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Dendritic cells in viral pathogenesis: protective or defective?
Gabriele Pollara1, Antonia Kwan, Philippa J Newton
1Department of Immunology and Molecular Pathology, University College London, Windeyer Institute of Medical Sciences, London W1T 4JF, UK. g.pollara@ucl.ac.uk
International Journal of Experimental Pathology
|July 28, 2005
Summary
Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial for antiviral immunity. This review details how viruses alter DC biology and how DCs, in turn, influence viral pathogenesis, suggesting a symbiotic host-virus relationship.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Dendritic cells (DCs) are key antigen-presenting cells initiating immune responses against viral infections.
- Understanding virus-induced alterations in DC biology is crucial for controlling viral diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of viral infections on dendritic cell (DC) biology.
- To explore the role of DCs in the pathogenesis of various viral families.
- To examine pathogen recognition by DCs and viral exploitation of host signaling.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on virus-DC interactions.
- Analysis of viral factors affecting DC parameters.
- Exploration of DC roles in herpesvirus, paramyxovirus, and retrovirus pathogenesis.
Main Results:
- Viral infections induce significant changes in dendritic cell (DC) function and phenotype.
- DCs play a central role in the pathogenesis of diverse viral infections.
- Viruses have evolved mechanisms to exploit DC recognition pathways for replication.
Conclusions:
- Dendritic cell (DC) biology is central to host defense and viral pathogenesis.
- A complex interplay exists between viruses and DCs, potentially leading to a symbiotic relationship for viral transmission and host survival.