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INTERLEUKIN-17-MEDIATED ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY TO CANDIDA ALBICANS IN OROPHARYNGEAL CANDIDIASIS

Hernandez-Santos, Nydiaris (2012) INTERLEUKIN-17-MEDIATED ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY TO CANDIDA ALBICANS IN OROPHARYNGEAL CANDIDIASIS. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Oropharyngeal candidiasis is an opportunistic infection of the oral cavity caused by Candida albicans, a fungal member of the human commensal flora that causes disease only under conditions of immunosuppression. In HIV+ individuals, the onset of disease is directly correlated to a decrease in CD4+ T cell counts (<200 cells/mm3), suggesting that CD4+ T cells are important mediators of anti-Candida immunity. Previous studies demonstrated that IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA) signaling is absolutely required for immunity to OPC. IL-17 is produced by a CD4+ T helper cell subset, Th17, and by a variety of innate immune cell types. Although it has always been assumed that CD4+ T cells are
the primary mediators of immunity to C. albicans, the relative contribution of Th17 cells in the context of other, innate, sources of IL-17 had never been studied until
now. We demonstrate that protective, antigen-specific Th17 cells develop upon secondary infection with C. albicans and contribute to fungal clearance from the tongue. Surprisingly, in the absence of CD4+ T cells, compensatory sources of IL-17, such as CD8+ T cells and CD3+CD4-CD8-, protect susceptible hosts from OPC. Our findings have important implications for designing vaccines targeted
to immune compromised populations where it is necessary to harness residual immunity.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Hernandez-Santos, Nydiarisnyh1@pitt.eduNYH1
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairGaffen, Sarah Lsig65@pitt.eduSIG65
Committee MemberDarville, Tonitoni.darville@chp.edu
Committee MemberSluis-Cremer, Nicolasnps2@pitt.eduNPS2
Committee MemberKhader, Shabaana Ashabaana.khader@chp.edu
Committee MemberMcKenna, Kylemckennakc@upmc.edu
Committee MemberMitchell, Aaronapm1@cmu.edu
Date: 18 December 2012
Date Type: Publication
Defense Date: 10 December 2012
Approval Date: 18 December 2012
Submission Date: 12 December 2012
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Number of Pages: 133
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: School of Medicine > Immunology
Degree: PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: AIDS, HIV, thrush, white patches, fungal immunology
Date Deposited: 18 Dec 2012 13:13
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2016 14:08
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/16955

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