 and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO-1). This review explores the role of MDSCs in fungal infections caused by <i>Candida</i> spp., <i>Paracoccidioides brasiliensis</i>, <i>Aspergillus</i> spp., and <i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i>, emphasizing their impact on immune modulation and disease progression. The emerging evidence suggests that fungal bioactive compounds, such as polysaccharides, can influence MDSC activity and restore immune balance. Notably, therapies targeting MDSCs have demonstrated promise in both fungal infections. In particular, infections with <i>P. brasiliensis</i> and <i>C. neoformans</i> show improved T-cell responses following MDSC-targeted interventions. Additionally, polysaccharides from <i>Grifola frondosa</i> and exposure to <i>Aspergillus sydowii</i> affect MDSC behavior, supporting the potential of modulating these cells therapeutically. Together, these findings highlight the relevance of MDSCs in fungal pathogenesis and underscore their potential as targets for immunotherapeutic strategies in infectious diseases.https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/7/496immunosuppressionMDSCfungi<i>Candida</i> spp.<i>P. brasiliensis</i><i>Aspergillus</i> spp.
spellingShingle Valéria de Lima Kaminski
Ana Luiza Oliveira Menezes
Kauan Gonçalves de Lima
Stephani Leonelo de Almeida
Diego Vinícius Alves da Silva
Filipe Nogueira Franco
Nycolas Willian Preite
Flávio Vieira Loures
Immunoregulation in Fungal Infections: A Review and Update on the Critical Role of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells
Journal of Fungi
immunosuppression
MDSC
fungi
<i>Candida</i> spp.
<i>P. brasiliensis</i>
<i>Aspergillus</i> spp.
title Immunoregulation in Fungal Infections: A Review and Update on the Critical Role of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells
title_full Immunoregulation in Fungal Infections: A Review and Update on the Critical Role of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells
title_fullStr Immunoregulation in Fungal Infections: A Review and Update on the Critical Role of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells
title_full_unstemmed Immunoregulation in Fungal Infections: A Review and Update on the Critical Role of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells
title_short Immunoregulation in Fungal Infections: A Review and Update on the Critical Role of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells
title_sort immunoregulation in fungal infections a review and update on the critical role of myeloid derived suppressor cells
topic immunosuppression
MDSC
fungi
<i>Candida</i> spp.
<i>P. brasiliensis</i>
<i>Aspergillus</i> spp.
url https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/7/496
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