The role of Toll-like receptors and C-type lectins for vaccination against Candida albicans

Recent progress has provided important novel insights in the processes driving the adaptive immune responses. Central to these developments is the discovery of pattern recognition receptors like TLRs and CLRs that not only induce innate immune responses, but also modulate cellular and humoral adaptive immunity. As vaccination is one of the great achievements in medicine and probably the most powerful tool to protect human and animals against infectious disease, further vaccine development and optimization of current strategies can improve health status of large groups of people. Development of a vaccine against Candida spp. should induce both cellular and humoral immune responses. While the TLRs are strong inducers of inflammatory responses, it seems that the CLRs have the potential to modulate these responses by enhancement or inhibition of cytokine production. Understanding the natural host defense mechanisms against pathogens like C. albicans therefore helps to identify the proper targets for inducing a strong adjuvant effect, in order to stimulate an effective adaptive immune response and protection.