Interaction with neutrophils induces hyphal branching.

<p>(A) Amplitude of neutrophil response correlates to reduction in velocity of hyphal growth, with larger numbers of neutrophils better able to slow growth. N ≥ 10 measurements from n ≥ 5 representative hyphae per group. (B) Induction of branching over time shows a linear correlation with number of neutrophil interactions. (C) Induction of new branches is enriched proximally to neutrophil interactions, with most branches occurring within 20–30 μm of an interaction point. (D) Following interaction, most branches are induced within 5–25 minutes post interaction. (E) Robust recruitment of neutrophils amplifies branch induction (iii-v, <a href="http://www.plospathogens.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.ppat.1006154#ppat.1006154.s004" target="_blank">S2 Movie</a>) and slows hyphal growth. However, at least one hypha branch is usually able to avoid confrontation and continue growing unobstructed (vi). (F) Neutrophils are recruited to fungal hyphae in significantly higher numbers than other immune cells. (G) Neutrophil interaction with hyphae induces apical branching at more than twice the rate of other immune cells. N ≥ 24 hyphae scored from N ≥ 4 experiments. Error bars: mean ± SEM. Statistics: one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post test. Adjusted p values: *p≤0.05, **p≤0.01, ***p≤0.001, ****p≤0.0001.