Mechanisms of Antibody-based defense against Pneumocystis

  • Rapaka, Rekha R
Publication date
August 2008

Abstract

Pneumocystis (PC) pneumonia is a life-threatening opportunistic fungal infection observed in individuals with severe immunodeficiencies, such as AIDS. This dissertation evaluates functions of antibodies and conserved fungal cell wall carbohydrate antigens in host defense against PC. We demonstrate that a novel recombinant protein consisting of the extracellular domain of the beta-glucan receptor dectin-1 fused to the constant portion of murine IgG1, binds beta-glucan and recognizes Fc-γ receptors; and functionally, impairs growth of PC in the lungs of immunocompromised mice. As an antibody-like molecule targeting a conserved fungal cell wall carbohydrate enhanced host defense against PC, we questioned whether the host produces similar antib...

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