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BMC Immunology
Published in: BMC Immunology 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Human NK cells adapt their immune response towards increasing multiplicities of infection of Aspergillus fumigatus

Authors: Lothar Marischen, Anne Englert, Anna-Lena Schmitt, Hermann Einsele, Juergen Loeffler

Published in: BMC Immunology | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

The saprophytic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus reproduces by generation of conidia, which are spread by airflow throughout nature. Since humans are inhaling certain amounts of spores every day, the (innate) immune system is constantly challenged. Even though macrophages and neutrophils carry the main burden, also NK cells are regarded to contribute to the antifungal immune response. While NK cells reveal a low frequency, expression and release of immunomodulatory molecules seem to be a natural way of their involvement.

Results

In this study we show, that NK cells secrete chemokines such as CCL3/MIP-1α, CCL4/MIP-1β and CCL5/RANTES early on after stimulation with Aspergillus fumigatus and, in addition, adjust the concentration of chemokines released to the multiplicity of infection of Aspergillus fumigatus.

Conclusions

These results further corroborate the relevance of NK cells within the antifungal immune response, which is regarded to be more and more important in the development and outcome of invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Additionally, the correlation between the multiplicity of infection and the expression and release of chemokines shown here may be useful in further studies for the quantification and/or surveillance of the NK cell involvement in antifungal immune responses.
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Metadata
Title
Human NK cells adapt their immune response towards increasing multiplicities of infection of Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors
Lothar Marischen
Anne Englert
Anna-Lena Schmitt
Hermann Einsele
Juergen Loeffler
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Immunology / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2172
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12865-018-0276-6

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