AMPlified defense: Antimicrobial peptides during Candida albicans infection

Abstract

The fungal pathogen Candida albicans is a successful colonizer of the human host as part of the normal mycobiota. Under certain circumstances the fungus can cause superficial, as well as life-threatening infections. A complex balance of host immune defense mechanisms and fungal responses determine the level of fungal colonization or infection. Humans express a large number of various antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with antifungal action that are key effectors of innate immunity. In this chapter, we review the host AMP response to fungal infection including AMP production mechanisms and the immunomodulatory and antifungal actions of AMPs. Furthermore, C. albicans counterattack strategies leading to AMP resistance are presented.