Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Assessing the Innate Sensing of HIV-1 Infected CD4+ T Cells by Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Using an Ex vivo Co-culture System.
08:11

Assessing the Innate Sensing of HIV-1 Infected CD4+ T Cells by Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Using an Ex vivo Co-culture System.

Published on: September 1, 2015

Subversion of plasmacytoid and myeloid dendritic cell functions in chronic HCV infection

Gyongyi Szabo1, Angela Dolganiuc

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, LRB 215, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605-2324, USA. gyongyi.szabo@umassmed.edu

Immunobiology
|September 17, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection impairs dendritic cell (DC) function. Both plasmacytoid DC (PDC) and myeloid DC (MDC) show reduced numbers and impaired functions, contributing to persistent HCV infection.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Hepatology

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection often becomes chronic due to inadequate immune responses.
  • Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial for initiating innate and adaptive immunity against viral infections, including HCV.
  • Understanding DC dysfunction in chronic HCV is vital for developing effective therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the frequency and function of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) and myeloid dendritic cells (MDCs) in patients with chronic HCV infection.
  • To explore the mechanisms underlying DC defects in chronic HCV, including the role of viral proteins and Toll-like receptors (TLRs).

Main Methods:

  • Quantification and functional assays (IFN-alpha production, allostimulatory capacity) of PDCs and MDCs from chronic HCV patients and healthy controls.
  • Assessment of monocyte-derived MDC maturation and function following LPS stimulation.
  • In vitro studies using HCV core and NS3 proteins to induce MDC defects.
  • Experiments with TLR2 and TLR4 deficient/mutant mice to evaluate viral recognition pathways.

Main Results:

  • Significantly reduced numbers and impaired IFN-alpha production capacity of blood PDCs in chronic HCV patients.
  • Normal frequency but decreased allostimulatory capacity of monocyte-derived MDCs in chronic HCV patients, even after LPS-induced maturation.
  • HCV core and NS3 proteins induced MDC defects, suggesting a viral-induced mechanism.
  • TLR2, but not TLR4, was critical for innate immune cell recognition of HCV core and NS3 proteins; CD14 co-receptor did not enhance TLR2 recognition.

Conclusions:

  • Both PDC and MDC functions are significantly impaired in patients with chronic HCV infection.
  • DC dysfunction in chronic HCV is likely mediated by the interaction of viral products (core, NS3) with innate immune cells, particularly via TLR2.
  • These findings highlight the critical role of DC impairment in the persistence of HCV infection and suggest potential targets for immunomodulatory therapies.

More Related Videos

Two Methods of Heterokaryon Formation to Discover HCV Restriction Factors16:49

Two Methods of Heterokaryon Formation to Discover HCV Restriction Factors

Published on: July 16, 2012

Phenotypic and Functional Analysis of Activated Regulatory T Cells Isolated from Chronic Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus-infected Mice07:17

Phenotypic and Functional Analysis of Activated Regulatory T Cells Isolated from Chronic Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus-infected Mice

Published on: June 22, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Hepatitis01:25

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...