Interactions between dendritic cells and CD4+ T cells during Plasmodium infection.
BACKGROUND
During infection, dendritic cells (DCs) encounter pathogenic microorganisms that can modulate their function and shape the T cell responses generated. During the process of T cell activation, DCs establish strong, long-lasting interactions with naïve T cells.


METHODS
Using a mouse malaria model, the interactions of DCs and naïve CD4+ T cells have been analysed.


RESULTS
DCs, either incubated in vitro with infected erythrocytes or isolated from infected mice, are able to present exogenous antigens by MHC-II, but are not able to establish prolonged effective interactions with naïve CD4+ T cells and do not induce T cell activation. It was also found that effective T cell activation of naïve CD4+ T cells is impaired during late Plasmodium yoelii infection.


CONCLUSIONS
These data may provide a mechanism for the lack of effective adaptive immune responses induced by the Plasmodium parasite.
Ocaña-Morgner
Carlos
C
New York University School of Medicine, Department of Medical Parasitology, 341 E 25th street, New York, NY 10010, USA. Carlos.Ocana-Morgner@mailbox.tu-dresden.de
Wong
Kurt A
KA
Rodriguez
Ana
A
D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008288:Malaria / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D010967:Plasmodium yoelii / Q000276:immunology*
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II