Mycobacteria and dendritic cell differentiation: escape or control of immunity.
Human monocytes can differentiate into dendritic cells (DC) according to the nature of environmental signals. Pathogenic mycobacteria have been demonstrated interfere with this process to generate a not fully competent DC population. This mechanism is not common to non-pathogenic mycobacteria and could be correlated with bacterial virulence. However, it could represents a new mechanism of immune escape by persistent pathogens or a control mechanism of immune system to preserve the life of the organ against persistent infections.
Martino
Angelo
A
Unit of Cellular Immunology, Padiglione Del Vecchio, National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani, IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy. martino@inmi.it
Sacchi
Alessandra
A
Colizzi
Vittorio
V
Vendetti
Silvia
S
D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000276:immunology*