Exploiting Lipids to Develop Anticryptococcal Vaccines

Purpose of Review: Cryptococcus spp. are responsible for life-threatening infections in humans causing mortality rates of 70% in developing countries. Antifungal therapy to combat cryptococcosis is based on the combination of amphotericin B, azoles, and 5-flucytosine. However, treatment failure is frequently triggered by antifungal resistance, drug-drug interactions, and toxicity. New alternatives to prevent cryptococcosis are imperative. Here, we discuss the roles of lipids in the immunological control of the disease caused by Cryptococcus spp. Recent Findings: Recently, remarkable advances on immunology of fungal infections have been made and a number of studies indicated the potential of vaccine formulations to combat cryptococcosis. New formulations exploiting virulence regulators and genetically modified attenuated strains have been tested. In this context, lipids have emerged as virulence regulators and immunogens to be explored. Summary: Glucosylceramide (GlcCer), sterylglycosides (SGs), and lipid-containing extracellular vesicles have been recently tested in vaccine formulations and their anticryptococcal efficacy was confirmed in vivo. Together, the data discussed here encourage the use of fungal lipids in anticryptococcal vaccinal strategies.