HIV Interactions with Dendritic Cells

Studying the mechanisms of HIV-1 interactions with dendritic cells (DCs) is critical to understand HIV pathogenesis and develop more effective interventions against HIV infection and AIDS. DCs perform a pivotal role in the induction and regulation of the adaptive immune response; however, HIV impairs DC function and exploits DCs to spread viral infection to target CD4+ T cells. Interactions between HIV and DCs are of vital importance because DCs are among the first cells to encounter HIV-1 at the mucosal surface. Immature DCs allow productive HIV replication and long-term viral dissemination. As immature DCs traffic to the lymph node, they become mature and are highly proficient at transmitting HIV-1 to CD4+ T cells for efficient viral spread. Thus, DCs can be hijacked by HIV-1 to aid in the initial stages of HIV-1 infection of a host, with roles in establishment of an infection and dissemination of HIV-1 throughout the host. In addition, HIV interactions with DCs alter innate and adaptive immune responses to the virus, which can impair anti-HIV immunity and play an important role in HIV persistence. Furthermore, as professional antigen presenting cells, DCs have been targeted for developing more effective AIDS vaccine.
Given rapid research progress and advance of the techniques in studying HIV interactions with host cells and factors, there is a critical need for a book on HIV interactions with DCs. The proposed book will aim for a broad readership to facilitate HIV/AIDS research and provide a practical tool for HIV researchers to continuously address novel questions. Specifically, the editors will summarize the literature in this field and provide critical analysis and future directions. International researchers will be invited as contributors of the book, highlighting authors who have contributed significantly to the field from different angles and aspects of virology, cell biology and immunology, etc.