Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
07:35
Generation of Human Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells from Whole Blood
Published on: December 24, 2016
Influence of dendritic cells on viral pathogenicity
Giulia Freer1, Donatella Matteucci
1Retrovirus Center and Virology Section, Department of Experimental Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. freer@biomed.unipi.it
Plos Pathogens
|August 4, 2009
Summary
Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial in determining viral disease severity. Viruses can manipulate DCs to prolong their replication, potentially causing severe illness or death.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Viral infections can range from asymptomatic to severe.
- Disease symptoms arise from viral replication and immune responses.
- Dendritic cells (DCs) play a critical role in managing viral infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of dendritic cells (DCs) in viral disease pathogenesis.
- To understand how viruses interact with DCs to influence disease outcomes.
Main Methods:
- This study reviews the known interactions between viruses and dendritic cells.
- Analysis of immune responses and cytokine secretion influenced by DCs during viral infections.
Main Results:
- DCs are key regulators of immune responses to viruses.
- Viruses can exploit DCs, skewing cytokine secretion to promote viral replication.
- The outcome of viral infection depends on the balance between DC function and viral manipulation.
Conclusions:
- The interaction between DCs and viruses dictates disease severity.
- Effective DC function leads to recovery, while viral exploitation of DCs can cause chronic illness or death.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Immune 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...
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...
01:51Vaccinations
Overview
01:27Cytomegalovirus 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...
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
01:22T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
01:22Antigen Presenting Cells
The immune system is a complex network of cells and molecules that protects the body from foreign invaders. T cells, a type of white blood cell, play a crucial role in this process. They recognize and attack foreign substances, such as pathogens, that enter the body.
T cells require the help of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which process foreign antigens into smaller fragments that can be recognized by T cells. These APCs are highly specialized cells that efficiently internalize antigens...
T cells require the help of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which process foreign antigens into smaller fragments that can be recognized by T cells. These APCs are highly specialized cells that efficiently internalize antigens...