DC infection promotes antiviral CTL priming: the 'Winkelried' strategy.
In addition to the presentation of antigens generated by endogenous neosynthesis, dendritic cells (DCs) can cross-present antigen taken up from the extracellular milieu. However, the relative contribution of these pathways to the priming of antiviral cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses is still elusive. Here, we propose that - in analogy to the sacrifice of the Swiss hero Arnold von Winkelried, who deliberately took into his body the spears of the enemy for the sake of victory - the unique susceptibility of DCs to become infected by a wide range of viruses, even in the absence of the specific virus receptor, serves as a strategy to prime antiviral CTL responses. This could explain CTL priming against viruses that exclusively replicate in peripheral organs.
Freigang
Stefan
S
Institute of Experimental Immunology, University Hospital Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland. stefan.freigang@gmx.net
Probst
Hans Christian
HC
van den Broek
Maries
M
D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D005805:Genes, MHC Class I / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology