<i>pkcA</i>^G579R strain presents no virulence attenuation in a mouse model but activates innate immunity against <i>A</i>. <i>fumigatus</i>.

<p>(A) Secretion of TNF-α from bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDM) after co-incubation with <i>A</i>. <i>fumigatus</i> hyphae of wild-type, <i>pkcA</i>^G579R and complementing strains. TNF-α levels were quantified by ELISA from the culture supernatant after 18 hours of BMDMs infection. Data show average ± standard deviation (* p ≤ 0.005). NI: Non−infected; LPS: lipopolysaccharide (positive control). (B) Phagocytosis index is increased in the <i>pkcA</i>^G579R mutant strain (average ± standard deviation, *p ≤ 0.01 compared to the wild−type and the complemented strain). (C) Comparative analysis of wild type, <i>pkcA</i>^G579R and complemented strains in a neutropenic murine model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.