The secretion of exopolysaccharides (EPS) by pathogenic fungi plays a crucial role in their virulence and survival within host organisms. These complex carbohydrate structures are secreted into the extracellular environment and contribute significantly to the ability of fungi to establish and maintain infections. One of the main functions of EPS is to facilitate biofilm formation, a process that allows fungal cells to adhere to surfaces and form protective communities. Biofilms increase the resistance of fungi to physical and chemical stress factors and enable them to withstand host immune responses. In addition, EPS acts as a barrier that prevents the penetration of antifungal drugs and thus increases the resistance of fungi to treatment. This resistance is particularly problematic in clinical settings where biofilm-associated infections are difficult to eradicate. The structural components of EPS also play a role in modulating the host’s immune response and help fungi evade detection and destruction (Malinovská et al, J Fungi 9:955, 2023). By masking pathogen-associated molecular patterns, EPS can reduce the effectiveness of immune responses and allow the fungi to survive and proliferate in the host. In addition to these protective functions, EPS contributes to nutrient acquisition by facilitating interactions with the environment and thus supporting the fungus’ general metabolic processes (Snarr et al, J Fungi (Basel) 3:47, 2017). The synthesis of EPS is regulated by various environmental factors, including nutrient availability and stress conditions, indicating its dynamic role in fungal physiology. Understanding the mechanisms behind EPS secretion and its impact on pathogenicity is essential for developing new therapeutic strategies. By targeting EPS production or function, it may be possible to increase the efficacy of antifungal treatments and improve clinical outcomes for patients with fungal infections (Mahapatra and Banerjee, Microbiol Insights 6:1–16 2013). Overall, EPS is an important factor in the complex interplay between pathogenic fungi and their hosts, influencing both disease progression and response to treatment (Wang et al, Heliyon 10(12):e32766, 2024). This method describes the procedure for the extraction of cell-bound and cell-free EPS from fungal strains and the quantification of EPS by the phenol-sulfuric acid method (Abirami et al, Front Microbiol 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.561298 2020; Nielsen, Total carbohydrate by phenol-sulfuric acid method. In: Nielsen food analysis laboratory manual. Springer, Cham, 2017).

Exopolysaccharide Secretion by Pathogenic Fungi

章节
发表日期：

2025年

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Ritu Pasrija,
Deepika Kumari

摘要

The secretion of exopolysaccharides (EPS) by pathogenic fungi plays a crucial role in their virulence and survival within host organisms. These complex carbohydrate structures are secreted into the extracellular environment and contribute significantly to the ability of fungi to establish and maintain infections. One of the main functions of EPS is to facilitate biofilm formation, a process that allows fungal cells to adhere to surfaces and form protective communities. Biofilms increase the resistance of fungi to physical and chemical stress factors and enable them to withstand host immune responses. In addition, EPS acts as a barrier that prevents the penetration of antifungal drugs and thus increases the resistance of fungi to treatment. This resistance is particularly problematic in clinical settings where biofilm-associated infections are difficult to eradicate. The structural components of EPS also play a role in modulating the host’s immune response and help fungi evade detection and destruction (Malinovská et al, J Fungi 9:955, 2023). By masking pathogen-associated molecular patterns, EPS can reduce the effectiveness of immune responses and allow the fungi to survive and proliferate in the host. In addition to these protective functions, EPS contributes to nutrient acquisition by facilitating interactions with the environment and thus supporting the fungus’ general metabolic processes (Snarr et al, J Fungi (Basel) 3:47, 2017). The synthesis of EPS is regulated by various environmental factors, including nutrient availability and stress conditions, indicating its dynamic role in fungal physiology. Understanding the mechanisms behind EPS secretion and its impact on pathogenicity is essential for developing new therapeutic strategies. By targeting EPS production or function, it may be possible to increase the efficacy of antifungal treatments and improve clinical outcomes for patients with fungal infections (Mahapatra and Banerjee, Microbiol Insights 6:1–16 2013). Overall, EPS is an important factor in the complex interplay between pathogenic fungi and their hosts, influencing both disease progression and response to treatment (Wang et al, Heliyon 10(12):e32766, 2024). This method describes the procedure for the extraction of cell-bound and cell-free EPS from fungal strains and the quantification of EPS by the phenol-sulfuric acid method (Abirami et al, Front Microbiol 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.561298 2020; Nielsen, Total carbohydrate by phenol-sulfuric acid method. In: Nielsen food analysis laboratory manual. Springer, Cham, 2017).