JOSE C. CASTILLO

Prof. JOSE C. CASTILLO

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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14 June 2026 in Journal of Fungi
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JOSE C. CASTILLOJOSE C. CASTILLO
JOSE C. CASTILLO
EIEnrique Iglesias
Enrique Iglesias
JCJohanna Castillo
Johanna Castillo
LFLuis Fonte
Luis Fonte
CACarlos Eduardo Aragón-López
Carlos Eduardo Aragón-López
Enrique CalderonEnrique Calderon
Enrique Calderon
The interaction between Pneumocystis jirovecii and systemic inflammation has emerged as a potential modulator of cardiovascular risk. This review describes the potential of β-glucans to contribute to atherogenic inflammation. A narrative review was developed on the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases. The inflammatory pathways induced by β-glucans from P. jirovecii contrast with the immunometabolic effects of dietary β-glucans. The relevance of serum (1→3)-β-D-glucans as a marker of systemic exposure was also described, although it is not specific to P. jirovecii. P. jirovecii β-glucans activate Syk–CARD9–NFκB, MAPK and STAT3 signalling pathways. This signalling promotes proinflammatory monocyte/macrophage polarization and a systemic microenvironment of low-grade inflammation with proatherogenic potential. The serum persistence of (1→3)-β-D-glucan indicates prolonged exposure, even in the absence of overt clinical manifestations of colonization. Conversely, dietary β-glucans have been observed to elicit regulatory effects facilitated by microbiota and metabolism. In experimental setting, a causal link has been established between fungal β-glucans and atherosclerosis. P. jirovecii β-glucans act as immunological mediators capable of amplifying pulmonary and systemic inflammation, constituting a possible modulator of cardiovascular risk. Distinguishing between fungal and dietary β-glucans is imperative for comprehending emerging mechanisms of vascular inflammation.