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Updated: May 22, 2026
Dissecting Innate Immune Signaling in Viral Evasion of Cytokine Production
Published on: March 2, 2014
HHV-8 reduces dendritic cell migration through down-regulation of cell-surface CCR6 and CCR7 and cytoskeleton
Mara Cirone1, Valeria Conte, Antonella Farina
1Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Experimental Medicine, La Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy. Mara.cirone@uniroma1.it
Background:
For an efficient immune response against viral infection, dendritic cells (DCs) must express a coordinate repertoire of receptors that allow their recruitment to the sites of inflammation and subsequently to the secondary lymphoid organs in response to chemokine gradients.Several pathogens are able to subvert the chemokine receptor expression and alter the migration properties of DCs as strategy to escape from the immune control.
Findings:
Here we report the inhibitory effect of Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) on the migratory behavior of immature and mature DCs. We found that the virus altered the DC chemokine receptor expression and chemokine induced migration. Moreover HHV-8 was also able to interfere with basal motility of DCs by inducing cytoskeleton modifications.
Conclusion:
Based on our findings, we suggest that HHV-8 is able to subvert the DC migration capacity and this represents an additional mechanism which interferes with their immune-functions.
Insights
Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) inhibits dendritic cell (DC) migration by altering chemokine receptor expression and inducing cytoskeleton changes. This viral interference with DC movement impairs immune responses against infection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Efficient immune responses require dendritic cells (DCs) to migrate to inflammation sites and lymphoid organs, guided by chemokine gradients.
- Pathogens can evade immune detection by manipulating DC chemokine receptor expression and migration patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) on the migratory behavior of immature and mature dendritic cells (DCs).
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which HHV-8 influences DC migration and immune function.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of chemokine receptor expression on DCs infected with HHV-8.
- Assessment of chemokine-induced migration in infected and uninfected DCs.
- Evaluation of HHV-8's impact on basal DC motility and cytoskeleton.
Main Results:
- HHV-8 significantly inhibits the migratory behavior of both immature and mature DCs.
- The virus alters DC chemokine receptor expression, affecting chemokine-induced migration.
- HHV-8 induces cytoskeleton modifications, interfering with the basal motility of DCs.
Conclusions:
- HHV-8 subverts dendritic cell migration capacity, representing a novel immune evasion strategy.
- This disruption of DC migration by HHV-8 contributes to impaired immune functions during viral infection.
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