title: DC-T cell virological synapses and the skin: novel perspectives in dermatology.
abstract: Virological synapses (VS) increase cell-to-cell viral transmission and facilitate propagation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and human T-cell leukaemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1). VS formation also plays a more general role in viral replication and dissemination. VS have been observed in vitro and ex vivo between uninfected T cells and T cells infected with HIV-1 or HTLV-1. In addition, dendritic cells (DC) infected with HIV-1 also play an important role in viral transmission to uninfected CD4+ T cells via VS formation. Recent studies revealed that several DC subsets are also infected with HTLV-1. These findings may help explain the rapid dissemination of both viruses within secondary lymphoid tissues in vivo. VS also explain, at least in part, why HIV-1 can propagate in the mucosal sites during sexual transmission. Furthermore, in the case of HTLV-1, VS can potentially explain some of the features of HTLV-1-associated dermatitis as infected T cells in the skin contribute to the pathogenesis of this condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Academic Wound Healing, Institute of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University and University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Takatoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimauchi
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Piguet
mesh_terms: D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000821:virology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000821:virology; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000378:metabolism; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000276:immunology; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1; D006801:Humans; D054992:Immunological Synapses; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000378:metabolism; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D014779:Virus Replication; D000099215:DC-Specific ICAM-3 Grabbing Nonintegrin
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D000099215:DC-Specific ICAM-3 Grabbing Nonintegrin
keywords: DC-SIGN; HIV-1; HTLV-1; dendritic cell; virological synapse