Oral epithelial cells orchestrate innate type 17 responses to Candida albicans through the virulence factor candidalysin

Candida albicans is a dimorphic commensal fungus that causes severe oral infections in immunodeficient patients. Invasion of C. albicans hyphae into oral epithelium is an essential virulence trait. Interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling is required for both innate and adaptive immunity to C. albicans. During the innate response, IL-17 is produced by γδ T cells and a poorly understood population of innate-acting CD4+ αβ T cell receptor (TCRαβ)+ cells, but only the TCRαβ+ cells expand during acute infection. Confirming the innate nature of these cells, the TCR was not detectably activated during the primary response, as evidenced by Nur77eGFP mice that report antigen-specific signaling through the …