Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026
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
Intracellular pathogens and CD8(+) dendritic cells: dangerous liaisons
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA. bvr2101@columbia.edu
Immunity
|August 27, 2011
Summary
CD8(+) dendritic cells are crucial for fighting the parasite Toxoplasma. However, these immune cells can be exploited by Listeria bacteria during infection spread.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- CD8(+) dendritic cells represent a distinct immune cell subset with incompletely understood functions.
- Research in Immunity highlights the dual role of these cells in host defense and pathogen manipulation.
Discussion:
- Mashayekhi et al. demonstrate the essential role of CD8(+) dendritic cells in protective immunity against Toxoplasma gondii.
- Edelson et al. reveal how Listeria monocytogenes subverts CD8(+) dendritic cells for its own propagation during early infection.
Key Insights:
- CD8(+) dendritic cells are vital for anti-parasitic immunity.
- These cells are susceptible to exploitation by bacterial pathogens like Listeria.
- The specific function of CD8(+) dendritic cells is context-dependent, varying with the infecting agent.
Outlook:
- Further investigation into CD8(+) dendritic cell mechanisms can inform novel therapeutic strategies.
- Understanding pathogen manipulation of these cells may lead to new ways to combat infectious diseases.
- Defining the precise functional spectrum of CD8(+) dendritic cells is a key future direction.
Related Concept Videos
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...
01:31Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
01:40Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Overview
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...
01:22T 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...
01:28Cells of the Innate Immune Response
The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...