THE BIOLOGICAL RELEVANCE OF POLYKARYONS IN THE IMMUNE-RESPONSE

Peripheral blood monocyte-derived multinucleated giant cells are a wel l-known feature of chronic inflammatory conditions. Similarly, virus-i nduced syncytin derived from CD4(+) cells are considered to be typical of human immunodeficiency virus infection under culture conditions. H ere, Stefano Fais and colleagues summarize recent experimental results comparing the mechanisms underlying the formation and fate of these t wo different polykaryons, discussing their putative role in the immune response.