Shaping the immune response to parasites: role of dendritic cells.
Parasites represent a diverse group of pathogens that often trigger highly polarized immune responses that become tightly regulated during chronic infection. Recent studies have implicated the parasite-dendritic-cell interaction as a key determinant of the host response to these eukaryotic invaders. Dendritic cells appear to be pivotal in the initiation of cellular immunity against parasites as well as in directing Th1/Th2 effector choice. Moreover, there is increasing evidence that parasites regulate dendritic-cell function for the purposes of evading host immunity. This regulation also benefits parasites by protecting their host niche from the potentially lethal consequences of an uncontrolled inflammatory response.
Sher
Alan
A
Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-8003, USA. asher@niaid.nih.gov
Pearce
Edward
E
Kaye
Paul
P
D000818:Animals; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000276:immunology; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology
D007378:Interleukins