title: The biological relevance of polykaryons in the immune response.
abstract: Peripheral blood monocyte-derived multinucleated giant cells are a well-known feature of chronic inflammatory conditions. Similarly, virus-induced syncytia derived from CD4+ cells are considered to be typical of human immunodeficiency virus infection under culture conditions. Here, Stefano Fais and colleagues summarize recent experimental results comparing the mechanisms underlying the formation and fate of these two different polykaryons, discussing their putative role in the immune response.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Virology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fais
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Burgio
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Capobianchi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gessani
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pallone
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Belardelli
mesh_terms: D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D002459:Cell Fusion; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology