# Mucosal host defense against vaginal candidiasis

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2024 · $236,730

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a widespread mucosal infection caused predominantly
by the commensal fungus Candida albicans. VVC is a global health concern due to its
high prevalence in immunocompetent women (>75% incidence). Although not fatal,
approximately 15% of women experience VVC recurrently, resulting in serious impacts
on quality of life and significant cost burden. There are no licensed vaccines to any
fungal pathogens. While much has been learned about immunity to C. albicans in other
sites (mouth, gut, skin), our understanding of immunity at the vaginal mucosa is
comparatively limited. Control of C. albicans in mouth and skin unquestionably requires
Th17 cells/IL-17, but the role of the Th17 pathway in VVC is controversial. Women with
HIV/AIDS or rare Th17/IL-17 receptor genetic deficiencies are not thought to have
abnormal incidences of VVC, yet Th17 signatures are upregulated in VVC, and VVC is a
statistically significant adverse event associated with IL-17 or other anti-cytokine
blockade. Here we show that multiple cytokines in the Th17 axis act in concert to
promote immunity to VVC, and we will probe the essential correlates that drive immunity
in this mucosal setting from both the host and the fungal side.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10942918
- **Project number:** 1R21AI185365-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** Sarah L Gaffen
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $236,730
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-06-21 → 2026-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10942918

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10942918, Mucosal host defense against vaginal candidiasis (1R21AI185365-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10942918. Licensed CC0.

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