Chitin, Chitinase Responses, and Invasive Fungal Infections

作者：Karina Vega, Markus Kalkum · 发表于：International Journal of Microbiology · 年份：2011 · DOI：10.1155/2012/920459 · 被引用次数：133 · 研究领域：Studies on Chitinases and Chitosanases、Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment、Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity

The human immune system is capable of recognizing and degrading chitin, an important cell wall component of pathogenic fungi. In the context of host-immune responses to fungal infections, herein we review the particular contributions and interplay of fungus and chitin recognition, and chitin-degrading enzymes, known as chitinases. The mechanisms of host chitinase responses may have implications for diagnostic assays as well as novel therapeutic approaches for patients that are at risk of contracting fatal fungal infections.