Reactive oxygen species drive the aberrant immune response to a <i>C. neoformans</i> chitin synthase 3 (<i>chs3Δ</i>) mutant.

ABSTRACT: Cryptococcus neoformans is a globally distributed fungal pathogen that causes severe opportunistic infections, particularly in individuals with impaired cell-mediated immunity, such as AIDS patients and organ transplant recipients. Chitosan, a deacetylated derivative of chitin, plays a key role in modulating immune responses during Cryptococcus neoformans infection. We previously showed that mice inoculated with a heat-killed (HK) chitosan-deficient C. neoformans strain lacking chitin synthase 3 (chs3Δ) undergo rapid, neutrophil-dependent mortality within 36 hours, despite the absence of viable organisms. Here, we investigated the immune mechanisms underlying this lethal inflammatory response. We assessed the role of inflammatory cytokines, adaptive immunity, an

SUBMITTER: Watson RG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12678346 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature