Interactions Between Intracellular Fungal Pathogens and Host Phagocytes

Upon host invasion, human fungal pathogens are confronted by phagocytes, which are among the first lines of defense against microbial infection. Recognition of fungal pathogens by phagocytes leads to cellular uptake and internalization within the phagosome, which, through fusion with endosomes and lysosomes, matures into the highly microbicidal phagolysosome. As a counterattack, fungal pathogens have evolved diverse strategies to avoid phagocytosis, disrupt and withstand phagosome maturation, and induce immune cell death. In this article, we review the processes of fungal recognition, phagocytosis, survival, and escape for major intracellular human fungal pathogens.