title: Dendritic cells in Leishmania infection.
abstract: Dendritic cells (DCs) are key elements of the immune system, which function as sentinel in the periphery and alert T lymphocytes about the type of invading antigen and address their polarisation, in order to mount an efficacious immune response. Leishmania spp. are parasitic protozoa which may cause severe disease in humans and domestic animals. In this work, the main studies concerning the role of DCs in Leishmania infection are reviewed, in both the murine and human models. In particular, the importance of the genetic status of the hosts and of the different Leishmania species in modulating DC-mediated immune response is examined. In addition, different approaches of DC-based vaccination against experimental leishmaniasis, which could have important future applications, are summarised.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy. brandonisio@midim.uniba.it
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Brandonisio
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spinelli
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pepe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D018320:Leishmania major / Q000276:immunology*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016052:Protozoan Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D016052:Protozoan Vaccines