T-cell subsets in Pneumocystis pneumonia

Abstract

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), caused by the opportunistic fungal pathogen Pneumocystis, remains a common fungal infection among immunosuppressed individuals. T cells are known to play a critical role in host defences against Pneumocystis. Two functional groups of T cells exist: CD4⁺ T and CD8⁺ T. Distinct subsets of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells have been shown to participate in PCP development through specific cytokines and interactions with other immune cells, significantly influencing the pulmonary fungal burden and disease severity. However, the host T-cell responses required for an effective adaptive immune response to PCP remain incompletely defined. In this review, we explore how an in-depth understanding of the integrated and well-defined functions of different T-cell subsets in the immune defence against Pneumocystis could provide insights into facilitating the development of anti-Pneumocystis treatment.

Keywords: Adaptive immune response; CD4+ T cells; CD8+ T cells; Pneumocystis pneumonia.