Abstract
Dendritic cells (DC) capture micro-organisms that enter peripheral mucosal tissues and then migrate to secondary lymphoid organs, where they present in antigenic form to resting T cells and thus initiate adaptive immune responses. Here we describe the properties of a DC-specific C-type lectin, DC-SIGN, that is highly expressed on DC present in mucosal tissues and binds to the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120. DC-SIGN does not function as a receptor for viral entry into DC, but instead promotes efficient infection in trans of cells that express CD4 and chemokine receptors. The interaction of DC-SIGN with HIV gp120 may be an important target for therapeutic intervention and vaccine development.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | S19-23 |
Journal | Placenta |
Volume | 22 Suppl A |
Issue number | Suppl. A |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2001 |
Keywords
- Cell Adhesion Molecules
- Female
- HIV Envelope Protein gp120/metabolism
- HIV-1/metabolism
- Humans
- Lectins, C-Type
- Lectins/metabolism
- Lymph Nodes/metabolism
- Mucous Membrane/metabolism
- Placenta/metabolism
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
- Receptors, Cell Surface/metabolism
- Receptors, HIV/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Viral Proteins/metabolism