Programmed Cell Death: Central Player in Fungal Infections

Fungal diseases contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in humans. Although recent research has improved our understanding of the complex and dynamic interplay that occurs between pathogenic fungi and the human host, much remains to be elucidated concerning the molecular mechanisms that drive fungal pathogenicity and host responses to fungal infections. In recent times, there has been a significant increase in studies investigating the immunological functions of microbial-induced host cell death. In addition, pathogens use many strategies to manipulate host cell death pathways to facilitate their survival and dissemination. This review will focus on the mechanisms of host programmed cell death that occur during opportunistic fungal infections, and explore how cell death pathways may affect immunity towards pathogenic fungi. Programmed cell death pathways play a key role in infection and immunity, and influence host disease outcome.The host triggers lytic or nonlytic programmed cell death pathways in response to opportunistic fungal pathogens to fight infection.Human pathogenic fungi target specific host cell death mechanisms to perturb innate and adaptive immune cell function. Indeed, fungal pathogens can induce or inhibit cell death pathways to promote their survival and dissemination.Deciphering the complex interplay between pathogenic fungi, host cell death mechanisms, and immune responses, will provide insight into new therapeutic approaches to control life-threatening fungal diseases.