Role of dendritic cells in immunopathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus infection

Abstract

The role of dendritic cells (DC) in the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus (HN) disease has been a subject of considerable interest for several years. Initial studies focused on the infection, dysfunction, and depletion of DC in HIV-infected individuals. Mol e recent studies have begun to identify the functional role of DC in the initiation and propagation of viral replication in T cells in HIV-infected individuals. This review discusses recent data regarding the role of DC in HN disease with the aim of delineating basic immunopathogenic principles of infection and the development of therapeutic strategies.