Usefulness of the murine model to study the immune response against Histoplasma capsulatum infection

Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2014 May;37(3):143-52. doi: 10.1016/j.cimid.2014.03.002. Epub 2014 Apr 6.

Abstract

The present paper is an overview of the primary events that are associated with the histoplasmosis immune response in the murine model. Valuable data that have been recorded in the scientific literature have contributed to an improved understanding of the clinical course of this systemic mycosis, which is caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Data must be analyzed carefully, given that misinterpretation could be generated because most of the available information is based on experimental host-parasite interactions that used inappropriate proceedings, i.e., the non-natural route of infection with the parasitic and virulent fungal yeast-phase, which is not the usual infective phase of the etiological agent of this mycosis. Thus, due to their versatility, complexity, and similarities with humans, several murine models have played a fundamental role in exploring the host-parasite interaction during H. capsulatum infection.

Keywords: Adaptive response.; Histoplasma capsulatum; Histoplasmosis; Innate immunity; Murine model.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity
  • Alveolar Epithelial Cells / immunology
  • Alveolar Epithelial Cells / microbiology
  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / microbiology
  • Cell Wall / chemistry
  • Cell Wall / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / microbiology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Histoplasma / growth & development
  • Histoplasma / immunology*
  • Histoplasma / pathogenicity
  • Histoplasmosis / immunology*
  • Histoplasmosis / microbiology
  • Histoplasmosis / pathology
  • Host Specificity
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate*
  • Mice
  • Species Specificity
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / microbiology