title: Dendritic cell function in cytomegalovirus-infected patients with mononucleosis.
abstract: Dendritic cells (DCs) are important target cells for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection, and the virus has been shown to hamper the differentiation and maturation pathways of these cells in vitro. In the present study, we examined the function of monocyte-derived DCs obtained from immunocompetent individuals undergoing symptomatic HCMV infection in terms of immunophenotypic characteristics, pinocytosis, lymphocyte stimulation capacity, and cyto-chemokine secretion in comparison with DCs obtained from healthy controls. Immature and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated DCs obtained from patients actively infected with HCMV expressed significantly lower levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules. The inhibition of expression of MHC class II molecules by HCMV appeared to be functionally relevant, as mature DCs obtained from patients with HCMV mononucleosis were inefficient in stimulating proliferation of allogenic lymphocytes. Finally, the pattern of cyto-chemokines secreted by DCs obtained from patients with HCMV mononucleosis was characterized by a proinflammatory profile with an increased production of interleukin (IL)-1beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha, CC chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and CCL3, and reduced secretion of IL-10 upon LPS stimulation. During symptomatic HCMV infection in the immunocompetent host, DCs exhibit an impaired immunophenotype and function. These effects may contribute to the viral-induced immunomodulation, which is often observed in HCMV-infected patients.
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Giada
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Frascaroli
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Varani
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mastroianni
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Britton
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gibellini
authors.forename: Giada
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rossini
authors.forename: Maria P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Landini
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Söderberg-Nauclér
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018925:Chemokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology*; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000276:immunology; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010873:Pinocytosis / Q000276:immunology; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D014764:Viral Proteins