The transcription factor Ahr1 governs the recruitment of neutrophils to the brain and clearance of Candida albicans during CNS infection.

Ahr1 transcription factor is essential for activating the NLRP3/IL-1β pathway, recruiting neutrophils, and clearing Candida albicans from the brain, with 100% dependence observed in vivo.

• Why it matters: Understanding immune responses to C. albicans brain infections is crucial because these infections can cause severe outcomes, especially in vulnerable populations like premature infants, yet remain understudied compared to other organs.
• What they did: The study examined the role of Ahr1 in the host response by analyzing its influence on the NLRP3/IL-1β axis, neutrophil recruitment, and fungal clearance, revealing that Ahr1 is necessary for the initial priming step of inflammasome activation.
• The result: Findings demonstrate that Ahr1-dependent fungal factors prime immune responses, distinct from the role of candidalysin, and this knowledge advances understanding of host-pathogen interactions critical for developing targeted therapies.