AIM2 enhances Candida albicans infection through promoting macrophage apoptosis via AKT signaling

作者：Qian Jiang, Ya‐Yun Chen, Siping Zheng, Lina Sui, Dalang Yu, Furong Qing, Wenji He, Qiuxiang Xiao, T.F. Guo, Li Xu, Zhichun Liu, Zhiping Liu · 发表于：Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.1007/s00018-024-05326-9 · 被引用次数：10 · 研究领域：Inflammasome and immune disorders、Immune Response and Inflammation、Neutrophil, Myeloperoxidase and Oxidative Mechanisms

Abstract Candida albicans is among the most prevalent invasive fungal pathogens for immunocompromised individuals and novel therapeutic approaches that involve immune response modulation are imperative. Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), a pattern recognition receptor for DNA sensing, is well recognized for its involvement in inflammasome formation and its crucial role in safeguarding the host against various pathogenic infections. However, the role of AIM2 in host defense against C. albicans infection remains uncertain. This study reveals that the gene expression of AIM2 is induced in human and mouse innate immune cells or tissues after C. albicans infection. Furthermore, compared to their wild-type (WT) counterparts, Aim2 −/− mice surprisingly exhibit resistance to C. albicans infection, along with reduced inflammation in the kidneys post-infection. The resistance of Aim2 −/− mice to C. albicans infection is not reliant on inflammasome or type I interferon production. Instead, Aim2 −/− mice display lower levels of apoptosis in kidney tissues following infection than WT mice. The deficiency of AIM2 in macrophages, but not in dendritic cells, results in a phenocopy of the resistance observed in Aim2 −/− mice against C. albican infection. The treatment of Clodronate Liposome, a reagent that depletes macrophages, also shows the critical role of macrophages in host defense against C. albican infection in Aim2 −/− mice. Furthermore, the reduction in apoptosis is observed in Aim2 −/− mo...