Candida albicans Induces Cross-Kingdom miRNA Trafficking in Human Monocytes To Promote Fungal Growth
Luke D. Halder, Svitlana Babych, Diana I. Palme, Elham Mansouri-Ghahnavieh, Lia Ivanov, Victory Jesutoyosi Ashonibare, Daniela Langenhorst, Bhupesh K. Prusty, Günter Rambach, Melissa Wich, Nora Trinks, Matthew G. Blango, Daniel Kornitzer, Ulrich Terpitz, Cornelia Speth, Berit Jungnickel, Niklas Beyersdorf, Peter F. Zipfel, Axel A. Brakhage, Christine Skerka
Abstract
Over the last decade, communication between immune cells by extracellular vesicle-associated miRNAs has emerged as an important regulator of the coordinated immune response. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the conversation occurring via miRNAs, especially during infection, may provide novel insights into both the host reaction to the microbe as well as the microbial response. This study provides evidence that the pathogenic fungus C. albicans communicates with human monocytes and induces the release of a human miRNA that promotes fungal growth. This mechanism represents an unexpected cross-species interaction and implies that an inhibition of specific miRNAs offers new possibilities for the treatment of human fungal infections.