Phagocytosis of Aspergillus fumigatus by Nasal Epithelial Cells
Author Information
Author(s): Françoise Botterel, Karine Gross, Oumaïma Ibrahim-Granet, Khaled Khoufache, Virginie Escabasse, André Coste, Catherine Cordonnier, Estelle Escudier, Stéphane Bretagne
Primary Institution: Université Paris 12, Créteil, France
Hypothesis
Can primary nasal epithelial cells phagocytose Aspergillus fumigatus conidia?
Conclusion
Nasal epithelial cells can phagocytose fungal conidia, but the killing of these conidia is low.
Supporting Evidence
- The mean percentage of A. fumigatus conidia undergoing phagocytosis was 21.8 ± 4.5% after 4 hours.
- The mean rate of phagocytosis for A. fumigatus was 18.7 ± 9.3% after 8 hours.
- No germination of the conidia was observed until 20 hours of observation.
Takeaway
The cells in your nose can eat some tiny fungus particles, but they don't do a very good job of killing them.
Methodology
An in vitro model using primary cultures of human nasal epithelial cells was developed to study the phagocytosis of A. fumigatus conidia.
Limitations
The study could not quantify the number of bound and phagocytosed conidia due to the tight binding of cells.
Participant Demographics
Patients with nasal polyposis undergoing ethmoidectomy.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p > 0.5
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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