Understanding how C-type lectin-like receptors collaborate to clear fungal infections

Antimicrobial resistance is a major problem and invasive fungal infections kill more people than TB or malaria. Various C-type lectin-like receptors are involved in anti-fungal immune responses.

We will use novel genetic models and in vivo experiments to identify receptor collaboration and the therapeutic potential of targeting these receptors.

Fungal infections including invasive candidiasis kill more people per year (~1.5M) than TB/malaria. Invasive Candida infections are a serious risk in immunosuppressed individuals and mortality rates are unacceptably high (46-75%). Novel therapies are urgently required. The coordinated anti-fungal immune response involves cell surface receptors including C-type Lectin-like Receptors (CLRs) such as Dectin-1, Dectin-2, Mincle and possibly Mcl. CLR ligands represent promising vaccine adjuvants and therapeutic targeting of specific CLRs or receptor co-ligation may provide clinical benefits during fungal infections.

For further details of this project, please see our website: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/programmes/project/understanding-how-c-type-lectin-like-receptors-collaborate-to-clear-fungal-infections