Dendritic Cells and Their Multiple Roles during Malaria Infection.
Dendritic cells (DCs) play a central role in the initiation of adaptive immune responses, efficiently presenting antigens to T cells. This ability relies on the presence of numerous surface and intracellular receptors capable of sensing microbial components as well as inflammation and on a very efficient machinery for antigen presentation. In this way, DCs sense the presence of a myriad of pathogens, including Plasmodium spp., the causative agent of malaria. Despite many efforts to control this infection, malaria is still responsible for high rates of morbidity and mortality. Different groups have shown that DCs act during Plasmodium infection, and data suggest that the phenotypically distinct DCs subsets are key factors in the regulation of immunity during infection. In this review, we will discuss the importance of DCs for the induction of immunity against the different stages of Plasmodium, the outcomes of DCs activation, and also what is currently known about Plasmodium components that trigger such activation.
Laboratory of Antigen Targeting to Dendritic Cells, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Kelly N S
KN
Amorim
Laboratory of Antigen Targeting to Dendritic Cells, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Daniele C G
DC
Chagas
Laboratory of Antigen Targeting to Dendritic Cells, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Fernando B
FB
Sulczewski
Laboratory of Antigen Targeting to Dendritic Cells, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil; National Institute for Science and Technology in Vaccines, 31270-910 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Silvia B
0000-0002-7845-7110
SB
Boscardin
D017951:Antigen Presentation; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007159:Immunologic Tests; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D008288:Malaria / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology