Modulation of the fungal mycobiome is regulated by the chitin-binding receptor FIBCD1

• Published in: The Journal of experimental medicine Vol. 216; no. 12; pp. 2689 - 2700
• Main Authors: Moeller, Jesper B., Leonardi, Irina, Schlosser, Anders, Flamar, Anne-Laure, Bessman, Nicholas J., Putzel, Gregory Garbès, Thomsen, Theresa, Hammond, Mark, Jepsen, Christine S., Skjødt, Karsten, Füchtbauer, Ernst-Martin, Farber, Donna L., Sorensen, Grith L., Iliev, Iliyan D., Holmskov, Uffe, Artis, David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Rockefeller University Press 02.12.2019
• ISSN: 0022-1007; 1540-9538; 1540-9538
• DOI: 10.1084/jem.20182244

Host–microbiota interactions are critical in regulating mammalian health and disease. In addition to bacteria, parasites, and viruses, beneficial communities of fungi (the mycobiome) are important modulators of immune- and tissue-homeostasis. Chitin is a major component of the fungal cell wall, and fibrinogen C containing domain 1 (FIBCD1) is a chitin-binding protein; however, the role of this molecule in influencing host–mycobiome interactions in vivo has never been examined. Here, we identify direct binding of FIBCD1 to intestinal-derived fungi and demonstrate that epithelial-specific expression of FIBCD1 results in significantly reduced fungal colonization and amelioration of fungal-driven intestinal inflammation. Collectively, these results identify FIBCD1 as a previously unrecognized microbial pattern recognition receptor through which intestinal epithelial cells can recognize and control fungal colonization, limit fungal dysbiosis, and dampen intestinal inflammation.