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The role of dendritic cells in alphaherpesvirus infections: archetypes and paradigms
Author(s) -
Van de Walle Gerlinde R.,
Cox Eric,
Nauwynck Hans,
Favoreel Herman W.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
reviews in medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.06
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1654
pISSN - 1052-9276
DOI - 10.1002/rmv.628
Subject(s) - archetype , virology , medicine , immunology , biology , intensive care medicine , philosophy , theology
Dendritic cells (DCs) play a critical role in orchestrating both innate and adaptive components of the immune system and are therefore of pivotal importance in the initiation of immune responses to control and eliminate viral infections. A major focus of this review is to give an overview on the recent findings that point out the importance of DCs in controlling alphaherpesvirus infections, but also indicate that these viruses have evolved several strategies to inhibit and/or exploit DC functions to delay or escape elimination by the immune system. In addition, we point out the common features and interspecies differences between DCs from man and animal, and discuss the potential use of animal alphaherpesvirus homologues to gain further insights into the interaction between alphaherpesviruses and DCs in their natural virus–host environment. Finally, recent knowledge on the potential of alphaherpesviruses as vectors for DC stimulation and their use for immunotherapy is presented. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.