Molecular Insights Into the Interplay Between Host Platelets and Fungal Pathogens

Despite the rise in invasive fungal infections, little is understood about these illnesses, especially the relationship between fungal species and platelets. Platelets are essential in hemostasis and support the host's immune defense against infectious microbes. Understanding the relationship between fungus and platelets is necessary because it affects the extent of invasive fungal infection.

The interactions of fungal pathogens with platelets profoundly impact fungal disease progression, platelet function, and host immunological responses. The opportunistic fungal pathogens induce platelet adhesion, activation, altered aggregation, and activation of innate and adaptive responses. In Besides, fungal pathogens' virulence components help to escape from the host immune defense. Conversely, platelets inhibit growth and germination, induce phagocytic elimination, or kill fungal pathogens.

Fungal pathogen's surface structure molecules β-1,3 glucan, chitin, and galactosaminogalactan can activate platelets and the host complement system, triggering innate and adaptive immunity to combat infections. Platelets' inability to respond effectively to the presence of fungal pathogens may promote fungal survival in the blood and increase the morbidity rate.