Human cytomegalovirus infection of immature dendritic cells and macrophages

A central aspect of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) pathogenesis is the intera ction of the virus with different antigen-presenting cell (APC) types of th e host. In principle, a number of various cell types have the potential of antigen presentation when MHC II expression is induced by appropriate stimu li. The most potent antigen presenters are monocytes/macrophages and dendri tic cells (DCs), therefore called professional APCs, Interestingly, these c ells seem to be targets of productive HCMV infection. The susceptibility of the monocyte/macrophage system has been analyzed intensively during the pa st decade. Investigation of the role of DCs during HCMV infection, however, has begun only recently. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.