The role of dendritic cell C-type lectin receptors in HIV pathogenesis

Abstract

Dendritic cells play a major role in HIV pathogenesis. Epithelial dendritic cells appear to be one of the first cells infected after sexual transmission and transfer of the virus to CD4 lymphocytes, simultaneously activating these cells to produce high levels of HIV replication. Such transfer may occur locally in inflamed mucosa or after dendritic cells have matured and migrated to local lymph nodes. Therefore, the mechanism of binding, internalization, infection and transfer of HIV to CD4 lymphocytes is of great interest. Recently, the role of the C-type lectin DC-SIGN as a dendritic cell receptor for HIV has been intensively studied with in vitro monocyte-derived dendritic cells. However, ..