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Cited by 59T-cell and B-cell ImmunologyPsoriasis: Treatment and PathogenesisIL-33, ST2, and ILC Pathways

Tissue-resident memory Th17 cells maintain stable fungal commensalism in the oral mucosa

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Kirchner, Florian R., LeibundGut-Landmann, Salomé·2021·Mucosal Immunology
DOI 10.1038/s41385-020-0327-1PMC PMC7946631
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Abstract

Keeping a stable equilibrium between the host and commensal microbes to which we are constantly exposed, poses a major challenge for the immune system. The host mechanisms that regulate homeostasis of the microbiota to prevent infection and inflammatory disorders are not fully understood. Here, we provide evidence that CD4+ tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells act as central players in this process. Using a murine model of C. albicans commensalism we show that IL-17 producing CD69+CD103+CD4+ memory T cells persist in the colonized tissue long-term and independently of circulatory supplies. Consistent with the requirement of Th17 cells for limiting fungal growth, IL-17-producing TRM cells in the mucosa were sufficient to maintain prolonged colonization, while circulatory T cells were dispensable. Although TRM cells were first proposed to protect from pathogens causing recurrent acute infections, our results support a central function of TRM cells in the maintenance of commensalism.

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  • Effector T cells play a critical role in the host's defense during reinfection with C. albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Leishmania major, and HSV.

    “Effector T cells play a critical role in the host’s defense during reinfection with C. albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Leishmania major, and HSV [28,30–35].”

    From The Emerging Fungal Pathogen Candida auris Induces IFNγ to Colonize the Skin (2025) · cites this paper as [32]

  • Th17 cells play a critical role in host defense against C. albicans.

    “Th17 cells play a critical role in host defense against C. albicans [30–33,36], whereas Th1 cells protect the host against reinfection from HSV and L. major [34,35].”

    From The Emerging Fungal Pathogen Candida auris Induces IFNγ to Colonize the Skin (2025) · cites this paper as [32]

  • IL-17-producing TRM cells play a critical role in host defense against C. albicans during reinfection.

    “Previous findings suggest that IL-17-producing TRM cells play a critical role in host defense against C. albicans during reinfection [30–33,36].”

    From The Emerging Fungal Pathogen Candida auris Induces IFNγ to Colonize the Skin (2025) · cites this paper as [32]

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Kirchner, F. R., & LeibundGut-Landmann, S.
Affiliations
University of Zurich (CH)
ORCID
LeibundGut-Landmann, Salomé
Venue
Mucosal Immunology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-03
Volume
14
Issue
2
Pages
455-467
ISSN
1933-0219 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1038/s41385-020-0327-1
PMC
PMC7946631
OpenAlex
W3045294735
Cited by
59
References
12
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 4
FWCI
3.06
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Mucosal Immunology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (acceptedVersion, cc-by)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich)
Funders
  • National Science Foundation
  • Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung (166206, 310030)
  • Foundation for Research in Science and the Humanities
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › T-cell and B-cell Immunology
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Psoriasis: Treatment and Pathogenesis
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › IL-33, ST2, and ILC Pathways
Keywords
tissue-resident memory T cells, Th17 cells, IL-17, oral mucosa, Candida albicans, CD69, CD103, mucosal immunity, fungal colonization
MeSH terms
Animals, Candida albicans, Candidiasis, Disease Models, Animal, Fungi, Homeostasis, Immunologic Memory, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mouth Mucosa, Organ Specificity, Symbiosis, Antigens, CD, Receptors, Interleukin, Mice, Knockout, Interleukin-17, Integrin alpha Chains, Mice, Th17 Cells, Microbiota

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