Background: Mucormycetes, a heterogeneous group of fungi, induce a life-threatening disease called mucormycosis. Immune deficiencies represent a major risk factor; hence, we wanted to illuminate the role of complement and platelets in the defense against mucormycetes.
Methods: (), (), (), (), (), and () spores were opsonized with human and mouse serum, and C1q, C3c, and terminal complement complex (C5b-9) deposition was measured.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is still hampered by a dismal prognosis. A better understanding of the tumor microenvironment within the pancreas and of the factors affecting its composition is of utmost importance for developing new diagnostic and treatment tools. In this context, the complement system plays a prominent role.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlatelets are currently thought to harbor antimicrobial functions and might therefore play a crucial role in infections, e.g., those caused by Aspergillus or mucormycetes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFN-chlorotaurine (NCT) can be used topically as a well-tolerated anti-infective at different body sites. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of inhaled NCT in a mouse model of fungal pneumonia. Specific pathogen-free female C57BL/6JRj seven-week-old mice were immune-suppressed with cyclophosphamide.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCandidiasis is common in diabetic patients. Complement evasion is facilitated by binding complement factor H (FH). Since the expression of high-affinity glucose transporter 1 (Hgt1), a FH-binding molecule, is glucose-dependent, we aimed to study its relevance to the pathogenesis of .
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