Complex and Controversial Roles of Eicosanoids in Fungal Pathogenesis.

The prevalence of fungal infections has increased in immunocompromised patients, leading to millions of deaths annually. Arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites, such as eicosanoids, play important roles in regulating innate and adaptative immune function, particularly since they can function as virulence factors enhancing fungal colonization and are produced by mammalian and lower eukaryotes, such as yeasts and other fungi (, and ). produces prostaglandins (PG), Leukotrienes (LT) and Resolvins (Rvs), whereas the first two have been well documented in sp. and . In this review, we cover the eicosanoids produced by the host and fungi during fungal infections. These fungal-derived PGs have immunomodulatory functions analogous to their mammalian counterparts. Prostaglandin E (PGE) protects and cells from the phagocytic and killing activity of macrophages. PGs augment the fungal burden and host mortality rates in histoplasmosis. However, PGD potentiates the effects and production of LTB, which is a very potent neutrophil chemoattractant that enhances host responses. Altogether, these data suggest that eicosanoids, mainly PGE, may serve as a new potential target to combat diverse fungal infections.