EphA2 is an epithelial cell pattern recognition receptor for fungal beta-glucans

Oral epithelial cells discriminate between pathogenic and non-pathogenic stimuli, and only induce an inflammatory response when they are exposed to high levels of a potentially harmful microorganism. The pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) in epithelial cells that mediate this differential response are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EphA2) is an oral epithelial cell PRR that binds to exposed beta-glucans on the surface of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Binding of C. albicans to EphA2 on oral epithelial cells activates signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling in an inoculum-dependent manner, and is required for induction of a proinflammatory and antifungal response. EphA2(-/-) mice have impaired inflammatory responses and reduced interleukin-17 signalling during oropharyngeal candidiasis, resulting in more severe disease. Our study reveals that EphA2 functions as a PRR for beta-glucans that senses epithelial cell fungal burden and is required for the maximal mucosal inflammatory response to C. albicans.