At the early stage of cryptococcal infection, the CCL2/CCR2 axis recruits classical monocytes (CD14++CD16-) to lung tissues, where they differentiate into monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs) and M1 macrophages, thereby promoting an IFN-γ-dominated Th1 immune response (Heung, 2020; Palframan et al., 2001). Here, IFNG is linked to cryptococcosis.