 Sporothrix globosa is a fungal pathogen that can cause serious diseases in humans. It secretes a pigment called melanin, which has been found to be an important virulence factor for the pathogen. This study examined how melanin affects the immune system of infected hosts. The researchers found that melanin suppresses the autophagy process in macrophages, which are essential for fighting off infections. They also discovered that melanin interacts with two specific receptors on the macrophages, toll-like receptors 2 and 4, which are involved in recognizing invading pathogens. By blocking these receptors, melanin prevents the macrophages from activating autophagy and mounting an effective immune response. This article was authored by Mingchi Guan, Lei Yao, Yuzhan, and others.