title: The role of IL-33 in host response to Candida albicans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Interleukin (IL) 33 is a recently identified pleiotropic cytokine that influences the activity of multiple cell types and orchestrates complex innate and adaptive immune responses.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed an extensive review of the literature published between 2005 and 2013 on IL-33 and related cytokines, their functions, and their regulation of the immune system following Candida albicans colonization. Our literature review included cross-references from retrieved articles and specific data from our own studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IL-33 (IL-1F11) is a recently identified member of the IL-1 family of cytokines. Accumulating evidence suggests a pivotal role of the IL-33/ST2 axis in host immune defense against fungal pathogens, including C. albicans. IL-33 induces a Th2-type inflammatory response and activates both innate and adaptive immunity. Studies in animal models have shown that Th2 inflammatory responses have a beneficial role in immunity against gastrointestinal and systemic infections by Candida spp.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review summarizes the most important clinical studies and case reports describing the beneficial role of IL-33 in immunity and host defense mechanisms against pathogenic fungi. The finding that the IL-33/ST2 axis is involved in therapeutic target has implications for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases, including acute or chronic candidiasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hospital do Meixoeiro (CHUVI) and University of Vigo, C/Meixoeiro S/N, Vigo, 36200 Galicia, Spain.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Cerdeira
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, Calzada de Tlalpan 4800, Tlalpan, 14000 México City, DF, Mexico.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lopez-Bárcenas
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency, CHUVI, Hospital do Meixoeiro (CHUVI), C/Meixoeiro S/N, Vigo, 36200 Galicia, Spain.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Blanco
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology (Section of Mycology), Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, Calzada de Tlalpan 4800, Tlalpan, 14000 México City, DF, Mexico.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arenas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D000067596:Interleukin-33; D007378:Interleukins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C506536:IL33 protein, human; D000067596:Interleukin-33; D007378:Interleukins